A couple of American journalists recently sat down to discuss online booking websites, and how they reorder their search results based on the hotels that pay the website the highest commissions.
The discussion was led by Lunch Break host Tanya Rivero speaking with The Wall Street Journal’s Scott McCartney, where amongst other things, they talked about the ensuing tension between hotels and online booking websites. Hotels rely on booking websites to help promote them, but hotels also want customers to book directly with them so that they cut out the middle man and bag more revenue.
Obviously, the notion that online booking websites are ordering their search results to include hotels that just pay more commission (to them) isn’t in the best interests of consumers who use such sites. They may not necessarily be booking the best hotels, but rather those that bring in more money.
Contrast that with a knowledgable, experienced, and – ideally – unbiased travel agent.
You guys are able to choose hotels based on first-hand knowledge – often through personal experience, e.g., on a famil, or through the advice of your helpful wholesale agent. And you’re always in a position to receive feedback from the customers that you send to certain hotels. (Hence the importance of following up.)
You can watch the video of the discussion here:
Alas, the debate between online and offline travel rages on.
Have you read 7 things a travel agent can do that a website can’t yet?
