There are a lot of buzz-worthy two-letter acronyms thrown around these days. None more so than Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), But, what do these things mean to you as a hotelier and how can they impact your hotel marketing? Tune in to this episode of the Fuel Hotel Marketing Podcast to find out.
CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW TO START LISTENING.


If you like what you hear, please leave a comment below, share it with your friends, and also leave a review.
========================
SHOW NOTES:
What is Virtual Reality VS What is Augmented Reality?
AR & VR Growth & Adoption

• According to EyeForTravel.com, the shipments of VR devices are expected to grow by over 400% between 2017 – 2021
• Omnivirt.com estimates that there will be more than 171 million active VR users by 2018
• Omnivirt.com discovered that 41% of adults are interested in trying a VR device

AR & VR Applications For Travel // Predictions

• AR offers lower barrier to entry → Will be the initial stepping stone for travel brands
• Large brands will be the first to experiment with applications
• Room tours, on-property navigation, destination experiences

What Is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence Stats

• CMO.com estimates that 85% of customer interactions will be managed without a human by 2020
• 72% of business leaders believe investing in AI is a “business advantage”
• Investment in AI increased 300% in 2017
• By 2025, the AI market will surpass $100 billion

Artificial Intelligence in Travel // Predictions

• Hilton is testing “Connie” → automated concierge powered by IBM Watson and Wayblazer; answer guest questions about services, amenities, local attractions, and more
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines → allows travel shoppers to receive booking info, check-in notifications, boarding passes, and flight updates via FB Messenger
• Visit Orlando → Integrated AI into its web and app platforms to answer unique travel searches like “where to find the best brunch” or “places for local craft beer”.

Listener Questions:
Hey Guys,
Someone just introduced me to a site called TRVL.com, which lets individuals earn travel agent commissions. They make their own booking page (like this) with the hotels, then share these recommendations with friends. If friends book, they get the bulk of the commission, with TRVL.com getting the rest.
Have you heard of this site?
The biggest issue I see here is TRVL.com uses the big OTAs for bookings, so in the end it doesn’t appear to help the properties; it just re-splits the commission. But maybe properties can benefit from the more personalized recommendations TRVL offer?
What’s your take?
Thanks and keep up the great work with the podcast,
Chris Blachut
Chief Unconventionalist
Hotelier Wishes

• Bob Applewhite
  • In an effort to radically improve conversion, it should be mandatory that all visitors to a hotel website MUST book immediately. Site abandonment will not be allowed for any reason — including but not limited to rate-shopping, amenity comparison, reading TripAdvisor reviews or other such time-wasting nonsense. The only allowable exception will be in the case of a property that is 100% occupied, at which time the site visitor will be required to book the next available dates, regardless of their preference, personal needs or vacation schedule — thus maintaining the perfect 100% conversion rate. Can Fuel come up with something like this???   Lol

========================

========================
In The Newsies
Could Airbnb Soon Have A Loyalty Program?
https://www.smartertravel.com/2018/01/17/design-loyalty-program-airbnb/
========================
Follow Us on Twitter:
@_travelboom
@stuartbutler
@marketingmeisha
@makavanagh
@pdimaio
@pforiska

---

 

Submit your questions and topic ideas on Twitter to @_travelboom.[/vc_column_text]