Hospitality eBusiness Strategies to Present at the Historic Hotels of America Annual Meeting
Important Panel Explores Emerging Channels of Distribution
New York, NY | Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS), a leading Internet, eMarketing and eDistribution consulting firm for the travel and hospitality industry, announced today that for a third year in a row the firm had been chosen to present and comment on important Internet distribution and marketing issues at the National Trust Historic Hotels of America (HHA) annual meeting. This time HeBS principals will participate in an important panel discussion at the HHA’s annual meeting on Thursday, October 27 at the Heathman Hotel, Portland Oregon.
Max Starkov, Chief eBusiness Strategist and Jason Price, VP Business Development (
HeBS is providing Internet distribution and marketing consulting services to HHA and has been assisting HHA in developing a robust direct online distribution strategy and provide a more powerful and effective channel of distribution to their 218 member hotels throughout the United States and Canada. These services encompass a robust Internet distribution and marketing strategy; HHA website optimization services; search engine marketing and link popularity strategies; online booking technology analysis; and a destination Web strategy. As a result of implementation of this strategy HHA already delivers more value to its member hotels, significantly enhanced visibility on the Web, and drastically increased number of bookings.
"This panel discussion will help clear up much of the confusion among hoteliers about how the Internet and emerging channels of distribution can truly advance hotel interests," commented Starkov. "HHA is a ‘hotel-friendly’ channel of distribution that adds genuine value to member hotel marketing efforts by delivering a unique historic aspect of their message, and enabling hoteliers to maintain control over rates and inventory, in stark contrast to the familiar third-party merchant intermediary models."
“Smart hoteliers are looking to build their Internet marketing expertise, and HHA in partnership with HeBS is determined to become the ‘best practices resource’ for its members," commented Starkov. “This year over 25% of all revenues in hospitality will be generated from the Internet (20% in 2004, 15% in 2003). Another 25% of hotel bookings will be influenced by the Internet, but done offline (call center, walk-ins, group bookings, etc). Many HHA member hoteliers already benefit tremendously from the comprehensive direct online distribution and marketing strategies, developed as a result of the HeBS-HHA partnership.”
Commented Shirley Talbert, director of marketing distribution for HHA, “One goal of our annual meeting and this panel is presenting how these emerging channels can be integrated into hoteliers marketing strategies and implemented in ways to maintain hotelier control and to meet both revenue and occupancy goals, as well as enhancing their market position.”
Mariana Safer
SVP Global Marketing