New York, NY -- October 27, 2008 -- Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS), the leading online marketing company for the hospitality and travel verticals, was recently selected as the exclusive Internet marketing provider for the Tides Inn, a luxurious four-diamond Chesapeake Bay hotel recognized as one of the Leading Hotels of the World. In agreement with the partnership, HeBS designed a custom website for the hotel (www.TidesInn.com) and has launched a comprehensive direct online distribution strategy that will undoubtedly boost The Tides Inn's Internet marketing presence and significantly increase ROIs.

HeBS strategically designed the Tides Inn website to be user friendly, booker-friendly, customer-interactive friendly, search engine-friendly, and to position the property as the premier luxury accommodation option in Irvington, Virginia. HeBS services also include marketing to The Tides' major feeder markets and customer segments by way of search engine marketing including local search, email marketing, online press releases, online sponsorships, and strategic linking. Additionally HeBS has implemented a destination strategy that will leverage the popularity of the destination and Omniture website analytics as well as providing professional development services.

Here are some of the innovative features of the newly redesigned website:

  • Award-winning design with an up-to-date look and feel and wide screen layout
  • Rich visual content, including Flash animations, video and visual galleries
  • Easy to use, consistent 4-tiered navigation addressing all key customer segments
  • Significantly enhanced textual and destination content on the new website
  • Rich customer segmentation content and interactive features targeting the World-class website analytics and campaign tracking tool by Omniture Analytics
  • Comprehensive online reservations functionality
  • New website optimized for premier placement in the search engines
  • Interactive mapping and hotel directions using Google Maps API


According to Max Starkov, HeBS President and CEO, "Many hoteliers appreciate how critical an effective direct-to-consumer online distribution strategy is to the very existence of their hotels. The Tides Inn clearly understands the competitive advantages of lessening dependence on online intermediaries and discounters and avoiding price and brand erosion for enhanced long term economic health, combined with an aggressive direct distribution strategy and creative Web initiatives. We believe that a comprehensive, ROI-centric Internet marketing strategy is the perfect 'survival tool' in the current economic environment."

The hotel website has become the first point of contact--and often the last--with the overwhelming majority of hotel customers in North America. Furthermore, in the light of the current economic conditions, smart Internet marketing translates directly to producing incremental revenues, improving marketing ROIs and outsmarting the competition. This makes the hotel website all the more crucial in a hotels' livelihood. HeBS has pioneered some of the best practices in direct online distribution and marketing in hospitality that helps counter the economic strains. Having extensive experience in managing and consulting for more than 500 hospitality companies, HeBS ensures that the Tides Inn will benefit tremendously from its new partnership and enter the new phase of its productivity.

"We selected HeBS from 14 website design and Internet marketing vendors and inless then 60 days, they have exceeded our expectations dramatically by delivering a website that has since won praise from
guests and partners alike. Additionally, the website has already started to generate significant revenues for the property. We are confident that the new website and the comprehensive Internet marketing campaigns implemented will produce excellent return-on-investment in an impressively short time" said Peter Regan, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Tides Inn.


About HeBS:
Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, Inc. (HeBS) is the industry's leading Internet marketing and distribution strategy consulting firm for the hospitality and travel verticals. Based in New York City, HeBS has pioneered many of the "best practices" in hotel Internet marketing, website design + optimization, and direct online distribution. HeBS specializes in helping travel suppliers and hoteliers build and enhance their direct Internet marketing and distribution strategy, boost their Internet marketing presence, establish interactive relationships with their customers, and significantly increase direct online bookings and ROIs. The firm brings a unique perspective to the industry, gained through working with over 500 travel and hospitality companies including major brands, luxury and boutique hotel companies, franchised and independent hotels, resorts and casinos, convention bureaus and hotel management companies worldwide. Find out more about HeBS at www.hospitalityebusiness.com or by email at [email protected].

About Tides Inn:
The Tides Inn rests on its own peninsula overlooking Carters Creek with a clear view to Rappahannock River. A unique mix of southern charm and hospitality, with a modern approach to gracious attentiveness, Tides Inn is an exclusive waterfront resort set against a backdrop of traditional care and comfort. The Tides Inn opened to the public on July 15th, 1947, and soon established itself as the premier Small Hotel in the Mid-Atlantic. The resort offers four diamond accommodations, 18-Hole Golden Eagle Golf Course with Clubhouse, Par 3 Executive Golf Course, a full service spa, 60 slip transient Marina, sailing school, conference center, three exceptional restaurants, and much more.

Mariana Mechoso Safer
HeBS Digital
212-752-8186

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