Holiday Booking Trends

Many people are getting ready to hit the road and check into their hotel for the holidays. But, did you know that many travelers are waiting for last-minute deals?

According to Hotels.com data, approximately one in four travelers are booking hotels via a mobile device, and nearly 70% of those bookings are made for same or next-day check-in.

Consumers are advised to book airfare early but hold out for hotel deals. If you want to capture those guests early, offer holiday packages or limited time promotions to get those guest to convert the first time they land on your site. Kiplinger recommends its readers book directly through the hotel’s website for lower rates or to sign up for a hotel’s newsletter to see what holiday promotions the hotel will offer. Start planning your holiday email marketing campaigns now to put your hotel in the minds of your guests. 

TripAdvisor advises family or group travelers to look into vacation rentals for savings of nearly 40 percent on a week-long stay for the holiday season. If you offer group travel services or discounts, be sure to offer that information to potential guests landing on your website.

As for airfare, Hotwire found that, “based on information collected this year, the experts at Hotwire® found that travel prices will be up for hotel and airfare vs. last year, but deals can be found in major metropolises in the late fall months, throughout the season in the Hawaiian Islands and on international flights.”

Hotwire also found that pricing on hotels is currently up nine percent compared to 2013. Travelers are advised to, if possible, wait for last minute bookings to get lower rates. For airfare, fall is doing well for those dreaming of sand and palm trees as rates to Kauai, The Big Island, and Maui see post-peak season airfare drops of 14, 15, and 23 percent respectively.

Bottom line: Prominently display your rates on your site, promote any holiday packages or promotions, and have a newsletter sign-up on your site to encourage guests to be notified of decreased rates or last-minute availability.

How do you encourage guests to stay at your property over the holidays?