Is Google on Track to be the worlds largest OTA - Blogger

Google Hotel Finder adds bookings making the worlds dominant search engine lookincreasingly like an OTA.
Get the story here >http://markhat.com/google-adds-bookings-hotelfinder-otakings

We have been tracking Hotel finder for some time, and as this video shows it is a powerful marketing solution for hotels that has been moving toward offering a better platform for hotels. But with this move direct bookings are difinatly on the way out as Google sees it.

Get the full story at Marketing Hotels and tourism - Markhat.com

Is TripAdvisor Strategy on Shaky Ground - SeekingAlha thinks so

SeekingAlpha, LN Investors looks at the rise and pitfalls facing TripAdvisor from an investment and financial point of view. It suggest that while TripAdvisor may be a more attractive stock than its direct competitors, their are problems ahead!
http://markhat.com/tripadvisor-strategy-on-shaky-ground/ Its move into the one stop booking business is being met and well be met with growing competion and already its margins are falling!

How to Target Direct Booking Travellers - MARKHAT.COM

In the blog we look at How to Target Direct Booking Travellers at a time when travel shoppers are moving away from OTAs booking more with hotel websites.
http://markhat.com/how-to-target-direct-booking-travelers/

Mellennials Strike Another Blow to OTAs - MARKHAT.COM

Travel shoppers are going directly to hotel websites to both research and book travel. Only 58 percent obtained travel information from an OTA during the past year, down significantly from the 84 percent in 2014. Only 13% of travelers who regularly seek information from an OTA book their reservations on OTA sites, down from 36 percent just one year ago.
http://markhat.com/mellennials-strike-another-blow-to-otas/

Jeff Bullas Charts Shocking Stats on Social Influencers - MARKHAT.COM

Jeff Bullas' roundup of latest stats and research reveals shocking news on Social Influencers: Like Google is way down the list as a buying influencer but blogs are near the top.
http://markhat.com/research-reveals-surprising-news-on-social-influencers

Twitter Struggles with Sagging Growth - MARKHAT.COM

This blog, in the ongoing saga of #TwitterStayingAlive, reviews what Twitter is doing to stay in the game and looks at the effect of its strategies and at its options.

http://markhat.com/twitter-struggles-with-sagging-growth/

To add to the fire or to damp some flames look at this graph from a blog by Jeff Bullas.


What this means is that twiiter is a top platform where influencers post their comments and alerts. If people who are considered top influencers use it to share their message, it cant be that bad! More from Jeff Bullus see Shocking Facts on Social Media Influences

Travel Bookers Shift to Brand Sites -eMarketing - MARKHAT.COM

New Phocuswright study confirms that Travel Bookers Shift to Brand Sites and away from OTAs
http://markhat.com/travel-bookers-shift-to-brand-sites-from-otas-emarketing

In this article MarkHat.com looks at the trends and offers tips and free reports on power marketing strategies that will help hotels provide effective systems for travel bookers.