2nd Quarter 2009 - Issue 7
General News
Wyndham Hotel Group Goes Mobile with Launch of New Web Sites
Travelers on the go looking to stay at Days Inn®, Ramada®, Super 8®, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge® and Knights Inn® hotels can now search for the nearest location, book or modify reservations and much more, directly from their Internet access enabled mobile devices through recently launched mobile web sites.
Baymont Inn and Suites®, Microtel Inns and Suites®, Hawthorn Suites® and Wingate by Wyndham® brands will launch in the coming weeks.
Wyndham Hotel group is providing mobile websites to address the growing opportunity of mCommerce, which is a new term for “mobile commerce.” According to a JPMorgan and Company study conducted earlier this year, the number of active mobile Internet users is expected to increase by over one-third by 2010, from 76.9 million users in 2009, to 104.6 million users in 2010.
The new sites provide consumers with nearly all of the same content and functionality as the brand’s main web sites but have been optimized for use on over 5,000 mobile devices, including Apple iPhone and Blackberry. Consumers can easily locate the nearest hotel, book, modify or cancel a reservation, download maps, turn-by-turn directions, view property photos and research hotel amenities and brand promotions while traveling.
Access to the sites is available through standard brand Web addresses, such as www.daysinn.com and www.super8.com, which, when entered into a mobile phone’s Internet browser, detect the type of phone being used and adapt to provide the user with the best possible experience.
“We’ve worked hard to develop an interface that is full featured and intuitive, allowing consumers to easily interact with our brands in the way that works best for them,” said Scott Lunsford, Wyndham Hotel Group vice president of eProducts and Internet Solutions. “By supporting such a wide array of devices, we’re ensuring that all users have a great experience regardless of the type of mobile phone they own.”
This service supports the direct booking option which builds upon an existing revenue generating channel, creates new marketing opportunities and provides yet another friendly interface to our consumers.