Some hotel chains are only just waking up to the fact that social media channels equal booking channels. Some are only just realising it could be an idea not to just have a presence on Facebook, but to let clients book on Facebook. Accor have been ahead in the game for a while now, and this week announced that they had the first location-based application to reward a hotel group’s loyalty program members.
Accor launched A-Club Places, an innovative and unique Facebook application, available to A-Club loyalty members. The launch of this application is part of Accor’s strategy to develop its presence on the Internet, on mobile phones and social networks. Sales through these direct distribution channels represent close to 29% of the Group’s total sales.
The new service allows members to check in on the application on Facebook and rewards customers with a badge depending on the regularity of their stay and on the type hotels the stay at which convert into A-Club points.
This just shows how hotels are having to develop their online presence in social circles even more carefully. Its important to offer as much of your baseline service on as many channels as possible, and Accor have plugged the gap with their loyalty program.
