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Create a Proactive Online Marketing Frenzy During Adverse Times

June 14, 2010 by

Lodging managers and owners usually provide their own public relations in the middle of frenzy. Whether in good times when you are turning over 95% guest occupancy or in more challenging times of natural disasters or uncontrolled events, the Public Relations hat must be worn along with all of your other hats.

Sometimes it’s hard to see through it all. Turn to your marketing experts for another point of view, a second opinion or to brainstorm ideas.  

At Blizzard we have the advantage of working with clients all over the world.  We have helped our clients fight through a wide variety of situations; flooding, snowstorms, avalanches, tornadoes, hurricanes, and even the results of man-made events. Counteracting the situation with a flurry of online activity works.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Breaking News, Out and About, Travel Marketing

Escapia Vacation Rental Seminar 2010: Vacation Rentals 3.0

May 10, 2010 by
Join Escapia and Blizzard Internet Marketing, Inc. on May 20th in Breckenridge, Colorado for a complimentary seminar, Vacation Rentals 3.0.
Learn how to maximize your bookings by implementing techniques used by the bigger travel brands to increase occupancy, profits, and average daily rates.
The seminar will cover topics including:
• What vacation rental shoppers are looking for from you.
• Yield Management: The right rates at the right time.
• Easy ways to improve your website.
• Cloud Computing and vacation rental management.
• PCI Compliance: What it means to credit cards and protecting your business.
• Eliminating keys and increasing security on your homes.
• Vacation Protection: The new expectation in travel and more money to you.
• Reaching 50 million online shoppers at the click of a mouse.
• Maximizing occupancy and ADR like the hotels, airlines, and car rental companies.
• Increasing your “look to book” rates by 41 percent.
• Lessons for 2010: Analysis of 2009 based on over one million rental days.
Learn more and sign up for this complimentary breakfast seminar on Escapia.com

Join Escapia and Blizzard Internet Marketing, Inc. on May 20th in Breckenridge, Colorado for a complimentary seminar, Vacation Rentals 3.0.

Learn how to maximize your bookings by implementing techniques used by the bigger travel brands to increase occupancy, profits, and average daily rates.vacation rental software

The seminar will cover topics including:

  • What vacation rental shoppers are looking for from you.
  • Yield Management: The right rates at the right time.
  • Easy ways to improve your website.
  • Cloud Computing and vacation rental management. [Read more...]
Filed Under: SEM, Travel Marketing

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Not Yet Affecting Gulf Shore Beaches

May 4, 2010 by

While it’s not yet known how severely the beaches of the Gulf Coast will be affected, for now the sun is shining and the sand is warm.

If you are planning a vacation in the area please check with your rental company before Pensacola Beach Feb 09, sea oatsmaking any decisions as companies in the area are informed daily about the slick and the risk that it poses.

If you want to know how you can help, here are a few resources:

Photo by divemasterking2000

Filed Under: Breaking News, Travel Marketing

Search Engine Marketing Workshop for Hospitality Marketers

September 1, 2009 by

Since 1997, Blizzard Internet Marketing has teamed up with hospitality marketers to create smart online marketing strategies for lodging and travel websites.

During the last week of September, Blizzard Internet is hosting a 2-day hands-on workshop in their home town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado where their long time clients, new clients, and other hotel marketers looking to discover what is new in search marketing will gather.

The workshop titled “Google and Foundations” will cover proven search strategies and how to integrate them it to a 2010 marketing plan. Leading the workshop is Blizzard Internet’s President and Co-Founder, Trent Blizzard, who is known for bringing a fresh and proven perspective to search marketing. Trent comments that:

“Blizzard Internet clients who are committed to growing their online marketing presence are the first to sign up for our workshops. They understand that successful marketing means teamwork; work is done both by Blizzard Internet experts but also by their in-house team, and together we can take their search engine presence to the next level. Both our new clients and other hospitality companies wanting to learn attend because they are ready to outrank and out perform their competitors.”

After the 2-day workshop, attendees will leave knowing:

  • How to optimize their website for search engines
  • The best tools for researching keywords, tracking results, and spying on their competitors
  • How to successfully build powerful links to their website
  • The ins and outs of how Google works
  • The latest strategies to compete for guests in today’s saturated market

Event Details:
When:  September 29th and 30th of 2009
Who:  Hotel, Resort, Vacation Rental, and Travel Related Website Marketers
Where:  Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Bring: Your Laptop

Filed Under: Blizzard News, Marketing Musts, Travel Marketing

Best of the Web Directory – BOTW – is Recommended

April 28, 2009 by

botwlogoOne fee based resource we recommend everyone sign up for is Best of the Web (aka BOTW)

No matter whether you are big or small, I recommend you spend $99 a year (or $249 onetime – lifetime) to join this directory.  When you join you get short description and a nice link:

botw

Visit Best of the Web to see if you are already listed (just search for your domain name), and, to sign yourself up if you aren’t already.

Filed Under: Travel Marketing

Marketing as a “Drive To” Destination

November 24, 2008 by

The economic news is very doom and gloom these days – but if you’re a drive-to destination – you’re in luck.  Gas is getting cheaper!

Today I paid $2.22 a gallon.  That’s pretty high still – we’re not very far from some major ski areas in the mountains of Colorado.  That being said – I’m more likely now to drive myself to a vacation than I was just six-months ago.

driving a fancy car

Marketing to these drive-to shoppers presents some unique challenges, especially for vacation rental managers.  There are some tips I can suggest to take advantage of this market – If you have any of your own to add – please feel free to list them in the comments below: [Read more...]

Filed Under: Travel Marketing

Vacation Rental Market Growing

October 30, 2008 by

I read about a new PhoCusWright study today over at HotelMarketing.com that outlines a dramatic growth in the vacation rental market.

The study, “Vacation Rental Marketplace: Poised for Change” (purchased report) reveals that the current 2.8 billion in online booking of vacation rentals is 12% of overall vacation rental revenue – and is expected to grow by 17% by 2010.

As someone who prefers vacation rentals, the amenities to cost benefits are astounding and it’s apparent more of the market is catching on.  I love having a kitchen and a washer and dryer when we’re on vacation.  I have kids – both are messy and picky – so when I can make them breakfast or lunch they’ll eat – and keep them in clean clothes without packing two weeks worth – it’s completely worth not having an elevator or on-site restaurant.

“12% of vacation rentals were booked online in 2007 compared to over half of all leisure travel that was booked online, so there’s a tremendous long-term upside to this market, many consumers are frustrated by the difficulty of finding the right property, overcoming issues like a minimum required length of stay, and booking through a company they can trust. Companies that can help consumers overcome these issues will be best positioned to capture this opportunity”

Douglas Quinby, Senior Director, Research, PhoCusWright

Play up the benefits of a vacation rental over a plain hotel room in your marketing efforts:

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Travel Marketing
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