THE INTERNET

174 Chapter 7 0 Accommodations: References and Ratings

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Map of the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport from the ^{OAG Travel Planner,} North American Edition

....

All in all, the OAG Business Travel Planners are excellent hotel/motel reference books which provide a wealth of information on both do- mestic and international travel. They serve the travel industry well.

Chapter 7 0 Accommodations: References and Ratings 175

brand or chain, that name can be typed in the Search slot to view its Web site. Then scroll through and choose the desired location, by country, state, and city. Descriptions, and often a map, of each of the chain's properties in a city are shown. City convention and visitor bureaus usually have Web sites, and many include hotel lists and reservation information. Keying the city name in the Search slot should give the CVB's Web site as a selection.

If "hotel" is typed into the Search slot, a list of chains and brands is shown. Scroll through and click on your choice. Then scroll through and click on your desired location. The Web site that appears will often show pictures of the specific property and give detailed in- formation on amenities and price range.

Major travel sites on the Web are Travelocity, Preview Travel, Ex- pedia, and Internet Travel Network. Once in them, click on the "ac- commodations" option. Destination selections will be followed by chain and brand options. Additional sites are www.all-hotels.com, www.hotelguide.com, www.frommers.com, www.fodors.com.

Reservations may be made directly through the Internet. In order to do this you must know the specific dates that you require reserva- tions and be prepared to give your credit card number and expiration date. Most sites have disclaimers stating that credit card information is encrypted to protect the purchases.

Following are step-by-step operations for making reservations at a specific property.

To enter the site, click Internet then click Go to Web. At Search blank, type in "hotels."

SCREEN

Several options show current travel bargains

Advertising

Lists chains

Shows Marriott Web page List of brands

Asks where, by country and state Lists properties

CLICK

Hotel directory Hotel index

Make choice (ex: Marriott Hotels) Hotel directory

Make choice (ex:

Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites) Scroll to desired (ex:

District Columbia) Click desired (ex:

Marriott Pa. Ave.)

176 Chapter 7 0 Accommodations: References and Ratings

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Picture of hotel and description including number of rooms,

restaurants, amenities

Blanks for Date of arrival and Date of departure

Number of adults

Blanks for identification numbers (i.e., travel agent)

Select rate followed by description such as city view, kind of bed,

concierge, AARP, government Name, address, phone, credit card blanks

Click Make reservation Scroll to fill in

Scroll to fill in Fill in

Click Availability

Click choice Fill in

Hit Send form

Warnings may be posted to click Send form only once to avoid double booking.

For international properties such as Intercontinental Hotels, first the continent (sometimes shown by a map), then region, then country/

city are asked for. Prices may be shown in the country's currency. TRENDS

Use of the Internet to make and guarantee hotel reservations is one of the biggest changes in the accommodation industry. As individuals access information on, and make reservations with, specific hotels, computer knowledge becomes more vital for front-desk and reserva- tion personnel. Travel agents who are expert in accessing the Internet to obtain availability on specific dates and rate information will be in demand. In spite of detailed information on meeting capacities, meet- ing planners will still visit properties to assess their usefulness before booking rooms for a conference. The leisure traveler who is seriously shopping for low-priced accommodations will still telephone direct to the hotel in hopes of a yield management situation where individ- ual properties can quote lower than what is published on the Internet or central reservation system.

Chapter 7 0 Accommodations: References and Ratings 177

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES

ACCOMMODATIONS: REFERENCES AND RATINGS

1. Name three hotel/motel information sources.

2. List three advantages and disadvantages for the sources you listed.

3. Name six pieces of information that the OAG Travel Planners

give on each country.

178 Chapter 7 0 Accommodations: References and Ratings

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CHAPTER PROJECTS

1. Visit a local travel agency and see which hotel/motel reference sources they use.

2. Describe the Internet screens you see and operations you perform to make a reservation at the

a. Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco

b. Intercontinental Ritz in Lisbon, Portugal