With the discussion raging about Web 2.0 applications in the hospitality, travel & tourism industry (with hotels slowing catching on), the subject of much enthusiasm in the Travel 2.0 game now seems to be Video! Moving beyond the original Travel 2.0 phenomenon (e.g.TripAdvisor, which now features over 6 million user reviews on hotels, destinations and local attractions), new sites are now focusing on the logical next step...combining reviews & ratings with videos of the actual hotel product.

aloha! aloft hotels worldwide announced the reopening of its newly renovated virtual hotel, aloft SL., based on important feedback from Second Life® residents, underscoring aloft’s commitment to responding to consumer feedback and to building the world’s best select service hotel brand.

Since it first opened in the virtual world in September 2006, aloft has actively solicited input from Second Life residents on such design features as public spaces, guest rooms and exteriors – everything from color palette to space planning. After reviewing all of the comments, several changes to the design are a direct result of consumer feedback, and were reflected in the “real-life” aloft hotels. Some of these changes include adding radios in the guest room showers, providing additional seating in the re:mix lobby, and incorporating artwork created by local artists on the walls in the public areas.

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By Jitendra Jain

If you’ve always loved computers and the internet, have worked in the travel industry and have a flair for the creative and a passion for marketing…then a career in online marketing & distribution in a hotel may be just the thing for you!

The role, often referred to as e-commerce, e-business or online marketing & distribution (though these are quite disparate terms) usually pertains to a growing niche in the hospitality industry. It’s often confused with revenue management, public relations and worse still…IT, but the focus is really quite simple…and it isn’t rocket science. Online marketing & distribution would be best described as a combination of traditional marketing, PR and sales taken to a whole new level on the Internet platform.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East are currently on the lookout for qualified e-commerce / online marketing & distribution specialists. The e-commerce or online marketing role is mainly marketing-focused with a internet / technology edge. This is not to be confused with IT Management / support, Revenue Management, Public Relations or Sales, though the online marketing executive does co-ordinate and work with these specialists. The e-commerce role and teams are also quite dynamic and these roles are superb launch-pads, esp for savvy grads and those looking to make a mark in the hospitality industry + marketing. As of begn June 2007, the open positions include these hotels:

> Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel
> W Doha - Opening January 1, 2008
> Sheraton Khalidiya Hotel, Abu Dhabi
> Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road (Opening September 15, 2007) and Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Dubai (Opening August 1, 2007)
> Grosvenor House West Marina Beach by Le Méridien and Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa
> Sheraton Deira Hotel, Dubai

According to iPerceptions' Hospitality Industry Visitor Satisfaction Report for Q4, visitors to the InterContinental Hotel Group's website are more satisfied than the hospitality industry average.

Across all IHG brands, the content dimension was a prominent area of strength. Visitors resoundingly applauded the relevancy, level of detail, and breadth of the information and content in the IHG sites. Moreover, visitors to the IHG sites indicated the site(s) were easy to use and very well structured. This led to an adoption rating that was close to half an iPSI point higher than the industry average, which is predictive of site referral and likelihood to return. The three attributes included in the adoption index are key barometers of a site's ability to foster brand loyalty, cement its status as a starting point for hotel research, and encourage repeat visits

The release does not state which hotel chains are ranked with or above the InterContinental Hotels Group though.