Information days for online booking

Training and trial offer for our hosts on 2 and 3 December 2020

Program overview

To this end, an online presentation on the topic "Increasing guest numbers can be so easy – successfully mastering online booking!" was held on Wednesday, December 2nd, at 10:00 a.m. for accommodations not yet bookable online. An online booking representative provided participants with valuable information on direct booking options, including admission requirements, costs, and sales portals. On the same day, at around 3:00 p.m., hosts had the opportunity to participate in a second web training session focusing on "Present yourself better – increase bookings." This training session was also aimed at hosts who already use direct online booking for their accommodations. Tips and tricks for improving their web presence were presented. Nina Lang, tourism expert from the Steinwald Alliance, welcomed the hosts at the beginning of each seminar. The following day, December 3rd, there was also the opportunity for individual telephone consultations between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Currently, only about 20% of all accommodation providers in the Steinwald region can be booked online. Small and micro-landlords, in particular, tend not to use this sales channel. The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are putting many accommodation providers in dire straits. Therefore, it is all the more important to increase bed occupancy, even with short-term bookings. Online booking is currently one of the few opportunities to fill vacancies. Some landlords have recognized this problem. Just one day after the event, the first registrations for online bookings from landlords in the Steinwald region were received. Other hosts have expressed interest in this sales channel.

For many years, OBS OnlineBuchungService GmbH, a subsidiary of the Eastern Bavaria Tourism Association, has been offering private landlords a cost-effective online sales solution. A commission is only due when the guest actually arrives. The simple booking process is designed to allay hosts' fears of technology and the internet. The occupancy calendar is maintained via a system, but available rooms and vacation apartments are displayed on a variety of platforms – from regional tourism websites to major players like Booking.com.