Markham, ON å- June, 2002 - å“Sell the sizzle to sell the steakå” is the mantra of every hospitality professional. Northwind added the ability for their ResEze Web Reservations customers to put links from room type availability to room photos, layouts and views.  This enhancement is an important development, which has current ResEze users clamouring at the prospect of using this feature to drive more room sales and up sells
“At Northwind, our goal is to support our customers in creating the largest possible funnel of opportunity to sell rooms. Maestro’s integrated yield management means you can manage reservation channels individually or together and truly offer best available rate over the Internet,” stated John Dowsett, the Senior Solutions Consultant at Northwind. Dowsett continues “no longer is your website your discount, sell off zone. Based on guest type and real-time availability - the client can book their negotiated group or corporate rate. To further enhance the web as a booking tool, we have been working with the web based GDS providers to write a 2-way real time interface with Maestro.”

Clients like Wendy Welch, at the Barnsley Gardens Resort have made the book button big and bold in a key location on the front page of their website. Beverley McCay of The Dunes Hotel is teaching her corporate bookers the joys of getting their negotiated rate online and taking business from the larger branded hotels in her competitive set.

“A picture is worth a thousand words and nowhere is this more true than virtual tours on hospitality web sites. Prospective customers want to see exactly what they’re getting before they buy or make a reservation…” states Susan Sweeney, the guru of hospitality websites. The new link to room photo, layout and view feature of ResEze is an example of Northwind’s commitment to staying on the leading edge of online reservation systems software.

Dowsett,  a huge Sweeney fan, is accomplished at purchasing vacations online. This is the second year he and his family have spent their Sunday morning surfing the web for Caribbean Resort destinations - looking at what is available and at what price as well as exploring activities and local attractions. In the frenzy of bright colours and images of tropical beaches John and his family were hooked—but which hotel? Clicking through links at swift speed, the decisions begin to crystallize, but the financial debate is raging—$1799 or $1999? The choice was clear “what’s an extra $200. “Ooops…that’s 4 times $200”. But the images on one hotel website sway the family decision with price having just dropped to third in the family’s hierarchy of needs—they wanted THAT hotel, they wanted THAT upgraded room. They fill out the required information, click on the electronic signature tab for terms and conditions and VOILA, instant gratification.  They were booked and had their tickets that week.

Now you must ask yourself…

Does your current Property Management System have real time 2 way Internet Reservation capability? // Does your website provide visitors with everything they need to decide they want to do business with you? // Have your reservations from the web increased this year?

If your answer is NO to any of these questions, you’re missing out on the hottest trend in hospitality sales! You should visit the Northwind to see the latest in Online Reservation Software and a recent case study on Sales Automation.

About Susan Sweeny: Susan is the president of Connex Network Incorporated of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, an international Internet marketing and consulting company. The real world experience Susan has gained by promoting many commercial Internet projects has made her a recognized expert in site marketing and promotion. She is a frequent speaker at Internet marketing events, seminars, workshops, and conferences. Today Susan resides with her husband and three children in Bedford, Nova Scotia. For more information about Susan Sweeny’s services, consult our web site at http://www.susansweeney.com/

About NORTHWIND: NORTHWIND is a leading supplier of integrated and e-commerce solutions to satisfy the requirements of a wide range of `lodging & hospitality` venues. Designed to handle any size hotel, resort, meeting/conference center and for the enterprise, Northwind`s Maestro? solution offers the most productive working environment which includes the following suite of products:  PMS, Sales & Catering, Club/Spa Management, Corporate Reservations Office, GDS Connectivity and ResEze?  (Internet Reservations).  This comprehensive multi-platform (Windows 9X/NT/2000/XP, Unix AIX/SCO/Linux, Terminal Server & Web Enabled) solution is recognized as the solution of choice for progressive and demanding organizations.  NORTHWIND is a total solution provider that offers leading-edge technologies, and unparalleled training and support.

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