Increasingly, travelers are more determined to get the best deals possible. The reasons for this are twofold: 1) they want to know before they go, and 2) they want to spend their money wisely. These factors translate into excellent opportunities innkeepers can take advantage of that they would be remiss to miss.
First off, the proliferation of AirBnB touting the "live like a local experience" has guests obsessed with immersing themselves in every destination they travel to. That means innkeepers' local knowledge and insights as permanent residents are worth their weight in gold. They know where to go and when, what to see and do. They are familiar with other local businesses, have established relationships with them, and know facts about the region that guidebooks and even tourism boards may not have firsthand, daily awareness of. Things that may not seem fascinating or unique to one person just might be something that truly impresses guests, and we know what that means. In the age of social sharing, when a hospitality pro has dazzled a guest it's just never them alone. If someone has an amazing experience, his/her entire network will learn about it, which gets an inn in front of numerous potential guests. Add to that the impact of Instagram, and this extended network will feel completely envious - driving up the desire to see the sights for themselves.
The Benefits of Direct Booking
By Mary White