Falling prices a chance to promote better rates
As an OTA, Orbitz does not have a lot of control over prices but that can be an advantage, says Orbitz Worldwide’s VP Revenue Manager Julie Szudarek. She said:
“In most cases, pricing is passed to us by our supply partners. However, we are greatly impacted by falling prices as commissions are frequently calculated as a percentage of price. We look at falling prices as an opportunity to promote great prices to our customers.”
Falling prices provide customers the ability to try a destination or a room category that might previously have been too expensive.
“During the current economic downturn, we’ve actually seen an increase in the percentage of four and five-star properties sold versus prior years, as well as an increase in the length of stay,” she said.
She attributed that to the “tremendous” offers Orbitz is able to offer. “Customers can afford properties that they otherwise would not have been able to afford,” she said.
She suggested that using value-added ads can be useful but that they are often not seen as having value because of their real cost.
“At Orbitz, we’ve had the best luck using value ads where we can share the cost with a partner,” she said. One example was to offer hotel purchasers a $50 gift card to a restaurant with a qualifying hotel purchaser.
Ms Szudarek is scheduled to speak at the EyeforTravel’s Travel Distribution Summit North America 2009 to be held in Chicago Sept. 16-17.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026