Lodging Interactive Launches HuBBub Social Media Platform
JANUARY 5, 2009 - Lodging Interactive, a leading interactive marketing agency servicing the hospitality industry, today announced the roll out of HuBBub(TM), its Travel 2.0 Marketing Services for Hotels.
Through the HuBBub Social Media Platform hotels can leverage Travel 2.0 technologies to maximize their online reach through conversational marketing opportunities on major social media websites such as Facebook, MySpace, Squidoo, Twitter and many others.
'Research indicates there are over 72 million registered users who interact on social media websites at least once a month. And, 89% of US online buyers read customer reviews before they make a purchase,' said DJ Vallauri, Lodging Interactive's Founder and President. 'Social media websites are a viable distribution and marketing opportunity for hotels that will continue to grow. Our HuBBub Social Media Platform maximizes this opportunity in a manner that makes it easy for a hotel to 'join in the conversation'.
The HuBBub Social Media Platform is a turn-key marketing service which leverages Travel 2.0 technologies to extend a hotel's online branding, marketing and communication strategies. HuBBub combines blogging, RSS feed syndication, Twittering and email harvesting with hotel profiles on Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, Twitter, Photobucket, Squidoo, Wikipedia and others.
'While it is important that you monitor social media websites to stay informed about guest experiences and opinions, it is equally important to join the conversation and to present your hotel to potential guests in a social environment,' added Mr. Vallauri.
The HuBBub Social Media Platform resides at the center of it all and provides RSS feed syndication which 'pushes out' hotel specials, promotions and announcements to subscribers. In addition, HuBBub is fully integrated with the major social media websites via Travel 2.0 custom widgets and badges. The result is fast and cost-effective distribution of a hotel's marketing communications to millions of potential social media members.
Richard Walsh, Vice President of Business Development for Lodging Interactive added 'The basic element underlying an effective hotel marketing strategy is to provide relevant and appealing information and social media extends this ability beyond just a presence on the page, it opens the door for a personal dialogue with a past or future guest. The goal as with all online marketing is, of course, to attract potential guests to your website. But, it is also an opportunity to create a viral network of guests and potential guests. The unique benefit to social media is the opportunity to build a relationship between buyers and sellers. Your social media relationship will exist prior to the purchase as well as after the purchase, creating a viral network of guests and potential guests. Social Media will not displace commercial advertising or brand standardization, but it does provide an opportunity for each hotel to deliver its unique sales message, interact with past and future guests, travel agents and meeting planners directly and to build on its presence where shoppers go to make their buying decisions.'
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
