Usability Experts Release New Book
'Designing Emotions in Online Travel'
ROTTERDAM, NL, January 23, 2007. The new book "Designing Emotions in Online Travel" (ISBN: 9-0902-1413-5, Sotopia.com), by Soraia Cardoso and Reni Vaartjes, provides new insights on how to arouse positive emotions at travel websites by using specific graphic elements, colours and online functions to ultimately increase online bookings. The book is available for purchase direct from www.sotopia.com.
About the book
Not only deficiencies in web usability but highly in emotional persuasion ability are impacting the end user satisfaction and bottom line costs for both travel companies as well as tourism destinations. In a world where capitalism is king we tend to look for meaningful sensorial experiences, things worth to remember rather than pursuing.
Developing a design toolkit to enable designers to design for emotion is the central issue of the book "Designing Emotions in Online Travel". The information gathered from online surveys and 200 in depth one-to-one interviews in "Designing Emotions in Online Travel" take us on a journey through the emotional stages of people while booking a holiday online.
These findings provide great insight on what people find important when searching for a holiday destination. It turns out that facts and figures are not enough. They want to get emotional; they want a journey through the senses. Tickling one s imagination through visuals, colours, and engaging functionalities is the key to designing for emotions. The secret is when and how in the booking process this should be done. This book promises to remind us the importance of the preliminaries; it s all about giving before taking.
About the authors
Soraia Cardoso is an international specialist in design, web development, and usability. She has a broad knowledge of employing usability and design methods to optimize websites, applications, and software products. It's her devotion to make them user-centered, task-oriented, enjoyable and usable! Soraia is founder of Sotopia Usability Consultancy which clients include major Dutch and International Organizations. Soraia holds a Master of Arts in media and information design.
Reni Vaartjes is specialised in design, design management, idea generation and concept development. His creative mind results in solutions for uncommon challenges in online media. His experience in marketing and communication includes the development of cross-media campaigns, community building, viral marketing and customer observation. Reni holds a degree in Design Management and Marketing.
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 
