Changzhou, June 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- What does "Internet Plus" mean for the traditional hotel industry? While the vast majority of enterprises remain confused, hesitant, and uncertain, some pioneering hotel operators have bravely plunged into the waves of the "Internet Plus" era, boldly seeking opportunities for transformation and upgrading, and opening up a new and extraordinary path.
On June 4, Huayi Mingdu Hotel Management Co., Ltd. signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Changzhou Rongshang Zhitou Culture Technology Co., Ltd. The two parties will work together to build a vertical direct-sales platform for Huayi Mingdu Hotels, establish company-level PC websites and mobile micro-sites, carry out various micro-marketing promotional activities, and create a flagship e-commerce platform for Changzhou's hotel industry. At the same time, Huayi Mingdu Hotel Management Company has also become a mid-level network application service agent for Rongshang Zhitou, responsible for promoting network applications within the hotel industry.
Faced with "Internet Plus", the traditional hotel industry has mixed feelings
"We have the customers and the products, but not the profits." Reflecting on the impact of the internet on the traditional hotel industry, Shen Yifeng from Huayi Mingdu Hotel Management Co., Ltd. spoke with deep emotion.
Over the past 18 years, the people of Mingdu have forged an extraordinary path: setting sail in 1997, starting with the Jinling Mingdu Grand Hotel, expanding from nothing, growing from a single hotel to a hotel management group that now operates 16 chain hotels, 18 high-end property management projects, and 17 strategic alliance partner enterprises.
However, major OTAs and trading platforms such as Ctrip, eLong, and Qunar have already become the largest sales channels for hotel products. These internet platforms have brought tremendous pressure to the traditional hotel industry. Yet, in Shen Yifeng’s view, this very pressure has further fueled the Mingdu team’s desire to embrace the internet.
While leveraging large-scale internet platforms to stabilize its market position, Huayi Mingdu has been constantly seeking an "Internet Plus" model that suits its own needs. Faced with "Internet Plus", what kind of extraordinary path will the people of Mingdu forge next?
Facing the challenge, only active participation can lead to breakthroughs
"What do customers want? Essentially, they want convenience, speed, and value. Regional 'Internet Plus hotel' services can help customers overcome barriers and enjoy the ultimate experience to the greatest extent." Rongshang Zhitou has offered Huayi Mingdu an effective solution to navigate the "Internet Plus" wave.
Backed by the eight major types of support provided by Rongshang Zhitou — including operations, pre-sales, events, resources, customer service, technology, promotion, and training — Huayi Mingdu will comprehensively upgrade its existing internet platforms. It will significantly enhance its multi-channel coverage through PC websites, mobile micro-sites, apps, WeChat, and other integrated platforms, enabling users of all types to access hotel products in the ways they are most comfortable with. At the same time, the hotel will reinforce its service-oriented philosophy, truly achieving O2O via the internet by converting online traffic to offline experiences and improving user satisfaction through fast and efficient services.
The Chairman of Changzhou Rongshang Zhitou Culture Technology Co., Ltd. stated that with deeper development of existing "Internet Plus" resources, Rongshang Zhitou can also assist companies in integrating and exchanging platform resources on a reciprocal basis, helping enterprises consolidate upstream and downstream data resources to achieve mutual benefits. As a result, as a mid-level network application service agent of Rongshang Zhitou, Huayi Mingdu can not only expand its customer base but also explore cross-industry marketing to unlock new profit growth.
One can imagine that as more consumers develop the habit of using the internet, especially mobile internet, if the traditional hotel industry capitalizes on extensive customer data reserves, adopts more precise and even diverse marketing strategies, fully integrates its offline resources, and actively explores emerging online channels, it will undoubtedly greatly enhance market competitiveness and further expand profit margins.