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Hilton Hotels, one of the world’s largest hotel companies, has launched UK and Germany specific mobile services in conjunction with Dublin-based specialist Mobile Travel Technologies Ltd (MTT). The new solution, which includes a Web App version for iPhone users in the UK, has full booking capability, offering travellers the convenience to select and book a hotel, access and change bookings and view hotel images and information, whilst away from their PC. The solution has full integration with the hotel company’s Hilton HHonors for the benefit of Hilton loyalty club members and includes a dedicated version for iPhone users (Web App). A Hilton Downloadable App has been submitted to the iTunes/iPhone App Store, and will be available to UK users soon for download following approval by Apple.
In developing a mobile web site for the UK and Germany, Hilton wanted to allow customers access to a range of service and reservations functionality via their mobile devices. Mobile travel services powered by MTT are growing in usage by around 20% per month, and typically mobile user volumes are 5-7% of the level of the regular PC web sites.
“By launching local mobile services for Hilton customers in the UK and Germany, we not only improve customer service, but create a new distribution channel for our products,” said Geraldine Calpin, Vice President of Brand Web sites for Hilton Hotels. “Additionally, the iPhone Web App version of the service provides an outstanding genuine iPhone experience for Hilton customers using those devices.”
Hilton Mobile uses MTT’s intelligent mobile hotel platform, m2bed, to fulfil Hilton’s requirements, automatically directing customers to a view of the site optimised for their particular device. The site has been developed with a usability focused User Interface, with minimised clicking, typing and scrolling required. A free-text search allows travellers to quickly locate a particular hotel, find directions or check hotel facilities, and the site has ‘click to call’ capabilities throughout for those users who want to speak to the Hilton call centre.
The iPhone Web App version of the site maximises the use of iPhone multi-touch technology. For Hilton HHonors members, they can follow a simple log-in to view a points summary and have the added benefit of quick booking, with certain fields pre-populated.
The forthcoming Downloadable App responds to the growth in the popularity of Downloadable Apps for iPhone users? and also gives Hilton an opportunity to grab valuable customer-facing “real estate” in the iPhone App Store and on the iPhone device itself.
Once downloaded from the App Store, the Downloadable App is stored on the user’s device, allowing them to launch the Web App easily and quickly. It also allows them to store and view information from the site on their device for offline viewing. No software has to be downloaded by the user.
For iPhone users with the Downloadable App on their device, the site delivers additional functionality. For example, the new App will give users three ways to search for a hotel; via country/city, by free text search, e.g. Hotels in London, or by current location, and the GPS capability of the iPhone will show a list of nearby Hilton hotels and the distance from the user’s current location.
Gerry Samuels, Founder and Executive Director, MTT, comments: “MTT is delighted to provide the technology to power Hilton Mobile. Mobile technology is playing an increasing role in new marketing and distribution strategies of major hotel chains. As consumers increasingly take advantage of the convenience of mobile to make bookings and make changes on-the-go, hotel chains are now seeing strong revenue growth as well as having a customer service advantage.”
Tatiana is the news co-ordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. She holds a Bachelor degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
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