www.mobilemarketer.com 

January 14, 2008

“Omni Hotels has launched a mobile Web site to improve the way it manages customer relationships and to generate more revenue through reservations.

With the help of mobile Web platform Usablenet Mobile, Omni Hotels guests now have access to hotel information from their Internet-enabled handsets. They can book a reservation, get hotel information, look at special offers and check-in.

“Mobile aids us in better managing customer relationships because it serves as an extra touch point with customers and a communication channel,” said Kerry Kennedy, director of e-commerce for Omni Hotels. “The site is not ad-supported because we wanted to keep it simple. We hope to generate revenue through reservations.”

“We work with tons of travel-service companies and I’ve found that mobile sites have become a basic customer service expectation,” said Nick Taylor, vice president of sales at Usablenet, New York.

Usablenet clients include Starwood Hotels, Hilton Hotels,Fairmont and retail chain The Limited.

“Mobile is increasingly important for the travel service industry,” Mr. Taylor said. “Travelers are massive users of mobile phones.”

Omni Hotels plans to have additional services available through the new mobile site, allowing guests to gather more information about amenities and make requests from the hotel during their stay from their handset. Guests will be able to request valet service, baggage retrieval and housekeeping”.

Tags: mobile booking, mobile site, Omni Hotels, Usablenet