Flash Sales – the future of hotel booking?

Short quick sales are becoming ever more popular as Europe sits in austerity measures and travelers seek the best deals to make their money go further. Redundancies, limited pay-rises and lack of opportunities means that we need to make our money go much further.

At the same time, hotels are finding the markets difficult, this means that they are trying new techniques to sell their hotel product. So it is an interesting time as new business models emerge and travelers may get more opportunities.

These Flash Sales offer great deals for a very limited time, they can often have much tougher terms and conditions to many other offers that can make it difficult for travelers to cash-in their voucher. Yet some hotels are seeing this as a great way to promote their hotel and show travelers what they can offer.

One hotel I spoke to offered 75% off their standard rate, and this is in London – what a potentially excellent deal. But as a traveler it is really worth price shopping and seeing what rates are on the market, across traditional booking channels, for the time you want to travel just in case this deal isn’t quite as amazing as it is being sold to you.

A few places you can find these interesting deals include Secret Escapes, Group On, Living Social, Voyageprive.com and Travel Zoo. I attended an event last night by HOSPA – an association for hoteliers to find out more.

Tapping into travelers with a budget mindset is ideal as the speed of purchase encourages them to buy faster. However if you receive a voucher it needs to be redeemed, otherwise you lose the money, especially if it is out of the dates stated in the T&Cs.

As a traveler – pick the website that represents your desired travel products. Can you afford 4 star hotels or only something more budget – you may not expect as amazing deals as you expect for 4 star, they still market to those that can afford it.

As an hotelier – you do need to think of what brand represents your hotel. You need to agree with the supplier a sustainable pricing model on the discount and commission the website charges. Don’t get surprised if the results don’t come in as you expect, nothing worse than planning booking based on a pure marketing promotion.

It is very likely as travelers we will see these deals come through thick and fast, if you have a birthday celebration, anniversary coming up in a few months then they maybe worth looking into. Always check the fine print. Calling the hotel to cash-in the voucher or complete the booking will help secure the right dates.

Also it is important to note that some of these deals are only for weekdays and traditionally very quiet periods for the hotel, so expect there maybe a different atmosphere – and you may just get personal service from this.

Good luck with the Flash sales – tell me your experiences.

Hotel: Marriott goes gay

The hotel brand Marritott is going all out gay to start getting the trendsetters spending more time lying in their beds than others. So is the gay market ready to be swooned, wined and dined by a global hotel chain - will they be ready to committ to a monogamous relationship? Well anything is possible, with the UK preparing to introduce gay marriage, New York state passing it last year and Spain (while poor) being incredibly advanced in making (possibly the wrong) committments.

Yet it is all about the Pink Pound, Rainbow Dollar, etc. Can Marriott pull if off?

The slogan is simple - Be You With Us

The "Be You, With Us" campaign launches in celebration of the start of the 2012 Pride Season  in cities around the world that host gay pride parades and festivals to celebrate the LGBT community. The campaign is filled with imagery and messages that welcome all guests to be themselves when staying with Marriott.

Participating Marriott brands include: JW Marriott, Renaissance, Autograph, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites.

As a gay there are many different travel packages and promotions available plus an opportunity to win from FREE stuff.

Travelers can now book attractive "Be You, With Us" hotel deals and packages through www.marriott.com/pride

Check out the website - there is some magical imagery, Well done Marriott and goodluck...I like bedhopping myself.

Maui: The Gay Side of the Valley Isle

Guest Post - Author: Jon Fairbanks GayTravel.com Team Member

For the queer couple seeking a romantic haven, the island of Maui is waiting to welcome you with bright rainbow leis. From snorkeling to whale watching and lounging on a remote gay beach, Maui is paradise found. With a population of less than 150,000 people, the gay scene is much smaller on Maui than in Oahu but there’s a small, tight knit LGBT community and a lot of great activities geared toward the gay tourist.

Whether you want to surf, canoe or kayak, opportunities abound on gay Maui for the outdoor enthusiast. There are several companies that offer visitors equipment and training. If you’re looking for something lower impact, Maui is the leading whale-watching center in the Hawaiian Islands. Head to the beach and try to spy a Humpback, dolphin or sea turtle. Stick around and be sure to catch one of the most amazing sunsets you’ll ever experience. No Ka Oi Adventures offers nature-based excursions organized for gay and lesbian travelers. The operator specializes in nature-based excursions and offers the queer traveler small group tours featuring off-the-beaten-path destinations on the island.

The first step in planning your memorable jaunt to the Valley Isle is finding the right accommodations. Luckily there are several gay and lesbian owned or friendly hotels and resorts on the island. Some of these properties, like the Maui Sunseeker, offer LGBT specific packages and host commitment ceremonies. In 2010, Hawaii became the seventh US state to legalize civil unions.

The amazing coastline is one of the main reasons to visit Maui and Little Beach is the most popular gay beach on the island. You’ll find this nude beach in Makena State Park, South of Wailea at the end of Wailea Alanui Road. You’ll have to walk past the Big Beach and over the lava-flow trail to get there. It’s a great place to meet and greet the local gay set and gay tourists from all points.

After a day of fun in the sun, you’ll want to experience the local gay nightlife. Don’t expect to a wide variety of dance clubs and other gay venues like you’d find in Honolulu, but you’ll definitely have a great time. One of the most popular bars for gays and lesbians on the island is Ambrosia. Named by Maui Time Weekly as best bar (two years in a row), Ambrosia offers daily entertainment and eclectic décor. If you want to try some exotic local drinks, you’ll fall in love with Ambrosia. Their wide varieties of specialty martinis are extremely popular and are the perfect way to cap off an adventure-packed day. There are also great drink specials and a happy hour every night from 6pm to 9pm.

Betty’s Beach Café is also a great place to eat, drink and be Mary! Their Sunday brunch is out of this world, featuring amazing omelets, egg scrambles and signature cocktails. No trip to this tropical venue would be complete without trying one of their “Betty” drinks. From the Bettie Paige (red wine, peach schnapps and pineapple) to the Betty Rubble (a Blue-beri Hawaiian), there’s truly a vice for everyone. Happy hour is always a blast at Betty’s. Every afternoon from 2pm to 5pm enjoy $3 Mai Tais and $4 Longboard Kona Beers. Stay or come back later in the evening for Betty’s evening happy hour, from 9pm to 11pm every day.

October is a great time for gay travelers to experience Maui. Maui Pride is October 5-7, 2012 and it’s always a celebration to remember. The festivities begin that Friday with an Aloha Reception at the Maui Sunseeker. This mixer is a great opportunity to get to know the local queer community and hobnob.

The main event will be held at the Maui Tropical Plantation on Saturday, October 6. Entrance is free and there will be a wide variety of vendors and activities. That morning the Pride committee will also be sponsoring drag races and other fabulous events. Saturday night, return to the venue to hula your ass off! DJs will be spinning and live performances (including the local Deborah Vial Band) are scheduled to entertain the masses. The final day of the Pride festivities kicks off at Stella Blues for breakfast (8am to 10am). Cap off the final day with a snorkel tour or hidden waterfall hike.

Before you leave Maui, during Pride or any other time of the year, you MUST take a helicopter ride overlooking the island. Air Maui and other operators offer flights for tourists and it’s only about a 45-minute flight. The sea cliffs are breathtaking! The waterfalls, awe-inspiring.

When the luau is over and you’re depressed that you have to leave the dream vacation of a lifetime, take solace, when you say “aloha” it means goodbye and hello. The friendly islanders will be there to welcome you back with sweet, sun-kissed smiles!

For more information about Maui or other LGBT destinations please visit www.gaytravel.com

Photo credit Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson