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Hotel Insights

Get the latest insights... trends, technology and ideas for the hotel and tourism industry. We brainstorm and share our insights through our cumulative team research, development and discoveries in the ever-changing world of technology.


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SiteMinder kicks off their Expert Partner Series with Pebble Design

SiteMinder kicks off their Expert Partner Series with Pebble Design

SiteMinder has launched their brand new Expert Partner Series and has interviewed Brendan for the launch. This gave Brendan a great opportunity t...

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How important is booking engine design for your guests?

How important is booking engine design for your guests?

The development team at Pebble have been working closely with the development team at Siteminder to offer a much more native and fluid experience...

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Looking for easy ways for you to generate ‘Ancillary Revenue’ in your Hotel?

Looking for easy ways for you to generate ‘Ancillary Revenue’ in your Hotel?

Rather than just continually competing on price as a lot of the market is focused on doing, start up-selling with a few of these best practices. ...

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The best ‘book direct’ incentives

The best ‘book direct’ incentives

Hotel owners are seeing direct strong returns on these initiatives and it is also apparent that this is a long tail marketing initiative that req...

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Industry trend - The rise of video stories

Industry trend - The rise of video stories

Research has already shown us that video on platforms like Facebook have 4x the engagement that a regular post has. When the mass market react, a...

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The Rise of Meta Search

The Rise of Meta Search

It is increasingly important for properties to drive their direct traffic from meta search sites especially when you see the data… Beyond th...

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How would you like your guests to feel smarter and more energised, having stayed in your hotel?

How would you like your guests to feel smarter and more energised, having stayed in your hotel?

Sure, a cozy bed and warm shower will get the job done, but a hotel can provide much more than just a place to rest your head. I have always beli...

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Hotel Website Design for Profit

Hotel Website Design for Profit

Only with profit can you pay your wages and overheads and invest in your hotel business for the future to keep expanding and growing. An importan...

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Just Released - Faster in-page bookings with Booking Button

Just Released - Faster in-page bookings with Booking Button

This dramatically improves your user experience giving them a consistent branded experience and making it much easier for guests to find everythi...

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A wellness vacation is just the tonic for body, mind, heart and soul

A wellness vacation is just the tonic for body, mind, heart and soul

I know you are thinking to yourself, what is that or how do I do that? Read on or have a chat to us on how easy this is to offer in-house… Be ...

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Well designed and custom developed websites lead to more bookings

Well designed and custom developed websites lead to more bookings

We believe that the holiday experience ‘starts online’ and we design and build our sites with this and the end user in mind. Imagine your onl...

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How millennials are disrupting the wellness travel market

How millennials are disrupting the wellness travel market

Tourism represents just one of these wellness sectors; others are finance, education, environment, medicine and workplace wellness. But it is wel...

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Pioneering Barefoot luxury and wellness for hotels

Pioneering Barefoot luxury and wellness for hotels

An interview with Bernard reveals some key insights. Bernhard Bohnenberger is president of Six Senses Hotels and for them one of their brand val...

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Blockchain adds huge new opportunities for hotels

Blockchain adds huge new opportunities for hotels

Enterprises across every industry are exploring ways to leverage blockchain technologies for business benefits. As proof, $2.1 billion has been s...

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Is the thumb mightier than the pen which is mightier than the sword? (at least on a mobile screen)

Is the thumb mightier than the pen which is mightier than the sword? (at least on a mobile screen)

While flying back from Sydney to our Noosa Office I noticed a lady a few seats up from me, who I would describe as ‘young modern’, smart but ...

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Global wellness tourism is growing at twice the rate of overall tourism and is worth $563 billion dollars

Global wellness tourism is growing at twice the rate of overall tourism and is worth $563 billion dollars

If you strip us bare of our ‘first world’ comforts, possessions, tech toys, riches and wealth, we are left with our health and wellbeing. If ...

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Emotional Design Matters

Emotional Design Matters

We all know how powerful our emotions are to sway us one way or another. For those of us who love to be skeptical, Neuroscientists have proven th...

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Google to Reduce Rankings for Slow-Loading Mobile Pages

Google to Reduce Rankings for Slow-Loading Mobile Pages

All websites are not built equal especially in Google’s eyes when they look at the quality of code. Google encourages us developers to thin...

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65% of Travellers Chose ‘Experiencing Something New’ over ‘Feeling Rested & Recharged’

65% of Travellers Chose ‘Experiencing Something New’ over ‘Feeling Rested & Recharged’

Travel has often been about escape and relaxation — lazy days on the beach, soaking up the sun and sipping margaritas. But recent travel trends...

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Why Your Hotel Should Jump On The Instagram Bandwagon

Why Your Hotel Should Jump On The Instagram Bandwagon

This is a great article just released by the guys at STAAH. Don’t worry if this all sounds too daunting, we are here to help and as always mak...

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Hotels that care for our wellbeing

Hotels that care for our wellbeing

To make healthy changes in our lives, we need space and support and what better place than utilising health retreats. Westin Hotels and Resorts ...

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Some very interesting headlines in hotel land

Some very interesting headlines in hotel land

Skim through relevant or interesting trends in hospitality - quick and easy. Here are some of the latest news stories: Turkey blocks acce...

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Have you got a solid Book Direct Strategy in place?

Have you got a solid Book Direct Strategy in place?

We know many of our clients are losing a bunch of cash to the OTA’s This is why we developed Pebble Price Check loyalty discount tool. We’v...

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What is the secret formula to winning the Direct Booking game?

What is the secret formula to winning the Direct Booking game?

It is not so much a single lever to pull or activity to action, but more of a functional approach to the attention you attract through your marke...

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Three secrets to get more direct bookings?

Three secrets to get more direct bookings?

Once a customer finds you on an OTA, the first place they usually go is to your hotel’s direct website. Be sure to tell your guest WHY they sho...

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How do you stop guests ‘clicking’ around so that you can get more direct bookings?

How do you stop guests ‘clicking’ around so that you can get more direct bookings?

You can stop guests clicking around. What if you could show that you have the best rate on your website in comparison to the OTA’s to build tru...

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How is Wellness being Trumped in Hotels?

How is Wellness being Trumped in Hotels?

We see a trend in health and wellness as we as a culture seek out better health, nutrition and happy experiences for self, colleagues and family....

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What are the 3 ways to offer better rates than the OTA’s?

What are the 3 ways to offer better rates than the OTA’s?

Change is inevitable and a very natural part of life and business. Embracing growth and evolution is what makes the difference moving forward. ...

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How important is the quality of sleep to guests?

How important is the quality of sleep to guests?

It is scientifically proven that one of the biggest contributing factors towards our health is the quality of our sleep. Fifty-five percent of t...

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Are you getting the most leverage from your website?

Are you getting the most leverage from your website?

Investing in the right technology mix is essential to improving engagement and conversions on your website. Hoteliers have the power to increas...

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Technology and Genuine Hospitality Unite

Technology and Genuine Hospitality Unite

Consumers today as used to quality web platforms to engage with across all industries and expect the same standards in the hospitality industry. ...

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The Psychology affect on Web Design

The Psychology affect on Web Design

Psychology is a complex and powerful tool and something you may not have considered before. You can tap into the subconscious of your customer...

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Speed is the new SEO

Speed is the new SEO

How soon will this impact the hotel industry? Gary Illyes from Google said at the Search Marketing Summit in Sydney (June 1st 2016) that Googl...

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Guests will love you 10 times more when...

Guests will love you 10 times more when...

It is great to see the tide slowly turning and some inroads being made by hotels worldwide. The charge is definitely being led by the big hotel c...

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Escape to wellness

Escape to wellness

As consumers grow more sophisticated, they are beginning to place a premium on hotel wellness experiences, which are associated with authenticity...

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Why people love Websites with video

Why people love Websites with video

By 2017, video will account for 69% of all consumer internet traffic, according to Cisco. Video-on-demand traffic alone will have almost trebled....

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Are You Aware of the Hotel Health and Wellness Trends?

Are You Aware of the Hotel Health and Wellness Trends?

There is no denying the growth and awareness of health and wellness that is currently shaping our current culture. In an increasingly more compet...

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The Luxury Experience Is What People Want...

The Luxury Experience Is What People Want...

An interesting perspective on luxury that I have gained in many years of staying and working with luxury brands comes down to one thing - it is a...

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Why Focus On Strong Digital Presence and Impeccable Service

Why Focus On Strong Digital Presence and Impeccable Service

A strong digital presence is a primary tool in regaining hotel margins. Hotels must further differentiate themselves beyond the booking phase wit...

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May, Mobile-Friendly, Must Have!

May, Mobile-Friendly, Must Have!

Google’s latest mobile search algorithm update makes having a mobile-friendly site even more important. If your site isn’t easy to use on mo...

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Hotels Are Stepping Up To Build More Direct Bookings

Hotels Are Stepping Up To Build More Direct Bookings

The big OTA’s certainly do a good job at consolidating travel information with the primary purpose being on just booking rooms, any rooms. Wher...

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Google Loves Fast Sites!

Google Loves Fast Sites!

Ryan Solutions analyzed 4,800 hotel websites using Google’s PageSpeed Insights tool which gives each website a score of 0-100. The average scor...

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How do you get more people booking direct?

How do you get more people booking direct?

Now I’ve just finished reading an article how booking.com is annoyed by hotels working on direct booking initiatives. My question is how can th...

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7 Highly Successful Habits

7 Highly Successful Habits

1. Treat Customer Opinion Like Currency Customers are a huge driver in the creative process of doing business and help the success of your compa...

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‘Chocolate Moments’ In Your Workday

‘Chocolate Moments’ In Your Workday

We can agree everyone wants to be happier, yes? We must change ourselves and not our lifestyles to increase genuine happiness that lasts. It can...

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The Psychology Edge To A Great Hotel Website

The Psychology Edge To A Great Hotel Website

1. Get Emotional According to research, “Decisions are often made when emotions override rational thought processes. For hotel marketers, thi...

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8 Ways To Gain More Direct Bookings

8 Ways To Gain More Direct Bookings

1. Mobile bookings This should be a no-brainer by now. A full responsive website experience is what the market demands now and Google are pushin...

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Why Hotels Are Eliminating Check-In & Check-Out Times

Why Hotels Are Eliminating Check-In & Check-Out Times

Unlike the longtime industry standard, which involves a strictly enforced late afternoon check-in and vacating your room by mid-morning, Peninsul...

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The Most Expensive Hotels In The World

The Most Expensive Hotels In The World

Coming in just behind in the number two spot was The Hotel Cala di Volpe in Sardinia, Italy. This establishment’s average nightly rate of $1789...

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OTA's vs. Hotel Website

OTA's vs. Hotel Website

Hoteliers must do something to make their online presence known. If you don’t have a website or it is out of date, then you’re already behind...

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Why Is My Email Signature Important?

Why Is My Email Signature Important?

Why your email signature is important to your hotel marketing efforts. It is your “silent” salesperson. Your email signature tells the world...

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The 4 Best Practices For Special Offers On Your Website

The 4 Best Practices For Special Offers On Your Website

The best hotels design every special offer with their story in mind and all avenues leading back there. Four key things they look for: 1....

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How Do You Survive The OTA Duopoly - Priceline vs Expedia?

How Do You Survive The OTA Duopoly - Priceline vs Expedia?

In a competitive hospitality landscape, hoteliers must fight on a variety of levels, from customer experience where free wifi, hearty breakfast a...

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Here Is A Way To Increase Your Direct & Return Bookings With Print!

Here Is A Way To Increase Your Direct & Return Bookings With Print!

While many businesses have completely migrated their marketing efforts to the web because of its cost effectiveness, exposure potential and conve...

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Why Consumers Abandon Their Online Travel Bookings

Why Consumers Abandon Their Online Travel Bookings

The travel industry spends billions of dollars every year driving traffic to their websites, yet 81% of visitors leave before completing their bo...

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Panda vs Penguin – What’s the difference and why does it matter to Google?

Panda vs Penguin – What’s the difference and why does it matter to Google?

Differentiating between Panda and Penguin Pandas originate in China – which is a very large land mass. When you think of Panda, think of you...

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How to Generate More Guest Reviews

How to Generate More Guest Reviews

How to Increase the Number of Reviews Customers Write About Your Hotel This is crucial as the number of online reviews a hotel collects does i...

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Top 5 Challenges Hotels Face

Top 5 Challenges Hotels Face

Challenge #1: Not Optimised Website It is not adequate for a hotel to just have a website and expect to get direct bookings. The playing field h...

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Featured Product: Beautiful, Responsive Photo Galleries

Featured Product: Beautiful, Responsive Photo Galleries

With photos now having the greatest influence on potential customers, we have created a new way for you to display your photos – a full-width, ...

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Photos Impact Bookings More Than Reviews

Photos Impact Bookings More Than Reviews

The study, based on a sample of 25 of the most reviewed cities in the world, analysed data including the number of reviews, management responses ...

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The Big Battle - Meta-Search vs

The Big Battle - Meta-Search vs "OTAs" (online travel agents)

In 2011, Google entered the hospitality business with the launch of Google Hotel Finder which allowed users to search for hotels based on name, l...

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7 Ways to Play the Revenue Management Game

7 Ways to Play the Revenue Management Game

1. Profitability is the name of the game It's becoming increasingly important for hoteliers to focus on profitability. "Top line revenue is some...

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The Rising Tide of Mobile Bookings – How Hoteliers Can Stay Afloat

The Rising Tide of Mobile Bookings – How Hoteliers Can Stay Afloat

The most notable developments in the first half of 2014: Over 41% of web visitors and nearly 38% of page views were generated from non-desktop d...

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Why hotels should stop marketing their features and amenities

Why hotels should stop marketing their features and amenities

While marketing has changed significantly over the past decade, the perception and value of true hospitality has not. And yet, despite often time...

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A Quick Update on How Search has Changed for Hotels

A Quick Update on How Search has Changed for Hotels

The introduction of Google Semantic Search in late 2013, was not so much an algorithm update, but more of an entire overhaul. Google search has ...

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A Quick Guide to Content Marketing for the Tourism and Hotel Industry

A Quick Guide to Content Marketing for the Tourism and Hotel Industry

Three Content Marketing Quick Start Best Practices Now let’s look at some best practices to help you to build an enhanced connection with your...

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Organic SEO vs Google Adwords

Organic SEO vs Google Adwords

Why use AdWords if SEO is Free? The ultimate goal is to be found organically through your SEO efforts, however, there are some key reasons as to...

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Give Guests an Incentive to Book Direct

Give Guests an Incentive to Book Direct

Users on OTA sites will often visit your website before they make a booking, so why not give them the best offer available, that can only be rece...

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How to Make Your Guests Happy

How to Make Your Guests Happy

True happiness lies more in spending money on 'experiences' rather than on physical items. Experiential purchases tend to make us happier, at lea...

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Key benefits of a new website

Key benefits of a new website

There are 5 key benefits to investing in the growth of your business 1. Take Advantage of Available Statistics Google Analytics provides us wit...

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Four ways that meta-search can help hotels take on the OTA's

Four ways that meta-search can help hotels take on the OTA's

Meta-search is maturing and has a huge impact on how consumers purchase travel today. Meta-search = a search engine (Tripadvisor, Trivago, Webje...

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Why Gift Vouchers are a Clever Marketing Tool

Why Gift Vouchers are a Clever Marketing Tool

How you can use Gift Vouchers as a marketing tool. We believe that hotels can differentiate by offering unique experiences in gift vouchers. The...

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Recapture Customers & Build Awareness With Remarketing

Recapture Customers & Build Awareness With Remarketing

Driving traffic to your site is half the battle as a large proportion of the visitors to your website are not ready to book their stay just yet; ...

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Interactive, Digital, In-Room Compendium

Interactive, Digital, In-Room Compendium

Your compendium can be provided digitally online and is completely app free. This means you can easily load it onto your iPad or tablet device, a...

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Finding The Balance Between

Finding The Balance Between "OTAs" (Online Travel Agents) & Direct Bookings

Focused on the hotel and tourism industry, we are constantly looking for ways to improve your sales and grow your business. We've found a great a...

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Using Landing Pages to Increase Conversions

Using Landing Pages to Increase Conversions

A landing page is any page on a website where the traffic is directly sent to achieve a certain action or result. How can landing pages be...

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Judging a book by its cover... photographs

Judging a book by its cover... photographs

A large amount of hotel reservations result from online channels. Before making their reservation, travellers search and compare hotels and resor...

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Web Design for the Hotel Industry

Web Design for the Hotel Industry

At Pebble, we love great design. We're passionate about it. We embrace the latest trends in the design industry while constantly evaluating what ...

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Responsive Web Design - Future Proof Your Hotel Website

Responsive Web Design - Future Proof Your Hotel Website

The world of web design is moving fast, trying to keep up with today's technology. Responsive websites that automatically resize to suit the devi...

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Creative Ideas for your Hotel Specials

Creative Ideas for your Hotel Specials

To make the most of SEO we highly recommend having a strategy in place and combining your special with a related article. By doing this you'll be...

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