This story began back in 1996. Geert-Jan Bruinsma, a tech guy with an entrepreneurial spirit, wanted to bring together Dutch travelers and the places they wanted to stay with the help of online booking service. His little start-up grew steadily in its first few years. Therefore, it was acquired by a bigger company nine years later.
The successful integration actually helped the new parent company to substantially improve its financial position within a short period of time. Booking.com has grown from a small start-up to one of the world’s leading digital travel companies. By using the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, they seamlessly connect millions of travelers with places to stay – making it easier for everyone to experience the world.
If you are traveling for business as often as I am, you would probably confirm that it can be stressful. Especially, with ever-changing restrictions and rules at the present time. I believe anyway that the value of in-person meetings with customers is worth it. In-person meetings seem to be more productive and with more honest conversations. And they help you to create stronger relationships.
The Booking.com mobile app works for me as a travel agency on my mobile phone. I can search and book accommodations with just a few taps. No matter, if last-minute or far in advance. Moreover, the app also offers special travel deals, car rentals, local attractions, and more. This service is free for me. The providers pay a commission, being a percentage of the room price, to Booking.com after I have left.
In addition, Booking.com offers its own loyalty program with discounts and a lifetime membership called Genius for anyone with at least two stays within two years. Its second level offers frequent travelers even higher discounts, complimentary breakfasts, and free room upgrades. Well, if hotel loyalty points are important to you, then you will most likely not have your loyalty status recognized when using Booking.com. However, that’s not what I am looking for.
Digital Booking Confirmation
I prefer easy and fast booking on the go. And managing my stays conveniently from my mobile phone. Booking.com provides me with paperless, digital booking confirmation integrated with Apple Wallet. It allows me to easily access my accommodation bookings, along with entry tickets or boarding passes all in one place. I have everything I need at my fingertips: address, phone number, and all other booking information. I don’t have to search my mailbox for a confirmation email. Upon arriving at my hotel, the mobile wallet already offers the right digital booking confirmation on the lock screen of my mobile phone. Exactly in the moment, I need it, right? I can just tap and show at a reception desk. Even if I lose internet access.
The Booking.com mobile app and Apple Wallet work perfectly together. Clickable links on the backside of the digital booking confirmation allow me to view or change my booking, or connect with the customer service 24/7 by a one-click phone call or email. And when I will be arriving earlier or later than the stated check-in time, I can also call the hotel directly from there without looking for contact details.
Ladislav Poledna inspires readers to “Become Digital” by publishing materials about digital marketing in his Prague Monitor column and aptly named blog. He has built a career around developing successful customer relationships for the past two decades. At present, Ladislav manages the Power Solutions division of a Fortune 1000 company in Central and Eastern Europe and also oversees operations of the producer’s regional office in Prague. Recently, he co-founded a B-to-B software service company making mobile marketing affordable and easy to use. Ladislav’s philanthropic contribution consists of a long-term relationship with a charity focused on funding dreams for people with muscular dystrophy.
Mobile phones are long becoming the main “screen” in peoples’ lives. Mobile marketing is no longer an innovation but a part of important decisions. Read articles on mobile marketing to get inspired on how to connect with people where they spend a lot of their time. Become Digital.
