New website allows exchange of rooms for hoteliers
A website has been developed to allow hoteliers to swap hotel rooms for their own use, for a minimal fee.
Hotelier Exchange has already signed up 500 independent hoteliers and is talking to organisations such as Johansens, Mr & Mrs Smith and Best Western, to get involved.
Graham Cox, who owned the Burford Lodge hotel in Burford, Oxfordshire from 2004 until 2009, said that he had previously swapped hotel rooms on an informal basis with fellow hoteliers.
"We then decided to formalise this principle and design a website where a hotelier could swap with other hoteliers who were registered on the site, as long as there was availability in the hotel, " said Cox, who explained that a key element of the website was to include a live-time booking engine.
"The beauty of the website is that a member doesn't have to directly swap with another member. I could book a room in one member's hotel, but he isn't obliged to book into my hotel - he can book into any other member's hotel he wants to."
There is no joining fee to join the scheme; members simply sign up and pay an administration fee of £20 per booking, regardless of the length of stay. The website also runs a forum for hoteliers to discuss issues and supplier offers.
After launching the site in the UK, Cox intends to expand it globally within six months.
Minute on the Clock - Rachel Seed of Hotel Exchange >>
Burford hotel changes hands >>
How to get the most from the social networking revolution >>
By Janet Harmer
E-mail your comments to Janet Harmer here.
Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Caterersearch.com jobs
|
