Maestro ResWave2 Maximizes Online Group Revenue for Independents; Increases Upsell and Bookings

Business travel and group bookings are forecast to increase 7.2% in 2014, according to Global Business Travel Association. Maestro’s integrated ResWave2 Booking Engine is the key to promoting more online direct group bookings. It enables independent operators to keep pace with growing demand by offering groups fast, easy-to-use, real-time reservations that increases revenue. NORTHWIND provides the Maestro™ Enterprise Property Management hotel software and reservation software solutions for the industry’s leading independent hotel, resorts, and multi-property groups. Click here to learn more about Maestro’s solutions for profitability and productivity.

Custom group booking landing pages increase guest engagement, conversions

Maestro’s ResWave2 delivers a comprehensive set of real-time, online group reservation and management tools that increase engagement and boost conversions. ResWave2’s group functionality enables properties to create group landing pages that personalize and simplify group member booking. Guests can reserve rooms faster with no need for a group code on their company’s branded page. Independents capture additional revenue when guests upsell themselves with amenities such as dining and activity options and room upgrades. ResWave2 is mobile-optimized to reach group members wherever they are in their business day.

ResWave2 replaces 3rd party tools, gives independents a competitive advantage

Lodging Hospitality Management operates 16 properties and uses Maestro PMS and ResWave2 at its independents – The Cheshire, and Seven Gables Inn. “Online group booking with ResWave2’s landing pages provides group members a 1-click process that increases conversions. This is a competitive advantage for our independents,” said Todd Hotaling, Lodging Hospitality Management’s Corporate Director of Revenue. “Younger travelers prefer to book online and ResWave2 gives them the ability to do this quickly. We create a custom landing page for each group with meeting information, images, logos, and upsell/upgrade options. We operate many properties and our analysis shows that landing pages with instant booking ability keeps attendees on our site longer and increases conversions.”

MCM Hotels operates 9 properties with a total of 2,500 rooms. “Fifty percent of our business is group rooms. We use Maestro’s ResWave2 to handle these reservations online,” said Venita Yelley, VP of Operations at MCM. “ResWave2’s online functionality is excellent. We set up custom personalized landing pages for each event. Group members just click on the link and they can make a standard reservation. They can also upgrade their room and add amenities for fees included in the group contract. It is fast and convenient because they don’t need to remember a group code. Since ResWave2 is part of Maestro, we know the availability is accurate and blocks are maintained in real time.”

MCM previously used a third-party group module, but it was cumbersome, error-prone, and expensive. “ResWave2 is easier for my reservation staff to use. It is on Maestro’s single-image database so we do not have to enter group blocks and manually coordinate with availability. Maestro is much more efficient for our staff and it is cost effective. Plus, with ResWave2, group rooming lists are available online for meeting planners to verify reservations and confirm pickup and available blocks.”

The most accurate and effective reservation platform for managing groups

Breezy Point Resort has more than 300 rooms with a 40% group segment. David Spizzo, Breezy Point’s Vice President, said, “We use Maestro ResWave2 for all our corporate, social, and sports groups. We set up custom landing pages for each organization. ResWave2 enables members to quickly book online with accurate block and availability coordination. Maestro’s ResWave2 integrated booking functionality decrements block and house availability as members pick up rooms in real time. This is the most accurate and effective reservation platform for managing multiple groups. We use ResWave2 to offer room upgrades with appropriate rates that let group members’ upsell themselves to add revenue. This flexibility helps group members change accommodations themselves when needed and adds to our bottom line.”