Travelindex launches “Book Direct” free link

A recent study in the United States confirmed that many travelers are searching online travel agency sites, and then moving on to the hotel sites to make their reservations because they are either getting the same rate…

…or a more flexible cancellation or change policy.

When searching travel and tourism information you probably started with Google, Yahoo or MSN, and got millions of search results; thousands for even the smallest destination and inevitably hundreds of online travel agents, hotel booking engines or meta-search sites which lists a subset of the properties and services with high commissions, service fees and booking fees…back to square one: new search.

Travelindex (www.travelindex.com), the fastest growing, human-edited, specialized directory, search engine and information resource for the travel and tourism communities, launched today its free “Book Direct” link.

Travelindex, makes the whole process of searching and booking a hotel room, airline ticket, or tour much easier by offering a “Book Direct” link; click on it and you can now book directly with the property, airline or tour company: no commission, no fee and no service charge. You get the best deal available directly from the owners website. Adding a direct link on Travelindex.com is integral part on its “free-full-contact listing” concept and is free for all listed companies.

With the Internet as a new distribution tool, hotels unintentionally relinquished too much control of their bookings to third parties. With direct distribution, hotels can take back control of: their pricing, their brand identity, their promise to guests, and their relationship with the customer. Direct-to-customer bookings deliver maximum profitability, control over identity, and improved customer loyalty.

By offering free “Book Direct” links Travelindex intends to play and active role in the direct distribution arena, in particular for the independent and smaller properties and operators. A TravelCLICK eTrack report shows clearly that in 2006 for all major hotel brands, direct distribution has become their main distribution channel (Direct reservations: major brands: 81.4% – US hospitality: 60% * Indirect reservations: major brands: 18.6% – US hospitality: 40%).

About Travelindex Ltd.
Travelindex Ltd. is a specialized vertical search, information services and e-publishing company serving the travel and tourism communities. Travelindex users benefit from domain-expert search engines and a broad range of proprietary Web-based content, helping them search for and locate hotels, destinations, tours and services and access comprehensive content with direct links. For suppliers, Travelindex offers highly filtered search results and marketing opportunities, product promotion and brand advertising platforms.

Travelindex.com – What’s Your Destination?

To list your business for free and add a “Book Direct” link, visit www.travelindex.com