The explosion of tourist arrivals from China to numerous destinations around the world represents perhaps the last great opportunity for the hospitality industry. Now, 7 Days Group wants to help hotels around the world cash-in on this phenomenon with a unique new marketing solution delivering direct access to what is for many, a largely untapped customer segment via the launch of 7 Days Booster.

7 Days Booster is an intriguing offering for hotels that combines elements of online distribution, property design and upgrades, and education, with access to more than 80 million potential customers from China. The offshoot startup, just announced today at the ITB press center, is a timely and intriguing late addition to a stable of like investments in the space.

“There is no other product on the market like it,” beamed Goor Rosenberg, Director of Development Europe at Plateno Hotels Group, and Co-Founder and CEO of 7 Days Booster . “This new product fulfils the expectations of a large market segment, and we aim to address this niche, and be successful.”

Normally, we would be quick to dismiss Rosenberg’s comments as the usual hyperbole-laced PR speak that’s become a mandatory accessory to any new product launch. But the more the startup CEO talks about the product’s capabilities, the more convinced we become that he and 7 Days Booster might really be onto something.

“First of all, it’s a flexible product with a low entry cost, offering access to the Chinese market and above all, it is simple and very easy to understand,” Rosenberg insists. “China has become one of the biggest outbound travel markets in the world, and we have access to it of course, but this is only the tip of the iceberg.”

Rosenberg went on explaining how the 7 Days Booster can benefit all types of hotels, from budget-friendly two-star properties to the most glamorous of five-star resorts. The product comes with three separate offerings, and hotels are free to use all or just one of them. The most important though is the e-marketing and e-commerce component, available in the Technology & Distribution package. This is a critical offering, because it allows a hotel that’s located anywhere in the world to access the Chinese market via 7 Days Group’s Plateno Club membership program, which currently boasts in excess of 80 million members. Using the platform, hotels can easily create brand awareness among this rich new audience.

Once they’ve tapped into this new audience, hotels may well want to move forwards by taking advantage of the additional packages 7 Days Booster offers. This includes a Property Upgrade package that lets hotels better cater to Chinese guests. The physical upgrades “includes a room refurbishment option for new fixtures, modern furniture, faster Wi-Fi and better visibility through external signage,” Rosenberg informed us.

Last but not least, hotels can also take advantage of what Rosenberg calls “add-on services” which encompass educational offerings so hotels better understand Chinese traveler’s needs and expectations. “We have a great team in place, and they’re equipped to address most of our key customers’ needs,” he insisted.

Many hoteliers might ask why they need to target a Chinese audience that typically only buys package holidays using hotels which partner with China-based travel agencies. When I put this question to Rosenberg, his answer was that the stereotype of the Chinese traveler sticking rigidly to his or her pre-planned tour group itinerary is rapidly fading. These days, Chinese travelers are a becoming increasingly more independent than before, and that means they’re more open to choices than those offered by traditional travel agencies.

“Technology is now an inseparable part of our hospitality world,” the 7 Plateno Group executive explained. “More and more guests are using the internet to research, compare and book their accommodation on-line, and in China it’s no different.”

Source: http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/global/154000320/4074857.html