Corporate Site nominated for Golden Spider Award

Bookassist's Corporate Website at bookassist.org has been shortlisted for a Golden Spider Award for 2009 in the Best Professional Services Website category. The awards take place on November 19th in Dublin.

Online strategy and hotel software firm accelerates revenue growth and staffing levels despite economic situation

Dublin-headquartered online marketing and hotel software company Bookassist (bookassist.org) has announced the opening of two new offices in Europe amid continued growth in revenue year on year. The news comes as the company celebrates its tenth year in business this month.

Despite the gloomy news from the hospitality industry in Ireland and worldwide in the last year, the Irish-owned software company has continued its growth both in Ireland and abroad and now serves more than 2200 hotels, hotel groups and apartment providers worldwide. Recent acquisitions include Bewleys Hotels in Ireland and the UK, Quinn Hotel group in Ireland and the UK, Arcotel Hotels and Resorts in Austria and Germany, Roscioli Hotels in Rome and MSN Hotels in Italy.

While it has operated to date in Austria and Italy from its Dublin base, it has now opened its own sales and support operations in Vienna and Rome with the appointment of an initial three new staff in each office. The company currently employs 42 staff in its Dublin, Madrid, Prague and Paris offices.

"Bookassist has grown revenues yet again, to a projected €4.2M this year, a significant increase on 2008 despite the tough economic landscape. Online marketing services have seen revenue growth in excess of 200% alone this year. Today with the official opening of new operations in Vienna and in Rome, and the appointment of new staff in each of those offices, we are underlining our commitment to continue growing revenues at home and abroad. Our growth has been entirely funded by our own revenues and profits from 10 years of operations, with no external inputs and no debts - this is something we are particularly proud of and consider unique in our space", said Dr Des O'Mahony, Bookassist CEO and founder.

Plans for a major expansion for 2010 are in place and will be announced before year's end. "We are very excited about our planning for 2010. We have a major new market announcement shortly that we have been planning for some time, and we expect to increase revenues by up to 25% in 2010 with a combination of new market penetration and increased revenue from our existing markets where we will continue to compete aggressively and yet again set the standards that define the marketplace", says O'Mahony.

Bookassist also recently achieved Payment Card Industry (PCI) security compliance representing the credit card industry's highest standards in online transaction security and data protection. "We have always invested strongly in research and innovation to ensure we can offer industry-beating service levels to our hotel clients, who in turn can be confident of what they offer online to their own customers", says O'Mahony.

Bookassist® creates and manages online strategies for hotels and groups and is the industry-leading hotel booking engine and online marketing provider in Ireland. A Deloitte Fast 50 Technology Company in Ireland and in the Top 100 Deloitte Technology Companies in Europe, Bookassist has received numerous awards in Online Trade, Online Marketing, and Technological Innovation including the Irish Internet Association’s NetVisionary Award for online trade.

Bookassist at Northern Ireland Hospitality Exchange 2009

Come visit Bookassist's stand at the Hospitality Exchange 2009 at the Ramada Hotel Belfast and learn more about our Exclusive Offer for delegates and visitors.

Tuesday 13th October:
9am - 5pm (Trade Exhibition FREE)
Wednesday 14th October:
9am - 2pm (Trade Exhibtion FREE)

Hospitality Exchange has organised a host of seminars and guest speakers for this two-day event including Bill Kelly of Kelly's Hotel Rosslare, and a Chef Masterclass with Jason Atherton, Executive Chef at Gordon Ramsay's maze and maza Grill restaurants in London. For more information visit hospitalityexchange.co.uk.

For Further Information on Bookassist's presence or to schedule a consultation with a member of the Bookassist Team at Hospitality Exchange, please email: Sarah Collins, Paul Dooley or Kieran Fives or call: 00 353 (0) 1 676 2913

Paul Dooley appointed Director of Client Services at Bookassist's Irish operation

Bookassist has announced the appointment of Paul Dooley to the role of Director of Client Services for the Irish operation.

Paul joins Bookassist from StayCity.com where he held the position of Group Director of Operations. Prior to this he spent over 15 years in a wide variety of senior hotel operational roles in Ireland and overseas, most recently with JurysDoyle Hotel Group in the Berkeley Court Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin.

Paul holds a BSc in Management from Trinity College Dublin and a HDip in Hotel & Catering Management from Dublin Institute of Technology, Cathal Brugha Street. Paul's role has overall responsibility for Internet Support Services, Account Management and Business Development in the Irish marketplace and is based in Bookassist's Dublin office.

Bookassist welcomes new team members in Dublin and Paris

Glenn Whitmore has a number of years web development experience specialising in website design and search engine optimisation. He has a BSc in computer science from Dublin City University. Prior to joining Bookassist, Glenn was a contract web developer designing websites for a wide range of companies. He is based in the Dublin office in the Site Builder team.

Owen Kelleghan has a broad experience of web technologies with a degree in Multimedia Computers from the Institute of Wales before moving on to employment as a web developer in the tourism industry for two years. Owen then moved on to One Productions where he was involved in every aspect of the web development process. He is based in Dublin and joins the Booking Engine and Web 2.0 Implementations team.

Pasquale Mellone holds a BA in Political Science and a MBA in Marketing & Communications. Prior to joining Bookassist, Pasquale worked as Web Content Manager for Blink Communications in Italy, with responsibility for Online Marketing and Search Engine Optimization areas. He is based in Dublin and works as Search Engine Marketer in the Traffic Builder team with responsibility for Irish and Italian accounts.

Céline Tcharbatchian comes from a Corporate Travel background and is currently also researching an MBA specialized in Travel Management. She has previously worked with the 17-hotel French chain Astotel. She is based in the Paris office in the Internet Support area.

New Site Builder Hotel Websites launched in August

Bookassist's Sitebuilder content management system (CMS) rapidly accelerates the development of websites for hotels and groups and gives full control to the hotel of all content in an easy-to-manage web-based interface. What's more, it fully and seamlessly integrates with Bookassist's Web 2.0 functionality giving automatically updated customer review pages, Google maps, e-vouchers, deep-linked special offers and of course the Booking Engine.

Hotels which have gone live this month with Site Builder websites are
- House Hotel, Galway City (www.thehousehotel.ie)
- Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon (www.thelandmarkhotel.com)
- Osprey Hotel & Spa, Naas (www.osprey.ie)
- Hotel Le Dauphin, Paris (www.paris-hotel-dauphin.com)

Bookassist Appoints new Search Optimisation Specialist

Bookassist announces the appointment of Paul Ferry to the position of Search Optimisation Specialist. The role forms part of Bookassist's Traffic Builder team and will be based in the Dublin office.

Paul has extensive web design experience with hotel and hotel group websites in particular. Bookassist continues to expand its strategic marketing teams as well as its development teams in its Dublin office, and in its offices abroad, as hotels increasingly seize the opportunity to build direct booking business on their websites.

Hotels told economic downturn can be a strategic opportunity

Dublin, April 30th

Leading hotel software provider and online marketing company Bookassist has encouraged hotels to "wake up" and seize the opportunities for building bookings directly on their websites. Direct online booking should be the main strategy for building business in the current downturn according to the seminar held for hotels by Bookassist in Dublin on April 30th.

As part of a series of seminars around Ireland and in Bookassist's markets abroad, Thursday's Dublin event saw Bookassist sales, online marketing, web design and research staff present a series of topics to hotels in a day-long conference covering website optimisation, pay-per-click advertising, strategic marketing and the use of Web 2.0 tools. Hands-on training was also given on setting up analysis and Web 2.0 publication tools on the internet to help hotels monitor their brand online and promote their businesses while measuring the return on their online investment.

"Hotels are still missing the opportunity to capture more direct business online, and in the current climate it makes even more sense since the cost of doing business online is so much lower than any other marketing approach", said Sarah Collins, Sales Manager for Ireland (pictured above). "Hotels that get it right now will be well positioned to grow strongly when the market begins to recover again".

Bookassist will again present the day-long seminar event in Galway on May 14th and in Cork on May 26th. For further information see www.bookassist.org/seminars.

Bookassist CEO Dr Des O'Mahony at the Dublin seminar

Bookassist® creates and manages online strategies for hotels and groups and is the industry-leading hotel booking engine and online marketing provider in Ireland. Bookassist is expanding rapidly abroad with additional offices in Spain, France, Czech Republic, Scotland, Italy, Poland and Austria and a client base of over 2000 hotels. A Deloitte Fast 50 Technology Company in Ireland and in the Top 100 Deloitte Technology Companies in Europe, Bookassist has received numerous awards in Online Trade, Online Marketing, and Technological Innovation including the Irish Internet Association’s NetVisionary Award for online trade.

Click for Seminar Slideshow:

Recruitment - Bookassist is expanding and hiring in multiple offices

Bookassist is recruiting to build its teams in a number of its offices over the coming months in order to deal with the increasing client list and ongoing expansion of its geographical reach. Despite the economic downturn in many areas, Bookassist business has continued to see year-on-year growth with March showing record booking numbers.

Bookassist has introduced a number of new products recently which are bringing added value to its partnerships with hotels and hotel groups in all its operational areas and which are allowing it to more quickly enter new markets with a very mature and established product offering.

Bookassist growth is accelerating and we will be announcing major new acquisitions and market developments in the coming weeks.

For further information on positions available at Bookassist, see Bookassist Jobs http://www.bookassist.org/jobs.jsp

Bookassist launches 2009 Seminar Series for Dublin, Cork, Galway on Strategies for building hotel business in the downturn

Leading technology and online strategy provider to the accommodation sector Bookassist (Bookassist.org) has announced its 2009 Seminar Series to help hotels get the most from effective marketing strategies online.

Taking place in Dublin on April 30th, Galway on May 14th and Cork on May 26th, Bookassist will introduce research and concepts in the rapidly moving field of online trade and marketing with a strong emphasis on what hotels should be doing right now to best deal with the downturn and to be best positioned for the upturn when it comes.

Participants are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop for live interactive break out sessions. Shared Laptops will be more than adequate where 2 or 3 people are attending from the same Hotel or Company.

Who should attend?
General Managers, Sales Executives, Sales & Marketing Managers, Front Office Managers, Operations Managers, Yield Managers, Reservation Agents

Participants will learn how to:
- Boost their web address in the search engine results
- Manage and track on-line advertising and ROI with Google and Analytics
- Take care of their brand on-line by being proactive with reviews
- Boost the conversion on their website and upsell
- Set up and effectively use Web 2.0 blogs and Google Local
- Effectively market their brand through newsletters and Web 2.0 strategies
- Optimise for value rather than price to hold occupancy

For more information visit bookassist.org/seminars
or email seminars@bookassist.com

Bookassist and Hotelpoints ink expanded 3 year deal bringing an estimated 30M Euro in business to hotels

Leading online reservations technology company Bookassist (bookassist.org) and Ireland's top customer rewards scheme Hotelpoints (hotelpoints.ie) have announced another 3 year deal estimated to bring over €8M in revenue to Ireland hotels in 2009 alone and over €30M over the course of the deal.

Bookassist, with its online booking capability and call-centre management system, has had a very successful 3 year partnership with WINWIN Hotelpoints to the end of 2008, back-ending the online and offline Hotelpoints customer rewards vouchers for over 20 partners such as DID Electrical, Londis, Woodies, Atlantic Homecare, Shaws, O2, Heatons, Zurich, Sasha and Bank of Ireland.

"Bookassist manages almost 300 hotels online in Ireland for WINWIN Hotelpoints, each featuring unique special offers and deals accessible only to Hotelpoints voucher holders", said Mary Collins, Head of Internet Marketing for Bookassist. "Hotelpoints is by far the largest and most popular loyalty scheme in the country and our hotels see clear value in making attractive offers available through such a prestigious channel".

Kieran Fives, Director of Sales at Bookassist notes that hotels continue to join the scheme at a rapid rate: "Especially in the current climate, the opportunity to be in front of a dedicated customer base and to reap the rewards of return custom is something that our hotels are very keen to participate in. This represents a win for the hotel, a win for the partner company, and a win for the price-conscious customer."

James Lenehan, Managing Director of WINWIN Hotelpoints is very upbeat on the scheme's rapid growth. "We are planning to specifically target the Insurance & Media sectors in 2009 to help grow our client base, and extend the reach of our promotions", said Lenehan. "We will also open up Northern Ireland as a new growth area and we will roll out the Butler & Bell Hotel Privilege Club as part of our plans, and build loyalty across the existing people that have booked a Hotelpoints package over the last 3 years".

Hotelpoints works by allowing partner companies to offer loyalty vouchers to their customers, for example when they reach certain spending thresholds. The voucher code allows access to a private online system of hotels throughout the country operated by Bookassist, offering 50% or more discount to voucher holders and other special deals. Lenehan says that Hotelpoints will print upwards of 1,000,000 vouchers in 2009 alone for distribution to customer loyalty schemes in partner businesses throughout the country. "This represents an increase of 30% year on year compared to our most successful year to date in 2008."

The list of hotel campaigns will be promoted across Ireland, with expected promotional investment by partners and WINWIN Hotelpoints of around €1,000,000 in 2009.

Bookassist is the industry-leading hotel booking engine and online marketing provider in Ireland and is expanding rapidly abroad with additional offices in Spain, France, Czech Republic, Scotland, Italy and Poland and a client base of over 2000 hotels. A Deloitte Fast 50 Technology Company in Ireland and in the Top 100 Deloitte Technology Companies in Europe, Bookassist has received numerous awards in Online Trade, Online Marketing, and Technological Innovation including the Irish Internet Association’s NetVisionary Award for online trade.

Bookassist Founder to open the Hospitality Ireland Conference 2008

Bookassist Founder and Managing Director Dr Des O'Mahony will deliver the opening address to the Hospitality Ireland Conference and Annual Awards Ceremony in Dublin on October 30th, 2008.

The Conference is the largest of its kind in Ireland, encompassing the entire hospitality and leisure sector. The conference takes place the Four Seasons Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin.

Dr O'Mahony, an Irish Internet Association Netvisionary award winner, will talk on the future of the internet in the coming decades and what it means for the hospitality sector.

Also addressing the conference are Marco Pierre White, three star Michelin chef; Louis Fitzgerald, Chairman of the Fitzgerald Group and Gerard Lawless, Executive Chairman of the worldwide Jumeirah Group.

The conference will be chaired by broadcaster and economist David McWilliams.

Bookassist is the industry-leading hotel booking engine and online marketing provider in Ireland with additional offices in Spain, Scotland, France, Czech Republic, Italy and Poland. A Deloitte Fast 50 Technology Company in Ireland and in the Top 100 Deloitte Technology Companies in Europe, Bookassist has received numerous awards in Online Trade, Online Marketing, and Technological Innovation.

For more information on the Hospitality Ireland conference, see:
http://www.hospitality-ireland.com/

Travel 2.0 crucial to Hospitality Industry

The importance of Travel 2.0 to the Irish hospitality industry was outlined by John Hearne of the Irish Examiner today in conversation with Des O'Mahony of Bookassist.

See Examiner 20080415.pdf
© Irish Examiner

Bookassist appoints new Business Development Advisor

Christina Roche has been appointed as Business Development Advisor in Bookassist's Dublin office. Christina will work directly with Bookassist partner clients to help increase direct revenue through their hotel websites.

Christina is a graduate of the Dublin Institute of Technology at Cathal Brugha Street where she studied for a degree in Hospitality Management. Prior to her appointment with Bookassist Christina worked as Reservations Manager in the Irish Management Institute.

Mary Collins to head Trafficbuilder strategy development across all offices at Bookassist

The Board has appointed Mary Collins, Web Presence Team Leader at Bookassist, to also head overall Trafficbuilder strategy development across all Bookassist offices. Bookassist Trafficbuilder services for online marketing are operated out of a number of Bookassist offices in different countries, since the service often requires localisation.

Mary has been with Bookassist since its formation in 1999 and is a Physics graduate of the Dublin Institute of Technology and a Management graduate of the National College of Ireland. She has held a number of development and management positions over the years at Bookassist.

Bookassist appoints Sales Manager in Ireland

Bookassist appoints Sarah Collins to head Sales in Ireland

Sarah Collins has joined Bookassist as Sales Manager (Ireland). Sarah will obtain new business to partner with Bookassist, who provide an award-winning booking engine and proven online marketing expertise. Bookassist are at the forefront of online reservations technology with offices in Ireland, Spain, Scotland, Czech Republic and Argentina. Prior to this Sarah held the position of Sales and Marketing Executive with the Irish Hospitality Institute. She is delighted to continue working within the Hospitality Industry, where she can maintain the relationships she made during her time with the Irish Hospitality Institute.

A native of Co. Limerick, Sarah spent 4 years in Cardiff where she obtained a Degree in Marketing.

Bookassist Galway workshop cautions on brand-diluting web practices, introduces new Trafficbuilder promotions programme

On November 9th, members of the Bookassist team hosted a very successful workshop in the Galway Harbour Hotel. Topics for presentation and discussion included "Designing websites to maximise online business", "Secrets of Search Engines", "Effective Online Marketing", "Current issues in the online accommodation business" and others.

Managing Director Dr Des O'Mahony introduced this latter session as "cautioning on current online marketing practices which, while bringing short term gains, may ultimately be detrimental to the hotel's brand. The Bookassist approach on the other hand is to always build the hotels own brand first and foremost". An expert session on getting the most from the Bookassist administration system was also on the agenda, hosted by Roshan McPartland and Director, Kieran Fives. A lively discussion of all topics was had, and Bookassist's Claire Sawier and Jude Murray introduced the newly revamped Trafficbuilder web promotions package designed to tackle the total visibility of the hotel brand online and to propel online business to the maximum achievable. The new Trafficbuilder programme is exclusive to hotels using Bookassist on their own sites.

Bookassist touchscreen system to launch at Dublin Airport

Bookassist is the exclusive supplier of the touchscreen booking technology and reservations content for Dublin Tourism's new touchscreen information services at Dublin Airport.

Bookassist will make extensive use of its last-minute booking capability to allow arriving passengers to book from a range of accommodation, both in Dublin and throughout Ireland, for arrival up to midnight on the booking date. According to Kieran Fives, Bookassist Co-Founder and Director, "the system incorporates a number of industry-first features such as SMS text confirmation of bookings for touchscreen users and travel directions delivered directly to the user's phone. Touchscreen users making last minute bookings wouldn't usually be able to print their confirmation details, so the SMS capability is a significant advantage of the Bookassist system".

Dublin Tourism to use Bookassist as preferred accommodation channel on visitdublin.com

One of the most popular internet sites in Ireland, visitdublin.com, is to utilise the Bookassist system as its source of hotel bookings for the capital and throughout Ireland.

Operated by Dublin Tourism, visitdublin.com is a highly professional, high traffic site with definitive information on Dublin City and County. According to Kieran Fives, Bookassist Director, "the decision to use Bookassist in preference to all other providers was largely based on the market-leading penetration of the Bookassist system in the Dublin region, where more hotels are online with Bookassist than with any other system".

Dublin Tourism is the Official Tourist Board for Dublin City and County.