Omni Hotels promotes packages with consumer generated content

May 29, 2008 | Hospitality Industry

With Omni Hotels' new "Live Like a Local" website, visitors will be in the know. The site promises to take travelers beyond the recommendations of guidebooks and conventional travel resources to discover the lesser-known gems of each locale.

No one knows a city better than those who call it home, so why not learn from the locals? With Omni Hotels’ new “Live Like a Local” website, visitors will be in the know. Omni Hotels has created a means to tap the minds of true destination experts. The “insiders’ scoop” will take travelers beyond the recommendations of guidebooks and conventional travel resources to discover the lesser-known gems of each locale. From Pittsburgh’s best microbrews to the pet-friendly parks of San Francisco, locals tell all.

“We are connecting online with those who truly know and love each destination,” said Caryn Kboudi, vice president of corporate communications. “This new website, featuring the authentic voice of locals, will be constantly evolving so travelers can continually come back for updated insights from the people who know each city best.”

Any Orlando brochure will offer information on theme parks, but only a local will know where to taste the city’s best Sunday brunch to enjoy before a day in the park. Only a true Chicagoan can lead the way to the area’s other great shopping beyond the retail icons on the Magnificent Mile. Seeing a city through the lens of a local gives visitors a new perspective on a destination.

With the expertise of Neighborhood America, an award-winning software solutions company, Omni Hotels has built an engaging social network where consumers can showcase their hometown by sharing stories, posting recommendations and uploading pictures. To open the dialogue between locals and visitors, readers can comment on the ‘scoop’ and rate the postings. This online community will further serve to connect travelers with Omni Hotels—before, during and after their visit—while enabling the brand to continue building relationships online.

In addition to the new website, Omni Hotels will offer authentic destination experiences this summer with the “Live Like a Local” package. Within 24 hours of booking a “Live Like a Local” reservation, the concierge will call guests to create a customized vacation based on the concierge’s unique knowledge as well as what locals posted. Whether traveling with a family of four or enjoying a romantic weekend away, the custom itinerary will incorporate guests’ likes with locals’ ideas. To begin their exploration and enjoy each locale, guests will also receive a $20 gift card.