Research on Agoda.co.uk
Background
The company was created by founder Michael Kenny in the late 1990’s under the name PlanetHoliday.com. The initial concept was to use the burgeoning power of search engines to fill a perceived void of hotel and travel information. PlanetHoliday was one of the first hotel reservation websites in an industry which has subsequently grown into a multi-billion dollar business.
Focused on securing and providing the lowest available hotel prices in every destination worldwide. Agoda's reach in the Asia-Pacific region is unmatched, with instant availability at more than 9,000 hotels. And, as part of Priceline.com, their connections are global, allowing them to offer the lowest prices at more than 90,000 hotels worldwide. Available in 21 different languages, Agoda has serviced millions of travelers in its 10-year history and shares the reviews and experiences of hundreds of thousands on its website.
With hundreds of staff operating across the globe, Agoda is uniquely able to combine local knowledge and connections with world class technology to provide the best hotel deals on the web. And, with the Agoda Rewards program, members can save even further. The program, launched in 2004, allows customers to earn points automatically, beginning with their first reservation. These points can be used across the site for thousands of hotels, freeing customers from brand-specific loyalty programs and blackout dates.
What makes Agoda unique is the pairing of technology and the human touch. Agoda negotiate personally and directly with hotels to ensure the best possible value, and then use the latest technology to deliver these bargains to our customers. And their 24/7 multi-lingual customer service means assistance is quick at hand when it really counts.
Thousands of travel partners and websites have chosen Agoda to provide hotel bookings for their customers because they are always accountable, reachable and connected. In recognition of this, Agoda was awarded Best Accommodation website in Asia for 2008 at the inaugural TravelMole Web Awards for Asia.
Purpose:
Agoda is an internet company which provides online hotel reservations services for properties focused primarily in the Asia Pacific Region, with operations based in Bangkok, Singapore and the Philippines.
Strength
User friendly:
The website is simple to navigate and user friendly. You can immediately search for hotel accommodation on the main page. Once agoda.com returns the results of your search, you can then proceed to selecting the hotel in which you would like to stay. The results page also shows you how much are the rates and how much are the rewards that you will earn by booking the accommodation.
Keeps track of special events in Asia:
Agoda keeps track of major events in Asia and provides best deals for customers in terms of hotel accommodations.
Example: Annual Great Singapore Sales, Singapore’s Unique Formula 1 Night Race
Customer Oriented:
Availability in 21 different languages accommodates for users of different nationalities.
24/7 multi-lingual customer service means assistance is quick at hand when it really counts. You can actually “speak” real time with an agent.
Homepage includes a hyperlink to a suggestion box for users to comment on the website.
Rewards Program:
With hundreds of staff operating across the globe, Agoda is uniquely able to combine local knowledge and connections with world class technology to provide the best hotel deals on the web. And, with the Agoda Rewards program, members can save even further. The program, launched in 2004, allows customers to earn points automatically, beginning with their first reservation. These points can be used across the site for thousands of hotels, freeing customers from brand-specific loyalty programs and blackout dates.
Agoda is looking to build a long term relationship with its customers. Hence, rewards program is being introduced to ensure customers keep patronizing its services. Customers will receive points for their transaction and these points can be used to offset their future transactions. Agoda knows that not only getting customers is important, retaining them is equally important as well.
Features:
Process of booking is fast, easy and convenient. It provides large pictures and easy to compare prices. You can choose to look at the price in your own currency. It also break down the total cost so you know what you are paying.
For example, when you use your credit card they let you see exactly how much you're going to be paying in your home currency. The rate is much cheaper than you get from your credit card company and avoids that horrible sinking feeling when you get your bill 30 days later and realize that the bank tacked on an additional 5%.
Weaknesses
Accuracy of information
Information from the website may not be very accurate. Recent changes and developments of the hotels and its surroundings will not be known to Agoda instantaneously. A lag time is incurred as a result making some information out of date.
Comparibility Function
No comparibility fuction is available. Pages of reviews and comments provide necessary information and the general idea of the hotel. However, having comparability function of comparing 2 / more hotels will make decision making must easier and faster.
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