See how MUZE Hotels transformed their booking strategy to boost direct bookings.
MUZE Hotels, a collection of seven boutique properties in seven cities, sought to unify their brand and increase direct bookings. The hotels are located in major European cities, such as Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Budapest, and in regional hubs like Pforzheim, Wesel, or Schwäbisch Gmünd.
Tobias Hartz, marketing manager for MUZE Hotels, was tasked with this transformation after joining the team 1.5 years ago. During this time, the team successfully executed a full website relaunch, creating individual property sites that aligned with the corporate design framework. They also developed a central brand portal, complete with online booking for all hotels, while launching digital advertising campaigns to enhance brand visibility.
Partnering with Sojern, MUZE Hotels ran tailored digital campaigns for all seven properties, with three running on all channels (display, social, SEM, and metasearch), three running on display, social, and sem, and one on display and social. Since the campaign launch, the hotels have already secured 80 direct bookings, a number that continues to grow.
Before discovering Sojern, Tobias was on the lookout for a partner that could help drive direct bookings without requiring a substantial upfront investment. our commission-based model stood out as an ideal solution. Tobias remarked, “When I first heard about Sojern and their offer during a webinar, I was immediately impressed and convinced that this could be a great opportunity to increase awareness for our hotels after the relaunch. The major advantage is that there's no risk of high costs per click, as a commission is only due for actual revenue generated through direct bookings.”
One of Tobias’ key goals was to reduce reliance on online travel agencies (OTAs), where commission fees could soar as high as 30-35%. By driving direct bookings, MUZE Hotels could not only save on these fees but also build an in-house database of loyal customers. He noted, “Since going live [with Sojern], we’ve really seen the development of increasing direct channels and the awareness of our website. Sojern supports us in moving business from OTAs to our direct channel, which is crucial for building our in-house database and providing loyal customers with special benefits.”
With our Sojern’s Travel Advertising on Commission, MUZE Hotels boosted their direct bookings without the stress of high marketing costs or budget overruns. This allowed them to rely less on OTAs and focus on growing and strengthening their own website as a primary sales channel.
From the beginning, Tobias praised the ease of working with us, particularly the smooth and efficient onboarding process. He noted, “The onboarding process was a highly positive experience for me. Once Laura received the signed contracts, we were up and running within two weeks. The process was smooth and efficient, exactly what we needed to ensure a swift start.”
Tobias also highlighted the time-saving benefits of our digital marketing solutions. “I am pleased to have partners like Sojern that save me a significant amount of time. Within just two weeks, we began receiving reservations, and the impact was evident even after the initial bookings. Direct bookings are particularly beneficial for us, as these guests are more likely to return for future stays,” he explained. This efficiency allowed Tobias to focus on other key aspects of managing the MUZE Hotels brand, while we handled their digital campaigns.
In addition to time savings, our platform offered the flexibility and ease of use that Tobias needed. “The backend is straightforward to manage, and the reconciliation process is efficient and not time-consuming. Each booking enhances the property's visibility, and the flexibility Sojern provides makes it an invaluable partner,” he shared.
Ready to transform your hotel’s booking strategy like MUZE Hotels? Partner with us and start boosting direct bookings while cutting costs. Discover how our commission-based model can drive more revenue and build lasting customer loyalty without upfront risk. Contact us today to learn more.
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