Omni Hotels Tries to Get Locals Onto Website

June 9, 2008 at 9:15 AM | by amandak | 0 Comments

Omni Hotels are often pretty innovative--they have one of the biggest ranges of online and mobile services we've come across in a hotel chain. And now they're upping their web presence by starting up The Local Scoop site, which is aiming to create a bit of a social online presence where people share stories, tips, pictures and videos about cities where Omni Hotels exist.

It looks like the site's been active and live for a month or so and they've managed to recruit a few locals at least (some look like hotel staff) to post pictures and tips about shops and sights around each of their hotels. There is also the possibility to rate the tips and give comments, but that part of the site hasn't seen much action yet.

The idea on its own is quite nice--getting locals to give travelers tips about their favorite local spots--but we were definitely wondering how they're going to get locals to do this. At the moment there's a sweepstakes draw for anyone leaving comments, which might get a few in, but we're not really sure if this site has the potential to be really that dynamic. It looks pretty and all, but ... we're just not sure.

Omni Hotels is tying the Local Scoop site in with a special accommodation package. It includes room rates ranging from $179 to $379 per night, based on a two-night minimum stay, and includes a $20 gift voucher. But the main part of the package is that within 24 hours of making your booking, the concierge will telephone you to help you plan your own custom itinerary. Using the Local Scoop, of course.

[Photo: Mpopp]

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