Booking.com Made Brand Push in Canada : Darren Huston

Darren Huston knows all about hotel rooms — staying in one at least 80 days a year for his job.

As chief executive officer of Booking.com, an Amsterdam-based hotel accommodation website, Huston says free Wi-Fi is a priority for him.

“Everyone has their own preferences. I have a lot of devices, so I love free Wi-Fi,” he said. “Free and good Wi-Fi makes a huge difference.”

Darren Huston also believes hotels sometimes underestimate the value of having a pleasant person greet a guest at check-in. “That first impression of coming to the desk, and what does it feel like?” he believes can be a key to the experience.

You Must Be Interested In —

• Darren Huston, the head of world’s largest online accommodations agent
• Booking.com scholarship

With increased Internet bookings, travellers have many more options today — widened immensely thanks to endless photos, detailed reviews and vivid descriptions.

“Think about 20 years ago, you would go to the local travel agency, and you’d say, ‘I’m thinking of going to Tuscany,’ ” Huston said in an interview at Toronto’s Shangri-La hotel.

Read Full Article @ https://www.thestar.com/business/2014/01/20/bookingcom_makes_brand_push_in_canada.html