Measuring the provision of information services in tourist hotel web sites: the case of Athens-Olympic city 2004

Information offered through hotel web sites may serve as a means for increasing the effectiveness of marketing and eCommerce of hotel businesses. The objective of this research was to examine and measure the quantity and type of information provided though the selected hotel web sites. A model was used, based on a conceptual framework, which consists of seven major hotel website dimensions, including Facilities information, Customer contact information, Reservation-price information, Surrounding area information, Management of the website, Company information and Communication. The managerial features of the businesses: star rating, size and chain membership were taken into consideration. It was found that the Athens hotels used in this study do not make maximum and uniform use of the possibilities offered to attract customers through the web information services. Higher class hotels as well as chain hotels appear to be more active in offering information services.