Flip.to Brand Platform Drives Direct Bookings

Orlando, FL (USA) — February 14, 2013 — Flip.to, a brand advocate platform that helps hotels leverage the marketing power of social media by encouraging guests to spread the word about upcoming stays, has been implemented at the CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort in Orlando, Florida. The 391-room, family-centric resort has already begun to see positive trends in website traffic and direct room bookings as a result of Flip.to’s technology.

The CoCo Key Water Resort combines a relaxed, tropical atmosphere with the excitement of a 54,000 square foot canopy-covered and outdoor water park. As one of Orlando’s newest hotels, CoCo Key was actively seeking unique ways to market their lodging and activity offerings in the competitive Central Florida region. After looking at many marketing channels, the hotel turned to the Flip.to platform to facilitate organic brand advocacy and virally spread the word about their property through social connections. Aside from generating room bookings directly on their website, yielding a higher ADR, CoCo Key seeks to educate their guest on additional resort offerings such as meal plans, souvenir packages and upgraded room types.

Since implementing Flip.to in late November 2012, CoCo Key has already generated enough room bookings to pay for over six months of the platform’s usage. By offering guests who share the news of their upcoming stay at CoCo Key a free drink, the hotel has prompted an average engagement rate of 25%, with maximum guest engagement at 31%. In the last 30 days, Flip.to has placed messaging about CoCo Key in front of 12,500 social connections, generated 246 unique visits to CoCoKeyOrlando.com, and produced ten sign-ups for ongoing marketing.

These numbers reflect the hotel’s off-season. CoCo Key sees the majority of their room nights during spring and summer break. Looking ahead to the peak summer months of June, July, August, and September, CoCo Key projects to see approximately 750 guests become brand advocates by using the same engagement rate percentages already experienced with Flip.to. The social sharing generated during this four-month period has the ability to reach over 350,000 potential new guests for CoCo Key.

Michael Mathews, Revenue & Reservations Manager at CoCo Key, commented on his experience with Flip.to, saying, “Flip.to not only produces dramatic results in driving potential hotel guests and water park visitors directly to the CoCo Key website, but the platform is also surprisingly simple to use. In the few instances that we’ve had questions about the technology, Flip.to was fast to reply – even after normal business hours. Their friendly support team always makes us feel like we’re a top priority.”

Currently, CoCo Key is using Flip.to primarily for hotel bookings. In the near future they will begin initiatives to encourage Orlando locals to visit the water park. With the average social media user having 130 Facebook friends, 300 Twitter followers and 60 LinkedIn connections, the messaging CoCo Key’s guests communicate to their network is far more effective and cost efficient than other types of marketing and advertising.

About Flip.to
Flip.to is a brand advocate platform for hotels that turns their guests into engaged advocates to boost brand awareness and earn new guests. Launched in early 2010, Flip.to is generating substantial ROE (return on engagement) and ROI (return on investment) for hotels around the world. Find out more at www.flip.to.

About CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort – Orlando
CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort comes fully equipped for a fantastic vacation. Hotel stays include parking, transportation to area theme parks, heated pools, wireless high-speed internet access and three dining options at Tradewinds Restaurant, Callaloo Grill and Pizza Hut. CoCo Key combines a casual “tropical” hotel setting with 391 guest rooms and an exciting water park that features slides, rides and fun. The park hosts three pools, 14 water slides, poolside entertainment, and splashing good times all specially designed for kids in a safe and friendly environment. The hotel offers 5,000 sq. ft. of meeting space for events of all kinds. Guests can book packages that include overnight stays and passes to the water resort for the ultimate hotel stay. To learn more about CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort – Orlando visit: http://www.cocokeyorlando.com.

About Sage Hospitality
Founded in 1984, Sage Hospitality has strategically grown into one of the largest privately held hotel management and ownership companies in the nation operating a variety of large, full-service hotels as well as extended stay and select-service properties. Sage Hospitality’s comprehensive portfolio includes major international brands such as Marriott, Sheraton, Renaissance, and Westin, and as well as independent boutique hotels. Sage Hospitality has further differentiated with the creation of the Sage Restaurant Group, which has created and is managing 10 unique restaurant concepts including the acclaimed Mercat a la Planxa in Chicago. CoCo Key Water Resorts, a division of Sage Hospitality, offers a Key West-themed tropical paradise for family adventure getaways. CoCo Key Hotel & Water Resorts are located in Danvers, Mass. and in Orlando, Fla.

Media Contact:
Kristi White
Vice President, Global Sales Strategy
Flip.to
kwhite@flip.to