Trends for Best Hotel & Lodging Websites Detailed in New Report from Web Marketing Association

West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) March 31, 2008 -- The Web Marketing Association, host of leading website awards competition WebAwards (Webaward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2)), released the Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) to help the hotel industry and the lodging industry create more effective and engaging websites.

"As the standard of excellence for websites continues to increase, consumers (and WebAward judges) are increasingly picky about what they consider to be an effective website," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. "Many hotel and lodging websites have become portals to other sites in the travel industry making it easier for consumers to research all their travel needs and generate revenues for the hotel."

The WebAwards competition judges hotel and lodging websites on seven criteria that combined create award-winning websites:

?    Design

?    Innovation

?    Content

?    Technology

?    Interactivity

?    Copywriting

?    Ease of use

Hotel and lodging Web sites have shown steady strength and have equaled or exceeded the overall ISAR index nine of the eleven years in which it competed. According to the study, this industry outperformed the 5-year criteria benchmark averages in the design category and narrowly missed the benchmark in copywriting and ease of use. As an industry, hotel and lodging Web sites are especially strong in design, content, and copywriting.

The 2007 WebAward for Best Hotel and Lodging Web site went to Cendyn for Stonewall Resort

Other past winners include:

- 2006 T3 (The Think Tank) for ExperienceMarriott.com

- 2005 Open World, LTD for WARWICK International Hotels

- 2004 Interactive Sites for The New York Palace Web Site

- 2003 Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts

- 2002 FreeRun Technologies for Simpson House Inn

- 2001 Hesperia and eOne for Hesperia Hotels

- 2001 Leo ID for Four Seasons

- 2000 Stone & Ward for Mountain Harbor Website

- 1999 Best Western International, Inc

- 1998 Interactive Sites, Inc for The Luxury Collection

- 1997 The Connection Group, Ltd for Mandarin Oriental Website

Companies and organizations wishing to have their sports Web site evaluated against the ISAR Index and be considered for a WebAward, which can help boost a Website's credibility and marketing efforts, can learn more at WebAward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2).

To request your copy of the 2008 WebAward ISAR report, please visit: WebAward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2) and click on the ISAR text link

2008 WebAward Call for Entries

The Web Marketing Association will soon be accepting entries into its 12th annual international WebAward Competition. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets industry benchmarks that the Internet Standards Assessment report is based upon. The hotel and lodging industries represent important categories in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Hotel Website and Best Lodging Web sites of 2008. The deadline for entry is May 31, 2008 and the WebAward Web site is located at WebAward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2).

The Internet Standards Assessment report and the 2008 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: Burst Media, PRWeb, AllBusiness, Misukanis & Odden, Small Army, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, NewsUSA, MediaPost's OMMA conference, TopRank Online Marketing, Creative Chocolate Printing Company, PhizzPop, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio, Rovion's InPerson, Snap Shots and Website Magazine.

About the WebAwards

Now in its 12th year, the annual international WebAwards competition sets the standard of excellence in 96 industry categories by evaluating Web sites and defining benchmarks based on the seven essential criteria of successful Web site development. The goal of the Web Marketing Association, sponsor of the WebAwards, is to provide a forum to recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective Web sites on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from a Web site assessment by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented to an award-winning Web site. For more information, visit WebAward08.org (http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp?gad=CLuN0dkDEgiWfXzHcjWjThi6nML_AyC33JU2).

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