[photopress:hotels_thorn_tree.jpg,full,alignright]A new form of marketing for less expensive hotels. That is listing on Internet guides with at least a show of non-commercial involvement.
On Thorn Tree, which is possibly the most popular site of Lonely Planet which is probably the most popular guide book company in the world and has just been sold to the BBC, we are beginning to find, as an example:
cheap hotel in Guangzhou China
2 bed room apartments for short term rental in Guangzhou, ranges from 70-100 meter sq.
Our apartment is located next to Baiyun mountain, Guangzhou Stadium, which is 20 min. from city center, such as Garden Hotel, China Hotel, Beijing Road.
Price:
Apartment with elevator: USD800 two weeks during Canton fair
Normal price: RMB158 per day.
How long it is going to be before free message boards start pruning commercial messages is open for debate but, for the moment, for low price accommodation in China and elsewhere, it is an effective and free form of advertising.
Source: Thorntree