Doug Kennedy will show us how to secure more direct bookings via textual selling, in-platform messaging (on OTA’s) and via every guest/staff conversation. Participants in this session will walk away with a list of specific training tips to help their companies secure more direct bookings and reduce their reliance on costly third-party channels that can also be a barrier to return bookings. While the war for direct bookings does require “aerial strafing” (digital marketing), the most important battles in VR distribution occur through human and not digital interactions. Whether by phone, chat, email, or a random in-person conversation with a maintenance tech, it is the people that make the difference.