Octopus opts for Sapient to boost sales

Travelport-owned online hotel room retailer Octopus Travel has brought in Sapient Interactive to implement a new booking system it is hoped will triple its range of properties.

Sapient Interactive, a division of NASDAQ-listed marketing firm Sapient, has upgraded its IT to allow it to deal with a wider range of suppliers and payment systems.

A new technology platform which was brought in last April has doubled online sales, reduced the time taken to make a booking and improve conversions, it was claimed.

The Sapient upgrades include integrating TripAdvisor reviews and ratings, a new back office system to speed up pricing updates and collection of commissions and improved analytical tools.

Sapient aims to expand the range of hotels offered for online booking by Octopus to 44,000 as a result of the tie-up.

The Octopus Travel system offers business partners customised booking channels allowing it to widen its affiliate network.

Gareth Gaston, managing director at Octopus Travel, said: “The new platform makes it simple for customers to make hotel bookings and is far more user friendly than the previous system.

“We have benefited from Sapient’s technology expertise and consultancy around our online marketing strategy.

“In the coming months we are keen to make use of Sapient Interactive’s social media expertise to increase levels of traffic to the site.”

Nigel Vaz, vice president and head of Sapient Interactive Europe, added: “As more people head online to book travel and accommodation we are finding companies are extremely keen to improve levels of online customer service and boost conversion rates.

“Working with Octopus Travel has allowed us to demonstrate our ability to combine strategy, design and technology expertise and implement solutions that deliver real business results.”