Considering that a common identity called for a common family
name,
the managers of the time chose “MINOTEL”, a contraction of
Minos
and Hotel. In Greek mythology, Minos was the son of Zeus and
Europe.
Minotel International was meant to be a chain of independent hotel
chains. It took years and years trying to affiliate foreign hotel
groups which were dedicated to the same fundamental values such as
a warm welcome and a comfy sleep, local character and mastery of
the trade.
Hoteliers managed all of these national chains as a voluntary job
whereas a rather conventional managerial style prevailed. The
former family-oriented logo, held in orange and brown, quickly
provided these organizations with brand awareness and commercial
successes. The former managers were not really keyboard-literate.
Despite their willingness, they found themselves weighed down by
the challenges linked to the ever progressing internet and the
economic globalization.
Over the years, the substantial problems raised by the integration
of hotel groups became ever more apparent and the international
chain more and more opened to the affiliation of independent
hoteliers. In 2004, the chain initiated steps to create a more
compact structure with improved performance. Since Minotel Suisse
bought up Minotel International in the beginning of 2005, healthy
synergies have developed particularly on the promotional and
reservations levels. The positive showing of Minotel is reflected
on the hotel level since the average number of reservations per
hotel in comparison to 2004 has tripled in Switzerland and almost
quadrupled abroad.
Within the hotel industry, Minotel was a pioneer in the
internet area. Minotel’s first web site went live at the
end of November 1995. It at first only existed in English and
simply listed the Minotel hotels. As time went by, requesting
reservations became possible. The current, user-friendly version
went live at the end of January 2000. Since then, the secure
Minotel web site offers plenty of hotel information, great savings
and bookings with instant confirmation. Page content is available
in 7 languages : English, French, German, Italian, Spanish,
Japanese and Chinese.
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