Welcome to cobooking
At this very early stage there isn’t much to show you other than our intentions, our plans and our hopes.
If you share the belief that there could and should be an alternative way for guests to find and book direct then you have come to the right place.
There is no point in us making big promises, the task ahead is vast and complex, the road is rough, bumpy and long. Everything starts somewhere and we can begin by establishing a following, while sharing hope, being honest, clear and open.
If you have not already registered you can show your support by registering today. By signing up you are effectively asking us to keep going, each new registration is a little vote for direct booking. Your signup details help us stay touch with each other and for you to receive cobooking progress.
Sharing this news with others will help build the network.
You can share with others like you on twitter, facebook, instagram or phone, email and blog about cobooking, tell the world it’s possible that booking can change for the better, the more that join our rabble band the easier this will be.
31 Comments
Richard Edwards · April 30, 2020 at 12:11 pm
Based on the fabulous customer service and effectiveness of the Free To Book software, this initiative is really exciting. All the best with the endeavour.
Malcolm Hornby · April 30, 2020 at 12:44 pm
Great idea and if it’s half as good as Freetobook you’re onto a winner. Count us in and good luck!
Malcolm Hornby · April 30, 2020 at 12:48 pm
Ps I tried to sign-up but got only a blank page :o(
Craig Stewart · April 30, 2020 at 4:03 pm
Hi, there were a couple of earl glitches but these seem to have been fixed, please try again, thanks.
Bob · April 30, 2020 at 3:55 pm
Tried to sign up but couldn’t get past the question “Where are you from?” It wouldn’t accept and town or postcode or country or anything I tried to enter via my Android phone with Chrome browser. Pity.
Craig Stewart · April 30, 2020 at 4:02 pm
We had a few glitches with signup page by they have been fixed now, please try again 🙂
Bob · May 1, 2020 at 6:25 am
STILL can’t get past the “Where are you from?” question so unable to register (via Chrome browser on Samsung phone). And STILL can’t submit a comment on this blog without adding https://www at start of our URL.
Sue · April 30, 2020 at 4:55 pm
Brilliant, sure you will make a success of this. If accommodation could be searched by area, and type (B&B, SC etc) and possibly also group size this would be amazing.
Dave Till · April 30, 2020 at 9:01 pm
Good look with this Craig. We wish you every success and I’m sure we all will get there if Freetobook is anything to go by.
I have a question, is this going to just be for your freetobook members or all. All will have greater chance of success and beating BDc etc.
Craig Stewart · May 1, 2020 at 9:32 am
Thanks Dave, its going to take some time and its going to be a difficult thing to pull off. We will need the help of everyone that believes in the possibility of an alternative, we certainly don’t have all the answers but we are going to have a shot at it. Cobooking is not connected with any one booking system it is independent, any property can join.
Dave Brown · May 2, 2020 at 8:19 am
Direct Booking is the way forward for most small accommodation owners.
We’ve enjoyed using Freetobook and wait with interest to see what you develop. Hopefully, a more intuitive menu system.
Cornwall Crusader · May 2, 2020 at 1:58 pm
The ‘independent, any property’ approach is brilliant. I’ve looked at doing a Together site for Looe and sadly, we just don’t have the numbers within Freetobook alone. Are you talking to any of the DMO’s yet eg Visit Cornwall?
Craig Stewart · May 7, 2020 at 2:16 pm
Thanks, still a bit on the early side for chats with others but we want cobooking to be open and collaborative, all booking platforms are welcome.
Lynda · April 30, 2020 at 10:24 pm
Really looking forward to all your plans coming to fruition. Good luck with this.
Marko · May 1, 2020 at 8:08 am
Great idea, we very much hope it comes to fruition. Thank you for inviting us to participate
Sarah Smith · May 1, 2020 at 3:05 pm
I may be a little bit too excited for my own good!
Michael Watson · May 1, 2020 at 3:42 pm
Finally! Well done, I’ve been saying it for a while! I can shut up now 🤐
Rita · May 1, 2020 at 9:12 pm
All for a collaborative community. I am much willing to lend support. Apart from sharing and help to create community i am happy to contribute.
Michelle · May 2, 2020 at 9:31 am
Love the look of the theme of the website, grateful for the opportunity to join, best of luck Thank You
Charlotte · May 2, 2020 at 9:53 am
At long Last. Freetobook has been my chanel manager for a few years now and I am very happy with Craig and his team – Hope you get the support from the likes of Visit Scotland/England/Ireland & Wales. Never a better time than now Craig wish you all the very best in this venture – Have already forwarded this to many….
Gillian Dunwell · May 2, 2020 at 11:56 am
The problem is that the likes of booking.com are so big, it is hard to take them on. Freetobook has done it with booking platforms and we wouldn’t use anything else. I am hoping this is successful as the Freetobook team is such a good bunch to work with. Good luck
Mrs Carole Paish · May 2, 2020 at 9:47 pm
Brilliant, booking.com should be very afraid – collaboration and sharing without being greedy tax avoiding empires, how refreshing!
David · May 4, 2020 at 11:34 am
As you may see I did get beyond the Where are you from ? on the registration. The issue seems to have been that the start position is ‘Hard left’ and my entry initiated at one space right. A little perseverance found the secret… Very much looking forward to your progress.
John Mills · May 6, 2020 at 9:32 am
Great. So fed up with these OTA’s who think they own our business. We did our own survey last year with guests who had booked with these “big boys” and asked why they would pay more than they needed to. The most common answer that it was easy. Too lazy to spend a few seconds to google us direct. Going to be tough to get these people to change their habits. Me … I would rather spend that money on a good meal!!!
Tristan · May 6, 2020 at 10:57 am
Very exited. I look forward to growing my business with you guys. Very promising. I love the initiative that this industry has been yearning for for so long. Having seen how the OTA’s increased their stranglehold, and commission is horrifying. I’m impressed by the professional, open and honest approach. I wish you all the best.
Roger · May 7, 2020 at 10:17 am
How will cobooking mesh with Freetobook? Is it intended as a replacement? I have used Freetobook for a few years and have no particular desire to desert them.
Craig Stewart · May 7, 2020 at 2:12 pm
Cobooking is different from freetobook, no property using cobooking will ever have to change their booking system. Cobooking will work for all properties using whichever booking system they choose.
Charlotte · May 7, 2020 at 1:45 pm
Have just been on Scottish Hotels Covid-19 Action & Support Group and left a posting regarding cobooking.com. There following includes SLTA, Scottish Tourisim Alliance, independant hotelliers etc
might be a good platform to promote cobooking.com
Hope all is going well
Craig Stewart · May 7, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Thanks that is very kind, sharing the news will help us grow.
Derek Grainge · June 19, 2020 at 7:33 am
Tried signing up but the confirmation email has not arrived after several attempts. The whole concept is one we would like to be involved in as long term freetobook users. Its note the blog is very quiet just now – is there a lot going on in the background or is the project struggling
Craig Stewart · August 12, 2020 at 8:04 am
All working fine, you should be able to register, if not send us an email.
Comments are closed.