How to Attract Price-sensitive Guests without Slashing Prices
With Covid lockdowns fresh in our memory, the desire to travel is still strong. But as inflation and high flight prices persist, the revenge travel surge may start to wane. As the cost of living continues to rise, so will travelers’ price sensitivity. Hoteliers should keep this in mind as they strive to balance profit […]
Best Practices for Managing Your Online Hotel Reviews
There’s plenty of research to support the fact that reviews turn lookers into bookers with nearly half of US consumers trusting reviews as much as recommendations from family and friends. To boost bookings, accommodation providers not only need to accumulate online reviews but also respond to them effectively (more than half of consumers say they […]
Off the Beaten Path: How to Market Your Destination When No One’s Heard of It (Yet)
Not every hotel enjoys a renowned location like London, Paris, or Bali. Though these popular—and packed—destinations attract guests without trying, places off the beaten path also have great potential to snag bookings. Guests are more aware than ever of sustainable travel and overtourism (you know it’s bad when articles start talking about “tourists per head […]
How to Inspire Guests on Social Media
Social media isn’t a flashy new trend anymore; it’s a fundamental marketing cornerstone. Fifty-two percent of travelers have chosen to visit a place after seeing its image or video in their peers’ social media, and even more (60 percent) post photos on vacation. Any accommodation business that wants to amplify reach and drive bookings should […]
Big Advantages of Running a Small Hotel
Running a small operation amidst large chain hotels may seem daunting, but there are many advantages that set independent properties apart from the competition and appeal to today’s consumers. With greater flexibility to innovate and create and define their image, small and boutique hotels are an ideal traveler choice for excellent service and unique, memorable […]
Getting to Know Your Guests: How to Gather Guest Data
In our digitally connected world, consumers expect increasingly personalized service from the businesses they choose to deal with—especially from those in the hospitality industry. To stand out in such a competitive market, hotels need to provide individually relevant (and therefore memorable) guest experiences, the key to which lies in guest data. Guest data has long […]
Zero Stars and Scandal: How to Handle a PR Crisis at Your Hotel
Going viral isn’t always a victory. If your staffer gets caught kicking a service puppy or a guest calls their room “revenge of the roaches,” going viral can be downright, well, viral to your reputation, whether or not the accusation is true. People prefer to do business with brands who share their values, and your […]
Weird and Wonderful Hotel & Travel Campaigns to Inspire You
If you’ve ever found yourself in a crowd of kids, you’ll know how noisy it gets when each one talks louder and louder in an attempt to be heard. While this blog post is not about kids, this analogy is an example of what hotel marketing can feel like sometimes! Can you relate? Marketing emails, […]
Attract High-Value Guests with Expedia Members Only Promotions
Online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia provide a reliable source of bookings, bringing more visibility to your property than you could reach alone. While many travelers prefer to book direct, others choose to use trusted OTA sites to compare prices and book travel because of the convenience and perks OTAs offer, including loyalty programs. Expedia […]
Celebrate Spring with Style: A Hotelier’s Guide to Easter
The last of the Valentine’s Day chocolate has barely been finished and there’s already another sweet (and potentially profitable!) holiday around the corner. Easter is celebrated by 80% of Americans, and if you play your cards right, they could celebrate with you. Here’s a quick guide for independent hoteliers to make the most of this […]
An Independent Hotelier’s Guide to Virtual Hotel Tours
Advertisers have always tapped into the power of imagination. In fact, it’s the first step in creating desire. Studies show that the imagination increases guests’ intention to travel and imagining experiences can impact purchase decisions even weeks later. “Evoking the imagination as a strategy of influence” (Petrova and Cialdini) is not a new concept for […]
Building a Brand: An Independent Hotelier’s Guide
“Design is the silent ambassador of your brand.” – Paul Rand Does your hotel have a brand? The answer is yes, even if you said no. Everything from your website design to the language used in your emails to room decor says it all about your hotel. And if you haven’t put any effort into […]
Love the Locals: How to Spice Up Your Staycation Offerings
Even as travel has opened up, staycations remain an appealing option for many potential guests. According to a 2022 survey by The Vacationer, 67% of respondents said they had taken a staycation or planned to take one that year. And why wouldn’t they? They can explore new facets of their local area… and order room […]
How to Create Booking-boosting Hotel Videos
Hotel videos not only let guests know what to expect, they establish an emotional connection. Guests don’t book based on logic alone; they book based on what makes them excited. Videos can increase conversion rates by as much as 80 percent, if they are well-produced, and you have an effective marketing strategy. Video is simple […]
7 Simple SEO Tips for Independent Hoteliers
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an essential part of your marketing initiatives. Think of your website as a Broadway musical: the images and videos are the stars of the show while the website design plays a supportive role. Where is SEO in this analogy? Backstage, making sure the show goes on! The right keywords, meta […]
5 Sustainable Hotels to Inspire Us
By definition, sustainability and hospitality go hand in hand. To be hospitable means to be friendly and welcoming to guests, but it also means providing an environment that’s pleasant and favorable for living in. The bigger picture for hotels is how they contribute to the environment that surrounds them so that Planet Earth continues to […]
What Do Your Guests Want for Christmas? Top Ideas for the Holidays
While economic uncertainty is curbing spending, people still plan to travel this holiday season—albeit more carefully, booking trips earlier and choosing options with flexible cancellation policies. For many, the season looks a lot more “normal” this year as we put the worst of the pandemic behind us. Is your property ready to grab your share […]
7 Hotel Marketing Mistakes You Might Be Making
If you’re like the majority of independent hoteliers, you have a lean marketing budget. Every marketing dollar matters and mistakes can be costly! Check out our list of seven hotel marketing mistakes you might be making—and how to fix ‘em! 1. Website Friction & Poor Site Health When a guest comes to your website, there […]
Social Media Tune Up: 5 Tips for Hoteliers
While various channels may change and disappear, social media is here to stay. It’s like the blackberry bush in your garden. You can pull the roots up all you want, but it isn’t going anywhere. You may as well harvest the berries. More than half the world uses social media for everything from baby updates […]
How to Maximize Black Friday Bookings
People don’t have to spend Black Friday in a tent outside Best Buy, huddling for warmth and wondering if that new smart TV is worth it. There are alternative items and experiences they can purchase, i.e., a stay at your hotel. Customers are ready for special offers this time of year—we’ve all seen the bright […]
Getting in on the Health Kick: Wellness for Independent Lodgings
Recent events have highlighted the importance of looking out for ourselves and others. An Ipsos survey discovered that 62 percent of Americans care more about their health than they did pre-pandemic. Both leisure and business travelers look for experiences that enhance their personal wellness regimes when away from home and use this criteria to choose […]
5 Tips for Designing a Hotel Loyalty Program that Really Works
Loyalty programs give consumers a better deal and companies repeat business they can rely on, so it’s no surprise they’re growing in popularity. In 2021, eighty-three percent of consumers claim that participating in a loyalty program affects their choice whether to purchase again. Loyal guests mean revenue. As of 2020, fifty-six percent of consumers said […]
Demystifying the Metaverse for Independent Hotels
POV: you enter the lobby of a five-star luxury hotel. Friendly agents behind the front desk exude welcoming smiles while sky-high ceilings inspire a sense of awe and walls adorned with fine artwork remind you that you’re staying near the Louvre in the world-class, cultural city of Paris—all from the comfort of your own home. […]
Top Tips for Improving Guest Engagement
Guest engagement is fundamental to the success of a hotel. Without it, you can’t build excitement around your brand, grow guest loyalty or share relevant information—on both sides. The most basic example is the booking confirmation email. Guests will be left anxious and confused if they don’t hear anything after booking. Anxious and confused is […]
