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
In a previous post about the benefits loyalty programs can bring to independent hotels, we highlighted a study by the Center for Hospitality Research at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration that showed independent hotels enjoyed an average 50 percent increase in annual revenue per enrolled guest, due to increased room-nights purchased. The research provides […]
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 […]
Online Distribution: Current Considerations for Independent Hoteliers
Change is always afoot. Thankfully, today’s hotel management software solutions give lodging operators a clear view of their business at all times, helping hoteliers identify trends and strategize accordingly to maximize revenue. As your markets change, your strategies evolve. This goes for your online distribution strategy too—it shouldn’t be left on set-and-forget mode. While recent […]
A Shoulder Season Checklist for Independent Hoteliers
Shoulder season is gearing up with more guests than ever willing to be flexible with their dates and stretch their vacations into fall in search of a deal. Post-pandemic, with more people ready to travel and able to work remotely, shoulder season is no longer the sleepy catch-up period it used to be. Make sure […]
How to Turn OTA Customers into Loyal Guests
As of 2019, more than half of hotel bookings came from online travel agents (OTAs) like Expedia and Booking.com. Ouch. That’s a lot of commission fees. Fortunately, that’s also a lot of visibility. It’s like window shopping. Guests browse hotels on OTAs, but they can be enticed onto your property’s own website through an appealing […]
Are You Making the Most of Your OTA Profiles?
You probably have mixed feelings about Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Expedia and Booking.com. On the one hand, they bring in a significant number of bookings and offer beneficial exposure. On the other hand, they take a 15-30% cut of revenue. The truth is, despite the steep commissions, OTAs are a critical part of a […]
Repackaging Hotel Packages
Every hotelier wants to add revenue, whether you’re looking to increase direct bookings, lift your ADR, or find the right promotional rates. But you’ll need more than four walls and a reasonably priced bed to keep your guests coming back. The advice you’ll find time and again is to create value-added packages, so we thought […]
4 Simple Tips for Boosting Your Hotel’s Social Media Presence
Social media used to be a job that was conducted off the side of someone’s desk when they had free time. Nowadays, it can be a full-time commitment. The problem is most hoteliers simply don’t have the time or staff to execute a full-blown social media strategy, never mind hiring someone full-time to manage it. […]
Gen Z: The Next Generation of Hotel Guests and How to Win Them Over
Born between approximately 1996 and 2012, Gen Z is more than comfortable with the latest technology. In fact, they’ve never experienced life without the internet. Gen Z is both socially conscious and sociable, whether or not they’re online. According to a Stanford survey, most Gen Z actually prefer in-person communication, so don’t neglect those smiling […]
Hotel Amenities: What Today’s Guests Look For When Booking Accommodation
To win guest loyalty, hoteliers have always needed to offer more than a place to sleep. Whether it is valet parking, room service, or an on-site spa, hotels rely on extra amenities to appeal to customers. This hasn’t changed post-pandemic. After two years of sitting around in sweatpants, trying to muster the energy to microwave […]
Hotel Trend Alert: Very Important Pet Perks
When the world closed down in 2020, it wasn’t just toilet paper that was rushed off the shelves—there was a rush on pets too, particularly dogs. Shelters couldn’t keep up with applications and breeders had year-long waitlists. Working from home made it the perfect time to welcome a new furry family member. As travel opens […]
Here Come the Baby Boomers. Is Your Hotel Ready?
There’s been much ado about Millennials (born early 1981 through 1996)—and for good reason. As the largest generation in the U.S., tech-savvy Millennials have driven the evolution of hospitality (think online presence, mobile apps, social media, and personalized experiences). However, in our warranted efforts to please the young people, we must be careful not to […]