Hoteliers often ask me what the benefits are of incorporating a CMS (Content Management System) into a website redesign. For those unfamiliar, a CMS is an administrative section to the back-end of your website that lets you modify what appears on the front-end without having to know any coding languages. It's an extra cost, but what you get in return is the...
You see them on sites like Jetsetters, Living Social Escapes, Hotel Tonight, Groupon and several others: “Deluxe Vacation in Paradise, Regularly $2,000, Book Now for Only $1,000, Save 50%.” The promotional text is crisp; the offers relatively straightforward. The question is, should you as a hotelier participate in these programs? And importantly, what role...
Pricing strategies are becoming exponentially complex given the diverse array of channels to sell your product as well as the rapid pace of our Internet-driven society. Revenue Managers (RM) will work in tandem with the GM and Director of Marketing to coordinate the best room rates and promotional deals, as well as properly segment your group sales tiers f...
A clear and actionable strategy for long-term success - easy to say, hard to actually implement. Most GMs and Directors and Marketing are compelled, whether by the owners or through their own virtue, to produce on a quarter by quarter basis, but if this is the only purpose, then inevitably, you’ll reach a crisis of sorts. Planning long-term is imperative...
In short, online travel agencies are commoditizing the hospitality industry. On the surface, they offer a lucrative channel to heighten exposure and increase bookings, but the big picture is grim for hotels. The OTAs are stripping brand identification away from independent and chain properties, eroding your customer loyalty in the process, and all for a l...
Some, but very marginal. Flash sales are an excellent tool to offload inventory during low periods, but do so sparingly – once or twice a year tops. Consider trying them once for Black Friday over the American Thanksgiving weekend, and perhaps again during the thrifty winter months of the first quarter. When you use them too often, however, your loyal ba...
