With total spending on global business travel projected to reach $1.7 US by 2022, hotels are in a great position scale up their profits. Although competition will be high, with the right approach to marketing your hotel can dramatically increase its revenue in the coming years. Follow some of these tips for both attracting and delighting business travelers and you’ll be booked up in no time.
Understand Your Demographic
Depending on your location, your hotel will attract different types of business clients. For example, if you’re located next to the headquarters of a large bank in a major city then you will certainly pull in different customers than if you’re located near a small university in the suburbs. All types of travelers have different needs; catering to those needs is the key to maximizing business.
Keep up with Emails
Business professionals often keep a close eye on their inbox. For that reason, it’s a great idea to send your customers pre-arrival, arrival, and post-departure messages. Doing so is key to not only making your clients feel welcome, but communicating important, personalized messages to them as well. Let your customers know about your services and facilities, as well as local attractions they may be interested in, such as business conferences or entertainment options. Details regarding nearby offices, schools, transit stops, and frequently visited job sites will increase efficiency for your business patrons as well.
It’s important to make sure that all communication with your clients is personalized. In one study, 72% of consumers reported that they don’t like generic marketing. So, be sure to collect data regarding their preferences and to use it when reaching out to them.
Stay Active on Social Media
As millennials gradually gain more power in the workforce, social media marketing will soon be absolutely essential. This generation uses social media to stay updated on business trends, get advice from business experts, and keep an eye on their competitors.
Advertising through Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are great ways to get noticed by business travelers. Posting content that adds value to their lives – such as business reports or market analysis – is a great way to grab their attention.
Make Relaxing Easy
It can be common for business travelers to work 16 hour days. When it’s finally time to unwind from their stressful days, make sure that they have easy ways to relax. Some ideas include having a comfortable couch by a gas fireplace, a large bathtub in a nice bathroom, or even just an inviting bed with a big screen TV that has access to popular streaming services.
Furthermore, make your guests’ lives easier by giving them access to digital concierge services so they’ll be able to find bars, restaurants, and entertainment options in an area that they’re likely unfamiliar with.
Checking in and out Should be a Breeze
As most business professionals know, time is money. So, just like everything else in the world is now, checking in and out of a hotel should be as quick and easy as possible. Make sure your process is paperless and that there are options for self-check-in through kiosks or mobile apps. With advanced hotel payment options, transactions can be drastically simplified via these kiosks and apps can be drastically simplified, ensuring for client satisfaction.
Overall, it’s a great time to own or manage a hotel. As our world increasingly becomes a global village, traveling for business will inevitably become more and more popular. With these tips, you’ll certainly be able to capitalize on this trend and dramatically increase the number of rooms you fill.
