Louisville, Kentucky Nearly Doubles Year-Over-Year Event Volume, Hits 94.9 Percent Growth in July
Knowland | August 21, 2024
Sales & Marketing
Three Things Hotel Marketers Can Learn From Uber
Tambourine | June 8, 2016
Over the last 10 years, industry disruptors have rocked the business world in ways we've never seen before, and leading the charge is disruption's poster child, Uber. Not only has it streamlined getting anywhere in the world's major cities, Uber's visionary business model is a goldmine of lessons for hotel marketers. Their model nourishes their own growth, with their incredible way of combining a smooth payment system, customer-focused service delivery and smart and nimble use of mobile technology. This has left taxi companies reeling from a drastic loss in market share, customer loyalty and brand security with every passing day. Uber i...
TravelClick Wins 29 Awards for Website Design and Digital Marketing
TravelClick | June 2, 2016
Digital Innovation Remains Driving Force in Connecting Travelers to Hotels NEW YORK – June 2, 2016 – TravelClick, a global provider of innovative cloud-based solutions that enable hotels to grow revenue, is pleased to announce that the Company has received 18 Horizon Interactive Awards for distinction in website design and 10 Communicator Awards for excellence in digital marketing and website design. Additionally, TravelClick has been recognized by the Webby Awards, a leading international award that honors excellence on the Internet, as an Official Honoree. "These award wins not only reflect the importance of digital innova...
Embassy Suites Akron Canton Airport Selects FlyteBoard for Property Events, Flight Schedules
Commonwealth Hotels and Commonwealth Hotel Collection | June 1, 2016
New-Build Airport Property Will Use FlyteBoard Hotel Information Displays to Help Guests Navigate the Embassy Suites, and the World CHICAGO, IL – June 1, 2016 – The Embassy Suites by Hilton Akron Canton Airport, operated by Commonwealth Hotel Collection, will install the FlyteBoard hotel information display by Flyte Systems. The FlyteBoard digital display will show arrivals and departures for Akron-Canton Airport, property events and Doppler Radar Weather for guest travel convenience. Flyte Systems is the leading provider of cost effective airport travel and flexible digital signage property information. The company deliver...
The Power of Email Automation and Why it’s Important
Guestfolio | June 1, 2016
Automated transactional emails can be the cornerstone of a hotels' communication strategy – they share details about the transaction, include all reservation information and hotel details to ensure the guest has everything they need. They can also be automated from a number of services such as the hotel PMS or CRM and provide the customer with what they need at the time of booking. Most people believe this is where automation ends and that any other communication will be made once they've checked in, but this is just where it begins. Once a guest has signed up to receive information from your hotel, or carried out a transa...
Digital Alchemy and Concept Software Systems Announce Product Integration
Digital Alchemy | May 31, 2016
At HITEC Visit Digital Alchemy in Booth #1755 JUNE 20-23 in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Hospitality CRM Solutions Leader Digital Alchemy Partners with Leading International Spa, Golf and Leisure Booking System Company to Connect with Guests and Strengthen Loyalty and Revenue May 31, 2016 – Digital Alchemy and Concept Software Systems announce that they have successfully integrated the companies' solutions to better support today's connected guests. The integration enables users of Concept's widely installed Spa & Leisure booking system to leverage Digital Alchemy's email and text marketing solution to...
Are Your Bookings Getting Lost In Translation?
Tambourine | May 26, 2016
By tambo Travel is a hot commodity worldwide. Just within the past decade, the U. S. hotel industry has seen an uplift in international travelers, with large increases in visitors hailing from China and South Korea. This adds to the already steady stream of visitors from Canada, Mexico, UK and Japan, who have been investing in travel to American cities for decades. This growth in global guests and the ease of digital marketing across borders has given hotels massive opportunities to expand into new markets and succeed internationally. However, when it comes to your hotel going global, it doesn't make sense to stick with a one-size-fits-...
Venza Engages Puzzle Partner to Increase Brand Awareness and Solidify Thought Leadership Presence
Puzzle Partner | May 26, 2016
Toronto, CA, – May 26, 2016, Puzzle Partner Ltd., today announced that they have welcomed new client Venza, the leading global provider of solutions that enable hospitality organizations to mitigate data security vulnerabilities and ensure compliance. As the company expands its brand and scope of offerings for hotels over the course of 2016, Puzzle Partner will support messaging, content and public relations strategies for Venza. "The team at Puzzle Partner is unwavering in its commitment to bold, brave ideas," said Daniel Johnson, VENZA's COO. "Their experience and connections in the travel and hospitality space make them uniquel...
The Go Go Boomer Generation
Larry Mogelonsky | May 25, 2016
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) A recent newspaper articled dedicated to the financial requirements of retirees proposed a treatise on the matter with three key phases: The first was defined as 'Go Go' where the individual, as if making up for lost time, was perpetually traveling to compensate for all those years raising a family and building a career. The middle phase was called 'Go Slow' with said individual still traveling, but typically at a more reserved pace and on a localized basis. With a profound sense of melancholy, the last stage, the 'No Go' travel era, characterized those who were restricted or unable to ...
Put Some Sizzle In Your Summer ADRs
Tambourine | May 19, 2016
It's that time of year again! Summer is around the corner and there's an almost unlimited supply of hotel deals to be found, so your standard 10-15 percent off summer promo isn't going to draw much attention when every hotel on the block is offering the same deal. The solution? Win at the summer rate game by not playing at all. Here are three creative promo ideas that will set you apart from your neighbors this summer without slashing your rates: 1. Minimum Stay Promotions – Version 2.0 Tiered minimum stay discounts are a tried and true revenue strategy for any hotelier looking to increase length of stay, but how low are you willi...
Flip.to Sparks Huge Reach and Return for SoHo’s Hotel Hugo
Flip.to | May 18, 2016
Advocacy platform inspires travelers worldwide, introducing hotel to a warm audience over 75,000 ORLANDO, FL — May 18, 2016 — Hotel Hugo, an independent, luxury hotel in New York City's historic SoHo neighborhood, has tapped Flip.to to reach a massive network of global travelers perfect for their hotel. Since going live on the platform in January of 2015, the property has reached a warm audience of over 75,000 worldwide, and the advocacy platform has become a pivotal strategy in the hotel's operations. The long-term impact of Flip.to has been huge. In addition to helping the 122-room boutique property get introduced to entir...
Holiday Inn KCI Expo Center Selects Flyte Systems for Hotel and Expo Events and Flight Information
Flyte Systems | May 17, 2016
At HITEC in New Orleans Visit Flyte Systems in Booth #1545 JUNE 20-23 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Kansas City Expo Center Delivers Hotel Flight Information: Events and Property Meetings Share One Screen with Kansas City International CHICAGO, IL – May 17, 2016 – Flyte Systems announced The Holiday Inn KCI Expo Center will install its FlyteBoard hotel flight information airline schedule system that also displays events for the KCI Expo Center and hotel meetings. The FlyteBoard shows real-time arrivals and departures at Kansas City International Airport with Doppler Radar for maximum guest convenience. FlyteBoa...
Friday the 13th: Three Things That Terrify Hotel Marketers
Tambourine | May 13, 2016
Friday the 13th is here… and while people are feverishly avoiding ladders, staying out of the way of black cats and tightly securing every mirror around, the hotel industry has their eyes on other dangers. Here are three terrifying things that are making hotel marketers anxious right now: 1. Frighteningly Low Budgets to Accomplish Marketing Targets A thin marketing budget is a common cause for anxiety for hotel marketers. We all know how much money and staff hours are required to achieve the lofty targets owners expect. However, more and more owners and GMs are shortchanging their marketing teams, believing that social media is '...
Hotel Marketing Lessons From Mom
Tambourine | May 10, 2016
Moms think they know best. And, you know what? We agree. In addition to reminding us to clean our rooms, comb our hair, and be nice to our teachers, Moms love to shower us with sage advice and thoughtful quips to get us through any situation. And, it turns out that their advice is directly relevant to our work as hotel marketers as well. Let's take a look at some of our favorite Mom-isms and see what marketing wisdom lies behind them all: Mom: "Nobody said life was fair." Hidden Hotel Marketing Advice No matter how much funding, research and staff you invest in a marketing campaign to drive direct bookings, some of them will result in b...
Add WhatsApp to Your Hotel Engagement Strategy and Why You Should
Guestfolio | May 10, 2016
As of February 2016, WhatsApp surpassed the 1 billion users mark. That means 1 in 7 people in the world now use it and what's more, 42 billion messages are sent daily using the app (compared with a mere 20 billion by SMS). Even more recently, you may have read (or seen in the app) that WhatsApp has made data and communications as secure as possible using end-to-end encryption. I think it's safe to say 2016 has been a big year for WhatsApp so far, but why is this so important for us in the travel industry? Speaking from personal experience, I know that WhatsApp is one of the few apps on my phone that's worthy of sitting on it's own outsi...
Inbound Sales for Your Hotel: Be the Hero
Cory Falter | May 5, 2016
by Cory Falter Best practices reap best rewards. When it comes to sales, this is exponentially true. Except, for a hotel these days, what are the "best practices" in sales? With the constant evolution of technology and the overwhelming onslaught of tools, it can be challenging to discern what to use, when, where, why, and even how. We have uncovered a sales technique that both uses best practices and can position you as a superhero. It's called inbound sales and we are here to tell you more about it. The Plot More often that not so many of our sales tools are founded on the same principle – a vague assumption that the people we're...
The Hotelier’s Essentials for Big Name Competition
Jason Winberg | May 4, 2016
By Jason Winberg Again and again, studies have highlighted how properly addressing sales and marketing, reputation, social engagement and a sound revenue strategy translates into sales, while ignoring them cuts into the bottom line. Why, then, does the average independent hotel struggle to dedicate enough time, manpower and budget to these tasks? In my past life, I wore the hat of general manager at a few boutique hotels. What that really meant was that I was the director of sales, revenue manager, front office manager and even the night auditor when called upon. It was fun, and I learned a ton, but it was a constant struggle to keep up...
STOP Selling to the Masses. Start by Creating Guest Personas
Donna Lewis | May 2, 2016
by Donna Lewis Essentially hotels offer a place to stay in a given location, and everyone needs that right? Which means a hotel's target audience is almost everyone right? Wrong and wrong. Ok, so maybe you already know that your target audience isn't everyone per se, but truly how specific is the audience you're targeting? How detailed is your guest profile? Do you even know what your guest persona is? Let us help raise your awareness of why your marketing and sales tactics might not be working, or working as well as desired. One of the biggest reasons is typically a lack of a defined guest persona. So let's get into the details of the ...
10 Things I’ve Learned in 25 Years of Hotel Marketing
Jim Zito | April 20, 2016
When Jim Zito started in hotel marketing, the internet was still a few years away, most marketing campaigns were printed and Milli Vanilli was up for a grammy. After 25 years in the industry, Jim has seen the rise and fall of many hotel marketing tactics, tools and techniques. So, we asked him for the ten most important lessons he's learned over his impressive career. Here's what he told us: 1. Collaborate With the Revenue Team, Don't Just Work With Them It may sound like common sense, but since the hospitality industry has embraced the discipline of revenue management, (formerly yield management, formerly stagnant seasonal rates create...
Milestone Digital Marketing Suite for Hotels and Businesses Wins Best in Class Software at IMA Awards
Milestone Internet Marketing | April 18, 2016
SANTA CLARA, CA - April 18, 2016 - Milestone Internet Marketing, the leader in hospitality digital marketing software and services, announced that three of their software platforms – NAPtune™ Local Listings Manager, eBuzz Connect™ Reviews Manager and MediaConnect360™ Social Media Manager – have won the "Best in Class Software" in the Interactive Media Council 2015 Awards. Milestone's digital marketing software successfully passed IMA's comprehensive judging system, which utilized a points-based scoring system focused around Design, Content, Features, Functionality, Usability and Compliance Standards. NAPtun...
Adrift Hotel and Spa Reaches Over Half a Million Through Captivating Guest Stories Captured with Flip.to
Flip.to | April 13, 2016
Advocacy platform bolsters marketing and revenue, builds affinity, and inspires new guests for Pacific Northwest property ORLANDO, FL — April 13, 2016 — Adrift Hotel and Spa, an eclectic boutique hotel in the heart of Long Beach, Washington, has tapped the Flip.to advocacy platform to attract an enormous new audience of travelers, while enhancing their brand with compelling, authentic guest stories. Since launching February of 2014, the property has seen tremendous success, and has since reached a new audience of over 500,000. This is in addition to converting over 4,000 warm leads for the hotel to nurture down the path to b...
The Painful Truth About Hotel SEO (Part 2)
Tambourine | April 11, 2016
By tambo This is the second and final installment in our two-part series on the massive upheaval in hotel SEO best practices. See Part 1 here: Problem 3: SEO Has Become Even More Technical and Code Heavy Than Ever Before! The days of hiring a website vendor and an SEO vendor to work separately are over because there's no accountability. The best SEO practices in 2016 are less focused on pumping out high volume, keyword stuffed content distributed to link wheels or article distribution services for backlinks and more focused on collaborating with the development and analytics teams to monitor the website user experience and SPEED! Large ...
The Painful Truth About Hotel Website SEO
Tambourine | April 7, 2016
By tambo You are a director of sales and marketing overseeing all day-to-day activities for your property, maybe several properties, from meeting/group sales to Trip Advisor reviews and website promos. It all falls on you. Then one day, your GM calls and says, "I just did a Google search for 'Miami Hotels' and we don't come up anywhere. What are we paying that hotel website company for?" You immediately go online to do more searches and panic ensues. You start to think, what ARE you paying them for? Aren't they supposed to be handling all of that Google stuff? Why isn't your hotel on the first results page for all of those non-branded k...
Millennials vs Boomers: Who is More Likely to Unsubscribe from Hospitality Emails?
Ryan Solutions | April 5, 2016
After running the numbers for opt-out trends one week and millennial email behavior the next, we wondered whether opt-out rates change in relation to age. Said another way, do millennials unsubscribe from hospitality emails more often than boomers? Here's what we found. The Goods To find our answer we looked at email campaigns sent to over 6,000,000 recipients during the last three months by a dozen hotels and resorts. We then found the opt-out rates for Boomers, Millennials, and two in-between groups to cover Gen X and plotted them below. Millennials (age 15-30) averaged an opt-out rate of 0.26%. Boomers (age 51+) averaged an opt ...
April Fools: 8 Ways Hotel Marketers Can Avoid Looking Foolish
Tambourine | April 1, 2016
April 1, 2016 • By tambo Even the most suspicious and perceptive people can fall for cleverly executed April Fools jokes. April 1st is usually a day of hilarious pranks and harmless fun. As hotel marketers, with so many details, programs and tools to juggle and master, it's easy to make foolish mistakes. You can fall victim to missed opportunities, budget shortcomings and your own competition stealing business from right under your nose. But we know you're no fool! And, we want to make sure you are never mistaken for one. So, here are eight things that hotel marketers should always be on top of and never foolish about. 1. Remember ...
