When the economy slows, tourism has a tendency to drop. Increasing hotel marketing efforts can help to reduce the negative impact on revenues during difficult economic time. Campaigns to improve the visibility of the facility and to keep the number of visitors steady or increasing can be mounted on several levels. In addition to reaching more people, you must improve the appeal to the people that are receiving the message.
The marketing campaign can promote the location in which a hotel is situated. Perhaps the climate is appealing, or there may be scenic views and wildlife sightings that cannot be found elsewhere. If a hotel is set in a historical center, that fact can be played up when advertising. Even prime shopping nearby can be a draw for many people.
Service quality is important to visitors. Guests of the hotel want to know if the rooms are maintained in a clean condition and in good repair. If the hotel is marketed as a five-star facility, there are expectations that the sink stoppers will hold the water. Amenities such as Internet connections are no longer a luxury item; they are expected for all but the cheapest lodging. Marketing efforts should let visitors know what makes a facility receive the highest rankings, and why the particular hotel deserves the award.
A hotel may increase its appeal by adding activities available within the hotel itself. For example, if space is available, the hotel might promote small or large business conference sites. In spite of the ease of teleconferences, many companies want to move employees away from the regular work duties and activities to focus on training or promotional conferences.
The marketing campaign can focus on unique features of the hotel or the rooms. If rooms have themes, that can be appealing to some visitors. Some boutique hotels with quirky or unusual themes have been increasing in number around the world. These facilities are growing in popularity simply because they are different. Marketing such ideas is a simple process. Sometimes only small touches are needed to add to the appeal of a room.
In addition to the general location where the hotel sits, there may be specific points of interest that will draw visitors to a hotel if they know about other activities in the region. National parks, lessor known museums and cultural centers, fishing sites or tours through a unique area can also be used effectively in marketing campaigns.
Events of interest such as fairs, festivals and races also bring people, as do music concerts and shows.
Marketing campaigns can emphasize some of the extra touches that are provided by the hotel. Do they provide shuttle transportation to the airport or the convention center? Maybe they have 24 hour room service. An exercise room is another popular extra amenities.
Hotel marketing can mean the difference between operating in the red and continuing to attract customers. Using creativity and imagination is always important. Perhaps just as important is the recommendation to make certain that your marketing campaign words match reality.