October 25, 2011 at 8:29 pm | Posted in Hotel Sales Training Issues, In the News, Information, Social Media | 1 Comment
Tags: hotel revenue management, hotel blog, hotel sales.hotel revenue management, Facebook, boutique hotels, small and independent boutique hotels, small independent historic hotels, small independent and boutique resorts, real simple Remote Revenue Management
The revenue management plan for 2012 should be an integral part of the Sales & Marketing plan for 2012 and it isn’t about just about opening and closing rates and inventory! A well thought out RM plan should contain an over view by segment. Which are performing well — which need support and the the projected increases year over year!
The next section would be all about the distribution channels that are used, the relationship with each and which promotions are in the tool box for next year. Don’t forget Front Desk and reservations conversions — this is also counts as a distribution channel. What are their conversion ratios and what is the goal for next year? How are you going to support them to reach the goal?
The next section is a breakdown month by month — what events are in the market, what group blocks are on the books both internal and CVB generated. How are they going to impact the plan and the distribution strategy?
This is only the skeleton — th actual plan also needs to include web site analytics such as referring sites to the booking engine. What is the social media strategy and how is that going to impact the distribution mix if you have a Facebook widget for example? How are you going to use the new Google Travel to stimulate business from Hotel Finder for example?
The fun part is that the plan is constantly changing and the distribution landscape next year won’t be quite the same as this year — new players, new dynamics! Lots to think about but critical to RM success in 2012!
Need help with that! Developing a Revenue Management plan is part of what we do at real simple Remote Revenue Management. Check us out at real simple Remote Revenue Management http://tinyurl.com/3fuysft
September 19, 2011 at 5:49 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments
Tags: boutique hotels, hotel industry, hotel revenue management, hotel revenue mangment, hotel sales.hotel revenue management, hotel trends, real simple Remote Revenue Management, small and independent boutique hotels, small independent and boutique resorts, small independent historic hotels
Economic uncertainty is hanging over the industry and being felt even more acutely by small independent and boutique hotels. At the very time they need a revenue manager who not only does the usual opening and closing rates and inventory but also has the ability to generate revenue.
At the very time these hotels need more of a presence on the internet through the OTAs and other distribution channels, they can’t afford to hire an expensive e-commerce company. What if they could hire a revenue manager with the skills to get them exposure that they ned to generate incremental revenue? The salary and payroll burden for someone with this experience would likely be more than their payroll can support.
If the economy continues to be uncertain or even goes backwards, these are the hotels that suffer first.
Now there is a company — real simple Revenue Management that guarantees to generate incremental revenue equal to or greater than their fees. Check it out. http://tinyurl.com/3fuysft
April 15, 2011 at 10:31 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments
Tags: Facebook, hotel sales.hotel revenue management, social media, webinar
Just in case you missed it, your Fans and Friends can now book through an interface to the hotel booking engine through Facebook. Imagine how easy it would be for them to see a promo that has been posted and take the next step without ever leaving Facebook!
This is an amazing opportunity for independents to have a new promotional and booking source. The price is right — after the widget is developed there are no addtional fees!
However, the best widget on the planet won’t work unless you are drving Fans and Friends to the site. Many hotels are running contests on their page to increase traffic, create more Fans and keep them returning. The large Franchise organizations are doing this but it is so easy for any hotel to do it — all it takes is imagination!
Now that Trip Advisor has an interface with Facebook as does Expedia, the battle for share of this summer’s leisure traveler is on! If the price of gas goes over $4 and stays there, many consumers are gong to be looking at ‘staycations’ and deals again this year. Air fare increases are nearly double from last year to many of the most popular destinations.
Use your Facebook page as a marketing tool. Have Fan only offers! Remember, it’s FREE and if one strategy doesn’t work — it’s really cheap to try another one.
Join us on April 20 for a webinar — Summer Promotions – The Impact of Social Media and Google
Click here for more info. http://www.carolverret.net/viral/april11.php
