4 Steps to Increase Room Sales

What makes a great hotel? Service. But what makes a successful hotel? Sales, of course.

Each hotel has its own ways of increasing room sales, and some of those ways include offering special packages and discounts.  But there are other ways to help build your bookings at full price while expanding your reputation and your clientele.  Here are the steps to take:

1.  Identify Your Guests

Even though many of today’s hotels receive a more general mix of guests, each should still have specific, targeted segments to pinpoint in the market.  Find out who is staying at your hotel by taking a loot at your guest book.  Who is visiting you more–leisure or business travelers? Once you identify your main guests, you can create specific offers to suit their needs. The first thing to do is try to find out what the traveler wants, and creating a survey will help you identify their needs.

For example, business travelers need hotel with a fast, secure, and preferably free Internet connection, along with an in-room work space. Leisure travelers, on the other hand, will probably enjoy a strong Internet connection, but having fun will be more of a priority.  That being the case, offer them a slice of enjoyment with a happy hour voucher at the hotel bar or arrange discounts on local attractions.

2.  Build Relationships

Relationships define the future of your business. Aside from sponsors and investors, relationships with travelers is also crucial. Make sure the staff assigned on the front desk is going above and beyond to provide guests an enjoyable, mishap-free stay.  And we’re not just talking about concierges, receptionists, and valet parking staff.  In this modern Internet era, website/social media administrators are also included in this group.  After all, one of their main concerns should be ensuring that guests write a perfect review once they have checked out from the property.

3.  Know That You Are Special

If you think your hotel isn’t special, then quit your job. All hoteliers have to take pride in the hotel they run. Otherwise, they miss the most important thing in this field: the mojo, passion.

So, your hotel is special. But how do you know that your hotel is really special? Simple. Read the reviews from travelers and match them with your own list of special features. If there are matched features, then bingo! You have found your path.

Now, you just need to push the special features to the surface so everyone in the world can see/hear/smell/feel it. Make announcements to the world that your hotel does exist and that it has many special features for them to enjoy.

4.  Know the Power of the Internet

A hotel website is a must-have if you want to stay alive in this competitive field. Place all the information about your hotel on its pages. Today, people will browse the Internet if they want to know about something. List single, little thing they might want to know–facilities, pictures, locations, price. All of the best selling points of your hotel must be posted on the website.

In addition, create Facebook and Twitter pages to communicate with travelers. This isn’t a must, but if you have it and run the page well, then congratulations. You’re one step closer to success!