2020 has been unquestionably one of the toughest years hospitality industry has ever been faced. Even though Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still impacting the global travel and hospitality industry, demand for travel is slowly picking up in many destinations.
As an hotelier it is important for you to fine tune your hotel marketing approach to be more than a simple promotion. You have to use latest best hotel software technology and contactless solutions to prove your hotel is safe and motivate people to book your property.
Here we share few tips to help you while you plan your marketing.
Focus on marketing activities with high ROI
You should carefully choose the best marketing platform that your target audience responds best and plan your resources accordingly to yield the highest ROI for your hotel such as social media relation and paid advertisement campaigns.
Focus on your local community
International travel may take more time to bounce back, Hotel operators should concentrate on offer best deals and promotions to local community which they can take advantage. Hotels should make best use of a hotel software system and carefully choose the media which attracts local travel to refine your target and get more booking.
Adjust your Revenue Management and marketing strategy
When think of COVID-19 recovery phase, it is essential to line up marketing strategy with rate parity across all channels, direct bookings, any new offers and packages.
Define a Flexible Cancellation Policy
By executing a flexible cancellation policy, hotel properties can console guests and give them an impetus to book, while combatting OTAs that frequently make it hard to cancel. With major OTA like Booking.com and Expedia have been updating their cancellation policies frequently. Hotel operator should consider updating with a flexible hotel cancellation policy for at least next 6 – 12 Months to encourage guests to book your hotel directly from your website which is integrates with web booking engine and a hotel software.
Update Digital Assets with Critical Information
Hotels should make a list of all available digital assets and guarantee they are up-to-date regarding the legitimate data that will help guests in booking. For example, update all local listings about what time your hotel is open after COVID restrictions are lifted. Consider posting an announcement and safety measurements followed in your hotel property. Update your new flexible cancellation policy on all the OTA’s and metasearch. This can be easily done if you are using hotel channel manager integrated with a hotel PMS software.
Send marketing campaigns to cancelled Reservations to Rebook:
You should offer special package and incentives to recapture booking that have already booked your property is one of the ideal way to quickly increase occupancy. According to a study by Fuel Travel on cancellations and travel reschedule, over 50% of respondents have either cancelled or rescheduled a trip. You can schedule an email campaign using an integrated hotel software.
Staying associated with past and forthcoming guests is an extraordinary method to drive bookings as travel demand increases, however to facilitate the stress of movement for upcoming guests.
Consider the accompanying CRM campaigns:
- Schedule an email campaign informing guests about the safety measures and special offers.
- Offer a special perk or exclusive package for Cancelled bookings to encourage rebooking.
- Send contactless pre-stay registrations email link to enable guests to fill their details and minimize touch points while check-in for safety.
Focus on your Loyalty Members
Loyalty implies brand trust, and members who know about your image are bound to book during seasons of vulnerability. Make certain to remunerate your dependability individuals with customized and restrictive bundles and encounters once COVID-19 dies down.
As we are adapting a life after COVID-19, hotel marketing plan will take time to effect and check what’s working and what can be improved, and how your guests perceive your messages. Your brand reputation depends on how well you interact with you customers. Want to know how mycloud hotel software can help your hotel achieve effective marketing mix to gain your potential guests. Schedule a free consultation with our experts.