Here are several recent trends and hospitality marketing hints collected from various websites, releases, etc. (Editor’s Note: JWF)
--Hoteliers should have a plan to counteract negative comments on social media websites by cultivating customer advocates. If you can find supporters in your “fan base”, they will respond on your behalf and will appear more credible in the marketplace.
--In these economic times, most hoteliers are accepting anyone who wants to book with them. From a revenue management standpoint, the key is to figure out what is the optimal price to quote to maximize your chances of getting the booking. Trends show that due to lower costs and data availability more people are turning to automated computer programs to figure out at what point more discounting won’t stimulate more demand.
--A new trend is for hoteliers to identify the guest names of online reviewers by matching locations, dates, usernames, and loyalty programs. Hoteliers can then reward positive reviews with perks (on the next stay, for example) or send the reviewer an apology or invitation for a future free stay.
--Smith Travel Research says that economic recovery (occupancy and revenue per room) is stronger in luxury hotels than in other segments of the domestic hotel industry. (Of course, this might be related to the fact that luxury hotels were also hit the hardest by the recession.)
--More hoteliers are spending money to ensure that their hotel rooms are fully-equipped for more tech-savvy guests. Other hotel chains are working to make sure that reliable, high-speed wireless internet access is a basic quality service.
--Travel Market Report indicated that booking windows have changed. Travel agents are seeing mostly bookings within 90 days of travel or very long-term bookings for travel a year or more in the future. Most agents reported very few bookings in between.(What percentage of your hotels are still booked by TA’s?)
--Two Holiday Inns are testing out a program whereby guests download an application to their smart phones. This enables them to open their room door by holding their phone to a sensor and would eliminate the need for keycards.
--Trump Hotels has customized their Facebook page to allow viewers who are interested to book right from that site. They have added a booking “widget” for convenience and to take advantage of potential hotel guests who are using social media more.
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
Monday, July 26, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
“Around Town” Column – June 2010
Editor’s Note: Here’s a collection of newsworthy items happening recently “Around Town” from our industry members and South Florida community. JWF
Southeast Florida:
Jay H. Guttveg has been awarded the prestigious South Florida Meeting Professionals International (SFMPI) 2009-2010 "Supplier of the Year" Award.
In MPI, he has held various committee and VP positions, most recently as VP of Leadership Development (2009/10). This year he will serve as VP of Administration (2010/2011). In addition, Jay is currently serving on our HSMAI-South Florida Board as our “official” photographer and on our Communications Committee. Congrats, Jay!
Wayne Gales, DOS for Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach and a member of the GFLCVB’s Marketing Advisory Committee, is also an author. His new novel “Doorstop on A Houseboat in Key West” has received great reader feedback. He will have his first book signing at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort in Key West on Wednesday, July 21. If you’re in the neighborhood, drop by. For more info and a sample chapter, visit his website at: http://www.keywestdoorstop.com/
The GFLCVB is promoting: “VACATION LIKE A V.I.P. IN GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE THIS SUMMER”. They are highlighting major savings, innovative packages, and indulgent extras. Consumers are directed to visit www.sunny.org/VIP for their "Vacation like a V.I.P." card and dozens of "two for one" offers from luxury spas and championship golf to Scuba diving, kayaking, and cultural events, to museums, unique attractions, etc. If they
book a value-packed hotel vacation package with JetBlue Getaways (it started 6/16) June 16 at www.jetblue.com/vacations, they will receive a free, customized "Beach Chic" vacation starter kit complete with beach towel, flip-flops, beach ball; a "Vacation Like a V.I.P" card; a $25 travel credit per booking for future travel, plus exclusive free room upgrades and much more at participating hotels. The GFL’s Lauderdale Luxe Collection of properties group include The Atlantic Hotel; Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa; Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort; Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina; Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa; Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Resort & Spa; Lago Mar Resort & Club; The Pillars at New River Sound; The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale; Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; W Fort Lauderdale; The Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale; and The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa.
The Holiday Park Hotel & Suites in Deerfield Beach is facing foreclosure according to an article in South Florida Business Journal.
The Fairmont at Turnberry Isle will be the site of Taste of the Nation-Miami on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 7 pm.
In February, Myles Chefetz, owner of restaurant Prime One Twelve opened the 14-room Prime Hotel adjacent to his eatery in Miami Beach's South of Fifth neighborhood. The first floor of the hotel is a lounge extension of the restaurant's dining room. Each guest room has views of the ocean or South Beach, a private balcony, an iPod dock, high-speed wireless Internet, and a 46-inch flat-screen TV. There are also fold-out desks that can accommodate six for a meeting or private dining experience.
The Daddy O Hotel opened in March, just blocks from the Bal Harbour Shops. The 46-room property has been renovated since its days as the Bay Harbour Inn & Suites hotel and now boasts Wi-Fi, bamboo floors, and Skype phones in each room.
VISIT FLORIDA is planning for the 30th Annual Florida Encounter to be held at the Fontainebleau on Miami Beach, November 14 – 17th. Florida Encounter is the premier appointment-based tradeshow showcasing all the Sunshine State has to offer meeting and incentive professional. Florida suppliers, have you reserved your booth already? Space is filling up fast. Go to FloridaEncounter.com to reserve yours. Also, there are available sponsorship opportunities and an overview on their website.
Southwest Florida:
The Paradise Coast (Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB) is promoting “Find Your Summer Paradise”. This promotion offers visitors dozens of ways to save during a trip including resort credits, low nightly rates, free golf, fabulous packages and more. On top of listing great deals, discover the Summer Fun Guide and the Days of Summer events calendar, along with the VIP - Value in Paradise card is offering thousands in savings at shops, restaurants, tours and attractions.
Dolphin Transportation Specialists of Naples has unveiled a new trolley voyage, The Historic Naples Trolley Tour, which takes passengers from Baron's cattle drives and Flagler's raw conquest of the Everglades to Glen Sample's dogged creation of Port Royal, the area's first enclave of the rich and famous.
Marco Beach Ocean Resort announced the completion of the resort's renovation project of the guest suites, corridors, fitness center and lobby. Each of the resort's 98 suites received a full makeover, including new décor, new suite and patio furniture, i-Pod docking station, flat-screen LCD televisions and wireless internet technology. Additionally, new state-of-the-art exercise equipment has been installed in the Resort's Fitness Center. The resort has also been named to the Florida Green Lodging Program by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club recently completed its all-new $5 million beachfront pool complex. The new pool area features two new whirlpools, a new pool bar with food service, new restrooms, new locker facilities and a new pool shop. The pool renovation is on the heels of the multi-million dollar renovation and remodeling of the hotel's guest rooms and suites in January. The club is offering two incentive offers to groups for meetings or programs booked and held by Dec. 31, 2010. The "Check In Meeting Offer" enables groups to receive up to $5,000 toward their program at the club. Additionally, the "Meeting Stimulus Package" includes no attrition for qualified meetings, free daily meeting room rental, a complimentary afternoon break, one complimentary guest room for every 25 paid, free entrance for attendees to the fitness center (with use of the exercise room, whirlpool, sauna and steam room), free wireless Internet access in all guestrooms, 25 percent off audio/visual services and 25 percent off golf greens fees.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To submit items for future editions, send to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
Southeast Florida:
Jay H. Guttveg has been awarded the prestigious South Florida Meeting Professionals International (SFMPI) 2009-2010 "Supplier of the Year" Award.
In MPI, he has held various committee and VP positions, most recently as VP of Leadership Development (2009/10). This year he will serve as VP of Administration (2010/2011). In addition, Jay is currently serving on our HSMAI-South Florida Board as our “official” photographer and on our Communications Committee. Congrats, Jay!
Wayne Gales, DOS for Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach and a member of the GFLCVB’s Marketing Advisory Committee, is also an author. His new novel “Doorstop on A Houseboat in Key West” has received great reader feedback. He will have his first book signing at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort in Key West on Wednesday, July 21. If you’re in the neighborhood, drop by. For more info and a sample chapter, visit his website at: http://www.keywestdoorstop.com/
The GFLCVB is promoting: “VACATION LIKE A V.I.P. IN GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE THIS SUMMER”. They are highlighting major savings, innovative packages, and indulgent extras. Consumers are directed to visit www.sunny.org/VIP for their "Vacation like a V.I.P." card and dozens of "two for one" offers from luxury spas and championship golf to Scuba diving, kayaking, and cultural events, to museums, unique attractions, etc. If they
book a value-packed hotel vacation package with JetBlue Getaways (it started 6/16) June 16 at www.jetblue.com/vacations, they will receive a free, customized "Beach Chic" vacation starter kit complete with beach towel, flip-flops, beach ball; a "Vacation Like a V.I.P" card; a $25 travel credit per booking for future travel, plus exclusive free room upgrades and much more at participating hotels. The GFL’s Lauderdale Luxe Collection of properties group include The Atlantic Hotel; Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa; Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort; Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina; Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa; Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Resort & Spa; Lago Mar Resort & Club; The Pillars at New River Sound; The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale; Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; W Fort Lauderdale; The Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale; and The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa.
The Holiday Park Hotel & Suites in Deerfield Beach is facing foreclosure according to an article in South Florida Business Journal.
The Fairmont at Turnberry Isle will be the site of Taste of the Nation-Miami on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 7 pm.
In February, Myles Chefetz, owner of restaurant Prime One Twelve opened the 14-room Prime Hotel adjacent to his eatery in Miami Beach's South of Fifth neighborhood. The first floor of the hotel is a lounge extension of the restaurant's dining room. Each guest room has views of the ocean or South Beach, a private balcony, an iPod dock, high-speed wireless Internet, and a 46-inch flat-screen TV. There are also fold-out desks that can accommodate six for a meeting or private dining experience.
The Daddy O Hotel opened in March, just blocks from the Bal Harbour Shops. The 46-room property has been renovated since its days as the Bay Harbour Inn & Suites hotel and now boasts Wi-Fi, bamboo floors, and Skype phones in each room.
VISIT FLORIDA is planning for the 30th Annual Florida Encounter to be held at the Fontainebleau on Miami Beach, November 14 – 17th. Florida Encounter is the premier appointment-based tradeshow showcasing all the Sunshine State has to offer meeting and incentive professional. Florida suppliers, have you reserved your booth already? Space is filling up fast. Go to FloridaEncounter.com to reserve yours. Also, there are available sponsorship opportunities and an overview on their website.
Southwest Florida:
The Paradise Coast (Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB) is promoting “Find Your Summer Paradise”. This promotion offers visitors dozens of ways to save during a trip including resort credits, low nightly rates, free golf, fabulous packages and more. On top of listing great deals, discover the Summer Fun Guide and the Days of Summer events calendar, along with the VIP - Value in Paradise card is offering thousands in savings at shops, restaurants, tours and attractions.
Dolphin Transportation Specialists of Naples has unveiled a new trolley voyage, The Historic Naples Trolley Tour, which takes passengers from Baron's cattle drives and Flagler's raw conquest of the Everglades to Glen Sample's dogged creation of Port Royal, the area's first enclave of the rich and famous.
Marco Beach Ocean Resort announced the completion of the resort's renovation project of the guest suites, corridors, fitness center and lobby. Each of the resort's 98 suites received a full makeover, including new décor, new suite and patio furniture, i-Pod docking station, flat-screen LCD televisions and wireless internet technology. Additionally, new state-of-the-art exercise equipment has been installed in the Resort's Fitness Center. The resort has also been named to the Florida Green Lodging Program by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club recently completed its all-new $5 million beachfront pool complex. The new pool area features two new whirlpools, a new pool bar with food service, new restrooms, new locker facilities and a new pool shop. The pool renovation is on the heels of the multi-million dollar renovation and remodeling of the hotel's guest rooms and suites in January. The club is offering two incentive offers to groups for meetings or programs booked and held by Dec. 31, 2010. The "Check In Meeting Offer" enables groups to receive up to $5,000 toward their program at the club. Additionally, the "Meeting Stimulus Package" includes no attrition for qualified meetings, free daily meeting room rental, a complimentary afternoon break, one complimentary guest room for every 25 paid, free entrance for attendees to the fitness center (with use of the exercise room, whirlpool, sauna and steam room), free wireless Internet access in all guestrooms, 25 percent off audio/visual services and 25 percent off golf greens fees.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To submit items for future editions, send to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
Thursday, July 1, 2010
“Table of 8” – June 16, 2010
The HSMAI-South Florida chapter’s June meeting was held recently at the Wyndham in Boca Raton, FL. A small, but enthusiastic, contingent was in attendance to hear David Atkins, Principal, Digital DNA Infusion, and the current Chair of the HSMAI-Board of the Americas, speak on Social Media and How it Impacts Revenue Management.
It was so nice to see some “old” friends as well as a lot of new faces in attendance. The Wyndham did a lovely job of hosting the event including a delicious dinner.
As ever, we all learned many things from the presentation, but here are just a few things that stuck in my mind. David covered the four types of social media (Review Sites, Photo Sharing, Video Sharing, and Blogs) and discussed the strategies for each of them. He noted that 1/3 to ½ of all purchase decisions are influenced by social media. In leisure travel planning, the second most important, influential feature is the use of photography. (Use PHOTOS!).
Another key item was to make sure you stimulate those customers who have had a positive experience at your hotel/with your company, to write a review – to talk about their good times. David explained ways to accomplish this.
The full presentation and some additional data details are available at digintaldnainfusion.com/southfljune2010. It also will be posted on the HSMAI-South Florida website (hsmaisouthflorida.org) under resources in the very near future.
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
It was so nice to see some “old” friends as well as a lot of new faces in attendance. The Wyndham did a lovely job of hosting the event including a delicious dinner.
As ever, we all learned many things from the presentation, but here are just a few things that stuck in my mind. David covered the four types of social media (Review Sites, Photo Sharing, Video Sharing, and Blogs) and discussed the strategies for each of them. He noted that 1/3 to ½ of all purchase decisions are influenced by social media. In leisure travel planning, the second most important, influential feature is the use of photography. (Use PHOTOS!).
Another key item was to make sure you stimulate those customers who have had a positive experience at your hotel/with your company, to write a review – to talk about their good times. David explained ways to accomplish this.
The full presentation and some additional data details are available at digintaldnainfusion.com/southfljune2010. It also will be posted on the HSMAI-South Florida website (hsmaisouthflorida.org) under resources in the very near future.
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
Gulf Oil Spill Weekly Update from VISIT FLORIDA
(Editor’s Note: Most of you have already signed up to receive this info directly, however, just in case, am reprinting this last update in the HSMAI blog for you to do so. JWF)
VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO, Chris Thompson, participated in a number of media interviews this week including USA Today, Associated Press, Collective Travel Radio, Gannett, Sunshine State News, Capital News Service, and WTXL-TV in Tallahassee. In addition, he participated in the Governor's Economic Task Force working group on Communications and attended the BP Claims Process working group meeting.
Chief Marketing Officer, Will Seccombe, addressed the Florida Association of Broadcasters during their annual meeting and highlighted the "Share a Little Sunshine" campaign. He also participated in a CNN panel discussion on the impact of the oil spill on tourism.
In this week's Florida Live TV, Kevin Mims traveled to Blackwater River, Navarre Beach, Destin, Blountstown, St. Andrews State Park, Monticello, Topsail Hill and Sandestin. He posted nine videos, several blogs posts and 100 images on Flickr. Consumer response has been outstanding with this week's videos receiving more than 4,500 views. Since launch on June 1, Florida Live TV videos have received more than 17,000 views on YouTube. See for yourself at Florida Live.
Travel Leaders, the largest travel agency franchisor in North America, promoted Florida Live to its network of 370 travel agents via its Network News, Results and Daily News internal publications. In addition, they featured a special Florida newsfeed on their Twitter and Facebook pages. We are currently reaching out to other travel trade organizations to encourage similar campaigns.
Current advertising efforts have increased traffic to VISITFLORIDA.com so much that we are seeing the largest audience numbers ever recorded on the site. Over the last five months, the site has averaged more than 500,000 visitors per month.
Together with FRLA, VISIT FLORIDA sponsored a full page, four-color ad promoting Florida's beaches in yesterday's edition of the New York Times. The "Florida is Open for Business" ad drove readers to Florida Live at VISITFLORIDA.com to, "find live beach cams, up-to-the-minute local updates, daily video, great deals, live weather and real photos of real people enjoying the Sunshine State right now. " A companion advertorial emphasized that, "most of Florida's coast is completely unaffected by the spill" and "all those unique attractions that have made Florida our country's vacation capital remain as compelling as ever." Both pages feature photographs of great Florida destinations and vacation activities.
This week, print, online and broadcast reports supported by the work of our team generated 466 million impressions from media outlets that included, among others, CNN, CNBC and CBS News. VISIT FLORIDA is now sending regular updates to our PR counterparts at DMOs and tourism related businesses, keeping them informed of our crisis response.
VISIT FLORIDA was recently honored as the first statewide destination marketing organization (DMO) to achieve international accreditation through the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) with Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). The accreditation recognizes our excellence in best practices and leadership among statewide DMOs. These are the best practices that will help carry us through this oil spill crisis.
We held an all-industry webinar yesterday where Chris Thompson, President and CEO gave an update on the Deepwater Horizon Response Campaign and Florida Live. He also spoke about our consumer research efforts, as well as our evolving Hurricane Preparedness Plan as it relates to the oil spill. We answered questions from several of the 298 participants. If you weren't able to join us, a recorded version of the webinar is available on VISITFLORIDA.org.
RESOURCES
We will continue to post daily information to www.SunshineMatters.org and encourage you to sign up to receive e-mail alerts when new posts are added.
Copyright 2010 VISIT FLORIDA® 2540 W. Executive Center Circle, Ste. 200; Tallahassee, FL 32301 850-488-5607
VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO, Chris Thompson, participated in a number of media interviews this week including USA Today, Associated Press, Collective Travel Radio, Gannett, Sunshine State News, Capital News Service, and WTXL-TV in Tallahassee. In addition, he participated in the Governor's Economic Task Force working group on Communications and attended the BP Claims Process working group meeting.
Chief Marketing Officer, Will Seccombe, addressed the Florida Association of Broadcasters during their annual meeting and highlighted the "Share a Little Sunshine" campaign. He also participated in a CNN panel discussion on the impact of the oil spill on tourism.
In this week's Florida Live TV, Kevin Mims traveled to Blackwater River, Navarre Beach, Destin, Blountstown, St. Andrews State Park, Monticello, Topsail Hill and Sandestin. He posted nine videos, several blogs posts and 100 images on Flickr. Consumer response has been outstanding with this week's videos receiving more than 4,500 views. Since launch on June 1, Florida Live TV videos have received more than 17,000 views on YouTube. See for yourself at Florida Live.
Travel Leaders, the largest travel agency franchisor in North America, promoted Florida Live to its network of 370 travel agents via its Network News, Results and Daily News internal publications. In addition, they featured a special Florida newsfeed on their Twitter and Facebook pages. We are currently reaching out to other travel trade organizations to encourage similar campaigns.
Current advertising efforts have increased traffic to VISITFLORIDA.com so much that we are seeing the largest audience numbers ever recorded on the site. Over the last five months, the site has averaged more than 500,000 visitors per month.
Together with FRLA, VISIT FLORIDA sponsored a full page, four-color ad promoting Florida's beaches in yesterday's edition of the New York Times. The "Florida is Open for Business" ad drove readers to Florida Live at VISITFLORIDA.com to, "find live beach cams, up-to-the-minute local updates, daily video, great deals, live weather and real photos of real people enjoying the Sunshine State right now. " A companion advertorial emphasized that, "most of Florida's coast is completely unaffected by the spill" and "all those unique attractions that have made Florida our country's vacation capital remain as compelling as ever." Both pages feature photographs of great Florida destinations and vacation activities.
This week, print, online and broadcast reports supported by the work of our team generated 466 million impressions from media outlets that included, among others, CNN, CNBC and CBS News. VISIT FLORIDA is now sending regular updates to our PR counterparts at DMOs and tourism related businesses, keeping them informed of our crisis response.
VISIT FLORIDA was recently honored as the first statewide destination marketing organization (DMO) to achieve international accreditation through the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) with Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). The accreditation recognizes our excellence in best practices and leadership among statewide DMOs. These are the best practices that will help carry us through this oil spill crisis.
We held an all-industry webinar yesterday where Chris Thompson, President and CEO gave an update on the Deepwater Horizon Response Campaign and Florida Live. He also spoke about our consumer research efforts, as well as our evolving Hurricane Preparedness Plan as it relates to the oil spill. We answered questions from several of the 298 participants. If you weren't able to join us, a recorded version of the webinar is available on VISITFLORIDA.org.
RESOURCES
We will continue to post daily information to www.SunshineMatters.org and encourage you to sign up to receive e-mail alerts when new posts are added.
Copyright 2010 VISIT FLORIDA® 2540 W. Executive Center Circle, Ste. 200; Tallahassee, FL 32301 850-488-5607
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