The Best Hospitality Sales Training Will Involve The Entire Destination

Posted by The Popular News Today on Thursday, November 15, 2012

By Neva Tweedie


Tourism is an important part of the economies of many countries and one of the main requirements for popular destinations is suitable accommodation. For accommodation providers the marketing of the general destination is as important as the marketing of their own establishments. Hospitality sales training therefore focuses on a wide variety of aspects excluding the actual institution represented by the marketing representative.

Tourists visit specific areas because there are attractions, activities or events that have motivated them to choose that destination above others. Accommodation establishments therefore have to market the entire area if they hope to increase bed nights. This necessity creates a unique situation where competitors all have to market certain similar regional attractions. The local tourism industry therefore benefits.

The accommodation industry is fickle and risky. Owners and investors should know that business is often dependent upon factors that simply cannot be controlled. Political unrest, natural disasters and fluctuations in the exchange rate, to name just a few, are all factors that can cause sudden ruin. Marketing strategies must therefore be flexible and must be designed to instantly react to negative influences.

One of the main strategies most accommodation establishments employ is to solicit advance bookings in bulk. Tour operators that specialize in incentive tours often make their arrangements a tear or more in advance. This can help hotels and resorts to budget with a greater measure of certainty, but they are expected to pay their pound of flesh in the form of substantial discounts and favorable terms.

Offering a comfortable bed, a clean room and good service is most certainly not good enough to ensure that the establishment will be successful. Tourists expect value for money and they have a myriad of options. Accommodation establishments must therefore offer something that cannot be found elsewhere. In some cases this may involve special deals regarding attractions in the vicinity or entertainment that is unique and exclusive.

Experts agree that the secret of selling in this market lies in innovation, continuous renewal and creative thinking. At the same time it is vital that standards remain constant and that guests will know what to expect. For this happen, ongoing training of all staff is vital. Obtaining honest guest feedback is also very important.

The designers of hospitality sales training packages realize that this field requires a unique approach. A hotel or resort cannot be marketed on the basis of the quality of its beds, meals or carpets. Tourists are spoilt for choice, therefore marketing has to be focused upon added value.




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