‘Spring’ Ahead of Marketing Trends in Hospitality
Warm weather is finally upon us, and summer is closer than ever! As hundreds of millions of people start to travel this spring, hotels are ramping up their marketing efforts to attract bookings and optimize revenue. From safety and hygiene communications to hands-free technology, staying on top of hotel marketing trends will play a key role in the upcoming months.
Safety and Communication
One of the most prominent trends hotels are embracing is linked to the increased need to highlight safety and hygiene measures. Updated marketing content and communications will make guests feel at ease. Hygiene measures and safety policies are at the forefront of travelers’ minds when booking. How well hotels communicate the steps they’ve taken can easily be the difference between generating sales and failing to do so. Efforts should be communicated on all marketing platforms, from check-in and in-room materials to digital marketing applications, including email, social and website.
Hands-Free Technology
Minimizing touchpoints will continue to be a primary goal across the travel sector this spring. Hotels, airports and restaurants have turned to mobile apps and QR codes to help reduce the spread of harmful germs. “In 2021, hotels will increase their adoption of technology that reduces the number of touchpoints. Abilities such as online check-ins and check-outs, mobile keys and room settings controlled by the Internet of Things (IoT) technology will become much more commonplace,” says GlobalData Travel & Tourism Analyst Ralph Hollister. “Using IoT to control room settings also allows hotels to gather more data on guests, creating a more personalized experience when they return next.”
More Flexibility
Successful hotels will offer guests added flexibility by adding 100 percent refunds for last-minute cancellations and other risk-reducing policies. “Having a flexible cancellation policy on a hotel website will be vital in ensuring direct bookings, and these relaxed policies will continue in 2021. For example, Marriott International has just extended its 24-hour global cancellation policy,” Hollister stated. Plans change at the drop of a hat, and in a world full of uncertainty, it’s better to be understanding of those changes. Demonstrating an understanding through a flexible cancellation policy can go a long way towards encouraging bookings and also help avoid negative press.
Extended Stays
As guests pursue longer stays, hotels and resorts will promote marketing communications for extended stay programs and packages. “Travelers will be looking to take fewer trips, but those that do travel are expected to also stay for longer,” says Hollister. “Uncertainty is strife and it may lead to people going ‘all out’ on one big trip, rather than risking several smaller ones that could be canceled.” After a year of being locked away, we can emphasize not wanting to leave paradise!
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