Safety to Sparkle – What is your hospitality sales message?

Amanda Baker

Safety to Sparkle – What is your sales messages Keeping the balance going for your hospitality business Now we are nearing to over half the population is vaccinated, this is welcoming news, yet we still need to balance the ever-changing restrictions as we head towards a more positive Summer 2021. So what balance do you need in your marketing messages to communicate positively to customers from safety to the sparkle? What’s your latest safety news? Be clear to customers about how regulations particularly affect your buildings, staff and the guest Continue reading

Staycations – It is not just about the DBB Rate !

Amanda Baker

Building relationships in the visitor economy – a conversation with Chase Distillery Strong partnerships have been essential during the past difficult year. For independent hotels, working with established local visitor attractions that reflect your brand values can be one of those partnerships. Don’t just list places of interest in your welcome brochure – work with those businesses to bring unique experiences to your guests. In my consulting role at Tewkesbury Park Hotel, we have worked with Chase Distillery for more than four years. Based in Herefordshire – less than an Continue reading

Future staycations – hotels need to start marketing now!

Amanda Baker

Tell your story….. and keep telling it to secure future staycations. You may have days at the moment where you struggle to imagine a busy reception area full of suitcases or the buzz of your bar area offering welcome drinks. But then….. you take a breath and remind yourself that so many of those people restricted to their own four walls at the moment are all longing to get away. Longing to get away, travel and book a so long anticipated break…at your hotel. When the hospitality and hotel business Continue reading

5 ways to power up your testimonials

Amanda Baker
Power up your testimonials

Testimonials are a powerful marketing tool to use in a crowded market. Real stories and emotions to give potential guests more confidence in their decision to choose your hotel amongst others. So how do you make sure that positive email or review works hard to reach out to future guests? 1) Ensure all staff realise the value of a few kind words Not all comments come in conveniently on a customer feedback card. Maybe a ‘thank you’ email was sent to the reservations department or the spa manager. Make sure Continue reading

Post Lockdown – Preparation prior to the Perfect Show Round!

Amanda Baker

As hotels and venues are now getting back to a ‘new normal’, we as salespeople must look at how we showcase our facilities whilst ensuring our clients feel comfortable and safe. We need to prepare prior to the perfect show round. For some of our clients its maybe their first time travelling and viewing a venue. Here are a few tips to prepare your client prior to their visit. Over – communicate • Send them your new COVID-19 protocol and what they can expect from the visit. • Detail what Continue reading

Don’t forget your staff in the welcome back!

Amanda Baker
Managing Staff beck into work

Now that the hospitality industry can open its doors, staff need to be welcomed back too – So how do you manage your team’s return to work? Returning to work is a big step. As owner or manager you’ve been living and breathing hotel life during lockdown to keep things going. Furloughed waiting staff, receptionists and breakfast teams have been solely stuck in frantic home-schooling or may have hardly seen a soul face-to-face. They’re making a big step change; relived to be back at work but work is not how Continue reading

Why the art of telephone conversation is so vital in hospitality

Amanda Baker

Why the art of telephone conversation is so vital in hospitality Building relationships with a guest starts long before the step through the door So.. pick up the phone! As more customers get in contact to book, rebook and simply ask questions, your task is to not only give information but also to reassure and give that important first impression. Getting personal A personal phone call, when handled well, can not only get to the heart of an issue quickly, it can pick up on any side issues: a tone Continue reading

How to manage guests’ expectations post lockdown

Amanda Baker
How to managing Guests Expoectations after lock down

From initial booking to arrival – how to manage guests’ expectations post lockdown That postponed birthday celebration, a chance to escape, a time to explore new spaces and places; it’s not hard to understand why the hotel and guesthouse sector is already being swamped with enquiries. The hotelier’s role is now to carefully manage and balance expectations between that warm welcome and a safe environment for guests and staff. The message? Our friendly staff are here, most of our facilities are here (no spas yet but excellent food that you Continue reading

Tips for hoteliers to protect and maintain your hospitality business during lockdown

Amanda Baker
Tips for hoteliers to protect and maintain your hospitality business during lockdown

Lockdown – Protect and maintain your asset To make sure your hotel or guesthouse is secure under lockdown, yet ready to reopen smoothly to welcome guests again, it’s essential to look at all operational areas and protect your most valued asset. Thorough preparation will mean that as an independent hotel owner or hospitality manger, you’ll be prepared with an opening strategy to get your hospitality and tourism business moving quickly. Despite closed doors now you should still take time to protect your assets, keep up vital maintenance and above all Continue reading

‘Steps to secure your hotel’s cash flow’

Amanda Baker

With unprecedented times within the hospitality industry, many of our  accommodation providers have had to shut their doors to guests and regular income. With the ‘no vacancies’ sign still swinging, business owner’s now face the challenge to be prepared to hit the ground running when the lockdown ends, whenever that may be. Preparation is key and one area that will be of great concern is cash flow for all independent, country inns, guest houses and self – catering businesses. Below are a few suggestions that should assist with the challenges Continue reading