In this ever changing travel landscape, hotel marketers needs to pay attention to how and when consumers book their vacations to inspire first-time and repeat travelers to stay at their property. Our NYC PR firm often counsels our clients to leverage limited time offers as a way to stimulate sales at their establishment, especially during the shoulder and low season.
Here are key findings as it pertains to vacation planning process.
- Thirty percent of millennials worry that the costs will rise if they wait too long to book their trips. Yet 19 percent of consumers wait to book their travel a week or less before departure and millennials are even more likely to procrastinate.
- Consumers plan most in advance for Thanksgiving and Christmas when only seven to 10 percent of flights bookings happen on the week before departure.
- Tourists are looking for opportunities to explore lesser-known destinations, especially those that are untouched or unique.
- Seventeen percent of consumers will try solo travel for the first time.
- Forty-five percent of connected travelers use a smartphone to book travel.
- Five out of six millennials will choose to connect with companies through social media, but they want something in return (predominately perks and discounts).
We have found that limited time offers are an ideal way to entice consumers to stay at hotel. Remember – if the price is right, then people will buy and consumers often select packages which present a 20 to 30 percent discount from the published fare if they book their travel by a specific date.
It is vital to promote these special packages through several channels.
- Daily deals in media outlets such as the Boston Globe, Dallas Morning News, New York Times, and Sherman’s Travel to name a few are vital for spreading the word about special packages.
- Posting specials on Facebooks helps to keep consumers connected to your brand.
- Visually stimulating photos on Instagram can also inspire savvy travelers to stay at your property.
- E-mail marketing is another effective way to stimulate sales for limited special promotions.
- Banner ads on your website with links to another site can also stimulate interest in these promotions.
Tracking codes are vital marketing tool to see the number of clicks, open-rate, as well as the ultimate source for a sale from a limited time offer.
Our boutique PR firm understands the importance of having a steady stream of customers to your property.
We are here to help. Give us a call at (212) 941-9247.
# # #