January 2014 - American Hotel Blog

Picturing more guests

January 21, 2014

Are you a user of Pinterest or Instagram? Chances are you have at least heard of these popular social media platforms. It’s also likely that you’ll be hearing much more because, in hospitality, Pinterest and Instagram could lead to thousands of new guests.

For the most part, users of Pinterest and Instagram share and tag photos. In the hotel industry, photo sharing social channels are trending and experts don’t anticipate that to change any time soon. In fact, experts from both Conde Nast Traveler and Cox & Kings predict that geolocating mediums, such as Instagram, will play an increasingly larger role in 2014.

One Sydney hotel, the 1888, has already banked on this idea and has even claimed the title as the first “Instagram Hotel.” In fact, the hotel recently offered a free night stay to any Instagram user with over 10,000 connections. Why would its leaders make such an offer? When you have a guest snapping photos of his or her hotel stay to a network of 10,000+ people instantly, you are gaining some serious exposure.

If you are curious how social media could help your business, there are many how-to strategies on the Web. The tips below are excerpted from a best-practice guide to getting the most out of your Pinterest and Instagram efforts.

Use your brand logo as your profile picture. Be sure it’s the same logo that is being used on other social platforms – cohesion presents a more organized, professional decorum and means less confusion for consumers.
Give potential guests a sneak peek of your hotel. Take photos of different types of rooms and any sort of specialty accommodations or amenities. This satisfies consumer curiosity about what they have to look forward to if they choose to book a room.
Go beyond your building. Make boards or posts about activities on your grounds or nearby. Highlight unique events, destinations or landmarks in the surrounding city or town.
People love food. Consider dedicating a picture board to the food you’re known for. Get your audience hungry to plan a visit.

While it may take some time to see the fruits of your labor, a dedicated effort and careful monitoring can lead to an expansive audience and more guests at your doorstep.

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Using the box below, tell us if your business has benefitted from a specific social media strategy.

Prepare for the hottest hotel trends in 2014

January 7, 2014

Prepare for the hottest hotel trends in 2014

Goodbye 2013, hello 2014! As with every New Year, it’s out with the old and in with the new. Here are the hotel trends to look out for in 2014.

Generation Y is Taking Over

Generation Y will be taking the stage as the hospitality industry’s core customer base over the next few years. In the age of foodies and techies, the typical GenY traveler is searching for a more unique experience. One easy way to satisfy that desire is by introducing more high end food products and services at your hospitality venue.

Digital ‘Word of Mouth’

Websites like TripAdvisor and Yelp can be your best friend, or your central concern. The modern traveler not only uses such sites to determine where they’ll book, but also to post a review of their guest experience. Be sure to monitor your digital reviews – they can have an astounding impact on your business.

Customers Expect Speedy Service

We’re not just talking personal attention here. From Wi-Fi service to online booking and web check-in/out, guests are expecting immediacy. After all, we are talking about the digital generation here. And, be ware, they have no problem making their satisfaction with your services known to both your business and potential future customers.

Warm Up to This Mantra: Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle

It’s become more and more expected that businesses enact some form of eco-friendly practice. The hospitality industry is at the top of that list because of its tendency to use large amounts of water, electricity, paper products and so forth. That doesn’t mean you have to completely change the way your venue runs. Simple substitutions like recycled paper products and energy efficient light bulbs are a great place to start. Making an effort to reduce your carbon footprint pleases your customers, and generally saves you money in the long haul.

International Increase

This year, as well as in the next few years to follow, it’s expected that the American hotel industry will see an increase in the amount of international travelers. Brush up on your Cantonese and Mandarin because the greatest amount of international travelers is expected to come out of China, although we can certainly expect travelers from all corners of the world.

Now that you know what to expect from the hotel industry in 2014, you’ll have all of the information you need to get your venue prepared. And remember, for any of your hospitality product needs, American Hotel is your one-stop shop to stay in tune with the times.