The lodging industry is dynamic. Your hotel can be jammed during the holiday season and really slow in the off-season. With a big event in town, all your rooms may be booked months in advance. It can be a rollercoaster, but during the down times, the sales and marketing teams step up to make staying at your hotel a great deal. Being on the sale side of the business has some amazing perks. Take a look at what all the great things selling in the hospitality industry offers:
1. Selling your hotel isn’t just about putting “heads in beds.” It’s creative. You have the opportunity to tell a story, paint a picture, and sell the excitement of your city/town and all it has to offer. You’re not pushing “widgets” or units, but helping customers plan life-long memories like a longed-for trip, an exotic honeymoon, or family reunions.
2. The perks of working for a hotel are pretty special, too. You can go “undercover” at a competitor’s hotel and stay a night or two to see what they’re offering and if that’s something you can do at your hotel as well. You may discover some tips you can share with your bosses and have a hand in making some positive changes in your hotel.
3. Travel is another benefit. As a salesperson, you will likely be meeting with local, regional, or national corporate customers, travel agents, or other organizations from all over the country that has a need to house groups of guests. The more you know about your prospective customers, the better you can service their specific requirements.
4. No doubt, the best customers are repeat customers. Establishing relationships with customers is easier and more cost-effective than acquiring new customers. Satisfied customers will return over and over and will tell their friends and colleagues about their experience at your hotel. The same is true with corporate clients and local organizations. Hospitality is a people business and you’ll have more fun socializing with and serving people who’ve become “friends.”
5. Making the deal. Instead of selling a product at a set price, you have the authority to put together packages, offer discounts and customize the stay to meet the needs of the client. It may mean offering special events, side trips, and unique dining. Every day and every deal is different.
6. Working with guests as well as staff from all over the world is unique and really expands your network and your skills. You’ll learn about other cultures, how to communicate and work with those teams and grow professionally as well as personally.
7. It’s exciting. Customers come to hotels for a lot of different reasons, but they all want “an experience.” The hotel business affords you the chance to go the extra mile, learn about your location and the local businesses, and find/sell the treasures that can be found in your area.
8. Hospitality has a long history. In ancient times, people traveled around and needed a warm bed and a meal, just like today. With all the technology and innovation available now, you’re able to offer so much more than the basics. You’re selling the whole hotel experience: the professionalism of the staff, the quality of the rooms, the conference resources, and the hotel amenities – but, let’s face it, without the sales professionals, there would be empty beds, barren lobbies, and dark conference rooms.
9. Make use of your social media skills to find prospects. If you’ve got mad skills in the digital realm, you can reach a wider audience and find even greater success. You can choose to build your relationships online and take a break from making cold calls all day.
10. Sales and marketing positions can lead to a fast-growing future. Tourism/travel is the fastest growing industry in the 21st century. That means more hotels, more rooms to sell, and plenty of opportunities to advance!