Five reasons to choose a hotel sales consultant for your independent hotel

It’s been a tricky few years for the UK hotel and hospitality industry, post pandemic recovery has been slow, and whilst there has been some successes with record breaking revenue results, there has also been major inconsistencies to booking trends and customer behaviours resulting in low occupancy and unease of future bookings.

As hotel owners and operators seek to remain competitive, 2022 has seen an increase of hotel sales and marketing positions available. So, why should independent hotels and accommodation providers look at hiring hotel sales representation versus an employee for such roles?

Expertise in the Industry

Working with a hotel sales consultant will provide said hotel with years of experience, that possibly wouldn’t be-able to be tapped into with a less experienced employee. A representation company will bring a breadth of knowledge working in the industry and will be privy to up-to-date customer demands, travel trends and what the competition are doing. A sales and marketing specialist will most likely be able to advise on other market segments too or assist with solutions to other challenges in the business on an ad hoc basis. Most notably, the hotel will gain access to a heavy hitting contact list and enviably customer relationships, with introductions via their rep.

Experience in the marketplace

Working with a hotel representation company will provide the client hotel years of experience at their fingertips. Opening your property up to a heavy hitting contact list and enviably client relationships with key travel buyers, access to UK and International buyers as well as advising on best practice on various facets of the business. Working with a sales consultant who has been there, done that and got the t-shirt will allow the property and its management to make strategic choices, negotiate smartly and confidently make decisions on a plethora of commercial topics.

Costs

The ultimate goal for a hotel and hospitality provider in employing a sales and marketing professional is to increase demand and therefore sales revenues and streams into the business. This is the goal, however they will be entering this recruitment process with cost margins in mind. By working with a hotel consultant, the hotel not have to worry about costly inclusions that go with recruiting an employee for example – salary, recruitment fee’s, employee materials, sick days, pension plan, holiday days and other company benefits. In return a hotel sales consultant can start quickly and have relatively low or no set up costs. In addition to this, after an initial consultation of understanding what the business needs are and agreeing these can be meet, a clear defined strategy can be set in place with a monthly retainer designed according to the needs of the client and the services the representation company offers.

Perks

A hotel sales consultant will 100% provide its client with additional sales and marketing opportunities as a default of working in partnership together. This is due to their reach and expertise in the field. From grass roots up, business to business marketing such as inclusion on the representation companies website, social media and e-marketing communications. To introductions to other market segments – MICE, leisure, entertainment, corporate… often a representative will have business relationships with a wide range of travel segments. They may offer additional scope with business to consumer marketing such as hotel partnerships and hotel influencer marketing. Not only this, if your consultant is working with of portfolio of hotels, you may well see your hotel getting a foot in the door to travel buyers and companies you wouldn’t be able to get otherwise! It’s a win-win!

Flexibility

As the hotels’ needs evolve through the changing pace of the industry, seasonality and social and economic factors, working with a hotel sales consultancy will allow you to move quickly and react to the marketplace accordingly without rigidity. Taking on a consultant for 6 months to a year, or simply on a project basis is commonplace and during this contractual period, clear lines of communication is standard. Keeping a active and open communication will result positively and allow both parties to feedback on areas of interest or concern, ensuring the client peace of mind they are investing in the right support and accessing the right results.

Thats a Wrap

This provides you an overview of why considering a hotel sales consultant might be just the ticket for you and your hotel or hospitality business for winter 2022/ 2023 and beyond. Whilst we, in the industry are all busy in the run up to Christmas and business planning for 2023 – why not book a discovery call with me today to see if CJ Hotel Consultancy sales representation is the right fit for you.

Thanks for stopping by!

Carla