Flash Sales at hotels is touted as the best avenue to achieve higher RevPar and occupany rates. Find out if our expert thinks there is any value in this marketing strategy for hotels.
There is value, but its marginal. Flash sales are an excellent tool to offload inventory during low periods, but do so sparingly – once or twice a year.Consider trying them once for Black Friday over the American Thanksgiving weekend, and perhaps again during the thrifty winter months of the first quarter.
When you use flash sales too often, however, your loyal base of customers may feel slighted for paying the regular rates. Moreover, you’ll change consumer expectations. They’ll wait for the sales periods and only buy at those discounted rates, eroding your RevPar over the long-term.
If you find yourself relying on flash sales to maintain an adequate occupancy, start to look for the underlying issues. Access your property’s guest services and marketing strategies — something much more fundamental than your slate of promotions is hampering you from attaining a steady stream of reservations.
About Larry Mogelonsky
Larry Mogelonsky is the president and founder of LMA Communications Inc., a full service communications agency focused on the hospitality industry. Larry is also the developer of Inn at a Glance hospitality software. As a recognized expert in marketing services, his experience encompasses Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and Preferred Hotels & Resorts, as well as numerous independent properties throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
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