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. . Selling Up! . Taking Group Room Revenue to a New Level |
by Carol Verret, February 2006
2006 is the year for hotels to maximize their revenue opportunities. Demand is high and new supply is low � new supply currently in the pipeline will begin entering the market in late �06 and �07. It is clearly a �sellers� market this year! Hotel sales departments clearly have an opportunity! Hotels that may have grown a bit �tired� in the lean years are now investing in capital improvements and extensive renovations as there is finally the cash to do this and it is imperative to remain competitive at the desired higher rate tier. Investors and owners, however, want to see the return on this investment. In recent conversations with contacts in the industry, there are mixed messages. On one hand, meeting and travel planners are concerned that rates are going through the roof and deals are getting tough to negotiate. On the other hand, Vice Presidents and Directors of Sales, express concern that group room rates are not increasing at the same pace as rates from other channels. There are no easy answers but answers nevertheless. In both camps, the players need to make some tough adjustments. From the meeting planners perspective there is tremendous pressure to keep travel budgets at least level with last year, (see Hotels Are in the Drivers Seat! Hotel Online, November 2005). If it is the year that �Hotels Are in the Drivers Seat�, why do so many sales people have such a tough time asking for and getting the rate? Often it is a matter of mind set versus purely a skill set issue. There are a few factors that play into this:
Carol Verret And Associates Consulting and Training offers training services and consulting in the areas of sales, revenue management and customer service primarily but not exclusively to the hospitality industry. To find out more about the company click on www.carolverret.com. To contact carol send her an email at [email protected] or she can be reached by cell phone (303) 618-4065. copyright © Carol Verret, 2002-2003 -2004 -2005 |
Carol Verret 5910 S. University #C-18, PMB 374 Greenwood Village, CO 80121 Telephone: (303) 618-4065 [email protected] Web Site: http://www.carolverret.com/ Email: [email protected] |