Hotel Marketing Articles About COVID-19

COVID-19 Educational Webinar Series for Hoteliers

Part 1: 5 Tips for Managing Your Hotel’s Communication Strategy

Part 1 of our COVID-19 educational webinar series focuses on updating your hotel’s communication strategy to inform guests and travelers. We share 5 tips to ensure that your hotels’ messaging is purposeful and effective during these unprecedented times. In this webinar, we demonstrate using creative communication channels like your hotel’s social media platforms and review responses to connect with your target audience. We also help you prepare for the eventual market recovery that the hospitality industry will experience as the impact of the virus diminishes. This presentation serves as a great starting point for planning and implementing your hotel’s COVID-19 communication plan.

Part 2: How To Optimize Market Share When Demand Shrinks

Part 2 of our COVID-19 educational webinar series covers what hoteliers can do when/if demand for hotel rooms begins to shrink. We know that one of the most worrisome impacts of the coronavirus is the effect that it will have on hotel occupancy. In this webinar, we will discuss what digital strategies hoteliers can implement to ensure they maximize their market share. The best practices shared in this presentation will demonstrate alternatives to simply dropping your rates. This presentation is a resource for hoteliers looking to get creative and innovative in driving occupancy for their hotel through strategic and targeted digital marketing during these difficult times.

Part 3: How to Offset Group Travel Loss by Targeting Transient Travelers

In Part 3 of our COVID-19 educational webinar series, we concentrate on the subject of group travel in the industry. According to STR, there have been over 200+ global events canceled in response to the coronavirus spread. Those that reschedule are pushing their bookings into late 2020 or 2021, leaving potential occupancy gaps at your hotel. This webinar will explain how to offset group travel loss by focusing on transient, non-group travelers. With these transient travelers excited and motivated to travel after quarantine, this presentation is the perfect opportunity to learn how to target them through effective digital marketing campaigns and promotions.

COVID-19 Roadmap to Recovery: Gaining a Competitive Advantage

Suite Spot Episodes About COVID-19

Episode 56: COVID Hotel Industry Trends With Jan Freitag Pt. II

In another special edition of the Suite Spot, Senior Vice President of Lodging Insights at STR, Jan Freitag returns to the podcast for an insightful conversation. Jan and his team at STR are continuing to closely monitor industry data and trends post-COVID-19.

Jan and Ryan discuss changes in the industry since they last spoke in June (You can hear that conversation by listening to Episode 51). In this episode, Jan talks about the health of the US hotel pipeline and predicts what we can expect to see in new build growth moving forward. Jan shares which markets are experiencing an increase in occupancy and which types of travelers are filling rooms right now. Ryan and Jan also talk about the impact that back-to-school will have on travel, and they speculate about what the rest of 2020 could look like for hoteliers.

For more information and insights from the STR team, visit their COVID-19 resource center at STR.com. To submit a question for future episodes, call or text 407-984-7455. View the Episode Transcript

Episode 55: Adapting Your Hotels Website During COVID – 19

In this episode of Suite Spot, we talk about the adaptations hoteliers are making to their property websites in the midst of this pandemic. Travel Media Group Senior Website Product Analyst, Stephanie Courtois, joins host Ryan Embree to share how she, alongside the Travel Media Group product team, prepared our hotel partners’ websites for COVID-19 and after.

Stephanie and Ryan discuss the different options hoteliers can utilize to communicate important information pertaining to COVID-19 through their hotel’s vanity site. For franchised hotels, Stephanie stresses the importance of highlighting changes specific to the individual property while aligning with overall brand messaging. She also shares search results analytics about COVID-19 landing pages created by the Travel Media Group team and the high impact it has on a traveler’s impression and expectations of a property.

To learn more information about upgrading and updating your hotel’s vanity website or to submit a question for future episodes, call or text 407-984-7455. View the Episode Transcript

Episode 54: The Changing Traveler Experience: 2019 vs 2020

In this episode of Suite Spot, Ryan Embree reflects on some of the post-pandemic effects of our everyday lives when it comes to travel. Ryan recounts the significant changes to the traveler experience of a hotel stay in summer 2019 versus summer 2020. He talks about how hoteliers have adapted their websites, social media, and online reputation to meet the needs and expectations of travelers in the midst of a global pandemic. Learn about various guest touchpoints like check-in and check out and how they have been impacted by COVID-19. This episode provides perspective on all that has changed in the past several months while appreciating those things that within the hotel experience have stayed the same.

If you have any questions or need assistance during this time please feel free to reach out to us by either calling or texting us at 407-984-7455 or email us at info@travelmediagroup.com. View the Episode Transcript

Episode 53: Responding To COVID-19 Online Reviews

In this episode of the Suite Spot, we discuss what to do when your hotel receives an online review related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Host, Ryan Embree, is joined by review response expert and Respond & Resolve™ Product Manager, Kristeena Seckinger, who walks us through which COVID-19 red flags to watch out for in your hotel’s online reviews and how to handle them effectively and appropriately.

 Ryan and Kristeena describe how traveler sentiment and tone in online reviews have evolved since the beginning of the pandemic and the role that setting proper expectations plays in generating positive reviews online. They also share best practices on how to best prepare for the increase of online reviews as the industry begins its recovery.  

 If you have any additional questions about your responding COVID-19 reviews online or would like more information on Travel Media Group”s Respond & Resolve™ solution, call or text 407-984-7455. View the Episode Transcript

Episode 52: Building Traveler Confidence for COVID Recovery

In this episode of the Suite Spot, we turn our attention to COVID-19 hotel industry recovery and what hoteliers can do to build traveler confidence. Host Ryan Embree is joined remotely by Travel Media Group’s Director of Marketing, Anne Sandoval, to share best practices for increasing guests’ comfort level.

Ryan and Anne start by discussing the evolution of hotel’s messaging throughout the pandemic across their digital marketing channels like social media and vanity websites. They talk about the most effective places online to relay the changes that have been implemented at the property to ensure the safety of their guests. Finally, they identify the signals that hoteliers should keep an eye out for online which indicates that travelers are feeling more comfortable and confident in your property. 

If you are looking for more creative ideas on how to build traveler confidence post-COVID-19, visit Travel Media Group’s COVID-19 hotel marketing resource center online or reach out to us by phone or text at 407-984-7455. View the Episode Transcript

Episode 51: COVID Hotel Industry Trends With Jan Freitag

In this special edition of the Suite Spot, we sit down with Senior Vice President of Lodging Insights at STR, Jan Freitag. Jan and his team at STR have been hard at work collecting and analyzing hotel data across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jan and Ryan take a look at how the COVID-19 crisis compares to past industry crises and how to look for clues in other global markets to predict what we might see moving forward in the U.S. hotel industry. Jan also shares what recovery signs hoteliers should keep an eye out for to signal the return of leisure transient travel, corporate business travel, and group travel. Jan also discusses what he calls a “high touch to high tech” evolution that will be the new normal in a post-COVID-19 hotel world. 

For more information and insights from the STR team, visit their COVID-19 resource center at STR.com. To submit a question for future episodes, call or text 407-984-7455. View the Episode Transcript

Episode 49: Client Success During COVID-19

In this episode of the Suite Spot, we discuss the stories and sentiments that we have been hearing from our hotel partners across the country who have been impacted by COVID-19. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Client Success & Operations Manager Edwin Pomales to discuss how his team has evolved their conversations with our partners to support hotels along the path to recovery.

Ryan and Edwin share the proactive steps hotels should be taking to instill traveler confidence and comfort in their property’s response to COVID-19 . They know that every hotel’s situation is unique, but with strategic action planning and careful crisis communication, hotels can gain a competitive advantage on the road to industry recovery. Edwin also shares his thoughts on how his team plans to adapt to this “new normal” that hoteliers and travelers alike will begin to experience.If you are looking for help or insight with a recovery plan for your hotel call or text us at 407-984-7455. View the Episode Transcript

Episode 48: Reputation Management During COVID-19

In this episode of the Suite Spot, host Ryan Embree is joined by TMG’s Product Director Patrick O’Brien to discuss the role that online reputation plays during COVID-19.

Ryan and Patrick break down the influential power that online reviews are playing in consumer’s booking decisions during this time and the potential negative and lasting impact a bad review today can have on your business. Patrick shares some best practices that his professional review response team has implemented during this time when travelers are paying more attention than ever to every hotel’s reviews and responses. This episode details what the evolution of online reputation looks like as hotels start to enter into the recovery phase.

For help with improving your hotel’s reputation during COVID-19 or to submit a question for future episodes, call or text 407-984-7455. View the Episode Transcript

Episode 47: Crisis Management for Hotels During COVID-19

In this episode of the Suite Spot, we continue sharing helpful insights and tips to help hoteliers combat the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Travel Media Group’s Director of Marketing, Anne Sandoval, to discuss 5 Strategies of Crisis Response.

Episode 46: Action Planning for COVID-19

In this episode of the Suite Spot, we continue our discussion on COVID-19 and the virus’s impact on the hotel industry. Host Ryan Embree welcomes Jason Lee, Vice President of Product & Technology, back to the Suite Spot to get his perspective and insights on this unprecedented global crisis.

With years of experience as a hotel owner and general manager, Jason shares the similarities and differences between this crisis and those from the past, like 9/11 or the Great Recession. Ryan and Jason give tips and ideas on how to reassure your hotel’s guests and future travelers utilizing social media, online reviews, and review responses. They provide some thoughtful advice on how to “stay in the today” and control what you can in these uncertain times. View the Episode Transcript

Episode 45: Managing Through COVID-19

In this episode of the Suite Spot, we discuss the COVID-19 crisis facing hoteliers around the globe today. Host Ryan Embree helps navigate these unprecedented times in the hospitality industry and shares words of encouragement on behalf of Travel Media Group.

Ryan discusses the vital role that communication channels like social media and online review response will play in connecting to both current guests and future travelers during this time. This episode provides content ideas during the COVID-19 crisis and recommendations on how to repurpose your energy and staff if your hotel is experiencing a dip in occupancy. He also shares some quick tips on how hoteliers can begin to prepare for the eventual market recovery that will take place post-virus. View the Episode Transcript

FAQs About Managing a Hotel During COVID-19

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