What Challenges Do We Face As Hotel Sales Managers in 2009?

Will we have to drop rates to gain new clients? Willbeing able to sell your hotel.
we take crappy business because we have to? DoI do not recommend or suggest EVER to trash your
you look twice at business opportunities that youcompetition in front of a new client. You will instantly
wouldn't of thought about before you turn themlose the respect of many, many clients. There are
away? Are you offering more concessions to makeways of going about discussing a competitors
your RFP more attractive and a better value?weakness to a prospect without sounding like a jerk.
What is your plan of action? It's time to take a freshYou may mention "our property has recently
tour of your competition. What are their features?completed a multi-million dollar renovation plan, or we
What is their pricing structure? What type ofhave recently upgrading our internet services" rather
business do they have? WHAT CAN YOU TAKE?then "their property is a dump and their service is
Get the edge, work your game plan and take thisterrible". You can even mention that you have
week to check out the area hotels. I'm sure most ofrecently toured the area hotels and you find that
you have completed a monthly action plan for theyour property has much more to offer and even at
2009 budget. Take a look at your plan, put it ina possible savings.
action.Make appointments this week to tour your
What are all of the other hotels doing? Is therecompetition, do a rate analysis and educate yourself.
something your missing? Remember the more youGood luck!
learn about your competition the better you are at