Market Accents Provides Strategic Support And Communications For Boutique Hotels And Venues

London, August 2012: Marketing and communication experts Market Accents have introduced a dedicated strategic support and communications service to assist boutique, lifestyle and heritage hotels and venues to develop winning strategies based on evolving customer habits.

This service has developed in response to a growing demand from boutique hotels and heritage venues as they seek to grow the business during these challenging economic times. Noreen Cesareo, Market Accents Principal said, “Over the last few years, this sector has evolved dramatically, as customers have embraced new technologies, developed and changed. The customer has grown more sophisticated and now expects, and demands, an inspiring experience.

In fact, they seek a level of quality service that was synonymous with the glamour and luxury service levels that the previous generation expected and experienced. Today, with their increasing awareness and expectations of cutting edge technologies and design, what customers want is the experience with the “wow” factor, matched with the exclusive five-star service.”

Success in this sector varies depending on location, strategic direction and the type of customers they attract. By tapping into current trends for lifestyle experiences, and creating matches with the organisation’s culture, Market Accents is able to create profiles and develop marketing, communications and PR programmes that include targeted activities. The focus is on creating long-lasting revenue and on generating footfall during typically quiet and low periods.

Over the years, Market Accents has been involved with a number of national and international boutique hotels, venues, membership organisations and professional networks. The focus is always on creating value: gathering insights, establishing propositions, creating marketing and communications programmes and assisting with the management and running of these clubs.

Noreen Cesareo continued: “We have worked with hotels, venues, professional and leisure membership organisations for a number of years and we know this market well. At a time when revenues are down, this is one of the few ways to tap into long-term revenue-generating markets without devaluing any part of the proposition.”

Market Accents is offering a complimentary consultation to organisations, societies and venues to discuss ways to revive the current proposition. For further information, please contact us directly by email at privateclubs@marketaccents.com or call on +44 (0) 7787 555651.

Social buying and Flash sale sites: Generating revenue and creating loyalty within hospitality and private online travel clubs?

An interesting debate is going on within the hospitality and travel trade: should they participate in social buying/flash sale sites to supply fresh competitive deals?

The new kids on the block…private online clubs with exclusive hand-picked travel offers and very attractive savings of 60-70% off hotel rack rates and brochure prices….all with a limited time span, typically a few days or as as flash sale. The take up has been incredible. In line with the current love affair with social buying sites such as groupon, kgbdeals and other popular discounting and flash sale sites, they are emerging as a new distribution channel, poised to change the way consumers view their buying decisions.

The hospitality and travel trade are not sure of what to make of them. Some fear they are a reaction of the recessionary buying trends, while others are eager to jump on the band wagon. The emerging picture is that the field is divided. There are hoteliers who think that social buying/flash sites will ultimately lead to price and brand erosion, damaging the long term price integrity and overall online revenues. And there are the hoteliers who are more interested in the immediate results, filling rooms that may otherwise remain empty. Re-active? Certainly, but happy to exploit the here and now approach of this buying phenomena.

The fears being discussed include the fact that there is an oversaturation of players, leading to market share and revenue corrosion, consolidation and failures, together with a significant weakening from industry suppliers which will probably result in a weakening demand from the members of these sites. Loyalty may not even play any part in the decision making process.

According to Hitwise the popularity of flash sale websites with limited time & inventory offerings have grown exponentially over the two years. Online shoppers’ love for the thrill of snagging a bargain, be in experiences, travel, designer clothing, home décor, restaurant visit, beauty and spa treatments and even wine have caused visits to the category to increase 368% in July 2011 as compared to the same month two years ago and 109% one year ago.

Market Accents