Hotel Marketing Q&A

Believe it or not some hotels want the card in every room, so it isn't a "waste of time" as previously stated.
If the material available is in the room as well as on the front desk then the person who is wondering where to eat doesn't have to go to the front desk to ask.
Sure they are going out the front door anyway, but they may want to decide before they get to the lobby in the comfort of their room.

If you put QR codes on your room cards, or desk flyers or whatever means of communication you employ, be sure to have an alternatives means by which to find your site.
While it's true that almost every smartphone(SP) is capable of scanning a QR code, in practice very few even have one installed. There are a very limited number of SP users that even know what the heck that little square box is.

Less than 20% have an app installed and use it to scan.

Every phone can text and browse the web so a text to get a link option or at the very least a web URL is a must. QR codes alone will eliminate at least 80% of your potential users.
And trust me, people are not going to download a QR reader and learn how to use it just to scan your code.

Originally Posted by JohnP

Thanks for the great sharing from both of you John and Don.

Here's what I'm Learning from Don in his earlier post:

I. - He places his Restaurant Mobile Scan Display Card ONLY at the Hotel's Front Desk and NOT in Every Room. With a Simple Comment Pointing it Out by The Desk Person - It Works Like Gang-Busters and Cuts Down on the Need to have a Display in Every Room.

II. - The ONE Approach: ONE "Thai Rest".....ONE "Mexican"....ONE "Gift Shop"....ONE "Realtor".....ONE "Car Wash".....etc. Don's ONE Approach ACTIVATES the Power of GREED ("I Get the Customers and NOT My Competitor") in the Restaurant Owner and their DESIRE to NOT LOSE OUT on being the ONLY Restaurant of Their Type in the Guide. I see that as PAIN AVOIDANCE. Which Can Drive Closing the Sale Even MORE than a GAIN or BENEFIT Does. AND YOU Get to Charge MORE MONEY per LISTING and Need to Close FEWER Restaurant Owners. (I Think You Could Still Offer Multiple Spots to Non-Restaurant Listings - But That's Just My Opinion.)

III. Don Introduces Himself and Lay's Out the WHAT of the Program to the Hotel Manager and HOW His Guests Benefit in a Few Simple, Clear, and Compelling Sentences.

"Hi Mr Mgr.....my name is Don Alm.....I have created a Website Directory of local Restaurants, Gift Shops, Attractions etc.....for Tourists/Travelers who would like to find Places to Eat and Shop and Find Local Attractions to enjoy themselves while in town. All they have to do is take out their Mobile Device and Scan the Code....and they can Log Into my Directory!"

IV. THEN in a Simple Statement Don Addresses a KEY CONCERN ("totally FREE to you") AND Strokes the Manager's Ego ("...will show that YOU really care...").

"Now.....this is totally FREE to you and....will show that YOU really care about providing your Guests with the UTMOST Care, Concern & Convenience!"

V. And Finally, the "NO OBJECTION" Close Question. You Get PERMISSION to Place the Restaurant Guide in the Hotel - ODDLY - With a "NO" Answer!!

"So, would YOU have any Objection to my placing this Display on your Front Desk?"


Thank You Don.