In Today’s World Prices May Vary, But The Best Deal Is Still One “Done On Barter!”
March 24th, 2007 · by Bob Meyer · No CommentsBy Bob Meyer
It’s interesting to see how industries that are governed by the clock package and sell their services. When one has to “use it or lose it” the importance of time takes on a new meaning.
And hoteliers today are some of the more creative thinkers in pricing and marketing their products. They see the wisdom of selling in a variety of ways, as well as the bartering of their space.
Here’s a quick look at the different ways they move their inventory:
+ More hotels are using the same “yield management” marketing strategy the airlines use. They’re offering simple super-saver rates for those making reservations at least 29 days in advance.
+ “Corporate” rates typically are discounted 10% to 50% when you show a company ID, or even a business card.
+ Discounts are given to members of clubs, organizations and other national affiliations (frequent flyer plans, auto or oil-company travel clubs, AARP senior citizens).
+ Special “week-end guest” rates. These are due to higher week-endvacancies in the big city hotels that cater to business travelers Monday through Thursday.
+ Tour operators that offer “free accommodations” when you hustle up four or more paying travelers for their tours.
Laventhol & Horwath, the accounting firm for the hotel industry, reports that it’s rather easy to get a better hotel rate than the standard posted price or “rack” rate. All you need to do is ask.
(Discounts of 20% or more were available for the asking at a third of 270 luxury hotels surveyed by the accounting firm.)
For members of a trade (barter) exchange, often the easiest and best “bottom line rate” for hotel rooms are those acquired with your trade dollars.
That’s because you earned them at your variable cost of doing business—which probably is lower than any of the rates we’ve just covered.
This entry was posted on Saturday, March 24th, 2007 at 5:18 am and is filed under Entrepreneurs & Small Business, Media & Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
