Black Friday for Hospitality Properties? Increase Cash Flow!

For many recreational hospitality properties, the time after Thanksgiving weekend until Christmas can be very slow. While waiting for the holidays / deep snow / or the return

Buy One, Get One Gift Certificates

of the snow birds, boost your cash flow by selling gift certificates!

Take advantage of all the media hype. Big advertising has trained consumers they must shop the day after Thanksgiving. Purchasing a gift certificate at your hospitality property over the phone or online means no lines or crowds.

Chances are your gift certificate purchasers are loyal customers. Why not reward them by giving them a gift certificate too? Buy a gift certificate of $150 or more and receive a gift certificate for a fixed dollar amount or a % of the full priced certificate.

Use a mail service such as Constant Contact to get your message out. Have your message arrive at 5 am on Black Friday or just after Thanksgiving dinner. Be creative, your guests love you! This is an easy sell.

~ Lisa

The Confirmation Letter, a Sales Tool? You bet.

The confirmation letter is the first communication with a new guest after you’ve made the sale. A good confirmation letter will include the dates and accommodations reserved, clear driving directions and perhaps GPS coordinates, and a warm welcome message. But why stop there?

Letting a future guest know what to expect is always appreciated. Check in and check out
times along with parking information such as valet, location and cost if should be included in the confirmation letter.  Include restaurant operating days / hours clues readers in that your property has a restaurant. This also works for your gift shop, horse barn, fly shop, snowmobile rental operation, bar or tavern.

But go a little further. Sell them a bottle of wine that can be waiting in their room. Sell a selection of guide chosen fishing flies that will await them on check in. Sell a trail ride / rafting adventure / guided hunting trip / ski lift ticket during their stay. Offer a BOGO (Buy one, get one) appetizer or cocktail on their first night.

Be sure your new guest knows all about your offerings. Your confirmation letter is the perfect place to promote everything your recreational hospitality property offers.

~ Lisa