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Hotel Lure Guests With F&B Deals
09 April 2009 10:10 AM
By Christine Blank
HotelNewsNow.com contributor
INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Many properties are combating the recession by tying in food-and-beverage extras with group bookings and promoting their restaurants to locals.
“Everyone is trying to go out and get as many meetings as possible and offer as many incentives as possible,” said Joseph McInerney, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. “However, they don’t want to make it look like they’re lowering their rates. Instead, they’re offering value-added packages.
”Sunset Resorts, a group of resorts throughout Jamaica, began offering a value package for events and meetings in the spring of 2008. Groups that booked one of the resorts for 2009 (with certain minimum requirements) could receive a one-hour private cocktail reception with snacks, a 10-percent discount on spa services, a complimentary meeting room based on availability and a welcome tropical drink at check-in, among other amenities. As an additional up-sell, groups can upgrade their standard complimentary bar service to a premium bar package.
“We’ve had an excellent response,” said Charmaine Deane, direct or of sales administration for Sunset Resorts. “We’ve been able to increase our group bookings with this incentive.
”Of all the value-added amenities for groups, they’re most interested in the complimentary cocktail reception.
“We cater to a lot of incentive groups, and they use the one-hour cocktail reception as a gratuitous welcome or farewell gesture to their group members,” Deane said.
Traveling with pets: Road trip tips for your furry friends
Traveling with pets is a growing trend and can be a pleasant experience for both you and your pet if you plan ahead. Family pets are often a big part of the family, and sometimes it's hard to leave those adorable faces behind when you leave town.
Failing to carefully plan a road trip with your pet can lead to an endurance ride of hourly stops, nonstop whining and barking as well as a lack of pet-friendly places to stay. By using the internet for researching and planning, you can be assured that your vacation will be pleasurable and relaxing for everyone.
Here are a few things to consider when traveling with your pet: