Business travelers represent strong potential for the hotel market. Indeed, this segment is active year-round with an average of 37 days spent in a hotel per year. There are therefore no real off-peak periods for this clientele. A real asset for your establishment, it is important to attract and retain them.
Business clientele, like leisure clientele, has basic expectations: price, location, and room comfort. But beyond these expectations, the business traveler seeks personalization in their stay, time optimization, and quality in the services offered. Thus, all these elements contribute to real added value in their guest experience and encourage them to return to your hotel for their next business trips. Attracting a business clientele is therefore essential to your strategy.
Meeting the needs of this segment means combining efficiency and uniqueness in the stay.
Before the Stay
A Simple and Fast Booking Process
To optimize your guest’s time, the booking procedure must be easy and intuitive. For this, integrate direct booking through your website with offers specially designed for the business segment. Don’t forget to ask about their mode of transportation so you can anticipate the best route to the hotel.
Packages Tailored to Their Needs
Offer personalized packages: stopover nights, 3-night business stays… Make it easy for them by offering an all-inclusive package with breakfast, as well as the services and amenities they have access to.
An Automated Message
Automatically send a message 48 hours before your guests’ arrival — they will find the best route to the hotel and all the information they may need before arriving.
A Personalized Transportation Service
One of the main services requested by business guests is transportation. Arriving by plane or train? Offer them a shuttle or taxi service. Arriving by car? Offer them a closed and secure parking lot. Don’t have parking? You can also set up partnerships with nearby parking facilities. An easily accessible establishment is a real time-saver for your guest!
Fast Check-In
No more documents to fill out upon arrival! Everything is done online now. Business travelers prepare their check-in directly via their smartphone or computer before their stay. Once at the hotel, they simply need to show up!
Indeed, business clientele prefer quick and warmer welcomes: focused on their expectations rather than administrative formalities. Once again, time optimization and one less source of stress!
Digital Solutions in Your Hotel
Attract business clientele the modern way! Inform your business traveler via an application about the services and amenities available at your hotel. Also add a list of recommended restaurants and activities nearby. This application will be your digital room directory! It will allow your business guest to organize their stay more easily.
A one-night guest or more? Make it easy by offering them the ability to book dinner from a list of restaurants available on their phone, for example. And even if it’s just one night, stand out from other hotels. This passing guest will remember you and think of your establishment for their next stays!
You can also highlight a page on your website listing the equipment and services available for business stays (workspace, high-speed connection, dry cleaning…).
During the Stay
Automated and Personalized Messages Throughout the Stay
Upon arrival, add a personal touch with a personalized welcome SMS!
During the stay, send SMS messages highlighting your special offers and generate additional sales! Offer them the option to order their meal directly from their smartphone by accessing the hotel’s digital menu. Give them the opportunity to discover activities and restaurants nearby by offering a list of recommendations. Highlight all your internal services that might interest them (spa, printer, dry cleaning…).
A Flexible and Available Front Desk
Business clientele appreciate front desks open 24/7. Consider offering a messaging service. It allows you to quickly handle all requests from your business clientele. The more available you are at all times, the more satisfied your guest will be!
Must-Have Room Amenities for a Successful Stay
A clean, comfortable, and well-insulated room with quality bedding are the basic criteria for your hotel.
To optimize their productivity, offer them a bright and quiet workspace with:
- Desk
- Ergonomic chair
- Electrical outlets
- High-speed WiFi connection. This internet connection must also be secure to ensure the safety of their professional information.
To maximize their comfort, provide:
- A toiletry set (shower gel, shampoo, and bath towel)
- An ironing board
- A hot beverage machine
- A flat-screen TV with a list of available movies
- A QR Code redirecting to your digital room directory
Make this room a space combining relaxation and work.
Dining
On-site or nearby dining services are very important for business travelers. They consider at 61% that this service is essential. Your hotel must ensure it offers quality meals and prioritize regional products. For breakfast, break from the routine and focus on pastries! Also consider early openings of the breakfast buffet. If you don’t have a dining service, recommend restaurants at prices consistent with your hotel.
Also consider a dry cleaning service so they can have their suit pressed for a meeting, for example. Don’t forget to have a printer available for printing professional documents.
All these services will bring real added value to your guest’s stay experience.
Relaxation Spaces
Offer them spaces to unwind after an intensive workday. Gym, spa, library lounge… Free access to wellness services is highly appreciated by business guests. Show them they are an exceptional client.
Loyalty
Attract a business clientele first, then build loyalty. You can offer them preferential rates or special offers to use immediately or for their second stay. Free access to the gym or spa, a gift voucher for a massage, a complimentary drink at the bar, or a free night, for example. Alternatively, you can offer them discounts at partner businesses. Business guests must feel privileged!
Fast Check-Out
At departure time, let them simply drop off their keys at the front desk. Send them their invoice in the room at the end of their stay. This way, they can review it at their leisure and verify there are no discrepancies. Then proceed with the remote payment by sending the invoice directly by email to the company.
After the Stay
From Business Traveler to Corporate Group
Think bigger! Don’t just build a relationship with the individual business traveler — build one with their entire company. Highlight the corporate seminars and meeting rooms available at your hotel!
