Tips for Hotels Hosting Members of the Media
It’s Time to Shine When Travel Writers and Bloggers Check-in
Quality travel articles published in magazines, newspapers, and online carry more credibility with consumers than paid advertisements. Inspiring articles about a destination will encourage people to visit and hotels can host travel writers and travel bloggers to gain more editorial exposure. Hotels can use the following tips to create positive experiences travel writers will want to publish.
Hotels Hosting Travel Writers: How to Find Them
Hotels interested in hosting travel writers and bloggers should determine whether to extend complimentary accommodations or a media rate on accommodations. Various factors come into play in determining a discount or to fully host a travel writer including time of year, length of stay, reach of publication, and if the writer is on assignment. Some travel writers cannot accept complimentary accommodations and will appreciate a discounted media rate.
Hotels seeking free media exposure should contact the local tourism office or chamber of commerce and advise they are interested in hosting travel bloggers and writers. Not every writer will be a right fit so hotels should be selective as to who they host. Hosting a writer does not guarantee inclusion in the resulting article but making a positive impression will increase the chances of receiving free media exposure. If not included in the travel article, the hotel has done their part in supporting the destination’s overall marketing efforts resulting in potential business for the entire community which will trickle down to the host hotel.
Hosting Travel Writers: Before Hotel Check-in
Think of hosting a travel writer or blogger as hosting a friend who just isn’t going to tell 10 friends about their visit but will be telling a million friends about their visit. Hosting a writer is the hotel’s opportunity to put their best foot forward.
Before the travel writer visits, a member of upper management should inspect the hotel room. This includes looking behind doors and dressers, under beds and making sure everything in the room is in working order. A Very Important Person list should be maintained so all hotel staff are aware of VIP’s visit because chances are writers will be interacting with back of house staff.
Placing a fruit plate, complimentary bottles of water, something crafted from a local artisan or indigenous to the area is a nice welcoming touch. Everyone likes being spoiled, including travel writers, but they also appreciate practical items so careful thought should be put into the welcome gift. Notebooks, great pens, T-shirts, tote bags and really cool unique items are appreciated and include a welcome note, preferably handwritten. Importantly, give the travel writer a media kit or at the very list a hotel brochure.
Hosting Travel Writers: Hotel Check-in
If possible, the staff person who coordinated the writer’s visit should welcome them upon arrival and be accessible if questions or issues arise during the visit. Importantly, do not pester the travel writer as usually they will want to experience the hotel just as other guests do.
Hosting Travel Writer: Hotel Check-out
Follow up immediately with the travel writer if asked to supply additional information otherwise touch base after a week to make sure they have everything they need. Thank them for their visit and add them to the hotel’s media distribution list. Do not pester the travel blogger or writer to ask when the article will be published but when a copy of their published article is received, reply with a thank you note.
Utilize common sense when hosting a travel writer or blogger to garner free and positive editorial coverage. Find additional marketing tips in the article, "3 No-Cost Marketing Tips for Tourism Businesses."
Hotels Hosting Travel Writers
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Business & Finance
Latest Articles