Hey blog reader! It’s been a while. Too long, perhaps.
It seems there’s always a reason…
I set out to find out exactly why we haven’t updated this space recently, (completely unannounced, perhaps against their wills, and without even the most perfunctory duties of a stylist or paid hair/makeup professional.)
Here’s what they said.
We’ve made our rounds on everything from revenue management to marketing and beyond. After picking up a few things along the way, we’re happy to share them with you.
Join hosts Stuart Butler and Richard Dunbar as we talk relationship-building, infusing real hospitality into your marketing, and inspiring every traveler’s journey to your property in four webisodes.
We’ll share these thought-starters straight to your inbox, once weekly. What’s that look like?
Webisode 1: Fueling great storytelling
Set your marketing apart by providing real value to your audience. We’ll share how this mindset nurtures long-term relationships with your travelers that keeps them coming back.
Webisode 2: Fundamentals first
Tune into the importance of infusing the same hospitality you show on property into to your marketing strategy, nailing the basics and growing from there.
Webisode 3: Getting better every day
How to level up your marketing by caring for your brand and your guests.Webisode 4: Nurture lasting relationships
In our final webisode, we talk strategies to create memorable experiences that keep your guests coming back again and again.
At Flip.to and Fuel, we work hard to help travel brands around the world level up their marketing. Tune in below, and join us in the conversation—as we tackle challenges in travel together.
We think our customers are some of the best—and we’re not the only ones! Travel + Leisure recently released their 2018 list of the greatest hotels, resorts, destinations, and more as voted on by their readers. No surprise to us, more than a dozen of our incredible customers were recognized.
Watch here for some of the travelers who’ve shared their experiences at these properties and shown that advocacy is a win for everyone:
Congratulations to these top-notch properties for this well-deserved recognition!
#72 in the Top 100 Hotels in the World
#7 in the Top 10 Resort Hotels in Mexico
#61 in the Top 100 Hotels in the World
#5 in the Top 10 Resort Hotels in Mexico
#41 in the Top 100 Hotels in the World
#2 in the Top 15 Resort Hotels in Hawaii
#9 in the Top 25 Resort Hotels in the Caribbean
#5 in the Top 25 Resort Hotels in the Caribbean
#5 in the Top 10 Resort Hotels in the American South
#3 in the Top 10 Resort Hotels in California
#3 in the Top 10 Resort Hotels in Florida
#6 in the Top 10 Hotels in Charleston
#3 in the Top 10 Greater Miami Beach Resort Hotels
#2 in the Top 10 Greater Miami Beach Resort Hotels
#7 in the Top 10 City Hotels in Greater Los Angeles
#7 in the Top 10 Domestic Destination Spas
#16 in the Top 20 Hotel Brands in the World
#10 in the Top 20 Hotel Brands in the World
To see more of our customers and learn how advocacy is helping them win travelers at a scale like never before, visit our Customers page, or give us a shout!
Fuel Travel, StayNTouch and Flip.to examine technology trends to better align suppliers with industry wants and needs
ORLANDO, FL — July 19, 2018 — Fuel Travel, StayNTouch and Flip.to have partnered to launch a new study that examines perspectives from hoteliers and suppliers on industry technology. First debuted exclusively for attendees of the HITEC Hospitality Technology Show in June, the results are now being distributed globally.
The study surveyed hoteliers and suppliers to learn how the industry can improve from a technology perspective, with key takeaways for readers from both groups:
With data surveyed from 358 respondents—all responsible for purchasing or selling technology in hospitality—the study is unique from other research in that it goes beyond standard reporting to identify similarities and differences in priorities for where the industry and travel technology should be headed.
Overall, the results showed many positive indicators that hoteliers and suppliers are closely aligned.
Take, for instance, considerations for a new PMS. The factors which were “most important” for respondents from both groups fell in sync, with ease of use and seamless integration topping the list. In fact, the need for improved integration between existing products garnered a strong consensus from respondents. Guest experience was also a top priority.
Frewoini Golla, Director of Marketing for StayNTouch noted why findings like this are so critical for industry growth. “Better understanding where priorities lie helps vendors stay in tune with the challenges our customers are responsible for, and how we can serve their needs while topping their goals.”
Other areas where the study reported similarities and differences include factors influencing marketing spend, perspectives on new and emerging technology, and the process for considering new technology purchases.
Stuart Butler, Chief Operating Officer of Fuel Travel said of the results, “As vendors of this space, our eyes are fixed on the trajectory of travel technology and marketing, so having a better understanding of the wants and needs of those in the front-lines of hospitality really helps us all get better together.”
Richard Dunbar, Director of Partnerships at Flip.to echoed this sentiment. “It’s really important that we focus on helping our customers and all of the industry move the needle. The results of this survey have opened up a really compelling dialogue to grow the industry, today.”
To get your free copy of 2018 Hospitality Technology Study, download it here.
There’s only days left until the May 25th deadline for GDPR compliance. Since our primer last month, we’ve continued to put a lot of thought into the regulation, its role in the marketing landscape, and traveler-focused approaches.
That’s also meant making observations on how marketers the world around are handling it, too. Today, we got a fresh face on camera—Max, one of our front-end developers—to share some of our thoughts about one of the more rigorous aspects of GDPR compliance: opt-in and consents.
The bottom line: the intent of GDPR is to make us all better marketers. Steer clear of less-than-stellar methods that don’t treat your travelers’ data with care. A good rule? Practice the same hospitality your property or brand provides during their visit in the digital world, too.
By shifting not only your marketing strategy but also your approach to handling traveler interactions online, you’ll build a more engaged audience than ever before—and that’s a great thing.
Want to talk about leveling up your marketing and starting better conversations with travelers (before or beyond May 25)? Give us a shout.
We’re excited to become better marketers together!
GDPR. It’s a regulation that, in just over a month, will have a huge impact for marketers everywhere. While building compliance into our platform, we’ve gotten a ton of questions as to why it’s important, and how we’re handling the shift.
To help, we’re raising awareness industry-wide with a primer on how it affects all of us in travel:
To go further, we’re sharing what else we’ve learned.
For one thing, there’s the possibility that your existing marketing database is at risk. Legal counsel or insurance providers may stop use without proof that it’s in compliance. In the short-term, this potentially invaluable asset is where your focus should be.
If you’d like information about de-risking your database, get in touch with us here. We’ll share a usable fix to segment existing audiences, while kicking off a marketing campaign that’s a win for everyone involved.
In the meantime, check out AdWeek’s full take and let us know how you’re preparing for the long-term.
Set to go beyond data, we see it as a way to get into personal conversations that are expected and wanted by your travelers—leveling up all of us as travel marketers.
It’s been 60 days since the Philadelphia Eagles upset the New England Patriots at Super Bowl LII.
If you’re anything like me, though, what stuck with you wasn’t the game. I’m talking commercials—and the storytelling of brands who shelled out millions of dollars for their moment in the advertising spotlight.
And this year, thanks to Tourism Australia, destination marketing took center stage. Since the drop of the newest Dundee movie campaign, we’ve all been waiting in anticipation for what’s next for the brand.
Today, we speak to why it worked, the impact of Australia’s faux-film so far, and what the future looks like. Take a look!
For more on the Dundee campaign and its long-term impact for travel marketing in Australia, check out what the Drum and NewsComAu had to say, and be sure to tune in to the Why Australia video series.
Plus, let us know what you thought and be sure to follow along with Allison Schult, Hunter and me, here—we’d love to connect with you!
The lessons learned from DMA West were many. Aside from being introduced to the truly incredible city of Spokane (seriously, there is something for everyone, from great wine to arts & the outdoors—it’s on my radar for another visit!), the event brought together destination marketers on the front lines of where travel and tech are headed.
One presentation in particular stood out, from David Bratton over at Destination Analysts. He had a really interesting approach on how to improve your site, from content to context, through the eyes of your visitors.
Check out my recap:
Check out Destination Analysts here for more on their insights from the tech summit. Plus for more on this great city west of the Rocky Mountain foothills, get inspired over at Visit Spokane.
And as always, join the conversation! Reach out, or give me a follow here and let me know what you thought of our takeaways.
Earlier this month, we got to participate in the NAVIS Leaders Conference 2018 at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach—just a short drive from Flip.to’s home base in Orlando.
From on-point presentations to opportunities to connect with some pretty amazing people, NLC left its attendees with incredible insights that truly got to the heart of hospitality marketing. Thanks to NAVIS for a fantastic event and the chance to take part!
Check out the video below for my highlights, including the winners of our Hidden Treasures story contest—thank you to everyone who shared stories!
We love shaking up the hospitality marketing scene alongside folks like NAVIS (and in beautiful locations like Tradewinds). We can’t wait for next year’s event!
Reaching & inspiring quality audiences has always been a cornerstone of any effective travel marketing strategy. But now, more than ever, there are more factors to consider—from demographic, to conversion, to even the realness of the audience (all thanks to bots and “follower factories”).
Plus once found, how do you find and speak to those audiences in meaningful ways? Today, we cover this and more with our take on understanding your target audience and sparking authentic conversations.
For more on reaching real audiences, check out tnooz, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal for their takes, or reach out to me—I can’t wait to hear from you!
