www.easyinnkeeping.com www.easywebrez.com
Issue XXV - May 15 , 2003
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"InnTech
News" for May
Brought to you every month
by
Sara Corinne, Editor
IN THIS ISSUE:
 WELCOME |
:
|
InnTech News |
| EDITOR |
:
|
Sara Corinne |
| ARTICLE |
:
|
What’s in a Room? |
| IN
THE NEWS |
:
|
Americans – Ready for a Summer Drive |
| SPECIAL
DISCOUNT |
: | 15% Discount – Easy InnKeeping Reservation Software |
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EDITORIAL: Note from the Editor - Sara Corinne
Welcome
to InnTech news!
This is a source of some FREE technical advice
and
exclusive SPECIAL OFFERS for InnTech readers.
The
focus of this newsletter is to touch on the
kinds
of technology you may use in your day-to-day
business.
Please
feel free to forward this to your friends and
colleagues in the hospitality business...
Sincerely,
Sara Corinne
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| New Easy WebRez 3.0 | |
| Now is a great time to sign up for Online Reservations! Why Wait? | |
| |
| To sign up for our ONLINE DEMO contact | |
| mailto:easywebrez@gracesoft.com Or call 1-888-781-1086 |
ARTICLE: What’s in a Room?
In a sluggish economy, some property owners make the mistake of lowering room rates in hopes of increasing business. According to a study at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, lowering room rates may place the property at a higher risk of revenue erosion. What this economy calls for is creative marketing to increase room revenue. Ask yourself the question – “what’s in a room” that’s worth paying more for? In any economy – amenities can significantly raise a room rate, and still provide great value to a very satisfied guest.
Couple or Private Retreats
Electronic
Massage Chair.
For
the individual or couple whose primary purpose for their getaway is to
rest, relax and rejuvenate. Jacuzzis and hot tubs are standards, but how
about something you wouldn’t find in just any property? An electronic
massage chair (http://www.vitality-web.com ). It’s a great alternative for
those who like the idea of a massage, but would rather just snuggle into a
chair then undress in front of a masseuse! I recently met a couple that
while traveling used a cappuccino maker from home to make coffee in their
cabin. For those who like to relax in the morning with their favorite
brew, there’s a variety of inexpensive 1-2 cup specialized coffee brewers
that let your guest grind fresh beans and make fresh coffee right in their
room.
For the Wedding Party It
seems there’s always someone in the family ready to be an amateur
“photographer” for the weekend. Use of a camera (visit
http://www.dpreview.com/ for online reviews) and disk could be offered as
an optional service for wedding parties. Maybe the family would be willing
to let you use some of their beautiful photos for marketing your property
to future couples! Access to the Internet. This is preferably high-speed
access, and if you haven’t yet added this to your room amenities – the
options are affordable and accessible. Internet TV: This is an access option which may
be news to some of you.
Provide email access, and Internet browsing with a wireless
keyboard and TV. DSL:
Video/Digital
Camera
For the Corporate Guest
Cable: The same advantage of freeing up phone lines is available with a cable modem. A local cable company like Time Warner now offers Internet cable connections, as well as TV cable. It’s usually possible to sign up for their Internet Service separately from the TV cable plan. The speed is comparable to what’s available though a DSL service.
Satellite: If you don’t have either the DSL or cable option available to you, satellite high-speed service available almost anywhere!Remote access and easy room management
Executive Meetings & Planning SeminarsCD Boom Box and Plasma TV
Why would any company or business choose an historic or small property for their executive meeting or all staff training? Environment, atmosphere – they’re hoping these elements will stimulate creative thinking and innovative planning. The Embassy Suites Hotels thinks there’s money to be made in the area of creativity. In fact they debuted their first “Creativity Suite” a few months ago. The room includes “a gaggle of tools, toys and snack foods integrated in the room to root out the creative ideas.” (Hotel Interactive “Embassy Gets ‘Creative’ With New Room Concept” By Glenn Haussman). The suite seems to be designed to arouse all senses, with snacks scattered around, sound coming from high quality CD boom boxes (http://www.bose.com) and visual stimulus through a computer and plasma TV screen (http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/). If you have a room frequently used for meetings and presentations, an LCD Projector is a good investment. These projectors allow a presentation configured on a laptop computer to display for an entire room of people to view.
Each of these amenities requires a bit of an investment – so as with any new marketing, research will be important in gauging the returns. I hope, if nothing else, this article stirs up some of your own creative juices as you discover new ways to bring novel experiences to your guests!
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Special Discount: 15% Discount on Deluxe and
Suite Versions
Purchase before May 26, 2003 and receive this great
discount!
For more
Information mailto: easyinnkeeping@gracesoft.com
Or call 1-888-781-1086
You can download a FREE 30 DAY TRIAL by visiting the
Free
Demo page in Easy InnKeeping.com
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IN THE NEWS : Americans – Ready for a Summer Drive!
Wednesday, May 14,
2003 Posted: 10:01 AM EDT (1401 GMT)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The economy, the Iraq war and terrorism worries, which have put a damper on Americans' travel plans, won't keep people home this Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the summer tourism season, travel industry officials said Wednesday.
About the same number of people as last year -- 35 million -- will travel at least 50 miles from home over Memorial Day, predicted AAA, the former American Automobile Association.
"AAA believes that the rough times for travel may not be over, but that the worst part is definitely in our rearview mirror," said AAA Vice President Sandra Hughes.
Overall, summer tourism should increase slightly over 2002 levels, the Travel Industry Association said. But the declining economy will encourage travelers to stay closer to home and drive to their destinations, the group said.
For complete story – click
here http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/05/14/summer.travel.ap/index.html
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Because you have indicated an interest in GraceSoft products
and/or services, your address was included in this mailing.
Sincerely,
Sara Corinne,
Editor, Marketing Consultant
GraceSoft
12220 Murphy Rd - K Stafford,
TX 77477 USA
888-781-1086
www.gracesoft.com
www.easyinnkeeping.com
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