RM MAGAZINE issue 7 RM MAGAZINE issue 7 2018 | Page 14

F E AT U R E A R T I C L E in hand, revenue managers can identify guests who are not only repeat customers but they can now use the right automated data to identify those with higher check values in the restaurant, high-rolling gamers, guests who consistently book full-day spa treatments, or those that are regular shoppers in the retail shops. Using Technology to Increase Revenue Forward-thinking hoteliers begin to build relationships from the moment a guest steps foot on their property, and that is where a loyalty program can give them an edge. More and more brands are offering consumers the ability to create detailed guest profiles that include itineraries, interests, and preferences. Information retrieved from online profiles can, in turn, be used to drive revenue. Marketers will have access to the data they need to target high-value guests, and booking agents will have the background they need to deliver personalized offers based on a guest’s history. Incentives like discounts at on- property retail shops, restaurants, or the spa can help build loyalty and generate repeat business. In an increasingly digital, data-centric business, hoteliers can leverage a consumer’s reliance on digital technology by aggregating every piece of intelligence they can. Arming operations staff with that knowledge will help them anticipate a guest’s needs and offer a more intimate, tailored level of service. It’s important to reward high-value guests with actions while they’re on property. Recognize them by name when they check in and remember the pillow they like. By offering extras like exclusive access to concierge floors or cocktail hours for booking directly, guests receive the elevated experience they want. Hoteliers want to offer those perks to the most profitable guests, and if they are going to accomplish this goal, revenue management, sales, and marketing need to be in synergy. If the people in operations can’t execute during the guest’s stay, they lose a significant opportunity to strengthen loyalty, and might just send the guest right back to shopping OTAs. Positioning for Success Business Intelligence is also valuable in assessing a property’s current position in the marketplace and highlighting opportunities for gaining a bigger piece of the pie. Analyzing the data can help revenue managers quickly identify trends, more accurately forecast demand, and proactively optimize pricing, all while offering insights into strategies that can help increase revenue and accelerate hotel growth. The Westgate Las Vegas, a long-standing Rainmaker customer, has been using revintel at their property since 2016. Geno Iafrate, President & General Manager of the Westgate Las Vegas, explains the importance of having 14 Better Revenue I Better Industry I APAC I www.revenuemanagement.com.au connected systems to gather information. “We have a multifaceted business that requires a keen and detailed understanding of every area at every level. This is of the utmost importance in our revenue management practices, as it helps us to both forecast accurately and to turn the data that the system provides into actionable strategies. To get the granular level view of the integrated data we need, a seamless and solid integration between our PMS, our RMS and all other systems relevant to the process is a critical factor.” Revenue managers have access to a mountain of relevant information to help them analyze, monitor and evaluate their property’s performance. Examining the competition is important, but it’s not everything. Each hotelier must design an attainable set of metrics to evaluate their own success. BI data can offer insight into both past performance and future expectations. Revenue managers can use analysis and tracking to compare metrics year-over- year and then weigh in guest and employee satisfaction, social media scores, and staff retention levels. After crunching all those numbers, what is the bottom line? When the revenue is climbing and there are rooms available for the most valuable guests, they know they are measuring and acting on the right data points. In an increasingly diverse and rapidly growing marketplace, the most important competitor for any given property might just be the property itself. It is all too easy, even natural, to focus on the competition. However, a smart marketing intelligence tool, along with an integrated revenue management system, can help you monitor and account for your comp set. Once the right tools are in place you can focus that time on making better decisions based on actionable data that reveals what’s working and what’s not within your own property. Revenue managers must ask the right questions and measure what matters. This is key to understanding guest behavior and getting actionable data to make better decisions. Using automated tools to analyze data, revenue managers can intelligently determine whether it’s time to tweak the business model or make a change in strategy. Rainmaker’s revintel is the industry’s top business intelligence tool. The insights coming from revintel help properties all over the world understand the pulse of their business and guide decision making processes so that they understand not only what makes their property tick, but also the why behind it. Learn more about Rainmaker’s revenue optimization tools, including the industry’s top business intelligence tool, revintel at www.letitrain.com