Promotional marketing is still one of the most powerful marketing strategies that any business can employ. Customers love the thought and gesture behind promotional products, which can boost brand recognition and loyalty, especially if they are well-considered.
Promotional products for hospitality can be used to attract guests from the minute that they visit a hotel or make a booking. They can be offered as a thank you for a reservation, to guests who come in for drinks or dinner, and to visitors who book overnight stays. Branded products boost the experience whilst projecting professionalism and a sense of the personal touch. Memorability and personalisation are of particular value when the promos are being used for a large group booking, conference, event or even the start of holiday season, creating goodwill from the outset.
There are so many different types of promotional products for hospitability to consider from branded pens and chocolates to branded banners and even big-ticket items such as golf bags or labelled wine. For example, many hotels like to include branded mini toiletries in guest bedrooms, and VIPs may be offered branded chocolate boxes in their rooms.
Which promotional products will work for your hospitality business?
The starting point for choosing the right products is to consider your objectives, target audience and your end goal. For example, if you are looking to appeal to your corporate customers, then branded pens can be useful. If you are looking to appeal to young families who are bringing their children in to enjoy food at your restaurant, then consider children's entertainment packs with small colouring books and puzzles.
Branded chocolates can be used across your hotel and are low-cost and invariably welcome. And branded tissues are particularly useful in winter! If you have an on-site spa you might consider branded toiletry minis, branded manicure sets and even branded bottles of fizz. For your VIP customers, you could go all-out with a branded hamper filled with delicious and seasonal treats, perhaps to say thank you for a year of custom and to stimulate further bookings.
How to choose promotional products for hospitality
Here are some ways to make the right decision for your business.
1. Decide who the audience is that you want to attract with your promotional products. Segment them as much as you need to. For example, you might look at corporate customers who book conference facilities.
2. Consider the objective of the promo item. For example, is it simply to remind the customer of your brand, to provide contact details or to say thank you? Desk pads and branded pens can be useful and offer ongoing brand recall.
3. Look at sustainability. Many customers now want promos that are useful and also sustainable, such as bamboo reusable coffee cups.
4. Consider unit price. The more you order, the more you will usually save.
5. Ensure consistent branding across all promotional products for hospitality to aid recall and brand reinforcement.