Businesses need to make a profit to survive. The best way to secure new clients and maintain the current ones is to advertise and market to them. Hospitality and tourism is a virtually recession proof industry, but you will increase your bottom line by establishing an identity and offering promotions.

History

According to Advertising Age, marketing dates back to 1742. This is when the first advertisement was printed in Benjamin Franklin’s “General Magazine.”

Types

Traditional types of marketing include direct mail-a printed piece that is mailed to targeted demographics; loyalty cards-a physical card that offers incentives and coupons to shoppers; and social media-online interactive advertising utilizing sites like Twitter, FaceBook, and MySpace.

Considerations

The most important aspect of a marketing campaign is branding. The American Marketing Association (AMA) states that a “brand” is a combination of a company name and logo that is easily identifiable. Your goal is to get the consumer to pick your company over the competition.

Benefits

Marketers are familiar with The Law of Seven. This means a prospective customer needs to see your name or logo seven times before it makes an impression. Consistency and visibility with branding is key.

Misconceptions

A successful marketing campaign for the hospitality and tourism industry can be accomplished at little to no cost. Marketing your company with business cards, selling gift certificates, and being active in the community gets your company name out without breaking the bank.