Opinion Articles

Reservations Reconfirmation Calls Present Opportunities To Build The Brand, Upsell, and Cross-Sell

As online bookings increase, the number of reservations inquiry calls decreases over time. Yet when you spend time at a busy front desk or in the reservations office, the calls continue to ring. Why? Many of those who book online still call the hotel directly to reconfirm their booking, especially if they originally booked at a third-party OTA website. Inbound reconfirmation calls occur more frequently at upscale hotels and destination resorts, where travelers are typically celebrating special occasions, traveling with large parties, and/or flying to their destinations. However, they also happen surprisingly often at all hotel types, including focused service.

The Great Hotel Sales Divide: System-First or Proposal-First — Which One Are You?

In hotel groups and event sales, timing is everything. The moment a lead comes in, whether from a meeting planner’s RFP, a trade show connection, or a casual inquiry, the clock starts ticking. The speed, accuracy, and professionalism of the initial response can make the difference between securing the booking or losing it to a competitor.