What Does a Hotel Marketing Professional Do?
Hotel marketing professionals conceptualize and implement marketing programs for hotels. Read on to learn more about the job responsibilities and skills of a hotel marketer.
Career Overview
A hotel marketer creates advertising and promotional programs for hotels and hotel chains. The goal of hotel marketing is to increase the profitability of a hotel by enhancing how the hotel is directed to potential guests. Hotel marketing requires professionals to understand a hotel's mission and goals. According to the American Marketing Association (www.marketingpower.com), hotel marketers are increasingly using digital and online marketing techniques to attract customers. These techniques can include search engine optimization, creating websites and advertising on sites that allow customers to make hotel reservations online.
Important Facts About Hotel Marketing Professionals
| Similar Occupations | Sales managers, marketing managers, lodging managers |
| Work Environment | Typically in an office environment with occasional outside marketing meetings and events |
| Key Skills | Analytical skills, communication, creativity, decision-making, organization |
| On-the-job Training | Hotel marketing professionals typically have work experience in a related sales or advertising field and need minimal on-the-job training |
Required Skills
It's important for hotel marketers to understand marketing techniques and the hospitality industry. Because much of a hotel marketer's job involves the use of online strategies, the ability to utilize and follow evolving digital trends is key. Hotel marketing professionals have many additional skills, which may include the following:
- Knowledge of search engine optimization
- Ability to monitor and understand consumer behavior and trends
- Strong technical skills
- Understanding of marketing and brand practices
- Ability to conceptualize a hotel brand's mission
- Experience collaborating with hotel reservation websites
Education
Aspiring hotel marketers may choose to pursue a degree in marketing or a related field. Some employers require candidates for hotel marketing positions to hold a bachelor's degree. Many also ask that hotel marketers have several years of prior experience in online marketing and the hotel or hospitality industry.
Salary Info and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov), the average annual salary earned by marketing managers working in traveler accommodation, such as hotel managers, was $135,030 in May 2021. The employment of all marketing managers is expected to grow by 10% between 2021 and 2031, per the BLS.