A hotel salesperson talks with clients in person and on the phone to increase sales and profit.
A hotel salesperson, also called a sales associate, increases a hotel's profitability and number of occupied rooms and public spaces by appealing to clients. A hotel salesperson works closely with advertising, marketing and public relations departments to follow-through with client incentives--such as vacation package discounts and complementary services like a half-price massage--to draw in new and existing clients. Working directly under the sales manager, the salesperson is responsible for assisting the manager with all side projects and administrative roles in addition to meeting one on one with potential clients.
Main Duties
A salesperson presents ideas and incentives to clients.
A hotel salesperson is responsible for assisting with all client accounts that increase hotel sales and profit. A salesperson ascertains a customer's needs when meeting with him or talking to them over the phone. Reporting to the sales manager with client news, the salesperson may indicate that a hotel incentive, such as complimentary car service, may win over a client who will want to stay in the hotel. The salesperson also maintains the customer database, generates new leads, develops client referrals and prepares schedules for the sales manager and other sales associates.
Promotions
Promoting specials, such as a champagne breakfast, the salesperson appeals to interested hotel guests and groups.
The salesperson, along with the sales manager, develops promotional materials to bring in new clients to the hotel. This could mean coming up with incentive packages--such as a Valentine's Day special for couples or a discounted champagne breakfast through a normally lower profit month. The salesperson works with other sales associates to put the concept into action, seeking the go-ahead from the sales manager, hotel manager and other departments before selling the promotion.
Presentations
A salesperson may present sales pitches to managers and directors.
The salesperson is also responsible for presenting company products and services to current and potential clients. By presenting new room features, technologically improved meeting spaces, event halls and package deals for groups, the salesperson boosts hotel sales. This employee is ambitious and presents ideas and new hotel features fully behind the product.
Inter-Departmental
Hotel salespeople work closely with marketing directors and public relations directors to promote the hotel and increase sales. While marketing and advertising employees purchase advertising space and marketers develop step-by-step marketing ideas, the salesperson presents those ideas to draw in clientele. The salesperson can offer improvements and reports back to public relations and marketing personnel to suggest ways to improve their concepts.
Administrative
The salesperson assists the sales manager and other directors in reserving meeting spaces and and conference rooms, coordinate group events, create or update a customer database and corresponds with clients by phone and email.
Job Outlook & Salary
A salesperson can make up to $60,000 per year.
According to Indeed.com Salary Search, as of May 2010, a hotel salesperson made between $50,000 to $60,000 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of lodging managers was expected to grow 5 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is slower than the average for all occupations.
Tags: hotel salesperson, sales manager, clients hotel, manager other, public relations, salesperson also, with client