LODGING LEADERS
037 | Why Digital Marketing is Key for Independent Hotels with Gaurav Varma
LODGING LEADERS
Gaurav Varma is Product Marketing Manager for Milestone Internet Marketing – a leading provider of Internet marketing solutions for the lodging industry. Milestone does it all, from Website Design to Search Engine Optimization, Pay-per-Click marketing, Social Media Optimization, Email marketing, you name it. Milestone currently works with nearly 2000 hotels and retail customers, driving over $150M in annual revenue for its clients.
In November, I attended the AAHOA Independent Hotelier Conference in Houston, and Milestone’s CEO, Anil Aggarwal, was one of the speakers. His presentation on “Why Digital Marketing is Key for Independent Hotels” was so informative, that I reached out to Anil to ask if we could use that as a guide for a podcast interview.
Anil not only agreed, he connected me with Guarav to expand on that amazing content for today’s episode.
And, as an added bonus, Milestone agreed to share their slide deck for FREE with the Lodging Leaders community. The content they provided applies to any hotel, not just independent properties, and you can use the information to improve your business without spending a dime with Milestone.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
- The 4 areas that hoteliers need to think about in terms of digital marketing, including a Website, Reviews, SEO and Pay Per Click.
- Why a hotel should invest in a Website and Marketing, and why direct website business is so important.
- The ROI for websites, and the type of returns you can expect.
- The technology behind the websites, and Gaurav explains some of the technical jargon you hear, like mobile-friendly, responsive adaptive designs, and optimization.
- Search engines, ideal search placement, and Pay Per Click advertising (PPC).
- Reviews, social media and effectively managing your online reputation.
Resources & Links
Gaurav Varma
- Email: gaurav.v[at]milestoneinternet.com
- Gaurav on LinkedIn
- Gaurav on Twitter
Milestone Internet Marketing, Inc.
- Milestone Website
- Milestone on Facebook
- Milestone on Twitter
- Milestone on Google+
- Milestone on Flickr
- Milestone on YouTube
- Milestone on LinkedIn
Milestone Internet Marketing, Inc.
3001 Oakmead Village Drive
Santa Clara, California 95051
Toll Free: 866-615-2516
Phone: 1-408-492-9055
Email: sales[at]milestoneinternet.com
LODGING LEADERS
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342 | Live Long and Prosper: Hospitality industry embraces senior living
Since she was a teenager volunteering at senior-living facilities in Boston, Serena Lipton knew she wanted a career in senior housing. But she had a difficult time finding the college program she believed would educate and prepare her to serve in the senior-living industry. After graduating from Boston University School of Hospitality Administration and working as an analyst for JLL’s Senior Housing Valuation Advisory, Lipton finally found what she was looking for. This fall she enrolled in BU’s Master of Management in Hospitality with a new concentration in senior living. She and other students are on the cusp of what BUSHA believes is a massive shift in how Americans view aging and where opportunities lie for the hospitality industry.
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341 | One Big Happy: Travel survey reveals how hotels can attract families
Rainer Jenss of Nyack, New York, founded the Family Travel Association seven years ago to help parents and caregivers introduce children to the world through travel, whether that’s a yearlong trip around the world that Jenss and his family took or a weekend getaway to a nearby destination. To help the travel industry gauge what parents want when they take their kids on vacation, FTA conducts an annual study. The U.S. Family Travel Survey 2021 reveals the shift in mindset the COVID-19 pandemic has created in families planning a trip over the next 12 months. Hoteliers use can use the information to generate business and boost their strategies to recover and sustain business now and other the coming months.