Heads in Beds : Hospitality and Tourism Marketing

Rating:
Summary: Practical and useful
Review: As a hotel marketing and PR manager I was expecting "Heads In Beds" to be a revision of some old and well known topics. But, surprisingly, it is fresh, interesting and contains a wealth of useful information and colourful examples. The progression of covered material is logical and the fourteen chapters are well researched. The author draws from personal experiences and the focus on branding throughout the text is very helpful. I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: new classic
Review: Great stuff. Good for novices and pros alike depending on what you need. I read all reviews and agree with all. Comprehensive, easy to read, entertaining. If you read it with Kotler's Textbook you'll make your boss really happy...'til you replace him.



Rating:
Summary: If you work at a hotel you must read this book
Review: I have bought and read 5 different books on hospitality and marketing in the last 12 months alone. And while most books contain good information, this one truly tells you what you need to know. Reminiscent of Ogilvy and Caples, with a twist for the new millenium, and in the context of hospitality and travel, but avoiding puffery, he makes sure you are using your marketing to produce results and not waste any money. He provides enough detail about key marketing actions...from advertising to public relatsions...to branding...to promotions...to loyalty marketing and working with travel suppliers. He even has an entire chapter devoted to managing the marketing budget and how to maximize your dollars...I can't remember another marketing book that does that. This is great for anyone who needs to manage the process, which is what most of us need. I'm not the one creating those ads or brochures, or taking those pictures, but I sure as hell need to educate myself on the process so I can manage well and make educated decisions and this book does exactely that. And if you are new to the business and look to enter hospitality this is a great book to tell you what it takes to fill a hotel and attract guests.

Rating:
Summary: HEADS IN BEDS IS AN SOLID RESOURCE FOR TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS
Review: I LIKED THE TOPICS COVERED AND THE PROGRESSION OF THE MATERIAL IS LOGICAL. THE CONVERSATIONAL STYLE MAKES IT EASY TO READ--IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE A CONVERSATION WITH THE AUTHOR. I ALSO LIKE THAT ALMOST EVERY CHAPTER ENDS WITH A LIST OF INTERNET ADDRESSES WHICH ALLOW THE READER TO LOOK INTO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REVIEWED IN THE CHAPTER. EVEN THOUGH THE FOCUS IS ON MARKETING THIS BOOK IS A GOOD RESOURCE FOR ANYONE IN TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY BECAUSE THE TOPICS INCORPORATE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS OF THE TRAVEL PRODUCT AND DISCUSS THEM AS PART OF THE MARKETING APPROACH. THIS BOOK

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended
Review: I've worked my entire career in tourism and hospitality and this is one of the best trade books that I have read. I wish I had it as one of my courses in college or when I started my career. It would have made my life much easier. the great thing about it is that it reads very easy yet the covered material is very detailed and in depth. Great information on branding, designing brochures, loyalty marketing, travel agent and touroperator marketing, public relations, promotions, budgets, product development, even how to work with photographers and more. It even contains a marketing plan and a lot of websites for additional information. Even the images throughout the book are cool. Too bad that they are black and white and not color.

Rating:
Summary: 2 thumbs up
Review: If you like a book that doesn't beat around the bush, provides ample info, facts and is entertaining to read, this is it. Finally a book that was written by someone who's been in the reader's shoes, not some consultant dispersing theoretic advice.
Great chapters, some with unique and rare info, nice examples and illustrations. 5 stars+!

Rating:
Summary: If you work at a hotel you must read this book
Review: Loved it: a no-BS book providing solid advice. Chapters on advertising, branding and creating brochures should be required reading for anyone in marketing and advertising. The Loyalty marketing chapter is fantastic. Marketing to travel agents very complete.

Rating:
Summary: A good primer
Review: There are currently enough books devoted to hospitality marketing to fill a small library. Heads in Beds holds several advantages over many of these volumes:

1) It is not a "door stop": Measuring in at a slim 253 pages it is easy to read and digest

2) It is written for the layman: No unnecessary jargon is used to confuse and bemuse. Raza is to the point and doesn't waste words.

3) It covers the basics well: Defining who your market is, what your product is, and ways you can get the word out through advertising and the media. Furthermore, Raza gives excellent information on branding your property, creating effective brochures, and dealing with travel agents - information that can apply to any type of tourism business

4)It is written for all types of properties: Much of the information is general enough that it can apply to both B&B's and hotels large and small.

While not all strategies in this book will be suitable for every tourism business, there are enough valuable hints contained to make it worthwhile reading for anyone who owns or operates a hospitality property, or is interested in marketing in general.



Rating:
Summary: Tremendous resource
Review: Yes, this is a serious resource for marketers, advertisers and ad agency staff I hospitality and travel and even beyond. I create advertising and promotions for some travel clients and this is the best book so far on the subject. "The product as an element of the brand. The brand's body language. Challenges of branding. The knowledge it takes to manage and approve advertising. The fine line between creativity, salesmanship and art. Running promotions instead of demotions. The price as a key marketing tool...." The list goes on and on...just one solid advice after another. Creative, to the point, witty. Finally an author that gets it. ANYONE who works in developing, marketing or creating advertising for travel and tourism must read this.