Lessons on Relationship Marketing Strategies from the Hospitality Industry

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Every restaurant in the world has four walls, and naturally food and drinks. What creates real success is the relationships that exist within

What makes a restaurant the place to be is purely social science in action.


It’s a classic dilemma, and a question that is the source of many arguments I’m sure.

“Where should we go to eat?”

Or perhaps you were considering a place to go get drinks. Either way, consider now the many factors that are rolled into making that decision.

I’ll help you out. Usually it comes down to the type of food and drink that are available, the ambiance and/or view, and the way you feel about the social environment within that place.

The most unusual thing about these factors is that the first two can be completely disregarded when the third, which is the way you feel about the social environment in your list of places, is positive and appeals to you.

One of the primary goals in the hospitality industry is creating a comfortable and safe environment for social interaction and relationship building

The elements of hospitality that make up great relationship marketing in practice


There’s no question that the hospitality industry is a huge phenomenon, and a critical part of our everyday lives.

The hospitality industry is so deeply ingrained into our culture that people would probably go out to a restaurant or stay at a hotel even if the environment wasn’t welcoming…just for the act itself.

But for those businesses who are successful in the hospitality industry, that success can certainly be attributed to their welcoming environment and culture and the way that they make their guests feel.

The strategies that such businesses use are so impactful and effective that it would be wise for any business, in any industry, to follow their lead in customer relations.

Three of the big lessons that hospitality industry businesses can teach us from their operations.


The customer may not always be right, but in hospitality the focus is always on them
From the time people step on the property, the hospitality industry is obsessed with providing the best possible customer service
Almost nothing will sustain a business better than holding on to the loyal, supportive customers you’ve already done business with

These three lessons in relationship marketing can, and should be, applied to any business where there is any interaction with any customer.

Failure in any of these three categories could lead to the ultimate failure of your business.

Remember, every industry is a hospitality industry in some form.

– Kennedy & Company