New Ideas and New Media Mark the Approach of a New Year for HMC's Loyalty Programs

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospitality Marketing Concepts (HMC), the leading solution provider of turnkey hotel loyalty programs has announced plans to increase revenue for clients in 2011 through the introduction of new technologies and fresh approaches to marketing.

In 2010, HMC's proprietary, state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive marketing initiatives helped many hotel clients recover their share of the market. Hotels with loyalty memberships reported significant growth in both rooms and F&B revenue in the first three quarters of 2010 — growth that surpasses other market segments. Hotels in Asia Pacific enjoyed a 21% increase in rooms revenue and 10% increase in F&B; while similar results were reported in China and Southeast Asia – with one client seeing an increase of 38% in total revenue. Select hotels experienced upwards of 70% in growth year after year.

HMC client hotels currently have access to a robust CRM platform that allows hotels to stay in touch with members, analyze their usage, recognize stop spenders, activate non-users, and deploy tactical email offers as needed.

In 2011, HMC will improve upon its existing CRM, launching a new technology platform that will be even faster and easier to use. Leading 3rd party applications, integrated into HMC's CRM, will continue to include Silverpop, top-ranked in email campaign management and ZenDesk, a leader in customer service automation.

As the strength of social networking increases worldwide, HMC is at the forefront. HMC's marketing team, led by Angela Lee, director of client services and a graduate of Les Roches Hotel Management and Cornell University, creates and maintains Facebook and Twitter pages for every hotel membership program. HMC was also first in the industry to partner with Topguest, a new service that increases engagement by rewarding users with loyalty points and perks for virtual "check-ins" via major location-based service applications like Facebook Places, Twitter and Foursquare.

"HMC is the loyalty membership leader because we recognize the value of implementing the latest developments in technology and utilizing upcoming social trends and influences," said Mokhtar Ramadan, CEO of Hospitality Marketing Concepts. "Static offers and passive programs are no longer enough to secure consumer loyalty. The future is about engagement. That's why HMC's multi-tiered marketing team works with our hotel partners at all levels—from corporate to regional to local. Statistics show hotels that actively engage members are rewarded with higher revenue growth, increased memberships and greater loyalty year after year."

Hospitality Marketing Concepts (HMC)

Headquartered in Newport Beach, Southern California, HMC is the leading provider of travel industry paid consumer membership and database management programs. HMC provides services to more than 1,000 full-service hotels worldwide. A selection of clients includes InterContinental, Le Meridien, Starwood, Ritz, Shangri-La, Mandarin Oriental, Husa, Orbis, and Swissotel. HMC is a global company with offices in more than 50 countries including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, UAE, Egypt, Venezuela, Brazil, Canada, United Kingdom and United States. More information about HMC may be found on the company's website www.hmcloyalty.com or by contacting Peter Gorla, Vice President of Marketing at +1 (949) 260-9538 or via email at [email protected].

SOURCE Hospitality Marketing Concepts