Ask an Insider
~ Words by Vickie Sam Paget, Sky Blue Content ~
CT asks Hard Rock All Inclusive Collection’s Janet Martin, business development manager for eastern Ontario, to shine the spotlight on the company’s all inclusive offering and reveal how you can see your Hard Rock sales skyrocket
Tell us about Hard Rock All Inclusive Collection’s product.
The all inclusive Hard Rock hotels are amazing because they’ve really got something for everyone, from Barney and Friends in the Little Big Club, to the Cavern Club for the teenagers and big name artists performing live on site for guests all ages. Oh, and bars that stay open well past the time other all inclusives have gone to bed for those that want to party like a rock star!
What makes it stand out from the rest?
The experience guests have while on-property. You know that feeling you get when you’re at a concert? Where everyone’s excited, and there’s just an electrifying vibe in the atmosphere that just makes you feel good? It’s that—times one hundred!
Why is the brand a big hit with Canadian travellers?
Because it’s a new, edgy and modern all inclusive experience that’s available through all the Canadian tour operators—which means an attainable price and a hassle-free package. It’s a popular brand and it’s something people want to be a part of.
How can an agent identify a Hard Rock client?
I used to think there must be one specific target type of client. There usually is for most brands. But I slowly realized after five years with the company that Hard Rock Hotels don’t discriminate. Honestly, there is something for every single age, and every type of person.
The young family with small children will love the interactive Little Big Club with the Barney and Friends characters. The family with teenagers will love Music Lab and the Cavern Club. The 40-plus guest loves it because there are so many different types of atmospheres around the property to experience.
And hey, who doesn’t remember the first concert they went to, and how that felt? Who doesn’t want to relive that?
Any incentives for agents who are selling Hard Rock?
We have some pretty amazing incentives. I used to be a travel agent, so I can say with confidence that Hard Rock has some of the most lucrative incentives out there.
Amplified Rewards is our bonus commission program, which is a cash amount paid out on top of whatever the direct booking commission is, or whatever the tour operator you booked through is already offering. It comes on a TruCash card a few weeks after the client check out. Hello shopping trip!
Relax n’ Rock is our free night earning program. You’re earning a free night for yourself every time you sell a room for more than three nights—and two nights for every Concierge level room or above. It’s a no brainer: sell seven and you can go for a week!
Also, keep your eyes open in the new year for the new ‘Amped Agent’ loyalty program we’re launching, which will include even more benefits for agents.
Any tips on how to close a sale?
Use your BDM as much as you need. Our field sales team in Canada is made up of some of the most passionate, hard-working people. There are four of us across Canada, and we’re all more than willing to let you pick our brains. We’re happy to come in and do product trainings or webinars and we want to help you grow your business.
Use our travel agent website www.allinagents.com for info on weddings, the $1,800 Limitless Resort Credit, events, tours of the properties, room categories and downloads you can print out for your shop.
What do you love about the product?
I love how versatile and modern it is. Want to relax and recharge? Awesome! Take your Limitless Resort Credit and spend the whole week at the Rock Spa. Want to party like a rock star? Check out our bars that stay open late, or the live entertainment that’s happening almost every night. Want to have an adventure? We’ve got you covered there too. Take that resort credit and check out some excursions. If golfing like a pro is your thing, check out one of our three golf courses. Two of them are even official Hard Rock Golf Clubs, which is a new brand for the Hard Rock International brand.
I also love being a part of a company that treats its employees so well. The Hard Rock Hotels give back to the community with charities in the areas where the hotels are located, and they offer amazing benefits to hotel employees. Everyone is happy in this company and that emotion rubs off on everyone vacationing there!
Hard Rock All Inclusive Collection: Three Key Selling Points
1. QUALIFY YOUR CLIENT: Figure out what it is they’re looking to get out of their vacation and then explain which part of the Hard Rock experience can help make that happen for them. Don’t let the logo fool you or your client. It’s not a 24-7 party; it’s not just for young people.
INCREDIBLE RESORT CREDIT: The Limitless Resort Credit is definitely the biggest selling tool—offering US$1,800 per room for a seven or eight night stay. It offers dollar for dollar value. If an excursion costs $150, your client will have $150 taken2. off their credit. It’s really that simple. They only pay a 20 percent service fee on the portion they use. That means that if your client spends their whole $1,800 resort credit playing golf, taking excursions and enjoying spas, they’re really only spending $360 out of their own pocket.
3. INCLUDED AMENITIES: Amenities such as complimentary WiFi, free long distance phone calls to Canada, top-shelf liquor dispensers in the bedroom and unlimited à la carte dining with no reservations are all included.
Image: Hard Rock All Inclusive.
This advertorial first appeared in CT Magazine, a publication for Canadian travel agents.
