Business travel returning to near normal levels

Vermont Business Magazine, Mar 01, 2005 by Edelstein, Art

The Capitol Plaza recently spent "many thousands to wire the hotel."

Why wireless? According to Cain, "Customers wont put up with plugging their computer into the phone line, they won't deal with dial up."

The Sheraton also offers high speed Internet service and has a hotel Cybercenter, which is a room with laptop computers, and T-1 phone connections.

Glanville at the Inn At Essex said his property "went full on with complimentary high speed Internet access wireless." This was part of a $1 million renovation to the hotel that included new decor."

There are other amenities that are being offered to keep business travelers coming back.

According to Shea beyond wireless Internet access local properties are offering more suite hotels for extended stays, which are now being sought after by business travelers. He thinks a posh room is good for all Vermont travel as "it introduces people to the area they may come back for pleasure with family or spouse."

The Wyndham has a travel program "Wyndham by Request" which includes complimentary Internet access, local and ID phone calls, and complimentary beverages.

"You have to pay attention to customer service," said Cain. That means good food and his hotel has an excellent restaurant.

Cain thinks Montpelier is a draw for some. He said the small city "can be unique and refreshing. People can park easily, walk to a restaurant and don't feel like they are in the middle of corporate building America."

The Sheraton offers a frequent stay program, which Hebert said, was "like a frequent flyer card." This program was voted the best frequent traveler program by the travel industry. He, too, said a high level of service at the hotel was essential. Last summer the hotel did a guest room renovation costing $1.5 million, which included the addition of the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed.

Business travelers at the Inn at Essex enjoy complementary use of amenities including the tennis courts and golf course and in winter there is cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails to recreate on. Glanville said a hit with business guests here is the cooking classes. Because the Inn is affiliated with the New England Culinary Institute, "NECI's cooking is always a big draw with those guests," he added.

Marketing For The Business Traveler

The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce and individual properties all market towards business travelers.

"Business travel is hard to market to," said Shea at LCRCC. "They are going or not, but you can make it easier for them to travel here."

According to him, this type of business sought after by local hotels is lucrative for the market but is competitive among the local hotels. "The business traveler is not weather dependent," he explained.

A key is to have the infrastructure in place to accommodate the business traveler and ease of access, such as the airport, said Shea.

The Wyndham relies on IBM and IDX, both big suppliers of business stays.

IDX is a preferred hotel vendor for the hotel and is offered special rates. The hotel also does considerable business with Fletcher Allen and UVM. "This time of year residency programs are interviewing for the hospital," said Carton.