Digital Age Doesn't Diminish Need for Print Brochures in Hospitality Industry

Digital Age Doesn’t Diminish Need for Print Brochures in Hospitality Industry

December 5th, 2017

You can’t miss them in hotels and airports - rows and rows of brightly colored brochures and maps touting tourist attractions. In an era when most people turn to their mobile devices for information, you might assume these printed materials would become relics. This is not the case according to a new survey conducted by Bentley’s Center for Marketing Technology (CMT) and commissioned by the International Association of Professional Brochure Distributors (IAPBD).

The survey reveals an overwhelming majority of hotel front desk staff believe having brochure displays is the best way for them to help their guests and enhance the guest experience. Among the findings:

98% of front desk staff favor the use of printed media

94% of hotels surveyed provide visitor information for their guests using a brochure display

83% of respondents overwhelming support the availability of print media ranking extremely important for their guests

“In the age of mobile phones and devices, guests still look to the front desk for printed, tangible brochures and visitor maps. Data suggests the importance of well-placed printed materials in displays catches the attention of guests and fosters interaction with front desk staff,” says CMT Director Ian Cross.

Printed brochures and maps are the most popular choice for guests and concierge staff. Brochures are slightly favored (27%), followed by maps (26%) and then place-based guides (22%). When observing how often hotel guests use brochures survey respondents cited (40%) always, (46%) often, (13%) sometimes (1%) never.

The survey examined 1,560 responses from hospitality professionals in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland and Greece. To see the full Hospitality Visitor Information Survey, visit http://www.bentley.edu/centers/cmt

Bentley’s Center for Marketing Technology is on the cutting edge of marketing, research, technology, and strategy. Students, educators and business partners have daily access to the latest trends, newest technologies and in-depth research that is shaping the future of marketing practices. Corporate clients in the United States and abroad benefit from collaborations and strategic consulting projects with the CMT, while enjoying access to world-class marketing expertise, experienced CMT team members and the center's cutting-edge marketing technology.