Exclusive Feature: Business travelers can make or break the success of a small or boutique hotel and every year, fewer Americans use their available vacation days — if they get any at all, therefore establishments solely focusing on recreational travelers risk losing business.

Instead, business travelers offer the perfect opportunity to build brand loyalty and repeat traffic. Once your hotel earns a reputation as a great place for executives and staff to stay, organizations will choose you for their conventions again and again. Here's how to pamper these valuable clients and increase your profit margin.

1. Add Pre-Arrival Services
Many business travelers know little about their destination. Train staff to offer a full range of pre-arrival services when guests call to book their stay.

For example, will travelers need a vehicle while in town? Partner with a local car rental business to offer such a referral. You can map out the fastest routes to offsite meeting venues for guests and offer to make restaurant and recreational reservations.

2. Make Check-In Speedy and Efficient
Business travelers often arrive harried and exhausted from their trek. They don't want to wait in long lines — they want to get to their rooms and kick their shoes off.

In addition to human staff, provide mobile kiosks where guests can check themselves in. That way, if travelers require no special accommodations, they don't have to wait. Save copies of identification and other documents for repeat clients in the cloud to avoid requesting these for every stay. Further, invest in a quality reservation system that enables staff members to immediately check availability for upgrade or floor change requests.

3. Offer Shuttle Service for Air Travelers
Busy business travelers want to maximize their productivity. Going to and from the airport offers the perfect time to sink into deep work — if they're not surrounded by distractions.

Partner with a professional shuttle service so that travelers won't need to drive or take public transportation. It can take an hour or more to drive from the airport in some locations, and business leaders will appreciate using this time to draft correspondence or organize reports instead of battling traffic after a long flight.

4. Provide Free, Secure Wi-Fi for Registered Guests
Many hotels offer free public Wi-Fi, but such setups can create security problems for business travelers. Instead, secure your Wi-Fi with a required password.

If you must have an unsecured network — for example, if non-guests often use your facility's conference rooms — provide a second secured network. Provide the password only to the hotel's registered guests. While this doesn't eliminate all threats, it safeguards guest data more effectively.

5. Incorporate Workstations with Charging Ports and Ample Outlets
Business travelers come equipped with cellphones, tablets and laptops — and they need a place to plug them all in. This goes double if they're sharing a room with a colleague.

If you own an older building with insufficient outlets, invest in power strips for each room. You can disguise these under table ledges or along the sides of nightstands. You can also purchase lamps with traditional outlets and USB ports to further increase the available charging space.

6. Have a Well-Stocked Mini-Fridge and Breakfast
Many business travelers fly with only carry-on luggage to cut time at baggage claim. This arrangement leaves minimal room for packing snacks. Greet guests with a small bottle of champagne, and stock each room with healthy snacks like individually sized bags of popcorn or multi-grain crackers. These amenities cost little — but they make a big impression.

7. Equip Your Hotel with On-Site or Nearby Fitness Facilities
When you travel frequently for business, it's tough to stay fit. Even if guests normally jog or walk for their health, doing so in a strange city can prove intimidating — especially after dark.

If you have space for an on-site fitness center, invest in treadmills and other cardio equipment. Free weights generally prove more cost-effective than individual machines. You can also minimize costs by investing in equipment like fitness bands and medicine balls. Further, consider partnering with local licensed instructors to offer classes like yoga or tai-chi on-site to give your facility more of a spa-like feel.

If you lack the space to install a fitness facility on-site, partner with a local gym to offer free or discounted passes to guests.

8. Give Parting Gifts and Incentives for Repeat Stays
Finally, reward your guests for staying with you. Offer a small parting gift to repeat customers, like a coffee mug or reusable water bottle. This gesture shows you care and keeps your logo in front of them.

Call and write thank-you notes to organizations that book group stays after departure. Ask the person of contact for honest feedback, including how you can do better. Businesses understand the importance of top-notch customer service, and this will encourage repeat traffic.

Business Travelers Mean a Steady Income Stream

People's vacation habits hinge upon economic factors, meaning hotels can suffer during downturns. However, the wheels of business always continue turning. By becoming a go-to destination for such frequent travelers, you help ensure ongoing success and profitability.

This is strictly an exclusive feature, reprints of this article in any shape or form without prior written approval from 4Hoteliers.com is not permitted.

Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!

www.driftercollective.com