hospitality success

If You’re Paying for Loyalty, It’s Not Loyalty

If You’re Paying for Loyalty, It’s Not Loyalty

Loyalty Isn’t About Transactions—It’s About Connection

In my 30 years in hospitality, I’ve seen loyalty shift from meaningful gestures to mere transactions. Decades ago, offering a free coffee or a bottle of prosecco for a birthday felt special—a heartfelt way to thank customers. Now, these gestures are tick-box exercises, part of the cost of doing business.

True loyalty isn’t built on loyalty cards or discounts; it’s about forming deep emotional bonds where customers feel they belong. Loyal customers stay longer, spend more, and become your advocates. The key? Focus on meaningful relationships, not more customers. Build your tribe, not your mailing list.