When jogging maps become useful brand communication tools

Love jogging in new cities, but not sure which path to take? Many hotels these days offer guests jogging maps, but the Hilton San Diego Bayfront came up with a clever way to deliver it: On your water bottle.As someone who loves taking early morning jogs in cities I've never visited, or in this case, haven't been to in years, this bottle concept stands out. Why not combine hydration with safety - and maybe even a great view. The hotel introduced the jogger friendly bottle in January 2009, as the recession was starting to really hammer travel and prompt hotels to dramatically slash costs.Hotel general manager Dave Smith at the time was working on a water bottle concept while spa director Melissa Chafkar was producing a jogging map that highlighted the hotel's bay front location, the hotel's publicists told me.

The two ideas were merged.The bottles are available in the hotel's spa and fitness centre, while stand-alone jogging maps are placed throughout the hotel for our guests.Other hotel operators such as Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La and Four Seasons have taken a more traditional approach and have produced good quality jogging maps, that can be tagged around your neck.

As an operator, you should not forget, that such maps are absolutely necessary if you want to be seen as a health promoting hotel, but be assure to advice guests that you can not take responsibility of the safety aspects.

Recently at a Peninsula hotel, it was also noted that the doormen would have facecloth and bottled water ready at the entrance, for departing and returning joggers to be handed out. What a great service and simple gesture. Parts of this article have been published on USA Today