It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! In just a few days, we can properly say goodbye to November and welcome the festive season with open arms. Aside from travellers, who are excited to get out and go on a vacation, there’s another bunch of happy folks during the holiday season: hoteliers.
According to hotel revenue managers, holidays present a wonderful opportunity for hoteliers to boost their online bookings and revenues. The attractions and travel destinations, which have been sleeping during the low season, are opening once again. Travellers, who have been stuck at home for months, are going to reward themselves with a memorable vacation. And if you’re in the hospitality industry, your goal is to present your property as the best choice for their travel plans.
Are you a hotel or lodging property owner who wants to be a step ahead of your competitors? If you’re looking for tips and tricks to make the most out of the holiday season, this list got you covered.
1. It’s time to invest in hotel management technologies
Boosting your hotel’s online presence isn’t just imperative to increase revenue during the low season — it’s significant too during holidays and high-traffic seasons, especially when your competitors are also stepping up their game.
Channel Management – Invest in channel management technology to help you manage a large number of online channels. It involves a real-time connection between your property management system (PMS) and your global distribution system, making it easier for your reservation staff and channel manager to manage bookings.
Revenue Management System – Consider a revenue management system (RMS), a software solution that allows you to carry out vital revenue management tasks effectively. RMS uses analytics and available data to predict demand, make strategic pricing decisions, and make the most out of your revenue.
Digital Marketing – Boost your hotel’s online presence and reputation with digital marketing. A hotel digital marketing agency takes care of your SEO, property listing on Google, website design, and content creation and marketing while you focus on running your business.
2. Put your guests into a festive mood
Embrace the season! Whether you’re preparing for this year’s Christmas and New Year or planning for next year’s summer, you may use the season to hype your hotel.
Provide limited edition, holiday-themed gifts, and offers. Sell special Christmas gift packs, complete with seasonal items, wines, and souvenirs. Spruce up your restaurant and spa offers with festive menus and treats too.
3. Incorporate the holiday season in your hotel’s branding and imagery too
This includes your website design and social media profile. You may also create engaging, share-worthy blogs that are relevant to the season, like travel guides, shopping tips, things to do, and the best places to visit during the holidays.
4. Use your city destination to your advantage
Are you located on a snow-covered ski slope? Or a tranquil white sand beach? How about an area with a high vantage point, overlooking picturesque views of the metro? Are you located near a Christmas market, fair, and tourist attraction? Wherever your hotel is, make sure to use the beauty of your location to your advantage.
Highlight what makes your property stand out, as well as the places and activities that would attract potential guests. For example, if you’re located on a beach (or even near one), you can include experiences like swimming, sunbathing, sunset watching, and buzzing nightlife by the seashore. Make it easy for your hotel guests to picture themselves, enjoying their vacation at your property.
5. Watch out for your destination’s events calendar
Aside from how attractive your hotel’s destination is, the events happening in your area can potentially drive guests in too. During the holidays, there’ll be plenty of concerts, live gigs, busy night markets, outdoor movies, fun runs, and other seasonal events.
Depending on the event’s significance, bookings usually rise to as high as 200% or more. You may incorporate these much-anticipated occasions into your marketing campaign. You may also sweeten the deal by offering exclusive passes to a few lucky guests.
6. Team up with local suppliers for activity packages
There’s more to a holiday than spending the entire day indoors, no matter how fabulous your property is — your hotel guests would love to fill their holiday break with memorable experiences. Aside from mere sightseeing, they’d want to move, explore, and join the fun, memorable travel activities.
Make the tourist season even merrier by partnering with local suppliers and creating various activity packages that fulfill your guest’s vacation desires. You may offer these packages to guests at a discounted rate during the holiday season to increase your bookings.
7. Market your spa
Does your hotel have a spa? Whether you’re in a warm or cold destination, you can use your spa to your advantage. You can highlight your sauna, hot massage, spice bath, and other calming spa treatments during the cold season. For summer, you may offer refreshing treatments for a smooth, beach-ready body like waxing, facial, salt scrub, and exfoliation.
8. Host a fun party in your hotel
Hosting a lively party will surely put your hotel guests in a festive mood. You can have a Tiki party by the beach during the summer or a Christmas party loaded with gifts and seasonal treats. Promote the event by creating a weekend package that would include a two-night stay and an exclusive access pass to the party.
Don’t forget to treat your patrons with cocktails, sumptuous food, upbeat music, games, raffles, and giveaways to keep the party going.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a passionate travel blogger who dreams of managing her very own hotel. This free-spirited damsel loves to share her insights about travel, lifestyle, personal finance, and business. To know more about hotels and hotel management, you may visit Rate Wise.
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