COVID-19 has affected countless industries around the world. The travel industry and hotels, in particular, have been hit a serious blow these last few months. However, places are starting to reopen and people have started to travel as well. And it is time that hotels make things work strategically, because, considering the dangers of the pandemic, people want to be as safe as possible.
Therefore, if hotels want to weather the storm and continue to bring in guests at this time, they need to ensure they are catering to the safety of their guests and staff. They also need to find ways that they can increase the occupancy of their hotels during this time. While not as many people are travelling and staying in hotels, some techniques can be used to help entice people to stay with you.
Below, we will be looking at these techniques, along with how choosing the right property management system can help.
Tips to get more people to stay at your Hotel
If you want to get more people to stay at your hotel, you need to market properly, and you need to provide customers with a reason to stay with you. Proper marketing is more important than ever before. Here are some of the best ways to help increase occupancy in your hotels during this time.
Create and Promote Special Packages
One of the best ways to get more people to stay at your hotel now is by providing special packages that they can enjoy while there. Even though you might not be operating all of the facilities at your hotel, such as a spa or a gym, there are other packages that you can offer. For example, if you have a kitchen at your hotel, you can offer a package that includes breakfast or that includes all of the meals. People will often be willing to pay more for this type of package. Take some time to think about the types of packages you could offer.
Discounts, Loyalty Programs, and Other Perks
Another way to help get people to stay at your hotel is by offering discounts. People love to save money, especially now. By offering extra nights at a discounted rate, or a discounted room upgrade, people will see that they are getting a deal. You can also create loyalty programs and provide other perks. For example, as part of a loyalty program, you might want to provide the guest with a free night after they have stayed for five nights or ten nights. It will entice them to travel more often and to stay at your hotel.
Target Local Travelers
Many people want to get out of their house, but they fear traveling too far. By targeting your market at these people, you can get more local travelers to stay at your hotel. This gives them a chance to get out of their house for a few days, so they do not feel so cooped up. Providing a nice hotel room for them, along with any other perks you can offer is a good way to get these local travelers to stay with you.
Promote the Hotel’s Safety Measures
Today, safety is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Therefore, you need to be very clear about the types of safety measures that you have in place. You can talk on your site about your social distancing and cleaning strategies. Let people know what you are doing to keep them safe. You can also offer contactless check-in and check-out, as discussed below.
Promote to Corporate Travelers
While some people who would normally be traveling for pleasure are now staying at home, the same is not true of business travelers. While some business travel has slowed, there is still the need for corporate travel. Some might be traveling to work in a new location, while others might need to have a face to face meeting or provide an inspection of a facility. They need places to stay, and you can market directly to this group.
