Guest attendance is higher or lower depending on the time of year and the off-seasons challenges hoteliers to look more closely at their marketing so they can keep revenue up.
People new to the role of hotel manager may think they can relax on holidays, but there are always ways to create new guest experiences then as well.
Most people travel for the holidays, booking their rooms well in advance of leaving home. Others need to find a place to stay closer to or even on the date. Depending on management's outreach efforts, guests may choose a specific venue in town over others that have more competitive prices.
Read on to learn some easy ways to increase guest attendance and revenue for Easter weekend in 2020. It's one of the first major holidays of the year, and it could prove to be a profitable few days if management strategizes with tips like these.
1. Create Ads for Past Guests
Return guests are a huge part of what makes a hotel successful. They already know what they enjoyed about staying on the property, so they're more inclined to book rooms faster than first-time guests.
Consider creating ads targeted at past guests through email newsletters. Show them what they'll experience that's different than their last visit. They'll trust that offers and programs will be better than those at other hotels because they've already had a great stay in the past. It's an easy way to catch their attention and get the most straightforward bookings.
2. Post Decor Pictures
Don't forget that holiday decor is the welcoming first impression that makes a difference to guests. It demonstrates a commitment to celebrating the holiday and surrounding guests with festive cheer. Get creative with the decor in the lobby, outside the front door and in each room, and then post pictures so guests are inclined to visit and see everything in person.
3. Engage Social Media Followers
Another way to reach guests and people interested in potential visits is to engage social media followers with holiday strategies designed for everyone. Engagement gets people interacting with posts and sharing content. Management could write about contests, host weekly polls or go live as staff put up decorations or award guests with prizes.
The more likes, comments and shares each account gets will spread the news and bring in interested travelers who are looking for a place to stay.
4. Boost Holiday Promotion Coverage
Hotel management can boost Easter weekend revenue by promoting more coverage of short-term promotions. Place ads in newspapers and online, buy billboard space and more to show people what they can enjoy when they book a room. They could stop by to try in-house restaurant specials or win prizes by booking before a specified date.
The Gleneagles Hotel and the Aria Hotel Prague are both great examples of boutique getaways offering a new experience with their springtime exhibits that guests can't find anywhere else. Specifically, The Gleneagles offers a complete Easter program that lets guests experience a variety of crafting workshops, sport sessions as well as food and wine tasting.
5. Host an Egg Hunt
Families traveling for Easter will spend the day with the people they love, but first they have to get settled in a hotel room. Kids don't enjoy sitting still for long, so it's a challenge to stay in the hotel before it's time to leave for family events.
One way to make any visit more fun for families is to host an egg hunt on the hotel property. For a small entry fee, kids in a predetermined age range can run around the lobby or outside to find eggs and win prizes. Host a separate event for older kids or an Easter egg-themed drawing for adults.
6. Give Away More Bonus Points
Hotel managers can also increase attendance by giving away bonus points for reward program members. Even if the room rates are slightly more expensive than surrounding hotels, guests will want to earn more points for future visits by paying the extra few dollars per night. It's a long-lasting return that boosts numbers quickly.
Evaluate Your Property
These tips can help increase guest attendance and revenue during Easter weekend, depending on the property. Consider your guests, goals and resources to determine which tips are best to try. Programs and events can increase room rates and pull in more profits, along with things like entry fees and returning guests.
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
