Managing and operating a successful hotel is a challenge. Management and staff need to be in sync when it comes to daily operations, cost controls, and customer service. It's important to balance and control costs while working to increase revenues to remain profitable.
Strategies to Increase Your Hotel Revenue
Keep Employees Happy and Encourage Them to Be Salesmen
Your employees are your most important assets. Keep them happy and focused on your guests. Encourage your team to come up with ways to cut costs, increase revenues, and maximise customer service. Reward them for their ideas and efforts. Happy employees engage positively with guests.
Provide Outstanding Service
Happy guests will spread positive word of mouth. They will tell friends and family about their experience. The internet has created a world of instant feedback — an unhappy guest can come back to haunt you with negative reviews. Keep your guests happy by providing top-of-the-line service.
Use Technology
List your property on online booking platforms. Use a modern PMS and channel manager to manage distribution efficiently and generate more leads.
Create High-Perceived Value
Guests are willing to pay more if they feel they are receiving value for their money. Try to move up the hotel rating scale — going from a 3-star to a 4-star rating can make a big difference in perception.
Host Special Events and Private Functions
If you have space, increase group bookings by hosting business conferences, special events, reunions, family gatherings, and weddings.
Work to Increase Point-of-Sale Revenue
Partner with local vendors — car rental companies, restaurants, amusement parks, and concert venues — to sell additional services to guests through your front desk or other touchpoints.
Market Directly to Your Guests
Gather contact information including email addresses. Use social media to stay in contact with prior guests and engage new potential clients. Develop relationships, create special offers for returning guests, and maintain an email newsletter.
Encourage Guest Referrals
Encourage happy guests to spread the word. Reward them with discounts for their next stay, free meals, or gift cards.
Make Your Hotel Stand Out
Give guests a reason to choose you — through pricing, outstanding service, unique amenities, or flexible policies like later checkout times. Be creative!
Increase Your Hotel Sales Online
Speed Up Your Hotel Website
Slow site speeds fracture conversion rates. Research shows that up to 75% of people will leave for a competitor's site to avoid dealing with delays.
Make Your Gallery Page Sparkle
Your gallery page is where potential guests decide if you're the right hotel for them. Show off your personality and polished rooms with high-quality images.
Keep Your Site Simple
Websites that are visually complex are seen as less effective and less appealing. Simplifying design and navigation helps guests consume information quicker and improves conversion.
Get Mobile Savvy
With over a quarter of the online travel market coming through mobile, making your website responsive is a must. Ensure your mobile site is purpose-built, not just a shrunken desktop version.
Back Up Claims with Social Proof
Use testimonials, ratings, reviews, and badges to build trust. Potential guests are far more accepting of what other guests say about you than your own claims.
Tips to Increase Hotel Occupancy During Low Season
Create Special Packages
Boost occupancy with special package deals — "Valentine Package", "Family Package", or "Couple Package" with complimentary extras. This allows you to set higher prices in exchange for perceived value.
Use Discount Deals and Promo Codes
People love discounts. Target specific segments — students, seniors, or corporate groups — with tailored promotions through your website and social media channels.
Promote to Local Companies
Increase occupancy by promoting to local businesses for their seminars and meetings. These events often mean multiple rooms booked at once, and many are held annually, creating recurring revenue.
Get Exposure Through Social Media
Use Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms for promotions, contests, and engagement. Social media marketing can widen your market reach dramatically during low-peak periods.
Utilise Local Events
Note upcoming concerts, festivals, fairs, marathons, and parades in your city. Use local events as marketing opportunities to draw guests to your hotel.
Even in a competitive environment, it's possible to make changes that increase your bottom line. By using creative and proactive solutions, you can reduce operating costs and increase revenues without disrupting day-to-day operations.
