“Switching to YCS was the best decision we made. Not only did it save us time and effort, but it also helped us maximize our revenue potential. I highly recommend YCS to every hotelier who wants to simplify operations and enhance guest satisfaction.”

– Mr. Hemant Singh, Operations Manager at Hotel 7 Rays

Now, this level of trust isn’t built overnight. It’s the result of consistent support and a reliable partnership that Hotel 7 Rays has come to depend on. 

Managing a hotel without modern technology is like trying to row a boat with chopsticks—it’s possible, but you’re probably going in circles and exhausting yourself! For Hotel 7 Rays in Udaipur, navigating their daily operations felt much like this, until they found Yanolja Cloud Solution (YCS) .  

Read on to discover what drove their decision, what they needed, and how YCS transformed their operations. 

Who knows—you might just find the solution to your own hotel’s challenges here too!

Meet Hotel 7 Rays

Located in the scenic city of Udaipur, known for its lakes, palaces, and vibrant blue hues, Hotel 7 Rays is a cozy 26-room retreat. Blending modern comfort with traditional Rajasthani charm, it welcomes both local and international travelers to experience Udaipur’s royal heritage.

The Challenges: A Mountain of Small Problems 

While the hotel thrived on guest satisfaction, its operational backbone was faltering. Despite its allure, Hotel 7 Rays was grappling with operational inefficiencies that seemed minor at first but grew into significant concerns over time:

1. Manual Reporting Hassles: Preparing weekly and monthly reports was a time-consuming task that ate into valuable management hours.
2. Missed Bookings and Overbooking Chaos: Reservations were often mishandled, leading to lost revenue and unhappy customers.
3. Unorganized Operations: Day-to-day processes were anything but streamlined, making even simple tasks feel daunting.
4. Vendor Payments Delays: Settling accounts with suppliers often involved confusion and delays, adding unnecessary stress.

These challenges, while appearing to be standard hiccups, threatened to derail the property’s long-term growth. Realizing the potential losses, the management decided to act swiftly.

The Solution

A thorough market analysis led Hotel 7 Rays to YCS’ Modern Hospitality Solutions, and the switch was nothing short of transformational for them. 

Here’s how YCS turned their operations around:

• Streamlining Operations with YCS PMS

The YCS Property Management System (PMS) – eZee Absolute provided a user-friendly platform that revolutionized daily operations. From managing room availability to overseeing guest preferences, everything was consolidated in one place. The intuitive interface ensured staff could quickly adapt, eliminating the steep learning curve often associated with new systems. 

Tedious manual tasks like billing, inventory management, and check-ins were now automated, freeing up staff to focus on guest experiences. 

• Adding eZee Centrix – Channel Manager

By integrating eZee Centrix– Channel Manager, the hotel put an end to the nightmare of overbookings. Reservations from various platforms were synchronized in real time, ensuring no guest slipped through the cracks. The result? Increased occupancy, better guest management, and fewer operational hiccups. 

• YCS Mobile App – Convenience on the Go

The YCS mobile app became a game-changer for the managerial team, offering unparalleled flexibility and control. Whether traveling or attending to off-site responsibilities, managers could oversee operations seamlessly. 

Real-time updates on housekeeping, guest requests, and task tracking ensured quicker response times and improved overall efficiency. This newfound convenience empowered the team to stay connected and proactive, no matter where they were.

The Results: A Seamless Transformation

Hotel 7 Rays witnessed a complete turnaround in their operations. Reporting, once a dreaded task, became as easy as checking in a regular guest. Weekly and monthly data? Just a few clicks away. This newfound simplicity allowed the management team to focus on enhancing guest experiences.

• Reservations Done Right: No more overbookings or missed opportunities. Every reservation now flowed seamlessly, much like the serene waters of Udaipur’s lakes. The team could finally breathe easy, knowing their availability and bookings were perfectly aligned across all platforms.

• Hoteliering on the Go: Armed with the eZee Absolute mobile app, the team became the ultimate multitaskers. Whether handling guest requests, updating housekeeping schedules, or tracking tasks, they had the power of the front desk in their pockets—even while enjoying a chai break offsite.

• Smooth Payments, Happier Partners: Vendor payments, once a confusing maze, turned into a straightforward process. The transparency and ease built stronger relationships with partners, leaving everyone with a smile as bright as Udaipur’s sunny mornings.

Hotel 7 Rays has paved the way for streamlined operations with Yanolja Cloud Solution (YCS) by integrating advanced technology and intuitive management tools. With YCS supporting them, the hotel has seen a significant improvement in efficiency, allowing their team to focus on guest experiences rather than backend complexities.

The trust and strong partnership between Hotel 7 Rays and YCS have been instrumental in the hotel’s smooth operations. 

In an interaction with the YCS’ team, Mr. Hemant Singh, Operations Manager at Hotel 7 Rays, shares his confidence in our exceptional backend support. 

“Without any doubt, I would recommend YCS to my fellow hoteliers. In fact, I’ve already suggested it for another property we own nearby.”

Why YCS is the Best Choice for Mid-size Hoteliers?

Hotel 7 Rays’ journey proves that embracing technology isn’t just smart—it’s transformative, regardless of the property’s size. Whether you’re battling overbookings or buried in reports, YCS has the tools to make hoteliering simpler, smoother, and more successful. 

If you’re a hotelier tired of juggling multiple systems and inefficiencies, YCS could be the game-changer you’re looking for. From streamlined operations and error-free reservations to mobile-first convenience, YCS provides the cost-effective tools you need to succeed.

Hotel 7 Rays has already written its success story—now it’s your turn. Discover how YCS can transform your property, one seamless operation at a time.

Why wait for change when you can create it with YCS?

The post Leveraging YCS for Simplified Hotel Management at Hotel 7 Rays– Udaipur appeared first on eZee Absolute.

This mega-event is not just a spiritual confluence but also a catalyst for significant economic activity, providing a golden opportunity for the hospitality industry. 

In this blog, we’ll explore how hoteliers in India, especially in nearby cities like Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Chitrakoot, Lucknow, and Ayodhya, can prepare to accommodate the surge in travelers and capitalize on this once-in-a-lifetime event.

A Massive Surge in Demand

The Maha Kumbh Mela happens every 12 years and thus the influx of millions of pilgrims and tourists creates unprecedented demand for accommodations, ranging from luxury hotels and mid-tier properties to budget lodgings and tents. During the 2013 Maha Kumbh, the event generated approximately ₹12,000 crore ($1.45 billion) in economic activity, with a significant portion benefiting the hospitality and tourism sectors​.

For 2025, the scale is even grander. With expanded facilities, including luxury tent accommodations and upgraded infrastructure, the need for reliable hospitality solutions is at an all-time high.

Why This is A Key Opportunity for Hoteliers

As India gears up for the Maha Kumbh, the hospitality industry stands at the crossroads of tradition and opportunity. By aligning services with the event’s spiritual and cultural significance, hoteliers can create lasting impressions on millions of visitors. Whether through luxury stays, cultural immersion, or sustainability efforts, the Kumbh Mela offers a platform for innovation and growth in the tourism sector.

How Hotels Can Leverage Mahakumbh 2025: Strategies for Success

The Mahakumbh 2025 presents an extraordinary opportunity for hotels to boost revenue, build long-term guest relationships, and position themselves as leaders in the hospitality industry. Here’s how hoteliers can leverage this event effectively:

1. Run Targeted Campaigns: 

Hotels can attract visitors through strategic marketing campaigns:

• Customized Packages: Offer pilgrimage-focused packages, including transportation to key bathing ghats and nearby religious sites, bundled with meals and guided tours.
• Localized Advertising: Invest in digital ads on platforms like Google and Facebook, targeting keywords like “Kumbh Mela accommodations” in Hindi and English to appeal to both local and international travelers.
• Social Media Outreach: Collaborate with influencers who focus on spirituality and travel to reach a broader audience. Showcase your property’s readiness for the Mahakumbh through engaging visuals and videos on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

Additionally, you can enhance the pilgrim experience by offering unique value-added services like organizing cultural immersion activities such as yoga sessions, evening aartis, or spiritual talks by local leaders. 

Also, provide comfort amenities like mobile charging stations, medical kits, and local food specialties to cater to the needs of diverse visitors, ensuring they have a comfortable and memorable stay.

2. Upgrade Hospitality Solutions

Operational efficiency and a seamless guest experience are essential during high-demand periods. Here’s what to focus on:

• Cloud-Based Property Management Systems (PMS): Implement a system to manage bookings, payments, and guest preferences effortlessly. eZee Absolute is one such tool, that simplifies your day-to-day tasks, ensuring you focus on your guests during such rush hour. 
• Contactless Check-Ins: Facilitate faster and safer arrivals with self-service kiosks or app-based check-ins.
• Dynamic Pricing: Use revenue management tools to adjust pricing based on demand while offering competitive deals.
• Channel Manager: A robust channel manager like eZee Centrix ensures that all your hotel’s rooms are synchronized across multiple online travel agencies (OTAs) and booking platforms, minimizing overbookings and maximizing visibility.
• Booking Engine: eZee Reservation is one such tool that helps guests easily book rooms directly through your website, enhancing your online presence and reducing commission fees from third-party OTAs.

How YCS Can Help Your Hotel Succeed During Mahakumbh 2025

Yanolja Cloud Solution (YCS), one of the largest tech vendors in the hospitality industry with thousands of satisfied clients worldwide, offers an extensive range of innovative solutions designed to help hoteliers thrive during this surge. Our Property Management System (PMS) — eZee Absolute,  simplifies the management of reservations, guest data, and check-ins from a cloud-based platform, enabling you to handle increased demand effortlessly. 

Additionally, eZee Reservation, our powerful booking engine, helps you capture direct bookings via your website, minimizing commission fees and enhancing your profitability. With eZee Mint, our dynamic Revenue Management System, you can adjust room rates based on real-time market demand, ensuring you maximize revenue. And eZee Centrix, our Channel Manager, allows you to seamlessly manage room availability across multiple online platforms, ensuring maximum visibility and minimizing overbooking risks. 

With these comprehensive tools, YCS helps hoteliers streamline operations, boost revenue, and deliver exceptional guest experiences during peak seasons like the Mahakumbh Mela.

The post Gear Up for Mahakumbh Mela 2025: Winning Strategies for Hoteliers to Attract and Delight Pilgrims appeared first on eZee Absolute.

From a special pool for pups to spacious rooms and the lush green farm, it is our favorite place to stay!  

And the extra belly rubs Coco gets from the staff are just the icing on the cake.

This last trip was our sixth stay, and while checking in, the manager mentioned a new subscription model they were offering which could save me thousands of bucks. This piqued my interest as it was a completely new concept for me. 

And after some digging with Coco, let me tell you, it’s a game-changer for the hospitality business!

So, let me dive deep into what a subscription model for hotel is and how you being an accommodation provider can make the most out of it. 

Understanding What A Subscription Model is

A subscription model is basically a business strategy where customers pay a recurring fee, usually monthly or annually, to access a product or service. This model has gained popularity across various industries, revolutionizing how businesses interact with their customers and generate revenue.

At its core, a subscription model focuses on building long-term relationships with customers. Instead of a one-time transaction, it encourages continuous engagement by offering ongoing value. For example, streaming services like Netflix and Spotify have transformed entertainment consumption by providing unlimited access to their vast libraries for a monthly fee. Similarly, subscription boxes like Barkbox and Dollar Shave Club deliver curated products to customers’ doorsteps regularly, creating a loyal customer base.

In the context of the hospitality industry, a subscription model means offering guests a package where they pay a fixed amount to enjoy a set number of stays or services over a specified period. This could range from monthly stays at a particular hotel chain to access to exclusive amenities and experiences. 

For example, Inspirato, a luxury vacation home, offers a special subscription model that allows its members to book unlimited stays in 5-star properties including cruises and their vacation homes. The subscription rates started from 2500$ and for members, they could save on nightly rates, enjoy new experiences, and stay anywhere without spending additional costs. 

Zoku, in Amsterdam, is another example of a micro aparthotel that offers flexible stays for guests with subscription plans starting from 2,750€ per month. 

You can price the subscription plans based on your location, the amenities you offer and a handful of other key factors. But don’t be fixated on a price, remember flexibility is the key. 

Challenges in Traditional Hotel Booking

Traditionally, the hospitality industry has thrived on one-time bookings. Guests research, compare prices and book a room for a specific duration. While this model has served us well, it presents limitations in today’s dynamic travel landscape. Factors like guest acquisition costs, guest loyalty, seasonality, and competition create constant pressure to secure bookings and maximize revenue. 

A subscription model for hotel flips the script, transforming guests into loyal members. Here’s how it works:

• Membership Tiers: Hotels offer tiered subscription plans, each with varying costs and benefits. These tiers might unlock a set number of nights per month, discounted rates on any stay, room upgrades, or exclusive perks like spa treatments or airport transfers.

• Recurring Revenue: Guests pay a predictable monthly or annual fee, guaranteeing income for the hotel and budgeting ease for the guest.

• Building Loyalty: Subscriptions foster a deeper connection between guests and your brand. They become invested in your hotel, enjoying the convenience and familiarity it offers.

Think of it like a gym membership but for hotels. Here’s a Subscription Plan that you can refer to to understand what I am trying to say. 

Guests commit to your brand in exchange for exclusive benefits and a streamlined booking experience. This fosters a sense of community and strengthens guest loyalty, a valuable asset in a competitive market.

The Potential of A Subscription Model in Hospitality

The power of subscriptions lies in their ability to address the key challenges hoteliers face.  

Subscription fees provide a buffer against seasonal fluctuations, guaranteeing a baseline income and financial stability throughout the year. More importantly, it fosters a deeper connection with guests.  

The convenience and predictability of a membership builds trust and loyalty, encouraging repeat business. This shift in focus, from short-term discounts to long-term value, allows hotels to move beyond the price wars that often dominate the traditional booking landscape.  

Subscriptions also offer a solution to empty rooms during slower periods. By providing discounted subscription rates for off-peak seasons, hotels can incentivize stays and maximize occupancy.

Beyond these core benefits, subscription model for hotels offer greater pricing flexibility. You can adjust rates based on demand, ensuring profitability during peak seasons. Plus, subscription models are of great benefits for your guests too, they help them by saving a huge chunk of their money, give additional exclusive perks, and are often flexible too. 

In essence, the subscription model offers a powerful tool for hotels to build a loyal and engaged guest base. It fosters a win-win situation, providing guests with convenience and value, and hoteliers with recurring revenue and a more stable business environment.  

Now let’s understand how to craft a subscription model that will attract your guests.

Designing A Subscription Model for Hotel Stays

Crafting a successful hotel subscription model requires a three-pronged approach: understanding your target audience, creating tiered structures, and enriching the overall value proposition.

• Target Audience:  The first step is to identify your ideal subscriber. Are you catering to business travelers seeking predictable stays, or digital nomads craving a work-from-anywhere haven? Understanding their needs allows you to tailor benefits that resonate.

• Tiered Structures:  Variety is key! Offer multiple subscription tiers with varying price points and benefits. A basic tier might provide a set number of discounted nights per year, while a premium tier unlocks unlimited stays, room upgrades, and exclusive perks. Cater to different budgets and travel styles.

• Enriching the Value Proposition: Think beyond room nights. Subscription plans should be enticing. Consider including additional benefits like complimentary breakfast, early check-in/late check-out options, or discounts on dining and spa services. This creates a sense of value beyond just the room itself, making your subscription the clear choice for savvy travelers.

By following these steps, you can design a subscription model that attracts the right guests and offers a compelling value proposition. 

Tips for Implementing A Subscription Model

The potential of a subscription model for hotel is undeniable, but successful implementation hinges on careful planning and execution. Here are some key tips to guide you:

• Know Your Audience: Before diving in, conduct thorough market research to identify your ideal subscriber. Understanding their needs allows you to tailor your subscription tiers and benefits accordingly.

• Craft Compelling Tiers: Offer a range of subscription tiers with varying price points and benefits.  This caters to different budgets and travel styles. Consider including a basic tier for occasional guests, a mid-tier for frequent travelers, and a premium tier for VIP treatment.

• Highlight the Value: Don’t just focus on discounted rates. Emphasize the overall value proposition of your subscription.  

• Seamless Booking & Management: Invest in technology that streamlines the subscription process for both you and your guests. This includes a user-friendly booking platform, automated subscription management tools, and clear communication channels for inquiries and updates.

• Marketing & Communication: Spread the word! Promote your subscription program through targeted marketing campaigns and highlight its benefits on your website and social media channels.  

• Gather Feedback & Adapt: Don’t be afraid to adapt your program based on guest feedback and usage data. Monitor trends, analyze what’s working well, and be prepared to adjust tiers, benefits, or pricing structures to optimize your subscription model for long-term success.

By following these tips, you can transform your subscription model from a novel concept into a thriving program that fosters guest loyalty, boosts recurring revenue, and positions your hotel at the forefront of the hospitality industry’s future.

The post The What, Why, and How of Building A Subscription Model for Hotel Stays appeared first on eZee Absolute.

In simple terms, emotional intelligence or EQ refers to the ability to understand and manage emotions, both within ourselves and in others. It’s all about being aware of how you feel, and how others feel, and using that awareness to interact socially with grace and empathy.

Picture this: You walk into a room, and without anyone saying a word, you can sense the underlying vibes in the air. You know when someone is happy, upset, or maybe a little stressed out. 

Well, that’s the power of emotional intelligence! But do you know emotional intelligence plays a vital role in the hospitality industry as well? In fact, they go hand in hand like two peas in a pod.

Wondering how? Let me explain further in this blog. 

Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Hospitality

Hospitality, at its core, is all about providing exceptional service and creating memorable experiences for guests. It’s about going the extra mile to ensure their comfort, satisfaction, and delight. And that’s where emotional intelligence steps in as the key ingredient in the hospitality industry.

As a hotelier, emotional intelligence can bring you a multitude of benefits. In this industry, where interactions with guests are frequent and varied, having a high EQ can make a significant impact in providing exceptional service. 

And trust me, by combining your EQ skills with the core principles of hospitality, you can deliver extraordinary experiences, connect with your guests, and create a positive work environment at the same time.

From understanding guests’ needs to creating an effective work culture, EQ skills play a very important role in hotel service. Let’s explore a few of them.

Role of Emotional Intelligence in Hotel Service

Emotional intelligence skills play a significant role in improving the hospitality industry. Here are some ways in which EQ can help to enhance your hotel service:

1. Providing excellent customer service

Have you ever thought about transforming a mere stay into a memorable experience for the guests? If yes, you’re thinking in the right direction but what you need is the right skill. 

When it comes to providing exceptional customer service in hotels, emotional intelligence is like having a sixth sense. With your EQ skills, you can tune in to their emotions, know how they’re feeling during their stay, and respond to them accordingly. 

You can go beyond the standard “How can I assist you?” and offer a personalized touch. Whether it’s suggesting activities they’ll love, or simply being there to listen and empathize, EQ lets us create experiences that make our guests feel truly special and cared for. 

These small moves can sometimes really make big changes in your hotel service, ultimately creating a loyal following of happy guests who can’t wait to return. 

2. Maintaining guest relations

Using EQ is all about understanding our guests on a whole new level, and let me tell you, it makes a world of difference. 

Your EQ skills can help to maintain positive guest relations by understanding guest needs, living up to their expectations and handling their feedback gracefully. It also helps create genuine connections with your guests ultimately building long-term relationships and brand loyalty. 

For Example: By understanding your guests’ preferences and cultural backgrounds, you can offer recommendations for dining and activities that align with their preferences. This gesture not only gets appreciated but builds a connection with your guests. 

3. Effective communication

Communication is the key to creating strong relationships. EQ is a powerful skill that helps strengthen your communication skills, helps to express yourself clearly and listens actively to guests’ concerns. 

EQ enhances active listening, understanding others’ perspectives, and expressing oneself effectively. It helps resolve conflicts and create meaningful connections with guests and colleagues. With EQ, communication has become a powerful tool for delivering amazing hotel service and building positive relationships with your guests. 

Must read: 9 Strategies To Master Guest Communication At Your Hotel

4. Hotel staff training

Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in training your hotel staff as they are the ‘Face of your Hotel.’ It helps them improve how they interact with guests and with each other. 

EQ helps them to understand people’s feelings, listen better, and communicate effectively. Also, it encourages them to keep learning and getting better at what they do.

Plus, adding EQ to their skillset can create a more motivated and productive workforce, which can improve the hotel’s overall performance.

5. Create a welcoming atmosphere

Just imagine, after a long and exhausting trip you go to the hotel for check-in. However, the staff member at the front desk simply started a physical check-in procedure and kept you waiting until all documentation was completed. It’s obvious, you’re going to feel unappreciated and not welcomed.

You might’ve heard it: First Impression is The Last Impression. A warm and welcoming atmosphere is crucial for a positive guest experience and relations. Using EQ skills, you can create an environment where guests feel comfortable and appreciated. 

Staff who display genuine warmth, friendliness, and a willingness to assist can create memorable stays. This positive atmosphere leaves a lasting impression on guests and enhances their overall experience.

6. Stress management

Being a hotelier is not easy, right? The industry can be fast-paced, demanding, and full of unexpected challenges but amidst all these, EQ can be a real game-changer when it comes to managing stress. 

From handling demanding guests to juggling multiple tasks, our EQ skills allow us to stay cool, calm, and collected. When we lead with EQ, we inspire our team members to do the same. 

Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and with your emotional intelligence by your side, you’ve got to prioritize your well-being and do what it takes to shine in the world of hospitality!

7. Managing guest conflicts

No matter how hard you try, conflicts are inevitable, right? But clear and empathetic communication can help to bridge gaps in understanding and find mutually satisfactory resolutions during conflicts. 

Emotional intelligence can enhance your active listening skills so that you listen to the guest’s perspective attentively and offer alternative solutions that meet their needs while considering the limitations or policies of the hotel. 

Rather than seeing conflicts as negative experiences, you & your staff can use them as learning to identify potential areas of improvement in service delivery 

By using EQ, conflicts can be addressed promptly, resolved satisfactorily, and even transformed into opportunities for improvement and strengthening guest relationships.

Must Read: How To Deal With Guest Conflicts At Your Hotel?

Tips to provide emotionally intelligent customer service in hotels

1. Show empathy and understanding

Put yourself in the shoes of the guest and try to understand their emotions and needs. Show genuine care and concern when interacting with them. Instead of just analyzing their situation, try to empathize with your guests.

2. Continuously learn and improve

Maintain your composure even in challenging situations. Avoid reacting defensively or taking conflicts personally. Respond with professionalism and a focus on finding solutions that improve yourself. Look for win-win outcomes that address their needs while considering hotel policies.

3. Offer personalized service

Tailor your service to the specific preferences and needs of the guest. Show that you genuinely care about their satisfaction by going the extra mile to make their stay memorable. For example; asking for and serving their favourite drinks as a welcoming gesture.

4. Practice self-care

Most importantly, take care of your own emotional well-being to ensure that you can provide the best service to guests. Take breaks, engage in stress-relieving activities, and seek support when needed.

The post Emotional Intelligence: The Key to Hotel Service Excellence appeared first on eZee Absolute.

Well, that’s exactly how urgency tactics work. They are techniques used to create curiosity or scarcity in order to encourage people to take action quickly. 

As a hotel owner, driving bookings on your website is a critical aspect of your business’s success. But with so much competition online, it’s really difficult to persuade website visitors to choose your hotel exclusively.

Don’t worry! We’ve covered everything you need to learn and implement, in this blog. 

Read on to know how to use these tactics to drive more bookings and maximize revenue.

Why using urgency tactics are an effective strategy for hotels?

Urgency tactics are a powerful tool for increasing hotel website conversions. Think about it – we all have busy lives and endless options to choose from when it comes to accommodations. Thus, urgency tactics are mostly used to capture attention and make searchers realize that they could miss out on an incredible experience if they don’t act fast.

Plus, urgency tactics help you stand out from the competition and show your guests that you’ve got something special to offer. These strategies are all designed to create FOMO i.e. Fear Of Missing Out, which encourages lookers to act quickly and secure their reservation. 

Urgency tactics can be in any form, from pop-up messages to countdown timers. They can be triggered by a variety of factors, such as limited-time offers, low stock levels, or high demand. Whatever the form is, it’s all about creating excitement to book with you before they lose the opportunity. 

If this sounds complicated, I am here to help! In this blog, we’ll explore some effective urgency tactics that hoteliers can use to drive more bookings on their hotel websites.

6 Urgency Tactics hotels can use to increase website conversions

1. One-Time Offers

One of the most popular urgency tactics is to offer a limited-time promotion. By setting a deadline for the offer, you create a sense of urgency that encourages customers to act quickly.

You might have seen OTAs using those “Book now and receive 20% off your stay” or “Upgrade to a suite for free if you book within the next 24 hours” on their websites. Undoubtedly, these encourage website visitors to book then and there.

One-time offers are also effective when targeted to specific audiences, such as previous guests or email subscribers. By offering an exclusive one-time offer to these audiences, you can build customer loyalty and encourage repeat bookings.

2. Special Discounts

Let’s say you signed up for a website and it was a 25% discount for first-time buyers. Isn’t that appealing? I mean, who wants to miss this one-time chance? When new searchers visit your website, they may be hesitant to book without some incentive. Offering a special discount for new bookers can encourage them to take action quickly.

Similarly, by using language such as “Summer special price” or “Exclusive offer for new customers,” you can create an immediate need that encourages new bookers to make a purchase before the deal expires.

However, it’s important to ensure that the discounts you offer are sustainable for your business and align with your overall marketing strategy.

3. Countdown Timers

Have you ever had the urge to buy something because of the ‘Deal Ends In 00:02:14 min’ timer? It’s true, we are usually attracted to anything that is visually expressive. A countdown timer is one such visual element that displays the amount of time left before an offer expires, such as a discount or limited-time deal.

You might have seen e-commerce websites using this tactic, as it works really well. Similarly, with countdown timers on your hotel website, you can build excitement among your potential guests.

By showing them exactly how much time is left before an offer expires, you encourage them to take action quickly and make a booking with you.

4. Direct Messaging

Direct messaging or sending notifications to your website visitors or subscribers is always a plus as you can communicate with your potential guests on a more personal level and provide them with a personalized experience. 

One of the ways to use direct messaging as an urgency tactic is to send automated messages to potential guests who have abandoned their booking process.

Using personalized or automated messages, and real-time updates not only increase your website conversion rate but improve your brand loyalty as well.

For example, notifying subscribers about your loyalty programme. Loyalty members might receive exclusive discounts on room rates or complimentary upgrades. This can encourage customers to join the loyalty program in order to receive those benefits.

5. Use powerful words

What impacts the mind of searchers? Influencing words like “quick,” “fast”, ”best price guarantee”, “hurry” and many more. By using these words strategically in your marketing messages, your website visitors will be encouraged to take action quickly, ultimately driving conversions on your hotel website.

You can also use powerful words in your call-to-action (CTA) and encourage potential guests to take action quickly. For example, using CTAs like “Book now” or “Hurry” to encourage a sense of anticipation for potential guests to reserve a room quickly.

6. Low availability alerts

It’s human nature. People are more motivated to act when they perceive something as being in short supply. Notifying your potential guests that – only a few rooms are left or that the room they are interested in is in high demand will make them urge to book with you instantly.

You can display alerts on the website when there are only a limited number of rooms left available for a particular date or at a particular rate. This can stimulate a sense of demand and encourage customers to reserve before the rooms are sold out.

Additionally, you can also encourage your website visitors using popularity notifications such as ‘185 booked this in last 10 days’ or ‘25 people are viewing this right now.’ These can also encourage visitors to book with you promptly.

The post Increase Your Hotel Website Bookings with 6 Powerful Urgency Tactics appeared first on eZee Absolute.

Hotels that manage to keep a keen eye on the trends and happenings, always outplay their competitors and succeed. But keeping a tap on every aspect of the industry doesn’t seem possible.  

But again, you don’t have to know about everything. Even a certain number of hospitality industry statistics could help you ace your hoteliering game.

In this blog, I have listed some of the prominent insights from various aspects of the travel and hospitality industry.

I believe, these global hospitality industry statistics should definitely be on your radar if you want to take your hotel to the next level. 

Important Hospitality Statistics for Hoteliers to Keep In Mind

The key to success in the hotel industry is to continuously find different and new ways to deliver exceptional guest experiences. And for that, you need to understand what’s happening in the entire hospitality landscape.

To make it easier for you, here are some of the prime statistics that you, as a hotelier, should keep on your radar.

What do numbers say about the current state of the industry?

1. The global hotel industry was valued at US$ 628.4 billion in 2021. (TMR)
2. The market size of the global hotel and resort industry, which was $1.52 trillion in 2019 fell below one trillion in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Statista)
3.  In 2022, the global hotel and resort industry market was forecast to reach $1.06 trillion. (Statista)
4. Hotel room nights demand and room revenues in 2022 are expected to nearly return to 2019 levels. Room revenue is expected to reach $168 billion and occupancy is projected to be 63.4%. (AHLA)
5. In 2022, the global travel and tourism revenue will reach over $600 million. (Statista)
6. In 2021, 2,246 hotels opened worldwide, with a forecast increase of 2,805 hotel openings in 2022. (Statista)

What will the hospitality industry look like in 2024 and beyond?

7. By the end of 2031, the global hotel and resort industry market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% and reach US$ 1.27 trillion. (Statista)
8. By 2023, the global travel and tourism revenue will return to a pre-pandemic amount of over 730 million with hotels being the main contributing segment to this increase. (Statista)
9. The global hotel and travel accommodation industry is projected to have a CAGR of 7% by 2025, resulting in a market value of $1.05 trillion. (Zippia)
10. Room demand is likely to reach an all-time high in 2023 and continue to shoot up in 2024. (Costar)
11. Online sales in the hotel segment will generate 80% of total revenue by 2026. (Statista)

The types of travel people are betting on at present

12. 71% of global travelers want to travel more sustainably compared to 2021 data. (Booking.com)
13. 38% of global travelers look for information on the sustainability efforts of a property before they book. (Booking.com)
14. 78% of respondents think there is still more to do to make more sustainable stay options easier to find for everyone. (Booking.com)
15. Despite global economic and political uncertainty, 72% of respondents feel traveling is still worth it. (Hospitalitynet)
16. 43% of travelers are likely to use virtual reality for their travel choices. (Hospitalitynet)
17. 46% are more likely to travel somewhere they otherwise wouldn’t have if they could experience it virtually first. (Hospitalitynet)
18. In 2023, 42% of travelers want to go on a break that focuses on their mental and physical health. (Hospitalitynet)

Technology’s pivotal role in the hospitality industry

19. Around 70% of millennials prefer to book with hotels that offer technologies like contactless check-in and payments. (Eastern Peak)
20. 80% of hotel guests would prefer to download and use a hotel app to check in, check out and check information about the hotel. (Hotel Management)
21. 47% of hotel guests would prefer to order room service if the hotel has the option of ordering via an app. (Hotel Management)
22. With technology, around 93% of hoteliers witnessed the biggest gains in terms of efficiency. (Hotel Operations)
23. Around 89% of on-property respondents are likely to report their teams benefited from technology. (Hotel Operations)
24. More than 50% of hoteliers feel technology companies don’t understand their needs. (Hotel Operations)

How Do Statistics Benefit Hotel Businesses?

The travel and hospitality industry highly depends on numbers and trends. Keeping a tap on statistics helps hotel businesses understand their strengths and what may be working against them.

To get a clear picture, let’s look at the specific benefits of statistics.

Services Recommendation

When a hotel collects detailed information derived from sources, it can analyze that data and predict trends for the upcoming months or years. And this is really important for improving offerings, finding newer and better ways to attract customers, and boosting sales.

For example, research shows that travelers going to hill stations for trekking are more likely to avail of services from the hotel itself. Now, as a hotelier, you should first do your research on the same and if things turn out to be true, you must get your hands into setting up trekking offers and deals.

Revenue Management

Numbers are at the heart of hotel revenue management. Although figures that relate directly to the hotel are usually preferred, ignoring general data from the industry isn’t a great thing to do.

With relevant numbers from the industry, revenue managers can perform better analyses to predict customer behavior and optimize strategies to maximize revenue.

In other words, it all boils down to understanding the supply and demand trends and identifying what actually travellers value the most.

Let’s look at the stat that reads “travel and tourism revenue worldwide will return to a pre-pandemic amount, which is 730 million, and hotels are going to be the main contributors.” For us, this might seem like data about the industry reviving but for hotel revenue managers it is an opportunity to bring in more cash to the register.

Marketing Efficiency

Hotel marketing is definitely one of those aspects that benefits to a greater level with statistics. It allows hotel marketers to understand what exactly travelers are seeking. Once they get a hold of the traveler’s preferences, it becomes really easy to run relevant marketing campaigns.

If you look at the current trends section of the block, it emphasizes highly on sustainable travel. Now, if hoteliers manage to somehow leverage the sustainability quotient in their marketing campaigns, they are more likely to attract guests looking for sustainable stay options.

However, ensure that your efforts to showcase sustainability aren’t relying on greenwashing.

The post Hospitality Industry Statistics You Must Check Before Stepping Into 2024 appeared first on eZee Absolute.

Time flies, but some things don’t change. Even today, guests look for kid-friendly hotels, to spend time with their children, amidst a safe and serene environment without compromising on their quality of vacation.

To attract such guests you need to make your hotel child-friendly. How?

Simple, continue reading…

What is a kid-friendly hotel?

Kid-friendly hotels better known as family hotels, are accommodation facilities that have deployed certain measures with various facilities for kids to enjoy in a safe surrounding.

Let me give you an example. Auchrannie Resort, a beautiful property located in Isle of Arran, United Kingdom, is one of the best child-friendly hotels across the UK. 

The resort offers a variety of services and facilities for families with children, making their vacation a wonderful experience. They have a speciality restaurant that has a separate menu for kids.

Moreover, the property arranges for a babysitter if guests require one. Apart from that, the resort has various activities to enjoy such as bikes for exploring the area, games (basketball, volleyball, tennis), swimming pool (a separate one for kids with lifeguard), spa, and whatnot.

Obviously, even you would like to travel to such properties with your families and enjoy it without stressing about what your kids are doing. 

So, why not make your hotel child-friendly that would compel guests to choose you over others?

How to make your hotel child-friendly and entertaining?

I’m sure, the above example must have intrigued you to find tips to make your hotel kid-friendly. So, without much ado, let me get straight to the ways you should implement at your property. 

1. Allot certain room for families

To begin with, I would suggest you dedicate some of your large rooms (suites or rooms with king-size beds) specifically for families.

The reason why I say this is because it will save your time whenever a family checks in. You can directly allocate them your family room, without even needing it to customise for things like extra beds.

All you need to do is keep those rooms ready for guests travelling with children. 

Just invest in some additional amenities apart from your usual ones, deploy them in the rooms, and voila! It’s done.

You might be wondering what those additional amenities are. Let me answer your question in the next point.

2. Get your rooms ready for kids

Suppose, you offer various amenities to your guests in a room such as bathrobes, towels, dental kits, slippers, and TCM. It’s obvious that those would be for adults and would not be feasible for kids.

So, what to do in such a case?

Simple, invest in amenities that can cater to kids. For example, you can vouch for baby dental kits, small sized bathrobes and slippers, hot chocolate mix for kids, or fruit juice and shakes.

You can promote these amenities on your hotel’s website with relevant pictures. This will help you in fetching more bookings from guests looking for child-friendly hotels.

3. Prepare a customised menu and dishes for kids

Now that your rooms are ready, let’s do something more for the kids who would be staying at your hotel. You know children are cranky in nature when it comes to food. 

Most of the kids are attracted to fast foods like pizzas, burgers, ice creams, and the list goes on. But they are unhealthy, which is another reason for parents to worry. 

This problem gets doubled when they visit any hotel, as kids compel them to order a certain dish, and they don’t even finish it, thereby wasting both food and money.

You can offer a customised menu for kids to deal with such scenarios. The Bedruthan Hotel and Spa, UK, is a perfect reference for this strategy. 

They have dedicated an entirely separate restaurant area known as Wild Cafe for kids. They have curated a special menu for children with specific portion size that’s appropriate for one kid, thereby avoiding food wastage and revenue loss.

You can take an idea from this and implement it to make your hotel child-friendly too.

4. Make your hotel babyproof and entertaining

Another important step you need to take before opening your hotel for family guests is creating a safe environment for kids with activities for their entertainment.

First, you need to childproof your hotel; especially, the family rooms. 

Here are some tips that can work for you:

• Keep hazardous equipment out of reach
• Install soft carpets on the floor
• Place extra cushions in rooms 
• Cover electrical sockets
• Check for any maintenance work
• Avoid keeping any sharp objects in rooms (like cutlery, pen, or pencil)

Apart from that, train your staff to handle emergency situations in case of any accidents. Ask them to take precautionary measures while cleaning guest rooms and floors with children, as a minor mistake can result in a major mishap.

If your property has a swimming pool, keep a separate pool area for kids. Alternatively, you can schedule a separate timing for kids to enjoy.

However, in both cases ensure you keep a lifeguard available for monitoring the children. Also, if your budget allows you, arrange some video games, outdoor trampoline, swings, and slides for kids.

5. Surprise kids with gifts or chocolates at reception

Finally, it’s time to welcome kids at your hotel. But, how to get their attention in the first place?

Welcome them with a small gift like a toy or maybe chocolates. Kids love that! 

This is kind of an ice-breaker. If you manage to get their interests in your hotel at the check-in, trust me, they would enjoy staying at your property.

Moreover, if the kids are happy, the parents would definitely consider booking your property again.

6. Provide the parents with engagement activities

With all the above-mentioned steps being implemented at your property, I’m sure the kids would be engaged for quite a time. But, what about parents?

You need to take care of them too. What I mean is, the parents can now relax without being much worried about their kids, and you can do your part by making their stay more engaging.

Offer them activities like candle light dinner, city tour, or high-tea options. You can also arrange for craft or cooking classes, game nights, or any other options for families to enjoy an evening together. 

The post How To Make Your Hotel Child-friendly? [On-demand Article] appeared first on eZee Absolute.

It made me wonder, if I was a student or part of a military training camp. Eventually, my mentors guided me that both terms are miles apart from each other.

While working in the hospitality industry, I came across various opportunities and ways to do it. So today, let’s find more about SWOT analysis of hotels.

What is a SWOT analysis?

SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats. It’s an old-school way to assess an individual or a business at certain parameters.  

Many hotels adopt this technique before commencing their operations or when they face a critical situation. It gives an overview of all the angles that could affect their business negatively or positively.

But, being a traditional approach, hoteliers wonder if it’s necessary to perform their hotel’s SWOT analysis.

Why should you do your hotel’s SWOT analysis?

Let’s understand the importance of hotels SWOT analysis with a situation.

Say, you own a hotel amidst snowy mountains.  Initially, your property brims with guests. But soon enough, you notice a drop in the bookings. 

To recover from this loss, you deploy impromptu strategies. But none of them work.

The SWOT analysis comes into the picture here. It will give you an outlook of your hotel’s up-selling factors as well as the areas that have a scope of improvement.

How? 

First, let’s take a look and understand the hotel SWOT analysis report.

Here is a brief explanation of each point for better clarity.

Strengths of hotel: These are the key areas highlighted positively by guests. They give you an edge over your competitors. It could be location, food quality, polite staff, and such likes.

Weaknesses of hotel: Your property’s highly criticised aspects, falls under this segment. You tend to lose a majority of guests due to these points. Unclean rooms, rude staff, bad food, and slow services are some of the hotel weaknesses examples.

Opportunities of hotel: Any upcoming events, functions and holidays, which can bring you business are an opportunity. You can also consider any low-performing competitor in this vertical. 

Threats of hotel: What threatens your business? Reduced market share, well-performing competitors, hotel aggregators and so on. These are to name a few. Any factor that sweeps your guests away, is a part of this category.

Once you determine the core aspects of the SWOT, they will assist you in streamlining your focus points. You can then take corrective actions to improve your hotel’s performance.

What factors are to be considered while doing hotel SWOT analysis?

Now that you know what is SWOT analysis in hotels, it’s time to learn about the factors that will help you figure it out.

a. Revenue and forecasting report

I hope you read my previous blog on hotel reports. As stated in it, sales and forecasting reports play a vital role in the hospitality industry. 

An overview of your revenue based reports will give you a brief idea of your hotel’s performance. A gradual drop in the figures should trigger a red alert.

You can analyse the sales reports to see which department is contributing more towards the revenue.

Your priorities should be focusing on the areas where the cost incurred is more than the revenue generated.

b. Understanding market share index

Every hotel has a specific market share index. It provides them with a foresight to plan sales strategies.

In simple words, market share is all about determining your hotel’s performance with respect to your competitors. Calculating it is simple and doesn’t require working on heavy data.

All you need is the total room count of your hotel and other properties in your competitive set.

Let’s assume that your hotel has 20 rooms. You have three competitors, each with 20 rooms.

So, the total market potential would be 20*4=80 rooms per day.

Let’s say, each hotel achieved 50% occupancy every day for the entire week. So, the actual market potential would be, the sum of all the rooms sold in a week by each hotel.

In your case, it would be:

10*7 + 10*7 + 10*7 + 10*7 = 280 rooms.

Once you consolidate the data, it’s time to calculate your rightful and actual market share:

Let’s use this formula and understand your case study.

If we see, your actual and rightful market share are equal. This implies that your hotel is doing quite well in comparison to the competitors.

c. Competitor Analysis

In any business, competition is a MUST. Even in the hospitality industry, you will be the best until you have a compset (competitor set).

It’s quite simple to understand. If I were the only accommodation provider in my vicinity, it would make me rank at the top.

However, the real challenge would be when a new hotel opens in the same locality. The market share will split into two. 

It will be a tough competition. Guests will choose a hotel providing a better quality of services.

Similarly, during hotel SWOT analysis, it’s crucial to determine your compset. It will guide you in gauging your potential threats. 

Eventually, you can redefine your marketing strategies and work on your weaknesses to stay ahead of the game. 

So you can see, competitor analysis is quite an important step here.

d. Hotel reviews

Reviews are a pivotal factor during SWOT analysis of hotels. They provide a 360-degree view of any property’s best and worst features. 

Most of the OTAs and reviewing websites have keyword-based searches. If guests click on a specific word in the reviews tab, it shows them all the feedbacks related to it. 

It’s the best tool for hotels to analyse their most praised and criticised points by the guests. It helps them in understanding the property from the guests’ perspective.

How to prepare a hotel SWOT analysis report?

So, with all the mise-en-scène and mise-en-place ready, it’s time to create the hotel SWOT analysis report.

Although there are various ways to do it, I would suggest going with the quadrant method. Why?

1. It’s easy to understand
2. All the aspects are available on a single platform

It’s similar to using a graph in mathematics. Once you have created quadrants, start listing strengths and weaknesses of the hotel.

As I said earlier, use reviews to accomplish this task. You can opt for a reputation management tool. It will share a comprehensive report of positive and negative points from all the booking websites you are listed. 

After listing these points, check for upcoming social events in your city. Don’t forget to consider any carnivals, feasts, holidays or corporate conferences.

I would recommend exploring new market segments such as solo travellers, corporate guests and staycation as well.

This leads us to the last part of the SWOT analysis for hotel – Threats. As I said, disregarding your competitors is a grave mistake. 

I would suggest considering their reviews, market share, ADR, ARR and other verticals while mentioning threats. It will give you an accurate position of where your hotel stands in comparison to your competitors.

With all the relevant updates done, it’s time for you to use this report and make the necessary changes to be your guests’ best choice.

The post Here’s How You Can Do Hotel SWOT Analysis Effectively appeared first on eZee Absolute.

Whether planning or on a trip, travelers turn to TripAdvisor to compare prices of hotels, flights, and cruises. They also visit the site to book popular tours and attractions, as well as reserve tables at great restaurants. 

For that reason, TripAdvisor for hotels has proved to be the largest and most profitable channel.

So, in this blog, I am bringing the best ways to help you make the most of TripAdvisor.

Right from setting up your listing to acquiring bookings from it; I have covered A-Z of TripAdvisor for hotels.

Let’s begin with,

Why should hotels have a listing on TripAdvisor?

Well, before I start, let me give you some shocking highlights:

Source: Travel Media Group

Along with this, by the year 2020, the site draws

Source: TripAdvisor Media Centre

Now, the website is also available in nearly 50 countries and in dozens of languages.

TripAdvisor is known for its Popularity Ranking. This ranks hotel based on their scores from travelers.

• A survey carried out by Forrester states, a massive 81% of those surveyed said reviews are important, with just 3% saying they are not.

• Statistics by MGHworld suggest that over two-thirds of customers will avoid booking a hotel after reading one to three negative reviews.

Well, all these statistics sustain the fact that your target audience literally TRUST TripAdvisor.

Hence, neglecting TripAdvisor listing can turn out to be a significant mistake for your business. 

Having known the importance, let us understand,

Steps to claim your TripAdvisor business listing

You’d be surprised to know that nearly every hotel in the world is on TripAdvisor. 

Since a TripAdvisor Business Listing already exists for your hotel; you can either claim the existing listing or create a new one for yourself. 

By claiming your listing, you can access the tools needed to improve your reputation. This helps to get you more exposure and opportunities to build your brand.

You can check if the hotel is listed by visiting – Tripadvisor Listing.

If your business appears in the search results, it means your listing already exists on TripAdvisor. 

To claim, click on your business name and click the “Claim Your Business” option to sign up for TripAdvisor’s Management Center.

On the other hand, if you don’t find your business in the search results, here’s how you can add your TripAdvisor listing.

You can start creating a new listing by visiting – List your business on Tripadvisor.

On this web page, select your business type from – Hotels, Restaurants, Attractions, or Vacation Rentals. 

The process for adding your business and creating a listing on TripAdvisor is quite easy.

Following are the steps to create a new or claim an existing listing:

Step 1: Fill out the basic information about you and your business

Make sure that this information is correct and updated. Because TripAdvisor will send a message to the email address listed here, once the listing is published.

Step 2: Pin your business’ location on a map

TripAdvisor recommends you to drop the marker as close as possible to the entrance of the business. If it doesn’t have an entrance, drop the marker at its “geographic center.”

Step 3: Provide property details such as:

• Total number of rooms
• Price range
• Minimum stay requirements
• If you have on-site staff and security
• Details on front desk staffing
• If bathrooms are en suite
• Included amenities

Step 4: Describe your property

Add a property description. This helps users learn more about the business. It must be written in the local language, and it shouldn’t contain HTML code, contact information, or text in all caps. (https://safeanimalshelter.com/)

Step 5: Add your profile photo

Firstly, you need to upload your business profile photo. This image will be displayed on the listing and serves as the first impression for users.

TripAdvisor guidelines state that the photo should be in a JPG or GIF file format and a maximum file size of 100 KB. (Without any borders or logos.)

Step 6: Hit “Submit”

After performing all these steps, all you have to do is submit the application. Verify that you are a representative of the business by clicking on the box at the bottom of the form. Then click the “Submit” button to send the application.

Once everything is done, TripAdvisor editors will then verify the details and send you a confirmation email.

This part of the process takes about five business days to complete.

Now let’s see,

Ways to optimize your listing on TripAdvisor

Along with having a listing, you need to optimize it in order to yield better results. Here are a few ways to do that:

1. Verify your information

Confirm that all the details on your listing are correct. 

Once you’ve registered, double-check that your business’ name, address, phone number, links to your website, and email is correct. 

You can make any edits in the Management Center by clicking "Profile" in the top menu and selecting "Manage Listing”. 

This will allow you to update or add information. As an official representative of the business, your edits will override any existing content.

Further, add a description of your property. Make sure that your property’s description content is rich, attractive, and helps you stand ahead of your competitors. 

In addition, include information about opening times, seasonal activities, suitability for children, or groups; everything that will help travelers select your attraction.

In this way, you can add a brand new listing on TripAdvisor.

2. Upload photos

The photos as well as videos of your property and your surroundings help travelers to set an expectation of their stay beforehand. 

The more the photos, the better will be the engagement.

As TripAdvisor says, businesses with 30 or more photos have 41% better engagement than those with 10 or fewer.

You are entitled to upload an unlimited number of images. Make sure you let travelers see what they can look forward to, whether it’s an adventurous walking tour or a beautiful outdoor park.  

Once you have a few pictures, select one as your primary photo to create a strong first impression amongst travelers.

3. Add booking links to your listing

TripAdvisor has partnered with external companies to allow travelers to make bookings directly from your listing. 

If you would like to get a ‘Book Now’ link on your listing, register your business on Viator. If you’re already a Viator supply partner, add more products here (sites available in English only).

Within each listing, TripAdvisor shows rates of other hotel booking sites like Booking.com and Priceline. However, you can set your own rate on TripAdvisor.

With the ‘Book Now’ button, customers can reserve a stay through TripAdvisor instead of going to another travel site. 

In addition to the button, there’s an ability to show live rates and overall availability on the listing page.

4. Add attractions in your listing

Attractions are to be added to the “Things to Do” section on TripAdvisor. 

To join this list, attractions must meet the following requirements:

• Shall be interesting to travelers
• Should meet TripAdvisor’s animal welfare policy
• Must be open or taking reservations for a future opening date
• Have an official name and permanent address
• Must be open to the public for at least 12 consecutive weeks

The sole exception to these requirements is “Performances”; such as specialty shops, museums, or nature areas that are at one venue for at least 24 consecutive weeks.

You can sign up as an attraction by following the same process on TripAdvisor Owners page. The only difference is that you select “Attractions” as the listing type.

After having your listing optimized, let us find ways on,

Ways to improve your TripAdvisor ranking

Your hotel’s ranking on TripAdvisor plays an important role to enhance online presence and get more bookings.

Popularity Ranking is based on user reviews and reflects your standing against other businesses within your geographical location. 

In addition, your property’s popularity ranking is important because it helps you appear higher in the search results.

TripAdvisor ranks your property based on these three main factors:

IMPORTANT: Asking customers to leave reviews is a great idea, but offering incentives is against TripAdvisor’s policy.

In con, along with quality and quantity, you need to ensure a consistent flow of strong and positive reviews. 

Remember,

More reviews help build confidence faster.

Moving ahead, let’s understand, 

How to drive more bookings from TripAdvisor?

The ultimate aim of your listing is to GET MORE BOOKINGS. So, here are some ways through which you can get more bookings from TripAdvisor:

1. Optimize your ranking in search results 

Search results pages are instrumental in helping travelers sort through all the accommodation options available and find the one that’s right for them. 

When travelers land on a search page, they’ve chosen their destination — or narrowed it down — and they’ve started to build a list of hotels that will become their consideration set. 

Below are a few examples of common pages a traveler may land on.

To sum up, your goal is to get noticed on any of these pages according to your property type.

2. Review Management 

The way you manage your reviews has a great impact on your presence and plays an important role to get you more bookings. 

With 100s of reviews written every minute, it’s easy to fall behind. 

More than half of TripAdvisor users will not book a property that does not receive any reviews. 

Lastly, to compete on TripAdvisor, you MUST earn positive reviews on a regular basis. Let me tell you how you can get a consistent review: 

a. Ask for reviews

Well, it is obvious, if you don’t ask, you don’t get it. Ask your guests to leave a review or feedback. Begin asking happy guests to leave a review.

Also, after they check out, you can send a thankyou email and in that, you can ask them to review you. 

b. Get along with TripAdvisor Review Express Program

One most important benefit of TripAdvisor for hotels is the Review Express Program. It is a free, powerful email-based review collection program that makes it easy for hotels to invite recent guests to submit reviews on TripAdvisor.

TripAdvisor has recognized several booking engines and hotel software vendors, as TripConnect Premium partners (which by the way, eZee is).

If you enroll in this program with a premium partner, TripAdvisor itself sends emails to collect feedback automatically from your hotel software or booking engine.

In the same vein, you can track the performance of your different email campaigns on the Review Express Dashboard. You’ll see valuable metrics from each campaign such as the number of total opens, clicks, and reviews received from the email.

c. Custom Reminder Cards

Another great way to get more TripAdvisor reviews is by creating reminder cards that you can print and distribute to guests at the front desk.

TripAdvisor itself offers these types of cards. Here’s how to get them:

• Under the “Marketing Tools” tab in your Management Center select “Promotional Tools”
• Click on “Order Now” under Business Cards
• Choose “Business Cards” in our promotional shop
• Click on the reminder cards that fit your business. You can customize it as well.

Important Tip: Distribute these cards at checkout, the end of a meal, or when the tour comes to an end to remind guests to write a review when they return home. 

d. Reminder Flyer

Ask your guests to write about their experience by giving TripAdvisor’s downloadable flyer.

The downloadable flyer can also be found in your Management Center, under “Marketing Tools”.

The flyer is available in many languages, for your guests visiting from all over the world.

Important Tip: Hang this flyer in a high traffic area as an effortless reminder to your guests as they pass. 

Now, in these different ways, you will be able to collect enough reviews.

But, is that all?

Not really! Because collecting reviews is just a part of the whole shebang.

Further, another significant aspect is to RESPOND to them regularly.

Responding to reviews is a vital element of managing TripAdvisor listings. It tells customers that their opinions are vital and you care about every piece of feedback regardless of its sentiment.

In fact, 45 percent of consumers say they are more likely to visit a business that responds to its reviews.

TripAdvisor alerts you when you receive a review. So, you can respond to those reviews ASAP.

When done well, responding reviews can enable higher bookings for your property.

Here are some review response templates that might help you to respond quickly and correctly.

3. Add TripAdvisor Widgets on your website

Include the free widgets on your own website which TripAdvisor offers. These help you to showcase a TripAdvisor rating and encourage customers to leave reviews on the listing page.

Above all, review widgets can increase conversions on your site and provide social proof that your business is trusted by other consumers.

You can check out the Widget Center to see which widgets are available for a listing.

Besides, you can have the following widgets on your website:

• Rated on TripAdvisor Badges: There are three variations of this widget, which shows the listing’s overall rating and review count.
• Review Snippet Widget: This displays the listing’s rating and snippets of recent reviews.
• Write-A-Review Widgets: These widgets encourage customers to review the business on the website.
• Review Widgets: A “scrolling showcase,” that features your recent best review.

4. Participate (and win) in Travellers’ choice awards

TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence award is one of the most desired badges for businesses in the travel sector. 

It can set your business apart from your competitors and give you more visibility.

They have been handing out the Certificate of Excellence since 2011 to honor hospitality businesses, that deliver consistently great service across the world.

An average of only 10% of businesses listed on TripAdvisor receive this Certificate of Excellence. 

Since there is no specific application process for this; the achievement is earned by businesses that are able to collect great reviews and high ratings on TripAdvisor.

To get the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, you must:

• Maintain an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars
• Have a minimum number of reviews (TripAdvisor doesn’t specify the actual number)
• Must be listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months

The award winners are announced every year by the end of May. This means that your business should be listed onTripAdvisor for the entire 12 months between 1st April and 31st March, to be eligible for the award.

Note: The certificate validity is for one year from the issue.

5. Join the different TripAdvisor Programs

This travel giant offers a wide range of programs for the business to help them showcase the best of their property. 

a. TripAdvisor Instant Booking Program: 

With TripAdvisor Instant Booking, travelers can reserve hotels and accommodations directly on the site. 

This is indeed a great way for TripAdvisor businesses to capitalize on the website’s traffic. (After all, travelers are more willing to book when they don’t have to leave a trusted site like TripAdvisor.)

As a paid feature, TripAdvisor Instant Booking:

• Lets potential guests see your live rates and availability on the site.
• Allows travelers to click on “Book on TripAdvisor” from your listing.
• Gets you bookings directly through your trusted connectivity partner.

Above all, TripAdvisor Instant Booking brings reservations to hotels by working with several certified connectivity partners.

Furthermore, connectivity partners include booking engines, channel managers, and property management systems. (You may view TripAdvisor’s list of connectivity partners here.)

Well, it is based on a “Pay for Stays” commission model. This means that you need to pay TripAdvisor only for the bookings that turn into stays.

There is no upfront investment and no long-term commitment required to sign up.

b. TripAdvisor Affiliate Program: 

The affiliate program allows you to leverage the TripAdvisor brand to enhance your content. Additionally, it helps you to earn a steady revenue stream on hotel traffic.

It provide users, access to content covering 795 million reviews and 1.4 million places to stay.

c. Start a Sponsored Placements campaign:

Put your listing above search results with Sponsored Placements.

It is a new advertising solution that puts your property in front of potential guests on key pages. 

Besides, most of the properties think, that the only way to influence TripAdvisor search rankings is to maintain a large number of excellent reviews.

But, the Sponsored Placements now help low-ranking hotels appear at the top of the search results.

However, the new ads are only differentiated from the rest of TripAdvisor’s listings by a grey ‘Sponsored’ label next to the name of the hotel. Apart from the grey label, the ads look the same as the organic listings beneath. This enables them to target consumers searching for hotels in their destinations and gain bookings.

Therefore, Sponsored Placements present an excellent opportunity for hotels to increase their visibility on this hugely influential website.

So, this is what all I could share about benefits of TripAdvisor for hotels.

FAQs

In conclusion

TripAdvisor for hotels is a huge advantage for the entire hospitality industry. Make the most of it. Share positive reviews on social media and marketing materials.

In short, when used effectively, TripAdvisor can help you reach more customers.

So, create a solid plan and leverage TripAdvisor to grow your business.

The post What are The Benefits of TripAdvisor for Hotels? [End-to-end Guidebook] appeared first on eZee Absolute.

I’m sure this question would tickle your guests’ minds every time they plan for a trip, as the current crisis has put the travel and tourism industry to a standstill. 

Though we also see that tourism is being recovered in some parts of the world, and the first thing that is about to bounce back is domestic tourism.

So, in this blog, I am going to provide you with advice on how to attract domestic travellers at your hotel. 

Whether you are still in lockdown, preparing for restrictions to be lifted, or open to domestic travel; these are ideas that you can put into practice to win guests and regain revenue.

But, before that let’s understand,

What is domestic travel and why would people prefer that post the pandemic? 

Domestic travel. You must be familiar with this term right? Well, it’s all about exploring your own home country. 

With the uncertainty of what happens tomorrow, it is likely that your guests would prefer to travel internally at least for a while. 

This would make them feel comfortable and have a sense of trust in case of any medical emergencies; as they aren’t much away from their home.

Likewise, a staycation would also be an upcoming trend. These are travellers that prefer to explore places in their own backyards, close to their home city, and connect to their own local culture.

They are probably those who like going on a quick road trip or prefer staying in their own city. 

Besides, the observing change to go VOCAL FOR LOCAL across countries would make your guests go for domestic travel for quite some time.

But, how would you attract domestic travellers to your property? 

All you need to do is, be prepared to cater to their needs and match their expectations.

This would help you to boost your revenue and uplift your business.

So, let’s figure out,

Why should hotels favour domestic travellers? 

By far, there are barely any bookings being made for the future, and the current ones all stand cancelled. 

All the more, international travel hasn’t resumed completely; and the only option available to explore is domestic travel.

So, to give you a closer look at this, I’d like to share with you some data that I have been closely monitoring for the past few months.

Here’s a graphical representation that I observed on the number of bookings received per month in a COVID19 environment.

If we see, these are some of the worst hit times that the industry has faced where the months of April and March remain to be the most affected ones. 

However, with time, we saw things improving gradually. Tourism is once again getting back on track and people have started to plan their trips.

But, there are a lot many factors that need to be looked into to entice the attention of your domestic tourist.

Let me guide you on that below.

What type of guests would be travelling post the outbreak? 

Observing constant changes in the environment and behaviour of your guests, it is unlikely to judge who would be travelling in such a crisis. 

However, initially, you can expect couples who missed on to celebrate their special occasions amid lockdown or small groups of friends reuniting for a weekend break. 

To add on, there would be countless families that might have cancelled their trips during the outbreak. So, you could also witness such a group of guests at your property. 

Apart from this, your repeat guests would be most likely to visit your hotel. For now, trust and familiarity are such factors that would encourage them to come back.

During such instances, you can set limits on the number of base adults staying in one room.  And also, allocate alternate rooms to your guests thereby abiding social distancing. 

For time being, I advise you not to take bookings from countries that have been most affected by the virus.

I’m sure, considering even such minute precautions would benefit your property to stay safe in the long run.

Now, let’s find out ways on how you can attract domestic travellers.

How to attract domestic travellers at your hotel?

With rising expectations of your guests, you need to be well prepared to offer what they are looking forward to. 

The one thing that would be on top of their mind post this outbreak, is SAFETY. And, you definitely need to ensure them a safe stay at your hotel.

Bearing in mind the types of travellers that might visit your property, you must ensure ways to attract them to maximize your revenue.

Adding on, you might have witnessed every second hotel taking a hit during COVID-19, so make sure to have a plan smarter than ever before to get back on track.

Below I have listed down the ideas that would help you to plan and bring in a good amount of domestic guests at your property. Have a look:

1. Reframe your safety and hygiene norms

Constantly focusing and following the guidelines issued by the government, I’m sure you must have rolled out various precautionary measures at your hotel. 

Besides, I would like to mention a few MUST-HAVE measures that everyone at your property should follow. 

On your doorstep, make it a mandatory requirement to perform temperature checks for all your guests and hotel staff.

Along with this, install hand sanitizers across your hotel’s premises.

Further, to create a sense of trust and comfort for your guests, hang posters showcasing the precautionary measures you’ve implemented.

Lastly, make sure that everyone is following the required protocols and that your hotel’s premises, rooms, gym, pool area, restaurant, etc. are disinfected at regular intervals.

2. Impart usage of COVID19 safety kit 

In the old times, you offered complimentary toiletries to your guests. Similar to that, you can now provide complimentary COVID19 safety kits.

Post the crisis, even when things have settled down, you can place such kits in each of your hotel rooms. 

Make sure this comprises a mask, hand sanitizer, gloves, and a face shield (if need be).

Besides, highlight about this on your hotel’s website, social media, and every possible link that reaches out to your guests. 

So, when they make a booking, they are well aware of the safety precautions your hotel is taking.

3. Get in touch via emails 

Emails are not dead and never will be! They have been the most convenient way of reaching out to your guest even during the lockdown scenarios.

Start engaging with your existing as well as past guests. They are the ones who would be more likely to visit your property.

Focus on sending emails like your hotel’s reopening date, safety precautions you’ve taken, special offers, deals, promotions, and more. 

Don’t rush by sending too many emails regularly. Share them at fixed intervals and cater to the cities that are less affected by the virus.

I’m sure this would work and get your loyal guests enticed.

4. Reach out via social media

Social media is the best tool to get you more guests and keep them updated about your hotel. All the more, it helps you to reach out to a much larger audience.

So make sure you add this one in your plan! Be socially active and regularly post about the steps you are taking to keep your property safe and sanitized. 

Once you start receiving bookings, you can also highlight the packages and discounts that you are offering.

I have some ready-to-use social media templates to offer you. (Edit it as per your requirements)

This platform is vast if you have the right strategies for social media marketing then I’m sure you can do wonders and attract maximum guests.

5. Emphasize on your hotel’s location

If your property is situated in a beautiful landscape then you can take advantage by highlighting it. For now, all your guests want is a pleasing environment to stay in. 

And, having the plus of a mind-blowing location wouldn’t be hard for you to gain potential guests. 

However, if it is the other way around, then you can instead portray the various amenities that your hotel offers.

Along with that, do mention about the direct flights that reach out to your location. I’m sure your guests don’t want to be a part of the crowd for a much longer time.

And, having such direct flights to your location can be a plus point for them to choose your property.

6. Set attractive pricing 

One way to stand apart from your competitors is by having attractive and affordable pricing packages for your guests.

We all know that the pandemic has hugely affected all economies. So, the one thing that your guests would prefer is a low-budget stay.

Initially, you can acquire guests at a lower price than what you used to offer previously. 

Once you observe a good inflow, you can accordingly alter your hotel pricing strategies.

Do focus on planning out some really effective pricing combos and discounts. This will surely help your hotel to bring in more bookings.

7. Encourage contactless services

Contactless services are the NEW NORMAL that your hotel needs to adapt to. Like earlier, now your guests won’t prefer getting much in contact with your hotel’s staff.

Their requirements have changed. So, to match their needs, you need to now enable touch-free services at your premises. 

For this, having a guest self-service portal at your property can make your operations much simpler; thereby maintaining a physical distance between you, your staff, and your guests.

Besides, digitalization is the new way that your guests would get attracted to your property.

Right from acquiring bookings to being in touch with them post-departure, make sure you deliver contactless experiences at each stage of your guest’s life cycle.

8. Promote in-room services

Think twice, would your guests prefer to have crowded places at your premises now? No right? Not just your guests but I’m sure even you would fear that!

And post the pandemic or even earlier I’m sure such instances would take place mostly in your dining area or during the morning breakfast buffet.

One way to reduce overcrowding at such spaces is by promoting the in-room services. 

Offer them options like delivering the breakfast at their doorstep.

Make sure that it is delivered completely touch-free. You can advise your staff to ring the doorbell and leave or stand at a distance of 2 meters.

Practicing such things at your property would definitely make your guests feel secured and that you value their safety more than anything else.

9. Set flexible cancellation policies

Cancellation policies can make or break your property post the outbreak. By mentioning make or break, I mean, designing flexible cancellation policies can help you to pull more guests.

Lately, you must have received a lot of cancellations. Reason being, the pandemic of course, and its uncertain lockdown situation.

However, I’m sure you don’t want to witness such a scenario any time further. Thus, make sure you plan a fool-proof cancellation policy.

Don’t be over flexible though, do keep in mind that your guests don’t want to lose any more money in case they have to cancel their bookings due to an unprecedented crisis.

Thus, ensure that you highlight and mention about your hotel’s cancellation policy clearly on all platforms.

10. Collect and promote guest reviews

Feedback and reviews are a great way to encourage and attract more guests to your property. And, they may start to take a different shape in this changing world. 

Your potential guests will always be on the lookout for comments on the cleanliness, hygiene, and safety measures at your property.

And if you highlight them rightly on your website, OTAs, and other meta-search engines then I’m sure they can play a big part in influencing the booking decisions of your potential guests. 

Make it a practice to collect feedback from your guests as soon as they check-out. For this, no need to use the old traditions of a physical pen and paper.

Technology has reshaped. Just like payments have become cashless, likewise, feedback have turned paperless.

So, collect reviews via emails, SMSes, social media channels, and every possible way that lets you do so.

Adding these would definitely help you to entice more guests than your competitors.

Wait… That’s not all! I have some really beneficial links to share below.

Useful links and resources

Essential Requirements and Tips to Reopen Hotel

Strategies to Lift Hotel Business Post the Outbreak

Guidelines on Post COVID19 Protocols for Hotels

Effective Hotel Cancellation Policy

Guide to Discount Strategies

COVID-19 Survival Kit for Hotels

Email Marketing for hotels

Ways to Keep Your Hotel Business Safe From COVID-19

Conclusion

We know time heals everything and I’m sure it will do so for the travel and tourism industry being the most affected one. 

Besides, domestic tourism will be the first one to gear up and get back on track.

Thus, my advice for you as a hotelier would be to consider the new preferences of your travellers, stay well prepared to cater to their needs, and match their expectations.

Start with the various ways I have enlisted above to welcome your guests again. Remember to be empathetic, flexible, and helpful in your approach. 

We will recover and get through this phase too! 

I hope these ideas will attract more domestic travellers to your property and make your business fruitful.

Do let me know how this works out for you (via comments), and if you need any guidance to implement it.

The post 10 Sureshot Ways to Attract Domestic Travellers at Your Hotel appeared first on eZee Absolute.