Like any other industry, businesses in the hospitality sector constantly develop and reshape in order to fulfill their customers’ growing standards.
The last 100 years have introduced several so-called revolutions in the hospitality market that molded today’s business culture and defined how a successful hospitality business operates.
The big names that emerged as a result of the many years of trial and error include Hilton, Sheraton, Four Seasons, Expedia, Priceline, Booking, and Airbnb. They all stand as examples of how to implement innovative tactics to build and scale a successful brand in the hospitality industry.
Now, you can spend days and weeks examining what they all did to get where they are. But we did much of the legwork for you, so we’ll present you with five effective ways to upgrade your hospitality business.
Read on to find out where the future of the hospitality industry lies and learn the strategies that will undoubtedly help your business thrive.
Focus on Exceptional Customer Service
You’ve probably heard of the old “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” Well, in hospitality, you would want to do that and more.
Treating your guests respectfully and politely isn’t enough. Why not pamper them when you can employ tactics that are easy to follow and implement?
Your customer service is directly involved in fulfilling this cause. Their day-to-day responsibilities involve helping guests with the reservation process, check-ins, solving potential problems and complaints the guests may have, check-outs, etc.
But people are already accustomed to this type of service, and they consider it a must. What you need to do is go above and beyond their expectations and impress them with extraordinary treatment.
Exceptional customer service is what transforms guests into loyal and satisfied clients. And happy clients are the best advertisement for your business, which happens to be free of charge.
So, investing in training your customer service staff can never be in vain. The outcome will result in bringing out their best so that they can help take your hospitality business to the next level. In addition, you can never go wrong with hiring someone with a hospitality bachelor degree as they surely have undergone proper education and training.
Outstanding customer service is crucial to building a strong and memorable hospitality brand.
Offer Lots of Freebies and Amenities
Free stuff is like a magnet for more customers. Even when it’s calculated in the price (it always is), when people hear “complimentary” or “for free,” they immediately get a stronger desire to opt for that option in the hope that it brings more value to their experience.
So, try to think outside the box and offer interesting amenities that will be of great use to your guests.
For example, if you run a hotel, resort, or camp with bigger grounds, offering golf carts as a transportation option around the property can be a nice addition to the experience you provide.
Golf carts aren’t only part of the golf experience but also a greener mode of transport. There are many benefits of using golf carts in the hospitality industry, such as:
- Shuttle service for guests through the property
- Helping employees move around quickly and efficiently
- Assisting people with mobility disabilities
- Moving goods and equipment around the property
- Mobile advertising
Regardless of their use, their condition shouldn’t be taken for granted, and their maintenance is extremely important. It leaves a bad image to have out-of-order golf carts on your property.
Transition to Digital Services
As we’ve mentioned already, the hospitality industry develops and takes shape according to guests’ needs and societal norms. In this context, the digitalization of certain processes in hospitality is inevitable.
- Creating a website and taking advantage of booking platforms such as Booking, Expedia, Airbnb, or any other, will improve the booking process significantly and make it easier for you as well as your customers.
- An active presence on social media will fortify your marketing efforts.
- Providing tablets and other devices for self-service and smart rooms will yield a next-level experience for the guests.
All this leads to managing your hospitality business in an economical, efficient, and sustainable way.
Generally speaking, the hospitality industry is already largely digitized, and it stands to be even more influenced by the online landscape. However, the human touch shouldn’t be left out because, let’s be honest – it’s the one that pulls all the strings.
Join Social Media and Promote Your Business Worldwide
Because of the massive presence of social media in everyday life, social networks are a handy tool for promoting your hospitality business.
With proper marketing strategies through social media, you can impart your word and connect with millions of people who belong to your target audience. Now, that’s something that was only a hotelier’s daydream 20 years ago.
By utilizing attractive photos, videos, and positive reviews, you can express your professionalism and grab your target customers’ attention, ultimately bringing more guests to your doorstep.
Creating a business profile on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other social platform is a must, and you don’t want to be left out missing the opportunities they offer.
Provide Easy and Safe Booking
The booking process is a vital component of every hospitality business, and it needs to be as simple and safe as possible.
Online booking via booking platforms now has a considerable advantage over conventional booking by phone. It provides many benefits, such as:
- overcoming language barriers
- maintaining 24/7 availability
- eliminating human error
- providing opportunities for easy upselling
- giving guests an easy and fast way to book a service that best suits their individual needs
- offering guests the convenience of always staying updated with their reservations
Another key factor that you need to pay special attention to is safety throughout the booking process. You’ll accomplish this by entrusting the payment service to a provider with reliable and strong policies.
Final Thoughts
This article is a brief overview of a few effective strategies that you can apply to upgrade your hospitality business. Whether you implement all or some of them, always try to stay unique and constantly work on offering a better experience for your guests. They’ll appreciate your efforts and reward you with their good word and loyalty.
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