From hotel financing right down to maintenance, there are many factors at play that can make or break your hotel business. So if you happen to own or manage one, you’d better keep these things in mind to ensure your hotel makes it to the top.
Now you might be wondering if there are ways to pull this off. The long and short of it is, yes! Below are eight tips that will help you run a successful hotel business.
Pick the Right Location
Location is crucial for industries like hotels, restaurants, and malls. For one thing, it makes your establishment more accessible, not to mention closer to other local businesses. But more importantly, customers value location above everything else, with many even willing to pay extra just to get a room there.
So if your hotel is still in its planning stages and you haven’t picked its location yet, best look for prime spots in the city you wish to operate.
Get the Necessary Documents In Order
To legally run a hotel, you need licenses, permits, and certifications. So better make sure you have all these peppers in order before you open your doors to any guest. Now bear in mind that hotel regulations vary depending on the country you’re operating in. In the US, these rules and by-laws will even be different for each state.
To ensure your hotel meets all the requirements (not to mention abides by the law), you need to do your homework and study these regulations thoroughly. Then be prepared to get the needed licenses and permits (and pay for them along the way).
Recruit the Right People
Next, you need to build a rockstar hotel staff. Successfully recruiting the right people begins with reaching out to those candidates. So create detailed job descriptions, clearly outlining responsibilities, benefits, and expectations.
At the same time, you should keep your eye out for candidates with a positive attitude. It doesn’t matter how good they are; if their personality sucks, they won’t be able to provide a positive hotel experience for your guests. After making the job ads, post them on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed.
Create a Growth Plan
Once everything is in order, and your business is up and running, proceed with creating a growth plan for your hotel. If this is your first time doing, so, then let the following steps guide you.
- Gather as much accurate data and insights as you can about your hotel and guests. This information will prove valuable as you create the growth plan.
- Set the right objectives. To keep them realistic, follow the SMART model when making these goals.
- Conduct a thorough SWOT analysis with your team. This will give you a clear idea about your hotel’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Experiment With Digital Marketing
With more and more people looking for hotels online now-a-days, it’s best that you have a website and social media presence for your own establishment, too.
This way, you can keep up with your competitors, winning as many customers (if not more), building your reputation, and providing unique experience, among other things. Some of the digital marketing techniques you could try out include:
- Search Engine Optimization.
- Pay-Per-Click Advertising.
- Email Marketing.
- Influencer Marketing.
- Affiliate Marketing.
- Social Media Marketing.
Provide Unique Hotel Experience
These days, it’s not enough for hotels to just provide accommodations and basic amenities to their guests. You also need to give guests an overall innovative experience as well.
So better go ahead and deliver that and more. Aside from giving your guests the usual attractive activities (e.g., concerts, fitness classes, poolside fun), you can also try giving your hotel a unique twist. A fine example is Sweden’s remarkable Treehotel.
This establishment consists of seven living pods suspended in tall pines, giving off a treehouse vibe. Each of their lodgings is also uniquely designed, from the inviting Bird’s Nest to the more surreal UFO.
Keep Your Guests Safe
Keeping our guests happy and comfortable not only means you need to provide them with outstanding amenities. It means keeping them safe throughout their stay as well. To provide that, you and your staff need to have a thorough understanding of your hotel’s safety rules, as well as the ability to stay calm during emergency situations.
This way, you’ll be able to guide guests should the need arise. Additionally, you need to consult with experienced and qualified safety experts. Through their assistance, you’ll be able to make the necessary changes in your hotel to keep your guests safe and sound.
Keep Improving
For your hotel to keep growing, you should not stick with just tried-and-tested methods, no matter how effective they may be. Instead, you should always be on the lookout for new hotel trends, as well as new technologies in the hospitality industry. Then find ways to introduce these to your establishment.
Wrapping Up
Through the tips above, you’ll be able to slowly but surely improve your hotel until it makes it to the top. Mind you, these steps will take time and effort before showing results. So best follow them with a spirit of patience and perseverance.
