Hoteliers, listen up! We’ve all been there: staring at our calendars with too many empty squares and wondering how to fill more rooms and meet the weekly occupancy target.
This is a constant juggle in the competitive hotel world to ensure the success of every establishment. While there are numerous aspects to consider, one crucial tip stands out: prioritize increasing your hotel’s occupancy rate before delving into strategies to save on commissions paid to Online Travel Agencies (OTAs).
Empty rooms = zero revenue. The fundamental goal of your hotel is to fill rooms consistently. An empty room doesn’t contribute to your bottom line. By prioritizing occupancy, you ensure a steady flow of revenue, making it easier to cover all your fixed costs and invest in enhancements that elevate the guest experience.
Build your brand, then control it. Get your hotel higher visibility. To achieve higher occupancy, every property owner must first invest in the right hotel advertising service. Higher visibility drives more guests to visit your online profile, leading to higher conversions. Examine the right service providers and understand how they can help you achieve your long-term business goals.
Improve Guest Experience: Guests are often driven by vibrant spaces where they can engage and enjoy more dynamic experiences. They look at your online presence, photos, and reviews before making a decision. Positive word-of-mouth, online reviews, and social media mentions often follow a bustling hotel environment, attracting more potential guests, and creating a self-perpetuating cycle of increased demand. Building a strong online presence is super important in this digital age.
Investment in Property Enhancements: Higher occupancy rates mean more resources for property enhancements and improvements. Reinvesting in your hotel allows you to create a more appealing environment for guests, further boosting your reputation and attracting a broader audience.
Balanced Revenue Strategy: Focusing on occupancy rates doesn’t mean ignoring cost-saving measures, including OTA commissions. While OTAs may offer massive reach, direct bookings mean building direct relationships with guests. A balanced approach is crucial. Maximize revenue through higher occupancy first, and then fine-tune your distribution strategy to optimize costs without compromising your hotel’s overall performance.
Prioritizing the increase of your hotel’s occupancy rate lays the foundation for a successful and sustainable business. Once you establish a consistent flow of guests, you can then turn your attention to optimizing costs, including commission payments to OTAs.
Striking this balance ensures that your hotel remains not only profitable but also well-positioned for long-term growth in the highly competitive hospitality industry.
Connect with the Hotelzify team to get a free marketing technology consultation.
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