It’s a no-brainer that the hardest industry hit by the global pandemic and the lockdowns are the hospitality industry. There isn’t a day that goes by that we hear news about the pandemic and its negative impact on hospitality and travel. And new business owners are panicking, especially those who just started their hospitality business pre-pandemic.
However, veterans in the hospitality business know that recovery is well within their reach and has precedence. For example, the SARS virus significantly impacted the hospitality industry in 2003. But the sector made a booming recovery just three years later, contributing $5,160 billion to the global GDP within that year.
So what are some strategies that they can do? Here’s what you’ll need to know.
Prepare for the Upsurge
Once the lockdowns are lifted and vaccines distributed, the hospitality industry will experience a significant resurgence of customers. So, business owners must prepare their facilities for this resurgence of customers.
You might want to re-train your staff for a quick refresher course, take care of any disrepair that might’ve happened during the lockdown, and restock any inventory that might’ve spoiled. Think of it as spring cleaning. In with the new, out with the old — so to speak.
Build Your Website
Having a website for your hotel/rental service is essential, even before the pandemic and even more so post-pandemic. Having an up-to-date website lets your old customers know that you are still operating and accepting reservations. And this also lets your new customers visit your website to browse your website at their leisure.
You must emphasize the fact that your business is taking reservations and bookings. Reassure your clients that even though the pandemic may be over, that you’re still taking the necessary precautions to ensure everyone’s safety.
Additionally, don’t forget to highlight any special post-pandemic deals that you might be offering them.
Boosting Through Franchising
If you’re not quite sure about what you have to do, there are franchise leaders who can help you start a vacation rental business that can give you the necessary tips, information, and means of getting your business going in no time. Having professional supervision and much-needed information can help ensure that you’ll be on the right track with your business model. Most experts would say that franchising is one of the best and guaranteed ways of slowly but surely rebounding your business from the pandemic.
Develop a Robust Social Media Marketing Plan
Once the pandemic is over, your business must be visible to everyone, everywhere. And the best way to achieve this goal is through social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Strategize with your manager, or better yet, invest in a social media manager that’ll help your brand stand out. Develop a month-to-month social media marketing plan.
Focus on funneling internet traffic to your website to ensure that your customers know exactly what they’re getting. Highlight the best parts of your hospitality business, be it the vast vistas, the delicious food, and activities they can do in and around the hotel.
To successfully recover from the pandemic, business owners in the hospitality industry must be proactive in their plans for growth. It is also critical that you are not afraid to pivot your business needs whenever necessary.
Travel and hotel demands will make a slow but steady rise, so make sure that you take advantage of everything in your arsenal to ensure that your business makes up for the lost revenue during the pandemic. Ensure that your loyal customers are rewarded, especially if you offer a loyalty program. Offer exclusive discounts and tailored packages that fit their wants and needs.
