The holiday booking wars have long been dominated by large online travel agencies (OTAs) such as Agoda or Expedia. But recently, they seem to be loosening their grip, and as technology evolves, new opportunities to compete are constantly being uncovered for smaller operators. At the heart of this struggle is, of course, the customers. In the past, many smaller properties …
As technology continues to change the way we live our lives, hotels around the world are utilising the newest in-room tech to wow their guests. At Hotel 1000 in Seattle, USA, electronic sensors have been implemented in guest rooms that can scan and determine if the room is occupied. This information is transmitted to a panel on the door which …
Running a holiday park is a rewarding yet difficult experience. There are so many different aspects to consider in order to make sure everything is running as smoothly as possible, but often things can start to slide. So how do you recognise where you’re going wrong? And more importantly, how do you fix it? Here are five important rules you …
Feedback loops might sound vaguely pointless, but they are used in all aspects of life, from the human body to the environment. A feedback loop produces better behaviour by using a simple continuum: something is produced, its success is measured and those results are then used to improve production. Feedback loops can be used to help build better habits …
While social media might seem like a relatively new phenomenon, it’s actually existed in one form or another for many years, dating as far back as 550 BC, where the existence of a very primitive postal service in Ancient Persia allowed people to send things in the mail through a system of horses. Luckily, social media these days is much …
According to figures released by StatisticBrain, 57 per cent of all travel reservations are made over the Internet. If your business isn’t online yet, that’s 57 per cent of potential customers you’re missing out on. The world is going digital, and your business should be no different. But the Internet is a vast, mysterious place, and if you have no …
So, how do you get around this problem, and what can you do instead of offering discounts? The first thing to say is, if your model has relied on discounts up until now, I certainly wouldn’t suggest stopping them immediately. Instead, phase them out. Start giving smaller discounts and freebies to customers, such as on-site services, meals, a bottle of …
Setting up a business in the accommodation industry is hands-down one of the best decisions I’ve made in my career. I love the versatility that comes with the job, and making clients happy is a big positive for me. But that doesn’t mean it’s been easy. There are plenty of things you need to prepare yourself for before getting started. …
When you run a business, you spend all your time chasing issues and problems that crop up throughout the day. It’s easy to miss the times of the day when you can share a laugh with your team, or celebrate the big and small wins you achieve. Anyone who knows me, knows I’m never shy of a few words to …
In a recent article, I wrote about how you can attract and retain great staff for your business. I focused on empathising with your employees’ needs, creating a team environment and reward incentives. However, what I didn’t get into in any real detail was team culture. Team culture is intrinsically linked to that of your business, and that’s something I’ve …
