The hospitality industry in Dubai is a source of numerous possibilities for growth, but the most challenging task is to attract guests consistently, especially when the season is off. High seasons attract large audiences and generate a lot of demand, but what happens if the demand fades? If you are the owner of one of the hotels in Dubai, you are already aware that seasonality can significantly impact your hotel occupancy rates. The topic of this blog is about the popular methods to keep the occupancy high even when the demand is low to ensure you are ahead of the competition.
Methods to Tackle the Off-Season
One of the biggest challenges experienced by hotels is maintaining profitability and hotel occupancy during the off-season, along with inconsistent bookings, and the shortage of conversions during low seasons. Thus, hoteliers are advised to introduce innovative schemes focusing on off-peak season. Some methods to keep you ahead even during off off-season are the following.
1. Recognizing the off-season and the reason.
Set up some effective off-season practices. The first step is understanding which month the off-peak time starts. Sometimes, it can be due to climate change, during the holidays, or the representation of a local event. Knowing the root cause of the seasonal slowness will help you set the stage for overcoming them.
To be specific, the hotels on Sheikh Zayed Road will typically be the most sought-after business events, but the weekend can be when the corporate crowd gets minimal when outsiders walk into this location. Recognizing your off-season period would let you shift your offers smartly.
2. Transform the unused spaces into something interesting.
The intelligent use of your space will boost the goodwill to the title of your property, which is an ingenious way to get multiple benefits for both the guests and the property’s income stream. Some of the approaches that yield a profit and bring guests are,
- Turn your lobby into a co-working space or Cafe lounge.
- Run yoga or dance classes in the unused halls.
- Change your garden into a private space for events like weddings or corporate meetings.
3. Increase Repeat Guests
Your customers’ loyalty to you is one of the ways marketing works effectively. Repeat guests not only bring direct revenue but are also trustworthy and can bring new guests. Develop relationships with those guests by identifying and satisfying their needs and wants, ensuring that they feel respected. That personal connection will, in turn, motivate them to re-book, even when it’s not peak travel time.
4. Implementing Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs are a surefire method of gaining repeated business. You can attract your past guests to come along with you again through deals like special discounts, personalized offers, or reward points. For instance, a 5-star luxury hotel in Dubai may have repetitive guests who would obtain eligibility for dining at discounted prices and have access to spa facilities, among other exclusive amenities.
5. Offer Discounts and Promotions
Offering discounts on room rates or special promotions to boost the number of guests is the best way to increase occupancy. To attract potential guests further, you can also give out family and group discounts, making your hotel a good place for larger bookings. Also, doing this, remember that the promotions should be displayed on your website and social media platforms for good response. The other marketing strategies that can increase occupancy rate are,
- Remarketing
- Email marketing
6. Partner with Local Businesses
Set up joint ventures with nearby establishments to bring a massive crowd to your hotel, even during the off-season. Collaborate with firms that hold conventions, events, or meetings by proposing your hotel as a venue. These partnerships help secure group bookings, provide full occupancy, and maximize income. It would also be a good idea to allow the locals to use the hotel facilities like a fitness center, pool, restaurant, etc., without paying for the accommodation.
7. Adjust Pricing Strategies
As an alternative during off-peak periods, the main objective is to fill rooms. Lowering your rate will increase the number of bookings, but. However, ensure your pricing strategy is well-planned and thought out. Comparing your rates with the competitors and, thus, coming up with the best rate can be a beneficial method. Attracting budget-conscious travelers will allow you to continue to get high occupancy rates and meet your operational costs.
Conclusion
Even though the off-season period is coming, your hotel is not doomed, If you properly plan and creatively think of things to do, you can keep your hotel fully booked all year. By introducing such methods as loyalty programs, innovation in the use of space, collaborations, and lower prices, you could arrive at 100% occupancy despite the slow periods. After successfully adopting these techniques and upholding a consistent promotional tactic, you will survive the off-peak season and soar over it.