What helps increase your motel occupancy rate and keeps your customers coming back to your accommodation business?
Motel Occupancy rates are a good indication of the profitability of your accommodation business. What brings back your customers? Why do some accommodation providers have high occupancy rates and some don’t?
In the seventies, it was “free colour tv ” now it is “free wifi” to add that little extra to attract the customer.
All small businesses need a point of difference to attract customers and retain their competitive edge. With the advent of online reviews and social media, it’s important to keep your accommodation business inviting at all times. A bad review impacts your online chances of securing a customer.
Your higher Motel Occupancy rates are driven by customer satisfaction
The occupancy rate should be monitored weekly. Its is an indication of how space is generating revenue
Traveller surveys show that customers want:
- Cleanliness
- Value for money
- Happy welcome
- Facilities that work
- Quite and restful
- Comfortable beds
It is not a lot to ask for but often one or two of these just doesn’t happen will make repeat business hard to sustain.
To see how Melbourne fairs when it comes to occupancy rates follow this link
Treat travellers how you would like to be treated
How often have you experienced a situation after a long drive and you are greeted with the owner is grumpy or unaccommodating of travellers needs? Rooms, where lights are broken or are so harsh with the lighting as they have inserted those energy-saving globes in that, save money but makes a dull night lighting.
It’s often the little things that can make or break an accommodation business. I was at a meeting in country SA and a fellow meeting attendee complained about her motel. Her story was one of amusement but handled badly by the owner.
She proceeded to tell us after a big day she retired to her room and bed only to find a pair of men’s pj’s under the pillow. It was late so she decided to sleep on top of the bed thinking the sheets had not been changed. She informed the owner the next day and he laughed saying it was probably the old guy who was going to stay before her but changed his mind moved on. The motel owner showed no empathy to the customer and hence she proceeded to warn others not to stay there.
Of course, not all motel owners are the same and many go out of their way to help you. In fact, if you are a regular many add that extra something to keep you coming back.
Look after your customers, keep your lodgings clean and tidy and customers will continue to make your hotel accommodation of choice. A low vacancy percentage is good. This means more revenue to your business and ultimately a higher value upon sale of the business leasehold or freehold, depending on how your business is structured.
Online Reviews help customers decide if your place is where to rest their head!
Always ask and seek online reviews. Reply glowingly when someone leaves a great review and reply empathetically when a review isn’t satisfied.
Always be aware of the reviewer that pays out after the event without having confronted you first hand. Having told someone that you have fixed the problem for next time is better than ignoring it completely.
Running a motel or air BnB takes effort and you need to be a people person which ensures success. Occupancy rate is something that takes time to maintain but ultimately is what drives profitability and value in your business