The upcoming holiday season is a perfect opportunity to drive more direct bookings and boost revenue. Here are a few ways to get started
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Create Profitable Packages
Bundle rooms with dinners, spa access, or activities like skiing or Christmas events. Let guests add extras such as champagne or late check-out, small touches that enhance both value and experience.
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Run Smart Campaigns
Set up time-limited offers, early bird bookings, or last-minute stays. Use promo codes for exclusive deals or partner campaigns – a well-timed discount can fill rooms fast.
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Promote Gift Cards
Gift cards are ideal for the holidays, they generate upfront revenue, attract new guests, and are easy to purchase directly through your booking engine. Try offering a discounted or bonus-value gift card to boost sales even further.
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Optimize Your Booking Flow
Make sure your booking engine is mobile-friendly and easy to navigate. A smooth, intuitive booking experience reduces drop-offs and increases conversion rates during high-traffic periods.
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Offer Flexible Payment Options
Give guests choice with pay-now, pay-later, or deposit options. Flexible payment builds confidence, especially for higher-value holiday packages. BookVisit supports multiple payment providers, such as for example Nets. Read more about our PSP integrations here.
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Track Your Performance
Use BookVisitâs analytics tools to monitor which campaigns, packages, and channels perform best. Make data-driven adjustments to maximize results throughout the season.
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Use Waitlists to Capture Demand
Enable waitlists for sold-out dates so guests automatically get notified when rooms become available, helping you fill cancellations and minimize lost revenue.
Small seasonal tweaks can have a big impact on your results. Make the most of this period to drive engagement and profitability. With BookVisit, itâs easy to launch campaigns, create attractive offers, and ensure guests enjoy a seamless booking experience. If youâd like advice on how to tailor your setup just get in touch.
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BookVisit is proud to announce the launch of a powerful new Spa Treatment Booking Solution, developed in close collaboration with VisBook as part of Visit Groupâs integrated platform for the travel industry.Â
This game-changing feature allows guests to book spa treatments seamlessly alongside accommodation, dining, activities, and more â all within a single online flow. Â
Guests can now easily book spa treatments alongside their hotel stay in a fully integrated online journey. Real-time synchronization between systems ensures accurate availability and pricing, while enabling hotels to offer attractive spa packages and bundled deals.
Designed specifically for spa hotels and resorts, the solution is now available on Visitâs platform, through its property management product (VisBook) and online booking engine (BookVisit).
âSpa resorts have long been looking for a more connected spa booking experience. This all-in-one solution gives hoteliers a complete view of the entire guest journey and delivers the best possible experience for guests. We are proud to bring this to market – and confident it will ease operations and boost revenue for our customers,â says Glenn Cedströmer, Product Owner at Visit.
Why We Built It: Eliminating the Gap Between Stays and SpaÂ
Spa hotels and resorts across the Nordics are experiencing growing demand for flexible, self-service booking. Guests increasingly expect to plan their entire stay – including accommodation, dining, and spa – on their own terms and often outside of traditional office hours.Â
While many hotels offer online booking for rooms and general spa access, spa treatments are often handled separately. This is largely due to fragmented systems and the complexity of coordinating treatment availability â including room inventory, time slots, specific treatments, and the assigned therapist. Guests are redirected to another site, asked to call or email, or arrive hoping to book – only to find treatments fully booked. Disconnected systems create gaps in the guest journey, resulting in missed revenue, frustrated guests, and added workload for staff. Our new Spa Treatment Booking Solution was built to solve exactly that.Â
A Complete Overview of the Guest JourneyÂ
The new solution is fully integrated within Visit’s platform, connecting VisBook and BookVisit. As part of the same digital ecosystem, the systems ensure seamless data flow, enabling a connected experience for both guests and staff.Â
Thanks to this deep integration, spa resorts now gain a complete view of the guestâs journey â before, during, and after the stay.
âWhat makes this solution truly unique is the 360° view,” says Glenn Cedströmer, Product Owner at Visit. “Staff can provide exceptional guest service while spending significantly less time managing separate systems. For example, a common pain point we solve is ensuring spa treatments are automatically updated if a hotel booking is changed or cancelled – eliminating confusion and saving valuable time.âÂ
Boosting Sales and Reducing Operational CostsÂ
One of the most exciting benefits of the new Spa Treatment Booking Solution is the potential to drive more online sales. Hoteliers can now easily bundle spa treatments with accommodation packages, boosting the average booking value. Guests are presented with the option to add treatments directly during the booking process, making it simple and convenient to upgrade their stay – with no risk of overbookings or errors, thanks to real-time inventory synchronization.Â
Beyond bundled packages, the solution also opens new upselling opportunities by showcasing spa treatments as optional add-ons. Treatments can even be booked as stand-alone services, giving hotels a new revenue stream beyond overnight guests.Â
Operational efficiency improves as well. Staff can spend less time coordinating bookings manually, as guests can manage their own spa reservations – including changes or cancellations – online. Early spa bookings also help hotels better forecast demand and allocate staff and resources more effectively, reducing operational costs and easing the workload on-site.Â
Visit Group Expands Its Digital EcosystemÂ
The launch of the Spa Treatment Booking Solution is another step in growing Visitâs digital ecosystem for the hospitality and experience industry.
âBy bringing everything into one seamless platform, weâre helping our customers work smarter, sell more, and deliver even better experiences for their guests.â says Carl-Johan HolmĂ©n, Chief Commercial Officer at Visit.
Â
About Visit GroupÂ
Visit Group is the leading Nordic provider of mission-critical software for the travel and experience industry. With over 25 years of experience, Visit Group serves 2,000+ direct customers across the Nordics, including hotels, resorts, attractions, theme parks, ferry operators, and destination companies, ranging from small businesses to large enterprises. Visit Group’s modular ecosystem includes robust platforms for ticketing, point-of-sale, accommodation packaging, reputation management, distribution, e-commerce, and websites, enabling seamless guest experiences and greater operational efficiency.
Discover how Visit Group is shaping the future of experiences at visit.com.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Pettersson
Marketing Director â Hotels & Lodging
[email protected]Â
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Did you know that most guests visit 2-3 different websites before ultimately making a booking? This insight can significantly change how you approach your online presence. In our recent webinar together with our partner The Hotels Network, we shared strategies to enhance your direct bookings and get an edge over OTAs. Letâs dive into some of the key points and actionable advice that can help you attract more guests â and outsmart the OTAs.
Understanding Your Guests’ Online Journey
BookVisitâs Commercial Director Fredrik Norbeck pointed out a critical piece of data: guests typically browse multiple websites before ultimately making a booking decision. What does this mean for you? Ensuring your website is visually appealing and easy to navigate is essential. It’s not just about looking good; itâs about being found on google and other search engines and chosen in a sea of options.
”"A very interesting number is that we see guests visiting on average 2-3 different different websites before they actually make their booking... It's really important to keep that in mind."
Fredrik Norbeck, Commercial Director, BookVisit
Harnessing Data to Optimize Distribution and Pricing Strategies
Effectively managing your hotel’s distribution involves more than just understanding where your bookings are coming from and the guestsâ online journey. It requires a deep dive into how your property is perceived across different channels. Regular audits of your pricing across booking platforms ensure competitive and consistent offerings, while actively managing online reviews improves guest experiences and ratings. Knowing where and why guests book directly helps in refining marketing strategies and expanding visibility across various platforms and decreases reliance on major OTAs. Sonia Merena, Market Director Northern Europe, The Hotels Network, also discussed how leveraging analytics can help you understand and beat the OTAs at their own game. By monitoring how OTAs display your prices versus your direct rates, you can strategically adjust your pricing to ensure youâre always offering the best deal directly.
Why Local Collaborations Matter
Imagine increasing your bookings just by connecting with the cafe down the street or the local museum. Fredrik highlighted how partnerships with local businesses don’t just boost trafficâthey enhance the entire guest experience. These collaborations can be your ticket to making your hotel the go-to option in your area.
Siri, Revenue Manager, from Circus Venues, and a panel speaker in the webinar, adds a practical example from her extensive experience: “…we are 62 companies that work together for just the same purpose on getting the tourist or the guests in Stockholm to come to our island. It’s very important that you work together because we all have the same mission. We are not competitors; we are neighbors.”
Mobile is Where Itâs At
With two out of three people browsing the web via their smartphones, having a mobile-optimized website is no longer just an optionâit’s imperative. If your site isnât optimized for mobile devices, youâre likely missing out on a huge chunk of potential bookings. Make it smooth, make it fast, and watch the bookings roll in.Â
“Research shows that mobile takes up two-thirds of e-commerce… make sure that you are using responsive tools and websites and everything to convert your guests, because there’s nothing worse than getting on a website and it’s not mobile friendly.” – Fredrik Norbeck, Commercial Director, BookVisitÂ
The Paradox of Choice in Hotel Offerings
The range of options presented to guests can significantly influence booking decisions. Fredrik noted the impact of offering too many choices: “Research on having too many options shows a decrease in conversion. Going from three offers to five can reduce conversions by about 30%.” This insight highlights the need to streamline offerings to enhance guest decision-making and increase bookings. Understanding and applying the principles of the Paradox of Choice can prevent potential guests from feeling overwhelmed and abandoning the booking process.
Importance of Preferred Payment Options
Providing preferred payment options is critical in minimizing booking abandonment. Fredrik emphasized the consequences of not aligning with guest preferences: “If the preferred payment option is not available, up to 50% of potential guests might abandon the booking at the checkout phase.” He also mentioned the growing popularity of modern payment solutions, “Buy now, pay later services processed billions during the peak season, underscoring the importance of these options.” Ensuring that your hotel offers the most favored payment methods can significantly improve conversion rates and guest satisfaction.
Sustainability as a Selling Point
Sustainability as a Selling Point Eco-friendly practices are more than just good for the planetâtheyâre good for business. Hotels that actively promote their sustainability efforts tend to attract a growing demographic of travellers who value environmental responsibility. Sharing your green policies can make your hotel a preferred choice for the eco-conscious traveller.
Missed our webinar?
Donât worry, you can access the recording here. Itâs full of insights and practical tips that can transform the way you attract guests. Ready to take your hotelâs booking strategy to the next level? Book a demo with BookVisit today and see how our solutions can help you streamline your operations and boost your bookings.
Watch webinar on-demand
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We’re excited to share our latest eBook, “Boost Your Direct Bookings”. It’s designed for hospitality leaders â to make your property shine, drive direct sales, and keep guests coming back, and fill your rooms without relying so much on OTAs.
In the eBook you’ll learn to:
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Simplify Your Website:
Learn the tricks to a user-friendly website that guests love. From a clear ‘Book Now’ button to a smooth mobile experience, we guide you through it.
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Connect Directly with Guests
Discover how to give your guests a personal touch that OTAs can’t match. Offer them special deals, and make them feel at home, every time. Theyâll love booking directly with you!
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Build Lasting Relationships
We show you how to turn first-time visitors into loyal returning guests. With our tips on personalizing their stays and rewarding them for coming back, theyâll choose you again and again
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For some years now, the American tradition and shopping day âBlack Fridayâ has made its entrance into Europe. It can be a day associated with stress but also an opportunity to find bargains and buy Christmas gifts. We see it as an opportunity to increase sales, occupancy, and add value. This Friday marks âBlack Friday,â and if you donât have a plan in place yet, we would like to share some tips with you.
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Create Attractive Black Friday Packages
Why not craft a discounted package for stays early next year? Itâs a smart way to fill rooms during the off-season. Enhance the experience by including add-ons in the package. Guests who feel theyâve made a great deal are often more willing to treat themselves to extra perks.
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Offer Black Friday Gift Cards
Gift cards are a crowd-pleaser, especially when paired with discounts. Design a âBlack Friday gift cardâ thatâs too good to pass up. Specify valid periods to boost bookings during slower seasons or give guests the flexibility to redeem when it suits them best.
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Spread the word about your Black Friday offer
Reaching out to past and potential guests is essential. Use email campaigns, social media posts, and direct links to highlight your Black Friday deals. The easier it is for guests to find and book your offers, the better your results will be.
How BookVisit Can Help
BookVisit provides tools that make it easy to maximize your campaigns and attract more guests. Our gift card module allows you to create and sell gift cards for occasions like Black Friday and other occassions. With booking engine features for crafting packages and promoting offers you can quickly implement a strategy that boosts both sales and guest satisfaction. Reach out to us here to learn more how we can help boost your direct sales!
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Visit Group, the digital ecosystem for travel and hospitality, is excited to officially announce a new collaboration with Ăstad VingĂ„rd, one of Sweden’s top spa and wine destinations. The collaboration introduces new initiatives leveraging the combined capabilities of VisBook and BookVisit, two cutting-edge Visit Group platform solutions. Through the implementation of VisBook and BookVisit, Ăstad VingĂ„rd automates processes, allowing staff to dedicate more time to enhancing guest experiences even further.
Located in the idyllic landscape of Southern Sweden, Ăstad VingĂ„rd has evolved into a top-tier destination since a trio of siblings took over the property in 2010. The property harmoniously combines sustainable viticulture, relaxing spas and the Michelin starred restaurant âĂngâ.
”Sustainability is at the core of everything we do at Ăstad VingĂ„rd, a principle that permeates every aspect of our business.
Edvin Elghag, Hotel Manager, Ăstad VingĂ„rd
Edvin further emphasizes that Sinnenas Spa, inspired by Ă kulla beech forests, is an expression of their commitment to offer unique and sustainable experiences.
The search for new hospitality management software
The journey towards finding new hospitality management software had been ongoing for quite some years at Ăstad VingĂ„rd. Edvin explains that the experience of working with the old system was that it was slow, buggy and unintuitive which made it difficult to work with.
Considering this, Edvin, and the rest of the team, started the search for a new system that was modern, future-proof and innovative. Another highly important criterion was to automate manual processes so that staff could save more time and focus even more on delivering a great service for the guests. Edvin explains how they wished for âan online booking so good and efficient that guests no longer find it easier to call or email insteadâ.
Finding a solution that met their needs
The search for new software reached an end when Ăstad VingĂ„rd decided to go with Visit Groupâs platform solutions BookVisit and VisBook.
BookVisit, on the one hand, offers a smooth and efficient booking experience for guests and a comprehensive business development platform designed to automate and streamline bookings. âIt is crucial that our guests can book their stays easily and intuitively online, which BookVisit enables”, notes Edvin.
VisBook, on the other hand, provides an all-in-one Property Management System which allows staff to manage all parts of the business in one single platform.
“With VisBook, we get a future-proof system with extensive functionality and API access, which allows us to automate our processes,” explains Edvin. This automation enables the staff to dedicate more time to creating memorable experiences for guests. “Less time in front of the computer means we can spend more time looking after our guests”, he adds.
Edvin further explains that they were looking for a solution where all parts of their business, from POS to online booking, could seamlessly work together. He highlights the BookVisit and Visbook advantage of being closely integrated that ensures real-time data synchronization. For a property like Ăstad VingĂ„rd, with its spa, restaurant, vineyard, and accommodations, maintaining a premium experience and operational efficiency depends on flexible systems that seamlessly integrate all aspects of the business.
“We strive to create a genuine premium experience for our guests, where our Vineyards, food and spas form the heart of every visit. By introducing BookVisit and VisBook we will further enhance and refine this experience,” says Edvin.
Ăstad VingĂ„rd’s restaurant Ăng
The Visit Group difference
A key factor that influenced their decision to choose Visit Groupâs solutions was the seamless integration between BookVisit and VisBook. âThe fact that these systems are so well integrated was a big factor in our decision. Knowing that BookVisit and VisBook work smoothly together made us feel more secure in our choice,â Edvin explains. He adds that the strong integration has made it easier for them to manage their operations without the challenges they might have faced with less connected systems.
Three months being live with BookVisit & VisBook
Edvin reflects on the first three months using BookVisit and VisBook at Ăstad VingĂ„rd. He explains that the expectations were set high, and both solutions have positively impacted their operations and guest services.
One of the most noticeable changes is the reduction in emails and manual tasks. Compared to previous year, the Ăstad VingĂ„rd team now manages significantly fewer emails and repetitive work, thanks to the automation capabilities of the platform solutions. Edvin points out that this has allowed them to focus more on guest service, with confidence that the systems effectively manage any potential issues.
The automation of processes has resulted in a lot of timesaving, with Edvin estimating that they save three to five minutes on an average per booking that they used to spend on checking and taking actions on each booking. This additional time allows staff to focus more on enhancing the guest experience, making the overall booking process more efficient.
In terms of the guest experience, Edvin highlights that itâs now much easier for guests to compare prices and take advantage of better deals. Guests can also modify their bookings, cancel reservations, or add extras without staff being involved, streamlining the process for everyone.
On the operational side, daily tasks have become smoother and faster, especially with the POS system, which has made check-outs quicker. The restaurant reservation system has also seen improvements, with flexibility to easily make adjustments to seating plans. Using tablets for guest check-ins at the restaurant has been another new and useful feature, enabling real-time data management.
Further expansion towards south of Sweden
Ăstad VingĂ„rd has also started planning a new hotel destination with a spa just outside Malmö, called Projekt WĂ€rby. The environments and the conditions are very similar to those around Ăstad, with beautiful countryside environments and forests that invite guests to hike. âWe are in the planning stage for WĂ€rby and look forward to opening between 2027 and 2028,” Edvin reveals.
About Visit Group:
Visit Group was founded in Gothenburg in 1999. With 200 employees in seven countries and 2,500 customers across 25 countries, the group is a leading hospitality SaaS company in Northern Europe. With its collaborative commerce platform, the group serves providers of all types of lodging, ski resorts, activities, day tours, theme parks, museums, DMOs, ferry companies as well as resellers and agents. Visit Groupâs platform optimizes customersâ sales, dynamic packaging, distribution as well as operational efficiency. To learn more about Visit Group, visit visitgroup.com.
About Ăstad VingĂ„rd:
Ăstad VingĂ„rd is one of Sweden’s top spa and wine destinations, known for its unique combination of relaxing spa treatments, award-winning wine and outstanding dining experiences. Located in an idyllic setting close to Ă
kulla beech forests, Ăstad VingĂ„rd offers a genuine and sustainable premium experience for their guests.
About Visbook:
VisBook is a leading supplier of hotel systems that offers a complete solution for hotel facilities. With a focus on simplicity and functionality, VisBook helps its customers to optimize their internal processes and offer a superior guest experience.
About BookVisit:
BookVisit is the Nordic leading business development platform for hospitality, specialized in direct bookings and online sales. With the primary objective to help our customers develop their business, create operational efficiency and at the end of the day, make more money. BookVisit was established in 2012 and is a part of Visit Group.
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A hospitality software platform like BookVisit can be called many things, such as: commerce platform, hotel booking engine, online booking, business development platform, hotel booking system, and more. This article aims to clarify what BookVisit really is and how it supports the hospitality industry.
More than just a booking engine
When BookVisit was founded in 2012, we focused on developing a single booking engine designed to help hotels and other accommodation providers generate direct bookings efficiently. From the beginning, our booking engine has allowed our clients to create packages that combine accommodation with add-ons. The packaging feature proved to be effective, leading to more direct bookings and helping our clients to stand out from third-party platforms.
Our booking engine was a simple, yet powerful, tool that streamlined the booking process for both guests and hotel staff. However, as the needs of the hospitality industry grew, so did our platform. Â
Today, while the booking engine remains a core feature, BookVisit has evolved into much more. We have advanced into an extensive and collaborative commerce platform that serves as a comprehensive business development tool for the hospitality industry, offering a wide range of features to support various business needs.Â
A versatile hospitality solution with many names
BookVisit has, as mentioned, earned various names due to the comprehensive nature of our software product. Here are some terms people use to describe us:
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Booking engine
Highlighting our powerful tool that is seamlessly integrated onto your websites and facilitates direct bookings on your website.
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Collaborative platform & connectivity hub
Showcasing our ability to integrate seamlessly with other systems such as property management systems (PMS), payment software providers (PSP) customer relationship management (CRM) tools, and revenue management software.
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A commerce platform
Another frequently used term to describe us is “commerce platform” – a term that reflects our ability to support robust online sales and distribution. It also aligns with our mission to support all commercial touch points along a guestâs journey and to enable properties to maximize online sales from one single platform.
As an open platform with a range of integrations, we enable accommodation properties to customize their tech stack, streamlining the process of selling, marketing, and managing their operations. This name emphasizes how we have grown beyond just a booking engine, evolving into a comprehensive solution that supports the full scope of business development and growth.
However, we like to primarily call ourselves a business development platform for hospitality, which emphasizes our focus on growing our clientsâ business through various tools from a single platform.
A business development platform for hospitality growth
Our transformation from a single booking engine to a multifaceted business development platform reflects our commitment to supporting the growth and success of our clients. And while we may be referred to as a booking engine, a commerce platform, a connectivity hub and more, what truly sets us apart is how these elements come together in one powerful solution and business development platform for hospitality success. Our platform is designed to provide everything hoteliers and accommodation providers need to succeed in a competitive market.
Ready to take your hospitality business to the next level?
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BookVisit is thrilled to announce its new partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith, the esteemed global travel club for hotel enthusiasts, further expanding customer options with this new channel integration. As a business development platform aimed at boosting packaging, sales, and distribution, with a core focus on driving direct bookings and sales for hotels and accommodations, BookVisit continuously seeks to enrich its offerings to clients. The integration of Mr & Mrs Smith within BookVisit’s channel manager exemplifies this commitment.
The partnership introduces Mr & Mrs Smith as a new channel within BookVisit‘s Channel Manager. This channel integration enriches BookVisitâs platform by enabling clients to leverage and distribute their hotel in Mr & Mrs Smithâs booking channel. Now, hoteliers using BookVisit can gain visibility among an entirely new demographic of travelers, particularly those who seek out luxury and unique boutique experiences.
”âWe are thrilled to collaborate with Mr & Mrs Smith. This partnership reflects our commitment to diversifying options for our customers. The channel integration of Mr & Mrs Smithâs unique platform enriches our platform, offering our clients to have their hotels visible in a broader spectrum of premium travelers.â
Fredrik Norbeck, Business Unit Manager, BookVisit
BookVisitâs focus on offering valuable distribution channels to clients is crucial. Channels integrated into the channel manager are carefully selected, ensuring each addition strengthens the overall product value for clients. The inclusion of Mr & Mrs Smith is a strategic choice, reflecting BookVisitâs confidence in the added value and enhanced visibility it brings to its clients.
”âWe're looking forward to our integration with BookVisit, and all the amazing hotels that will come with it so we can continue to grow our curated collection, offering our members amazing places to stay.â
Anna Coady, Senior Integration Manager, Mr & Mrs Smith
About BookVisit:
BookVisit is the Nordic leading business development platform for hospitality. An open commerce platform specialised in direct bookings and online sales. With the primary objective to help our customers develop their business, create operational efficiency and at the end of the day, make more money. BookVisit was established in 2012 and is a part of Visit Group.
About Mr & Mrs Smith:
Mr & Mrs Smith has transitioned from a guidebook for couples seeking secret getaways into a global travel club, consisting of a million members and a collection of over 2,000 carefully curated and selected boutique and luxury hotels. Mr & Mrs Smithâs work doesnât stop with considered curation. Beyond their esteemed curation, Mr & Mrs Smith are dedicated to delivering outstanding service and support to their partners, while providing continuous inspiration. Their mission is to exceed the anticipations of their clientele consistently, offering nothing but the finest accommodations around the globe.
Contact Information
BookVisit
Fredrik Norbeck, Business Unit Manager, BookVisit
Email: [email protected]
Mr & Mrs Smith
Contact Mr & Mrs Smith here.
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As the summer season, and big peak time for hospitality, has arrived thereâs a lot on the agenda for hoteliers; manage summer staff, provide exceptional guest experience, manage communication with partners and stakeholders, and maximize revenue. To get that extra revenue, and not let majority of bookings slip away to OTAs, direct bookings on your own website is key. To help you on the way, here are some quick tips and reminders to optimize your hotelâs website for direct bookings this summer (and beyond):
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A âBook Nowâ button that catches the viewerâs attention
Make sure your âBook Now’ button, is highly visible by placing it in the header or another prominent location on every page. Use contrasting colors to make sure it stands out and captures a potential guestâs attention at the first glance.
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Appealing and detailed descriptions that visualize an experience
Help potential guests visualize their stay by providing comprehensive and engaging descriptions of your rooms and property. Donât forget that summer travelers, more often than not, want to have an experience at your hotel – so focus on benefits and experiences rather than just features of the hotel room.
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High-quality photography
Make sure that you use professional, high-resolution images to show your property at its best; highlighting rooms, facilities, and key attractions on your website.
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Highlight packages and offers to stand out from OTAs
Provide and highlight special offers and packages that guests canât find on OTAs. Such as last-minute deals when booking on your website, a tailored spa & dinner package, late check-out options, and more, can motivate guests to book directly.
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Spread the word on social media
If your hotel has social media accounts set up, make sure that youâre active through these channels, and link to your websiteâs online booking. If you have summer packages and deals set up in your online booking, promote these on your social media and website to engage potential guests.
To sum up…
We hope these quick tips can be of help, or act as reminders, for optimizing your hotelâs website and getting those extra direct bookings in this summer season! Stay tuned for more tips for increasing direct sales going forward.
At BookVisit , we are committed to supporting hotels and other accommodation categories within hospitality every season of the year. Our platform is designed to help you increase direct bookings, improve operational efficiency, and ultimately boost profitability. If youâre curious to learn more, reach out to us here.
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Are you really making the most of what your property could offer? Or are you simply missing out on earning those extra bucks per booking? In this blog post weâll cover some tips and things to consider when it comes to maximizing the value of each booking and your propertyâs occupancy. Keep reading to learn about some of our recommendations on actionable things you can get started on today to maximize your occupancy!
1. Understanding the current state of your business
To figure out the path forward it is important to first map out the current situation, so you can bring reflections and insights into the more actionable work.
Guest analysis:
Identifying who your current guests are and who you are not yet reaching, with a goal to understand and expand your target demographics. What regular guests do we have and what are their preferences? And how could we possibly adapt and tweak offerings to make our propertyâs offers appeal to a different audience?
Value and satisfaction:
Determining which guests bring in the most value and satisfaction and addressing the needs of those who are dissatisfied to improve the overall service quality. One important tool in figuring out what satisfies the guests and not is to continuously review guest feedback from your own send outs or different websites or such as Google, TripAdvisor, Booking.com and Net Promoter Score (NPS), or through BookVisit Reputation Management Platform.
“Knowing where your business stands and who your guests are is key. By understanding guest preferences and expanding your audience, you can increase occupancy and revenue.”
Malin Larsson SaloAccount Executive, BookVisit
2. Tips on how to maximize the occupancy and profitability of your property
Be creative in the utilization of spacesÂ
Explore non-traditional uses for hotel rooms and conference spaces. For example, one could turn rooms into creative workspaces or venues for social events (weedings, birthday parties for example), business meetings, concert venues, photoshoots or exhibitions for example.
Reflect on how different spaces like spas, gyms, and outdoor areas can contribute to more value per guest as well. Can you maybe offer some treatments in the spa section or offer the guests tennis lessons on the outdoor court? Maybe you have some extra space in your lobby where you could place a shuffleboard to give more value for both the guest and your business.
Upsell & package
Thereâs great potential in creatively upselling and packaging what your property offers. Consider putting together tailored packages that can attract more guests during typically low occupancy periods. For example, why not tempt guests with a Sunday and Monday package that encourages them to extend their weekend stay? This could be especially appealing for those looking to escape the Monday morning rush.
Get creative with combinations that add value to a guest’s stay, such as spa & brunch or yoga & lunch. Think about what special packages and offers that might appeal to different groups like seniors, business travelers, local people in the area, people who commute or couples. Â
Special offers
Donât forget to leverage special offers like last-minute deals, early bird specials or have special seasonal offers. These can be effective in boosting bookings by offering discounts and special rates to guests who book early or fill in gaps at the last minute. These strategies not only help in filling rooms but also in building a base of guests who may return or recommend your property to others due to the value they’ve received.
Donât forget about your reputation!Â
Make sure that you use your destination’s reputation and adapt services and offers accordingly and when possible. To ensure that you stay aligned with guest expectations and market trends is essential to increase the chance of higher profitability and occupancy.Â
“Creativity is key in using your property's spaces and creating special offers. By thinking outside the box, you can turn rooms into unique venues, offer different activities, and make packages that boost guest experience and revenue.”
Linda OdingeCustomer Success Manager, BookVisit
Conclusion
This article has provided insights into the importance of reflecting on your current guest clientele and tapping into your perhaps unexplored business potential. Also, itâs clear that thinking outside the box is key to uncovering new revenue opportunities for your property. Â
Boost your property’s occupancy and profitability with BookVisit. Our features allow for a range of packaging options, special offers, and reputation management to simplify your efforts.
Interested in learning more? Book a demo with us today.
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