How to Prepare for When Guests Return | Eps. #248

Chances are when you open your doors to the world, guests are not going to be filing in. You’re going to have to earn their trust. I’ll tell you how to do that.If you look out your window, will you see brontosauruses or triceratops wandering around – no. Why? When the asteroid hit they were not able to adapt. In the last year and a half, Covid-19 has been a hospitality property mass extinction event and if properties didn’t or are not willing to adapt, they will not survive.Speak to any hospitality property owner or manager, and they will tell you the turmoil that they have been facing. When should we open? When will our guests start returning? How do I forecast occupancy for the next 6 months, 12 months, 5 years with so much uncertainty? Is my business safe?It’s no secret that the hospitality industry has taken a massive hit in the chaos that was 2020 but if you look closely, you can see a light at the end of the tunnel.What are the signs?People are tired of being stuck in a lockdown, vaccine distribution is ramping up and summer is just around the corner. Although it’s half of 2019, airline, hotel, and restaurant spending has doubled in many corners of the planet compared to last year when the pandemic first ravaged the world.Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are still advising against travel, but indicators already show travel is set to play a pivotal role in the widely predicted 2021 economic boom. Travel set to make a gradual comeback but it will be different and if you haven’t done so yet, it is time to start preparing.How do we know people are getting ready to travel?Many have been researching for travel inspiration for the past year as something to look forward to once vaccinated. A Booking.com survey from October that polled more than 20,000 people around the world found that 95% of respondents were spending free time looking at travel inspiration, with 38% looking at potential destinations at least once a week. 65% of respondents were excited about travelling in the future.The tide is turningThe hospitality industry has been through the worst year in its history, however, better times are right around the corner. What you do now will determine how quickly your property will encounter recovery. Getting your team focused on existing business, new opportunities and how to protect, capture and grow that business will serve you well today and into the future.How can hospitality properties up their game to attract these eager travellers? It may come down to revised safety & security procedures, some careful marketing and comparing your hospitality property to your market. You need to take action or you will be left behind.Once you determine where your property sits in your market, you can use the following guidelines to help you better decide the next steps and I’ll share them with you...⇒ TO READ OR LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE ON KEYSTONE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-prepare-for-when-guests-return-248Get Your INNsider Tipshttps://keystonehpd.com/INNsider-TipsJoin one of your private groupshttps://keystonehpd.com/private-groupsSay hi on socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoneHDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/KeystoneHDCLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-hospitality-developmentListen to The Hospitality Property School PODCAST herekeystonehpd.com/hospitality-property-school-podcastsYouTubehttps://youtu.be/YiAB-nzJrD8A Division of Keystone Hospitality Property Development