How well do you know your guests? Are you still giving them exactly what they want from a boutique hotel? Or are you sticking with the same methods you’ve used for years?
There is comfort in sticking with the old ways, and why would they still not work? Well, because your guests’ priorities have changed drastically in the last year and what they want now will be different from just a few short months ago.
In order to deliver the intimate, boutique service you promise, you need to be on the same page.
They Want Flexibility
In the wake of COVID-19, planning a holiday is fraught with difficulty. Guests will be consistently on edge in the lead-up to their trip that it could become impossible in one fell swoop.
In order to provide a boutique service, you need to put your guests at ease. Placate their concerns by making it clear that you can be flexible in the event a trip has to be moved, cut short, or postponed.
They Are Risk-Averse
At least for now, the number of holidays most people will take in a year will be limited, as will their scope of travel. As a result, guests are unlikely to want to take risks with the places they visit, so it is more important than ever to meet or exceed expectations.
Guests will be forever grateful that what you promised them for their trip, you delivered. And they are likely to reward you with their loyalty. In a post-COVID world, when guests find a boutique hotel that gives them everything they want and aligns with their values, just like Tewkesbury Park does, they will return.
They’re Tech Savvy
Remote check-in and QR codes have become the norm in the wake of COVID and guests are happy with it. In fact, for many, it’s baffling it took so long for hospitality to catch up given technology plays such a crucial role in all other aspects of life.
Take advantage of your guests’ tech-savviness by offering them a paperless experience. It’s what they want, especially given touchpoints are best avoided. When everything from room directories, restaurant menus, weather updates, and daily schedules can be provided on a digital app, why waste time and money on the printing?
Watch this story from Budock Vean about how they use technology as the core way they communicate with their guests and how it broadens their appeal.
They Want Reassurance
Unsurprisingly, guests are now more health-and-safety-conscious than ever, and it is up to you to reassure them, to make them comfortable. That means showing that you care for your guests and their health, and creating for them a home from home where they can feel relaxed.
If you can inspire confidence that you are doing all you can to protect them, your guests will be able to enjoy their stay with you to the utmost.
They Want to Escape
Your guests want to escape from their daily routine. Pre-COVID, they would likely have jumped on a plane to do that. But now many of your guests will be on a staycation, looking for a sanctuary just a drive away from where they live. So make sure what you are offering them is unique, not everyday.
The simple pleasure of taking time away is more valuable than ever now. Make it count for guests. They don’t want identikit, they don’t want formulaic. they don’t want corporate. They want personality, they want charm, they want enchanting.
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Dare we say it… the reign of PDFs is almost over! In a world where travellers can find everything they need, from interactive visual itineraries to key travel documents, all within a single platform, it’s difficult to resist the appeal of a travel app. But the hard part isn’t deciding to embrace travel tech, it’s choosing which app solution is right for you.
For tour operators and travel agencies, the ability to communicate directly with travellers, share important travel documents and keep clients informed about itinerary changes is crucial – especially if you want to deliver an excellent overall experience. Here’s the bad news: emails are getting in the way. They’re outdated, time-consuming and easy for your clients to miss. Don’t worry though; we’re sharing 3 ways in which emails are letting you down, and showing you why an all-in-one travel app could be the solution to your problems.
In our first villa travel blog, we looked at why villa travel companies need to ditch paper and emails to offer a more holistic, modern experience that matches client expectations. This time, we’re showing you how to go one step further by using travel tech to integrate trip-defining detail into that experience seamlessly.
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