As an industry with significant seasonal fluctuations, hoteliers are accustomed to quieter periods outside of peak season. While many accept a drop in revenue as inevitable, the truth is that with the right strategies, you can keep bookings and revenue flowing.
By harnessing the power of advanced hotel management software like Preno, you can better manage your property’s operations and leverage a channel manager to capture bookings from multiple online platforms. These tools can drive occupancy and revenue even in your off-season.
In this updated guide for 2024, we’ll share proven strategies for increasing your revenue post-peak season, with a focus on using technology to enhance your marketing, distribution, and customer engagement.
Use a Channel Manager to Increase Visibility
A channel manager is crucial for maintaining visibility and generating bookings across various platforms like Booking.com, Airbnb, and Expedia. During the off-season, this is more important than ever, as it ensures your property remains accessible to travellers searching on different platforms.
Preno’s channel management software allows you to manage rates, availability, and bookings seamlessly across all major Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and your direct booking engine. This automation not only saves time but also reduces the risk of overbookings, helping you manage off-peak demand without headaches.
The more channels you’re visible on, the higher the chance of capturing those last-minute bookings or attracting travellers looking for deals during slower periods. Keeping these platforms active and optimised means your property stays competitive year-round.
Gather Reviews to Boost Your Reputation
Post-peak season is an ideal time to focus on gathering customer reviews. The more positive reviews you collect on platforms like Google, TripAdvisor, and social media, the more trust future guests will have in your property. These reviews often influence the booking decisions of potential guests, especially during the off-season when customers may be more selective.
A great way to make sure you don’t miss out on these reviews is by automating your review requests. Preno’s hotel property management software allows you to integrate email marketing and CRM systems, which can automatically send personalised review requests to guests after their stay. You can even offer incentives such as discounts on future bookings or vouchers for services like free breakfast or spa treatments.
With this simple automation in place, you’ll be building a pool of fresh, detailed, and positive reviews that can attract new guests during the off-season.
Offer Post-Peak Season Perks and Promotions
To entice guests during the quieter months, consider offering exclusive post-peak season perks. With Preno’s integrated CRM, you have access to valuable guest data that allows you to create personalised offers. You can use this data to recall guests’ preferences from their past stays and offer complimentary perks such as free breakfasts, shuttle services, or spa vouchers.
By personalising these offers based on past behaviour, you’re not only providing extra value to your guests, but you’re also encouraging repeat bookings. Additionally, consider creating special packages that bundle accommodations with activities or local experiences, which may appeal to off-peak travellers looking for unique or discounted experiences.
Review and Optimise Your Distribution Channels
Your distribution strategy plays a major role in ensuring a steady flow of bookings year-round. Post-peak season is the perfect time to assess which channels brought in the most bookings and whether adjustments are needed. Using a channel manager integrated with Preno’s property management system, you can evaluate the performance of each OTA and decide if it’s worth investing more in specific platforms or focusing on increasing direct bookings.
Direct bookings are the most profitable since they avoid commission fees. Enhancing your website’s booking engine, utilising email marketing, and promoting exclusive deals to past guests can help boost direct sales. Preno’s booking engine allows you to synchronise promotions across your channels while encouraging direct bookings with its easy-to-use interface.
A balanced approach that leverages the power of OTAs and your direct channels will ensure your property maintains occupancy during the off-season.
Reflect on Peak Season and Implement New Technology
After a busy peak season, it’s crucial to reflect on what worked well and what could be improved. Did you face challenges with overbookings? Were there bottlenecks in your booking process? Did staffing issues arise? By addressing these pain points now, you can be fully prepared for the next peak season.
Technology can play a significant role in solving these challenges. If managing bookings and revenue became overwhelming, consider upgrading to Preno’s hotel property management software. Preno’s PMS is designed to streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks, and help you make data-driven decisions to optimise your business.
The software’s intuitive design also integrates with channel management, meaning you can track bookings from various sources and ensure your property is never overbooked, even during high-demand times.
Leverage Dynamic Pricing to Maximise Revenue
Dynamic pricing is a key tool for driving revenue during and after peak season. Did you adjust your rates based on demand last season? If not, this is a great area to focus on post-peak season. By leveraging a dynamic pricing strategy, you can optimise your rates based on occupancy, demand, and competition.
Preno’s revenue management tools, which work seamlessly with its channel manager, allow you to adjust your rates in real-time across all platforms, ensuring you’re always charging the right amount. Whether demand is high or low, you can fine-tune your pricing strategy to maximise revenue.
For example, you might consider offering discounts or package deals to fill rooms during the off-season, while increasing rates during weekends or local events when demand may spike. Flexibility is the key to maintaining a healthy revenue stream.
Run Off-Season Marketing Campaigns
Finally, don’t let your marketing efforts slip just because peak season has ended. If anything, the post-peak season is the perfect time to double down on targeted marketing campaigns. Promote special offers, packages, and deals specifically designed for off-season travellers. Use your guest database to send personalised offers to past guests, enticing them with incentives like a complimentary night or special add-ons.
With Preno’s property management system and its integrated marketing tools, you can easily track guest preferences and behaviour. This data allows you to create campaigns that resonate with your audience and increase your chances of getting those valuable off-peak bookings.
In addition to email marketing, maintain a strong presence on social media and continue optimising your website for search engines. Running paid ads on Google or social media platforms can also help keep your property visible to potential guests looking for a getaway.
Conclusion: Embrace Technology to Thrive Year-Round
The post-peak season doesn’t have to be synonymous with a drop in revenue. By leveraging Preno’s powerful property management and channel management software, you can automate processes, capture bookings across multiple platforms, and create personalised guest experiences that encourage repeat visits.
Investing in the right technology now will prepare you for both off-peak growth and long-term success. Don’t wait until next season to make the switch—start using Preno today and watch your revenue grow year-round.
