How to maximise your off-peak season earnings
Turn the low season into a source of income with your holiday rental
- How to attract more guests in the low season?
- Recommendations to keep your property attractive
- The importance of remote workers
November 2023
The high season in the holiday accommodation period is an exciting time. During this period, hosts and managers can enjoy increasing demand, resulting in maximum occupancy. However, like any cycle, it has its counterpart: the mid-season and, subsequently, the off-peak season. During these times, attracting guests and achieving optimal occupancy becomes a greater challenge. Seasonality is a global tourism feature, where traveller flows vary significantly throughout the year due to a variety of factors, whether they are natural, institutional, or related to tourist behaviour.
In this context, it is essential to learn how to optimise occupancy during the off-peak season. This will help you avoid financial challenges, maximise return on investment, and ensure efficient use of your holiday rental facilities and staff.
How to Attract More Guests in the Off-Peak Season?
To attract more guests during the off-peak season and increase your earnings, it’s important to implement effective strategies that make the most of opportunities during these quieter periods. Here are some key recommendations:
- Competitive Pricing and Promotions: Consider reducing your rates during the off-peak season or creating special offers, such as discounts for longer stays or packages that include additional services. Attractive prices can motivate travellers to choose your accommodation over others.
- Optimise Your Listings: Use high-quality photos and appealing descriptions that highlight the unique features of your accommodation and its location.
- Strategic Marketing: Use social media, email, and your website to promote special offers and other content related to the off-peak season. You can highlight local events, activities, or festivals that are still available during those months.
- Local Collaborations: Establish partnerships with local businesses, such as restaurants, spas, or tourist attractions, to offer discounts or joint packages to your guests. This can make your accommodation more attractive and differentiated.
- Flexibility in Cancellation Policies: Be more flexible with cancellation policies during the off-peak season to give guests a greater sense of security when making reservations.
- Maintenance and Upgrades: Perform maintenance and improvements on your property. This will allow you to offer accommodation in optimal conditions, resulting in positive reviews and repeat customers.
- Target Niche Markets: Identify niche markets that may be interested in visiting your area during the off-peak season, such as business travellers, nature lovers, or those seeking romantic getaways. Customise your marketing to meet their specific needs.
- Customer Loyalty: Offer incentives for guests who have visited your accommodation during the high season to return during the off-peak season. You can offer them exclusive discounts or additional benefits.
- Exceptional Service: Provide exceptional service during your guests’ stay. A memorable experience can lead to word-of-mouth recommendations and, consequently, an increase in bookings.
Prepare for Business Travellers
In today’s digital age, the way we work and travel has undergone significant transformation. Digital nomads, those professionals who have the freedom to work from anywhere with internet access, represent a growing audience seeking unique travel experiences while maintaining their work commitments.
As the owner or manager of tourist accommodations, taking advantage of this trend can be an exciting opportunity to attract these travellers and increase your earnings during the off-peak season. Here are some effective strategies to become a favoured destination for digital nomads:
- Offer Reliable and Fast Internet Connection.
- Provide Comfortable Workspaces.
- Balance Work and Leisure.
- Offer Additional Services such as printers, scanners, or shipping services to meet your guests’ work needs. You can also provide information about local cafés, coworking spaces, or nearby temporary office rental services.
- Foster a Quiet and Productive Work Environment in your accommodations. This includes noise-respect policies and relaxation areas separate from work areas.
- Showcase photos of workspaces and share testimonials from guests who have had a productive experience.
Attracting digital nomads to your tourist accommodations involves offering a combination of amenities for work, additional services, and a conducive environment for productivity. By following these strategies, you can position your rental property to increase occupancy and earnings.