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How do you attract guests?

I just joined Booking.com and in less than 24 hours I had a booking. I suspect it had something to do with my being available for 24 hour check-in. The guest wanted to check in between 0000 and 01:00 a. m. I like the very detailed format of this booking site and look forward to working with Booking.com. 

The service industry is akin to having a store. The more services you have in your store, the more likely that someone will come in to shop. 

What are some of the services that have made guest want to come into your store?


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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hi!Msyperalta and welcome to the forum.
Wow!!! That’s great news... congratulations for your first reservation. Wish you a good season start...
My Studio is a self catering rental. I just tell my guests that I am always available to assist them and try to meet their needs....
Wish you all the best...

i
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Ilaria - Commu…
4 years ago

Hi Msyperalta and welcome to the forum.

Best way to getting to know other partners of this community is introducing yourself in our March dedicated post.

Can guarantee you, they're all as nice as M Adamopoulou is.

Look forward to your next post,

Ilaria

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Ilaria, thank you very much for your compliment.

Partners are not only nice but they are always willing to help us out when facing struggles with guests or BDC issues.

That is the main reason why I remain in this forum....

Wishing you all great moments...

s
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Sindhuchaalbeach 4 years ago

Mysperalta, welcome to the family.

One of the major tips to get better bookings is by keeping the page score to the maximum level, thus your property would be pushed to the top. Just add all the amenities you have and some really nice photographs, pictures are a big help as it is one of the prime attractions the guests can have. And do not forget to ask all your guests to put up reviews, you will not get the review the first time you ask them as they might get engaged in their own routine, keep reminding them in a polite way.

Hope this may help you

Lots of love!

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Kibokoafrica 4 years ago

There one trick i learned of marketing your property link Url. I thought it is a good way of marketing what you are offering directly into your target market. Ilaria do you know how to market this share link in booking.com?

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Mashi Niwarthana 4 years ago

Mysperalta,
Welcome to our family. Share your experience with us.
To get reservations, you must manage the booking.com page and put photos daily and put all the amentities. Welcome all the guests warmly and lovely.

Cheers from SriLanka

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hi Mashi, hope you are doing well!!!
Do you mean we have to update our pictures every day?
Have a happy day!!!

r
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Rialina2002 4 years ago

I find there is limited ways of "attracting" guests with photos and amenities, but I do try to offer the best experience once they get here, offering a bright and clean room and the best breakfast possible.

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Moira 4 years ago

Mysperalta, welcome

From my side, I keep sharing bookings.com adds of our place on all social media and it helps. They do book through bookings, com and I prefer it that way as they screen clients and I feel safer that way.

Good luck and I wish you only great success

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hi! Moira you are definitely doing the right thing.
Have a splendid weekend!!!

k
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Ksovreliemma 4 years ago

Mysperalta, welcome to the family!

The most important thing is to list all the advantages of an apartment. Guests carefully read the reviews, but they themselves often forget to write them. It is very polite to remind the guest that his feedback is very important for you and future guests.

I wish you success

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

-Ksovreliemma I agree with you, guests forget to leave reviews so I politely remind them how important it is for me, the Studio and future guests....

s
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Studentram 4 years ago

Dear Valuable Guests,

Greetings from Nagarjun Apartment Raniban Kathmadnu Nepal.

If you are travelling for your vacation please remember us to stay in our apartment where you can see the high Himalaya with peaceful environment which it make your travel happy.

We wish to great welcoming in our peace full country Nepal where you can see the highest Mountain in the world it calls Mt. Everest and the birth place of Buddha.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Awaiting your earliest email through booking.com

With kind Regards,

Khushi Ram

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Khushi Ram
Nepal!!!! An amazing place for tourism. It’s a life’s dream!!!
Thanks for your kind invitation and have a peaceful weekend.
Maria

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Juancsandoval 4 years ago

Thanks for sharing Msyperalta , I have a historic house in the historic center in Santa Marta.Your question is very interesting, we usually have the same service as our competitors,same service,AC, ceilign fans, free breakfasts, fancy linens, our best shot, is the art, bringing beautiful lamps, furniture and artistic objects that have made guests want to come into our guesthouse. Because make the place very cozy and homey.It is incredible, we have upgrade our pictures very frequently and the other icon in our guesthouse, we have green rooftop where guests relax and rest in hammocks.JuanCArlos

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Kibokoafrica 4 years ago

Hey there Mr. Khushi,i passed over your property listing and am genuinely agreeing is very appealing. My hosting place is very close to Mt. Kenya and sometimes we receives guests who asks us to suggest for them their next tour destination. Will definitely recommend you should such a situation arise. Trekking with tourists is my passion and i source a lot of information from Nepal.

Take care!

b
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Bangurekiliana 4 years ago

Remember us too here in Harare. Our place is very cozy, quiet and views are excellent. Our hospitality is great we just need a chance to host the first guest to taste our great hospitality and fresh air close to the prestigious Sam Levy Village in Harare. A great destination for this coming Easter I tell you. and good value for money too. Also very flexible and always ready to assist our guests in the event we get booked.

Regards

From Paterrace

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Katerinka12 4 years ago

"I suspect it had something to do with my being available for 24 hour check-in"

After great location, check in time is very important. My area is airport area, so even very punctual guests need flexible check in time, because flight delays do happen.

If you continue with flexible check in time, you will see more guests coming. I always see hosts in my area not receiving the guests because their check in time up to 10pm only. But it's their choice, not everyone like the hassle.

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Juancsandoval 4 years ago

I have been reading the posts about how to attract guests.I have been working in my guesthouse for the last 5 years and it bacame a challenge for us.We think we are good at it and of course there are season that go down.

We feel challenged with our guest house located in Santa Marta, Colombia and it is in the historic center, We tried to give an old touch, a historic view.Guests feels attracted to objects and art; beds, furniture and everything is old, antique.We also trained our staff to learn more about the history of old Santa Marta and guests felt an engage with the place. We know that guests at the begining come for a day and later they extend their stay because they feel cozy.Every week that challege is an exercise among staff, how we attract guests to come to our place; the thing is to get the promotions in Bookings that attract them very much, booking last minut, 3days and 1 free night,booking in ahead, bring us more guests,This topic is so exciting for me, and I have been reading all your post and it has been very interesting, thanks to all for the ideas.

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Juancsandoval 4 years ago

All right Bangurekiliana , great to know all your tools to receive your first guests:Service, hospitality, location and value for money.I would add knowledge about the routes to go to the icons.Many guests are always looking how to save money, so I made a map where they can take the city bus to go the most icon place in the region: Parque Tayrona, so they save money instead they a taxi.

I do not sell water bottles because we are sicks about plastic, we offer the water without charging.We bring 5 gallons bottle and provide them the water.

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

Hi M.Syperalta

Welcome to Booking.com

Well, It is a bit of an art to be a good host. If you can give your guests what they are looking for, your property is top notch clean, have information about the area, you are doing a pretty good job.

A smile is always appreciated. People never forget happy faces, and best of all, it is free!

Enjoy your guests :)

Greetings

Aaltje B.

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Katerinka12 4 years ago

Juancsandoval,

Hi and I think of how much effort and time you took to train your staff about the history of old Santa Marta. Great job of the host. I love Colombian people and culture.

As in Colombia, 5 gallons of water are usual in Philippines. You can't drink from the faucet, it's dangerous. We provide plastic bottles of water as well. After our German guest complained :( He was not able to find a 5 gallons in the kitchen, when he was provided by 2 bottles of water as well.

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

Someone who was just leaving told me she went to the Nugget Point early morning to view nature at its best. One of the New Zealand icons must-see places. Taken at sunrise.

Will add to my listing series of photos. I don't think there is no better way of inspiring people in a quick and powerful way then by sharing imressions of your area.

Yes, I do attract a lot of people that love photography and they never regret coming.

Enjoy

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Katerinka12 4 years ago

Can't wait to see your photos, Aaltje

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Aaltje B. 4 years ago

Just sent one. This is about 16 kilometres away from us. But a huge point of attraction. Most people staying here go there. One of my guests who left this morning took it. She got up very early to do that!

There are also seals, big sea birds, and if lucky the rear yellow-eyed penguins. It's all about nature here, like native trees, big ferns and amazing views.

Admit, must go outside and do more hiking (walking) since one never gets enough of it. And take my camera, of course :)

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Kibokoafrica 4 years ago

Wow Aaltje, that place appears to be very adventorous!

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Kibokoafrica 4 years ago

That is a place to be. Wish i can be one kind of a guest to hike in such an attractive site. You deep your feet deep further and start the adventurous mission to search for pearls in the ocean. Do they still exist? haha

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hi! Aaltje, I just saw your breathtaking picture of the Nugget Point!!!

So many warm colors all over the horizon. No wonder you have so many photographer visitors.

Come on Aaltje go...go...we are awaiting your next amazing pictures....

Have a splendid and creative day....

i
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Info 4 years ago

Good day, My name is Poobalan Govender,

I joined Booking.Com going three years now and had great and wonderful success and also my finance big improvement. We are at the south coast of KZN in the Pennington area. Because of Booking.Com, my guest house has been one of the busiest spots for guest booking. my review is averaging at 8.3 right now. but I do have one question these last three months were pretty bad and I am not getting any enquires for Easter weekend is there a particular reason or if anyone of you has this experience.

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Benita Cyster 4 years ago

hi Msyperalta welcome to the forum where all partners are extremely knowledgeable about whatever question get posed, and although we are all in different parts of the world what a wonderful booking.com has created to bring the world into our homes or offices or mobiles for that matter. A big shout out to this forum.

-attracting more guests depends on so many things that a once off post is to little to advice and one need to know your business name to assist to advise too. I wanted to look at your town - what attractions are close by, events that are happening annually, once off or some achievement of a local , etc, etc,

-offer commission paid to whomever can refer you, market you, tour guides, touring operators , online booking platforms, list you on all social media platforms for travelers, also participate in Travelchats I know on Twitter, up your commission to booking.com I am fully aware that the higher the commission you offer to them the more visible you are in their searches -

do regular posts regarding interesting events, in your country, about schools, churches, good current news, tips on things you think travelers are passionate about - at least these a few things i have tried and it proofed perfect. Do get involved in your community - they do become one of our biggest referral basis, unfortunately one has to be very visible to when their are marketing opportunities as we are our businesses and have to be very cautious of our actions , Do not always post pics and stories about your business ,just interesting articles, good reads.

I have recently invited a blogger to stay with us - and she guided me as to what to do as well and we bartered - she stayed for free room and breakfast and she took a few pics, i personally took her on a village tour, she then on a regular basis refer back to her stay and add a pic. In return i also share and like her postings and both a win-win situation.

do hope my 2 cents can assist you in your growth. God bless Benita @LumleysPlaceBnB

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Info I had one reservation for Easter weekend but it was cancelled.
It's being a long time since I had reservations.
Hopefully new reservations will come soon....
Have a good evening.

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Benita Cyster 4 years ago

thank you Moira for the advice of sharing the booking.com link regularly as I have never thought of it and will for sure start doing that from today.

which social media platform do any of you advice for the maximum exposure? I am aware that Instagram and Twitter are maybe it , but will await your advice.

Happy marketing

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

I addition to Instagram and Twitter I suggest Facebook of course not only for sharing booking.com link but also beautiful pictures of my property and surroundings...
Happy posting....

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Benita Cyster 4 years ago

Info do not feel despondent about not having guests over Easter or any holiday for that matter - we rarely have Christian travellers over Easter weekend as I have learnt that they love to be home bound for church event being our holiest of festivals. Maybe the cancelled guests had other more urgent things to attend to. Do contact them and offer a package for their next reservation - and secure it. Check for any events in your area and market that event with your as their host close to that event - piggy bag ride on the hastag # of that event or season it has worked for me in the past - contact your local schools , etc and offer a breakaway at a discounted rate etc or an added value if you keep full price . I also recently with low season starting took in contract workers doubling up the single beds in the room, took off my 4star bedding , etc and added backpacker style linen as they gents are installing outdoor gym equipment in surrounding villages - its these small pieces of wood that keep the fire going - no extras such as breakfast - self - catering option - as one of the bedrooms has an underroof area i added a stove, fridge, microwave the gents are happily cooking for and cleaning up after themselves - HOWEVER i do my daily rounds to make sure all is pristine and in place. I do hope this shed some light.

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Benita love your ideas...your piggy bag is fascinating....my daughter has taught me how to do it and I like it very much...
Keep creative...

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Benita Cyster 4 years ago

thanks M Adamopoulou for the advice for SMedia - I will do for sure I have gathered that Facebook is quite big in South Africa thus will start using that one more often as in the low season its usually locals that travels for business or meetings.

yes we are quite chuffed with our daughter. God bless all on the forum - #hospitalityFamily

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Face Book Is big in general...
Massive pleasure...
Family above all.... that's how we treat our guests and they highly appreciate it....

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Moira 4 years ago

Hi All our guests love feeding the stingrays at the harbour xx

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Wow Moira what an experience...
Thank you for sharing...

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Benita Cyster 4 years ago

Mysperalta trying to answer you on "

The service industry is akin to having a store. The more services you have in your store, the more likely that someone will come in to shop.

What are some of the services that have made guest want to come into your store?"

  • we have added some extra small revenue streams eg mobile spa - we enlist a few surrounding spa's details and guests can book themselves either to that spa but also the spa will come to our establishment to assist guest - we only ask a small commission or the spa offers us some discounted packages personally - no extra effort all deals are directly and it an extra offer.
  • also tour guides or local guides - if you not one yourself ( I have gone on a tourguide course - specializing in my area's attractions as well as enlisted myself on Google as a local guide of my area - I then serve as a directory where low and behold people call for asking ideas of where to go - yes mention places in the area as well as your place - the call then does mean you marketing yourself even if the guest does not come - the word is out
  • offer to assist worthy causes in and around in your area - give your time example hospice , the local hospitals, etc etc. no remuneration involved
  • Maybe offer your expertise to after school centers just a little bit of good attract business to us too.
  • you could also co-package with another business in town eg marketing a restaurant close by or refer your guests to them and ask them to offer eg less 5% to their bills. I have a relationship like that with a restaurant on a wine estate 3k from my village.

Does hope this little bit can guide you. God bless Benita

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Benita Cyster 4 years ago

Wow Moira I am stunned what an added value to your guests. I can imagine if you post those - how well your name of establishment is marketed. A good idea for myself and you Mysperalta- Great sharing Moira thanks a lot.

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Moira 4 years ago

Pleasure M. And woww thank you to all for sharing. It's like going on a world tour on this platform with only the best of the best. Have a blessed evening partners x

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Moira that’s exactly how I feel... world tour with fantastic friends... Hope we can meet someday...somewhere...
Have fun...

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Moira 4 years ago

M, so true lol after a year of non-stop day and night I would give everything for 7 days of bliss in Greece trust me. I believe that day will come soon !!!!!! xxxx

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Moira 4 years ago

Pleasure Benita I value everybody on our BCOM forums input. We are like family and it only enriches our lives xxxx