THE BOX IS GETTING BIGGER
IT’S NOT THAT HARD
“Recovery plans” …You’ve probably heard it over the past 9 months more than hearing a “Good morning”. If it sounds familiar, then you must have been revisiting your plan over 1000 times to re-tweak, re-adjust or re-do it all together. Planning is an art, and you should have an inspiration to what you want to draw. If your inspiration was anything other than putting yourself in the traveler’s shoes; you’re most likely off track.
Get started the right way…
When governments first planned to lockdown, hospitality industry was overwhelmed with financial losses due to the global travel halt. Every new day with less or no revenue counts…it simply impacted the business continuity and existence for many, especially those smaller and independent businesses.
“When & Why” will you (yourself and your family members) visit a hotel is a good way to start imagining your “contingency planning”.
Will you go because a hotel has an attractive discount? Probably not!
This pandemic has already changed the traveler’s mindset, for the near future if not forever, and so the business approach should change.
Last season’s tactics are no longer valid, traditional marketing is no longer effective and your catchy messages and headlines are now white noise.
Travel at large and Luxury in specific has always been influenced by an experiential attribute, and nowadays it became rather a motive to leave home.
So what motive are you moulding your plan around?
Do you have a new niche? Who are they?
Why would they leave their homes and come to your hotel?
What can you sell them at the comfort of their homes?
How can you best demonstrate your safety and cleanliness?
What payment, changes and cancellations terms are now convenient and encouraging?
IF YOU THINK YOUR IDEA IS OUT OF THE BOX…THINK AGAIN! THE BOX IS NOW BIGGER THAN EVER.
Be bold. Be creative. Take risks
When business is good, it’s difficult to take risks, try something new or go against the norm. Now however, when business volume is at its lowest since decades…how worse could it get?
Look at the opportunity in every downfall, bring to the table those ideas you always parked aside and start doing things differently.
But how exactly?
Everyone has been on the same recession boat for months, and also everyone has been thinking how to rebound. Chances are, someone has already thought about your idea before you do!
Whether you have taken the liberty to plan it out individually, or had work groups formulating it, here are some thoughts to consider:
Don’t copy your competition, but you may re-create or build on it.
Consult colleagues or contacts from other countries & regions.
Bring in a fresh and non-biased voice to the room (not someone from your company).
Watch other industries and how are they planning recovery.
Don’t be afraid to try new initiatives, process, structure…etc.
Think about what others would do, and do it differently.
Get in touch with us for an open discussion to help building & give and outsider perspective on your recovery plans.
Good Luck!
LUXNATION Hospitality Consulting GmbH i.Gr.
Seefeld in Tirol, 6100, Austria
+43 676 4022 455