The wet season usually runs from May to October. But in the hospitality industry, It is also considered as off-season for hotels in the Philippines. During this time, there is usually a significant drop in reservations, posing challenges for hotels to maintain steady revenue streams and operational efficiency. To counter this and increase hotel occupancy rates, innovations and changes in the way hoteliers operate are adopted.

9 Tips on How to Increase Hotel Occupancy 

1. Expand Your Guest Profile

To increase hotel occupancy during the low season, consider diversifying your target market. You must learn to cater to the needs of different guests based on the people who usually book in your hotel. Look into younger guests such as Gen Zs. Stay informed about current hotel trends such as eco-friendly products that reflect environmental awareness and responsibility that people can appreciate. 

2. Offer Unique Services or Experiences

Unique services or experiences like meditation classes or local ecotourism can help increase hotel occupancy rate. Attract more guests by creating packages that appeal to a wide range of markets.  Think of your guest’s needs. Techies and digital nomads value reliable Wi-Fi and quiet workspaces. Families or groups would love additional amenities to keep them busy during their stay. Diversify your target market to be profitable even during the low season.

3. Provide Specific Holiday Discounts

Besides the well-known holidays like Christmas or New Year, try to cater to different religious holidays whenever appropriate. 

If you have staff or guests from different cultural backgrounds,  celebrate events like Pride Month, International Women’s Day, or Chinese New Year. Offer special rates to encourage guests to book your hotel and bring their loved ones to celebrate special occasions. Create an experience that will make them remember your hotel during special occasions.

4. Offer Guest Loyalty Programs

Frequent guests who have been longtime loyal patrons of your hotel can be rewarded with a special discount card or a special loyalty tier program. Programs like these can offer special perks such as free in-room dining or a discount for your luxury suites. These help longtime guests feel seen and valued through incentives that will help keep their loyalty.

5. Start a Social Media Campaign

Many people turn to social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram to get information about whether a certain place is worth visiting or not–or to simply learn more about a company. These platforms usually become the go-to sites of potential guests. You can make the most of these and make a good first impression by showcasing all that your hotel has to offer through regular social media posts that engage and encourage audience interaction. 

6. Encourage Customer Reviews

What others say about your hotel matters. You have to foster a good reputation in the online space and you can do that by encouraging guests to share customer reviews. You can also invite social media influencers to review some of your services. Their social media following can help boost the popularity of your hotel establishment, especially if you offer luxurious beddings and first class in-room equipment. 

7. Work with Local Organizations

Make an effort to reach out to local businesses and organizations near your hotel. These can help add more life and variety during the off seasons that will attract people to become hotel guests. These can range from food festivals and school celebrations to national causes or charity events. These not only help your hotel have good standing among the community but can also be showcased on your social media. 

8. Offer Long-Stay Discounts

Long stays can increase your hotel occupancy rate, as well as your overall profit. Offer discounts for those who will stay a week or longer. This is an opportunity for you to potentially attract more high-paying guests to stay at your hotel. These can come in the form of special discounts for food or various services found at your hotel like spa treatments. Discounts help guests to be more at ease when they stay for long periods as they don’t feel the need to rush their holiday and even get the added value of spending less.

9. Introduce Pet-Friendly Policies

Research has shown that pet accommodations in hotels can be a great selling point that will help you acquire new customers. Pet ownership is slowly on the rise in the Philippines with 64 percent of Pinoys who take care of a furry friend. You will need to hire special facilities for the pets and professional veterinary staff to ensure that the animals are properly cared for. 

Maximize Your Hotel’s Potential Year-Round

The off-season can be a profitable time for hoteliers too. Make your hotel thrive during this time by adding “variety” to your usual offerings. Implement these cost-effective solutions to significantly boost your hotel’s occupancy rates even during the low season. 

ALSO READ: 7 Fool-proof Hotel Marketing Strategies That Can Increase Guest Occupancy 

Tailor your services to meet the diverse needs of your guests and leverage modern marketing strategies. You can ensure continuous patronage and attract new visitors by staying adaptable and innovative.

If you want your hotel to adapt to changing times, Hotel and Spa Essentials offers eco-friendly products that are known for their quality and reliability. Contact us to help you save more through sustainability.