Serviced accommodation owners contend with the winter season in completely different ways. And as it gets colder, so does the number of bookings because many travelers tend to stay indoors in winter. But this should not imply a fall in your income as well. If the right measures are employed, winter can become a highly lucrative season.
The secret is in knowing what winter travelers want and providing it to them, a warm holiday, accompanied by cozy and customized touches and deals. Winter is a season of opportunities in some regions of the world. For instance, those who are looking for winter landscapes or who are snowed in can also be a good catch market-wise when your property is close to skiing venues, winter celebrations, or other winter beautiful sites.
Even urban serviced accommodation doesn’t hesitate to cater to those traveling for business and those on vacation. The winter has a dull and cold atmosphere that encourages one to take time off and have a nice warm getaway and there is no better way to do this than having serviced accommodations.
How to Increase Your Serviced Accommodation Income During the Winter Season
1. Create Seasonal Offers and Discounts
For many travel businesses, winter is viewed as a slack season, but you can turn the situation around by coming up with fantastic seasonal promotions. Offers accompanied by discounts of any kind are great during this period when potential guests need a little more to convince them to go on a holiday. For instance, consider making winter packages where accommodation is coupled with local experiences like holiday tours, access to skiing facilities in the neighborhood, and hot dinner prospects.
On top of that, reduced prices for staying for a significant amount of time can appeal to vacationers wishing to winter somewhere warm. For example, ‘pay for three nights and the fourth night comes free’ kind of offers are likely to be very popular. These types of promotions provide more rewards to the travelers for their money, and if they are marketed appropriately, most likely, they will prefer your Serviced Accommodation in the Winter Season and the rest of the year against your competitors. Even last-minute discounts can be able to fill the calendar gaps that remain in your missing areas.
2. Target Winter Events and Festivals
The winter does not only come with chilly weather but also a plethora of activities that people travel to partake in. In case your serviced accommodation is located close to areas with holiday markets or if the city hosts winter festivities around New Year’s, leverage these occasions to entice customers. Make sure to market your location and prove that your serviced accommodation is quite handy for guests looking to attend events taking place within the vicinity during the winter season.
Even if your location is not positioned in the heart of a city or around any major holiday festivities, do not lose hope. Create an environment that will attract people, for instance, winter decorations may work wonders. As the time harkens for winter, “hone in” on the holiday season with decorations “that” will make for a warm and comforting accommodation. Upon check-in, one can present guests with hot chocolate mulled wine, or lyrics in a gift basket. A reservation is more likely to be made by the guests once they realize such properties only exist to make the winter vacation more enjoyable.
3. Invest in Cozy Amenities and Upgrades
Travelers during the winter season tend to seek warmth and comfort. Cozy amenities can increase the attractiveness of your property to winter visitors and help to raise higher rates. Make it a point to augment your heating system, especially if your business is in the colder region to make it dependable and effective. Heated flooring, electric fireplaces, and outdoor hot tubs can also help your property become an oasis during winter.
Some other easy but effective improvements are having good-quality warm beddings, extra blankets, and using low tones to create a nice and warm ambiance. Properties that feel warm and give guests relief from cold are more likely to receive booking requests with positive reviews. These amenities that are recommended for use during winter should be clear on your listings so that guests know what your Serviced Accommodation in the Winter Season will offer them in terms of comfort.
4. Optimize Your Listings for Winter Travelers
Your online property listings should reflect the unique benefits your Serviced Accommodation in Winter Season offers to travelers. Take advantage of the colder months by updating your listings with winter-specific keywords, descriptions, and high-quality photos that showcase your property in a winter setting. Show potential guests what winter at your property looks like, whether it’s a picturesque snow-covered scene or a cozy interior with a roaring fire.
Be sure to highlight nearby winter activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, or holiday markets, to give travelers a reason to visit your location. Mention any special winter packages, discounts, or experiences in your description. Updating your listings for the season is essential for attracting travelers specifically searching for winter getaways.
Incorporate winter-related keywords into your listings for SEO purposes as well. Keywords like “cozy winter getaway,” “winter vacation rental,” and “Serviced Accommodation in Winter Season” will help boost your visibility on search engines and booking platforms.
5. Attract Business Travelers
While leisure travel may slow down during the winter months, business travel often ramps up, especially as companies close out the year with final meetings, conferences, and planning sessions. Tailor your serviced accommodation to attract this segment by emphasizing business-friendly features such as high-speed Wi-Fi, spacious workstations, and quiet environments.
Corporate clients tend to book extended stays during this time, making them valuable to your bottom line. Offer discounted weekly or monthly rates to cater to long-term business travelers. Also, ensure your Serviced Accommodation in Winter Season listings emphasize convenience for business travelers, such as proximity to airports, public transport, and major business hubs.
You can further target this market by reaching out directly to companies or organizations that may have business needs in your area. Position your property as an ideal location for employees who need comfortable, home-like accommodations during their winter work trips.
6. Utilize Social Media and Email Marketing
Promoting your Serviced Accommodation in the Winter Season through social media and email marketing is crucial to driving bookings. Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to showcase your property’s winter charm. Post photos of your accommodation decorated for the holidays, snowy landscapes, or guests enjoying cozy amenities by the fireplace.
On email, send out seasonal newsletters to past guests, informing them of your winter specials, packages, and upcoming events. Offer exclusive deals for loyal customers or incentivize them to refer friends and family with referral discounts. Winter is also a time when people are actively planning holiday getaways, so tap into that by creating excitement around your accommodation through engaging, winter-themed content.
7. Offer Flexible Booking and Cancellation Policies
Winter weather can be unpredictable, with storms, snow, and freezing temperatures sometimes altering travel plans. To give guests confidence in booking, offer flexible booking and cancellation policies. Many travelers will be more likely to book your Serviced Accommodation in Winter Season if they know they can adjust their plans without a hefty penalty.
Promote this flexibility in your online listings, marketing emails, and social media channels. Whether you offer free cancellations up to 48 hours before arrival or the option to reschedule a booking, it’s important to provide peace of mind to potential guests. Flexible policies not only help secure bookings but can also reduce the number of cancellations.
8. Encourage Repeat Stays with Loyalty Programs
Winter can be a perfect time to attract repeat guests through loyalty programs. Offer discounts or perks to returning guests who book again during the winter season. This could be a percentage off their stay, free upgrades, or exclusive deals for long-term stays. You can also create a referral program to encourage guests to recommend your Serviced Accommodation in the Winter Season to their friends and family.
Promoting these programs in your emails, on social media, and through your website can help keep your winter calendar full. Additionally, rewarding loyal guests with personalized touches like welcome gifts or discounts on local winter activities can enhance their overall experience and make them more likely to return year after year.
9. Collaborate with Local Businesses
Partnering with local businesses is an excellent way to enhance the winter experience for your guests and increase your bookings. Team up with nearby restaurants, tour operators, ski resorts, or holiday markets to offer exclusive packages or discounts to your guests. For example, you could create a winter weekend package that includes accommodation, a dinner voucher at a local restaurant, and discounted tickets to a holiday event or ski pass.
This not only adds value to your Serviced Accommodation in the Winter Season but also helps support local businesses, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved. Local partnerships can also lead to more visibility through cross-promotion.
Conclusion
The winter season doesn’t have to be a slow period for your serviced accommodation. By implementing these strategies offering seasonal discounts, targeting winter events, enhancing your property’s cozy features, and leveraging online marketing you can keep your property booked and profitable throughout the colder months. Focus on what makes your Serviced Accommodation in the Winter Season unique, and promote these aspects to potential guests looking for a memorable and comfortable winter experience.
Make sure to continuously optimize your marketing efforts and adapt to guest needs, turning the winter season into a time of growth and success for your business.