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Tips to increase holiday accommodation bookings post-lockdown


Published: 04 May 2021

COVID-19 has had a huge impact on most industries, but none so much as the travel industry.

While there’s still uncertainty ahead, self-catered holiday accommodations have officially re-opened their booking portals for family groups and support bubbles from 12 April 2021 – which means it’s time to get your property ready for guests, as well as look for new ways to maximise your earnings over the summer months.

5 ways to impress your guests post-lockdown

1. Promote your COVID-secure cleaning regimes

It’s likely you’ve already upgraded your cleaning and sanitising regime in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, so it’s a good idea to promote this to your guests so they feel safe and looked after while they’re staying in your accommodation.

You should also highlight how guests can support you in following government guidelines - for example, by leaving notes on how the property should be left at the end of their stay and social-distancing guidance for any common areas.

For COVID-19 regulations in relation to hotels and guest accommodation, please visit the government website.

2. Shower guests with information

While there can be such a thing as too much information, there’s no harm in letting your guests know in advance about all the amazing facilities you have available at your holiday accommodation. This is not only a great opportunity to welcome guests before they arrive, but also to let them know how the amenities and check-in procedures work so they can have a stress-free start to their holiday. You could even leave notes around the property explaining how to use all of the appliances.

Your guests may also have questions about your accommodation, so make sure you’re clear and communicative in your pre-arrival approach. If there are any issues or flaws with the property, warn guests about this in advance so it doesn’t cause issues further down the line.

It’s also helpful to share your knowledge of the local area with guests - including how far in advance local tourist attractions tend to book up so they can schedule their holiday activities. If local attractions are limited, you could even consider offering alternative socially-distanced experiences, such as putting in an outdoor dining area or increasing your room service offerings.

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3. Be as flexible as possible

One easy way to encourage more visitors could be to consider relaxing your cancellation period. Outlining your cancellation policy early on could also invite more nervous guests to book their holiday knowing they can get their money back if they need to.

You could also expand your potential visitor pool by considering more flexibility around how long visitors are allowed to book for and check-in times, as well as whether you allow pets in the property.

If you’re considering allowing pets in your holiday accommodation, don’t forget to make sure you have pet damage cover in place.

4. Dress to impress

Your holiday accommodation, that is.

Sprucing up the soft furnishings and providing some welcome snacks and refreshments can go a long way to making your visitors feel at home. It’s likely this is their first holiday in a while, so why not go the extra mile to make it memorable?

Greeting them in person is also a great way to add that personal touch – and if you get on well they’ll be far more likely to leave you positive feedback at the end of their stay!

And on that note…

5. Encourage word-of-mouth

Sometimes the best marketing is a personal recommendation, so encourage your guests to post about their stay on social media and make their stay as easy and stress-free as possible so they won’t hesitate to recommend you to a friend or family member.

Adding a guest book to your accommodation can also be a nice way to demonstrate to future guests the high standard of care you offer, as well as provide you with useful testimonials for your website. It’s also a great way to pick up constructive feedback in case there is anything that needs improving for the future.

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Rented holiday accommodation insurance

UK holiday accommodation insurance provides protection for your clients against loss of income as a result of cancellation or curtailment. With over 30 years’ experience in the travel market, we provide a range of effective travel insurance solutions specifically designed for tour operators, travel agents and UK holiday accommodation providers.

Find out more about UK holiday accommodation insurance or get a quote.

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