When the season ends, the natural temptation is to rest. You deserve it, but winter is also the only time you have peace to do tasks you can’t manage during the season. Bookings for next year often start well before you open.
1. Analyze last season
See which channels brought bookings, which months went well or poorly, how many cancellations you had, and which rooms sold least. Without this, decisions for next year are guesses.
2. Calculate revenue and costs by channel
How much did you pay in commissions? Which channel brought the most profitable guests, not just the most?
3. Update photos and descriptions
Photos are what guests look at first. If you have new or better ones, upload them now, not in May. Reread the descriptions too: are there changes to your accommodation you haven’t written?
4. Open dates and prices for next season
If you want early bookings, dates need to be available. Think about an early-bird offer with more flexible or stricter cancellation policy, depending on what works for you.
5. Check your rules
Minimum stay, check-in and check-out times, cancellation policy, and deposit. Did they work? Did guests complain? A small change in winter saves problems in summer.
6. Test the booking flow
Make a test booking on your site from mobile. Is it easy? Are there few steps? Do prices show correctly? Many accommodations lose bookings because the booking flow is hard on mobile.
7. Schedule maintenance and purchases
With a calendar in hand, put maintenance tasks and purchases of supplies and linens before opening, not the day you need them.
8. Contact previous guests
An email to those who stayed with you, with thanks, news about your accommodation, and an invitation to rebook directly, is one of the cheapest ways to fill early. Make sure you have their consent to contact them and give them a way to unsubscribe.
A system that helps
All of the above becomes easier when your data lives in one system with reports, not in notebooks and Excel. HotelPoint can help you set up the system in winter, with guidance, so you’re ready before the season opens. Book a demo.