Queensland’s borders are open again and it's great news if you’re a hotelier in Queensland.
The announcement came days before February, effective immediately from February 1st, and is well timed for the Easter holiday and the autumn school break - one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The QLD Premier herself has urged New South Wales and Victoria residents to visit Queensland from February, and a welcome boost to regional tourism is widely expected over the Easter weekend.
Travel sites have already reported an increase in bookings following the announcement.
With that said, is your hotel ready? Make sure it is by ticking off the checklist we’ve compiled below.
Continue Your COVID Safe Plan
Borders are open and coronavirus cases in Australia are low, but don’t ease up on those safety precautions just yet. There are many who are still building up the confidence to travel, and you’ll want to make sure you’re offering the reassurance and peace of mind that other hotels might not be. This includes:
- staff testing where possible
- increased cleaning and sanitation
- staff distancing
- contactless check-in/out
Of course, make sure to openly communicate your COVID Safe Plan and how you’re continuing to look after all guests.
Promote What’s On and What to Do
Travellers are itching to return and you can increase their excitement by promoting everything there is to look forward to in the months ahead.
The Easter break and the April school holiday are peak travel periods, so start promoting what guests can enjoy around your location - especially local family attractions.
After Easter is Mother’s Day in May, so promoting local restaurants and fun things to do over the weekend is another great way to create a buzz around your hotel.
And for autumn in general, make sure you’ve let your guests know about all the upcoming events they won’t want to miss.
Take Advantage of Your Email Marketing Database
If you manage a guest database, now’s the perfect time to use it. Send out marketing emails to past guests from NSW and Victoria with the following: that you're excited to welcome them back, that you’re COVID Safe and what there is for them to look forward to.
Likewise, if you haven’t created a guest database - or haven’t updated it in a while - now is also a great time to start. Begin by categorising the data of all New South Wales and Victoria guest bookings you receive this Easter.
Roll Out Special Offers and Promos
If you’re feeling generous or want to entice more travellers to your hotel, consider coming up with a special offer or promo now that the borders are open and travel is expected to increase.
You can send an exclusive promo discreetly to New South Wales and Victoria travellers via email, or create an offer for all travellers to promote publicly on your website, social media platforms and blog. This is completely up to you, and can be anything from a freebie on arrival or an overall booking discount on selected dates.
How is your hotel preparing for Easter? Let us know in the comments below!
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