Another great idea is to maintain an event calendar that keeps track of the different events in your town or neighborhood. This should be included in both the newsletter as well as in the welcome kit. This creates a connection with guests, and they tend to think, “This event sounds fun – let’s go back to attend it.” Always ensure that your calendar appeals to a broad cross-section of people. So it should include events for those who have kids, those who love sports, beach lovers, gardeners, theater or music lovers, and so on. This also creates an opportunity for people to enjoy and try different activities or to invite others who enjoy particular activities to join them.
“The special packages were thoughtfully put together”
Creating and promoting packages that include wine tours, yoga sessions, personal chef experiences, theater tickets, and so on will not only pique the interest of your past guests but will give them a broader appreciation of what is available in your area. Packages such as these will also make them feel like they are getting a good deal. Make a list of common tourist attractions in the area for your packages (the operators might even offer you a discounted rate for inclusion in your package). Your guests will be grateful to you for helping them discover those hidden gems. Use your newsletter and social media to promote your special packages.
“As return guests, we love the pampering, extra service, and no booking fee”
Making return guests feel special doesn't need to cost a lot. For instance, offer a free airport transfer, an authentic bottle of local wine, or fresh fruit from a local orchard. To top the list, though, you could offer no booking fee requirement for returning customers. Actions speak louder than words, and when you take the extra initiative to treat your guests with kindness, they won’t have a reason to look anywhere else.
“We were touched by the warm thank you message”
A personalized thank you message will help to build your relationship. If they had a dog, name the dog in the message, likewise the names of their children. Ask them what they particularly enjoyed about their stay. Not only does this show you care, but it also gives you an idea of what features to highlight in your marketing.
Finally, take the next bold step and ask them when they will be back again. You might say something along the lines of “Our Spring Festival is on xyz weekend – will you be coming back for it?”
We found these responses really thoughtful and inspiring, and the best part is that only a few of them require a financial outlay. Of course, your time is a cost factor in running a holiday rental business, but once you set things up, you will just need to “rinse and repeat” for every guest.
You Already Have The Skills!
Most people already have relationship-building skills - we are taught them from a young age, and develop them as we move through different stages of life. The key now is recognizing that these skills are actually business tools that you can draw upon when looking for ways to encourage your guests to return, time and again.
Have you ever heard these guest comments and did they lead to your desired repeat booking outcome?
What other incentives have you tried to encourage first-time guests to return?
