Optimize your revenue if you run a cottage in Quebec

New consequences of the pandemic are being felt! Over the last few years, demand for cottage stays has grown steadily, largely due to border closures and Canadian tourists’ preference for this type of accommodation. However, with borders reopening, many local tourists are once again being drawn to international destinations, turning their backs on Quebec’s cottages. This trend translates into a 30% to 40% drop in bookings across the province, according to a recent study*. It has therefore become crucial to review the best practices for coping with this decline and optimizing commercial performance.

1. Know your target market

Before putting any commercial strategy in place, it is essential to know your target market well. Analyze market trends, identify the needs and expectations of potential visitors, and adapt your offers accordingly. Take into account tourists’ demographics, travel preferences, motivations and buying behaviour to better target your marketing efforts.

2. Offer an exceptional guest experience

Guest satisfaction is one of the main drivers of commercial success. According to a recent study, 88% of internet users do research before buying online**. Create an exceptional guest experience by offering warm, personalized service. Train your staff to be courteous, competent and attentive to visitors’ needs. Make sure the facilities are well maintained and clean. Ask guests for feedback and use it to continually improve your offer. Tools such as those from Qualitelis help you optimize your strategy and automate your communication with guests, before and after their stay.

3. Build a strong online presence

Today, a strong online presence is essential to attract visitors. Create an attractive website that is easy to navigate and mobile-friendly. Showcase your property’s strengths, share quality photos and provide complete information about your services and rates. Use social media to interact with guests, promote special offers and share engaging content. Don’t forget to actively manage online reviews and respond quickly to comments.

4. Work with international and local players

Beyond the major international players such as Airbnb and VRBO, working with other local players can bring many benefits. Set up partnerships with travel agencies, tourism offices, nearby attractions or restaurants to offer attractive packages. Take part in tourism events and cross-promote your activities. By working together, you can increase your visibility, reach new audiences and offer visitors a more complete experience. Thanks to its long-standing local presence, Reservit has established partnerships with international and local players. The Reservit software lets you synchronize your rates, availability and bookings with these partners.

5. Innovate and refine your offers:

To stay competitive, it is important to innovate and diversify your offers. Identify new, unique experiences you can offer, such as themed tours, eco-friendly activities or special events. Also explore new markets, such as business tourism or family tourism, and adapt your offers accordingly. In addition, rate optimization is crucial for cottage owners in Quebec. By adjusting prices strategically, they can maximize their revenue and stay competitive. The key factors to consider are seasonality, market demand, local events and public holidays. Owners can offer differentiated rates based on these variables, raising prices during periods of high demand and offering discounts or special rates during quieter periods. It is important to follow market trends, analyze booking data and monitor the competition in order to adjust rates optimally. An effective rate optimization strategy enables cottage owners to increase their profitability while meeting guest expectations and maintaining a balanced occupancy rate.

Conclusion

By adopting these best practices, tourism businesses in Quebec can improve their commercial performance and stand out in what has become an extremely competitive market. Understanding the market, focusing on the guest experience, having an online presence, working with other local players and innovating are all levers for attracting more visitors and maximizing profitability. By investing in these practices, tourism businesses can thrive and contribute to Quebec’s flourishing economy.

* Source: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1958907/chalets-location-hiver-airbnb-louer-hiver-vacances-maison-location

** Source: Forbes France, « Trois chiffres clés à connaître sur les avis clients »