Four steps to inspire guest loyalty

In the hospitality industry, a guest's loyalty means a lot. But with so many options, clients are always swayed by new places offering better accommodations. Below are four steps that will encourage guest loyalty: 

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1. Personalize services 

From the moment they e-mail, book online, or call, hotel staff should be quick to get to know guests and their preferences. Establishing rapport early on will make them feel valued. Follow-up calls to confirm their bookings and requests will let them feel that the hotel is looking forward to hosting them. 

2. Be one step ahead 

The problem with some hotels is that they wait for their guests to make requests before giving them what they are asking for. It wouldn't hurt to be one step ahead when it comes to providing comfort and even giving out treats. Giving guests what they need before they even say a word will surely impress them. When it comes to service, nothing beats efficiency, so hotels must ensure quick and detailed work. 

3. Throw in extra perks 

To excite guests, showing them the hotel's best services could be an effective way to keep them coming back. Letting them try out the hotel's luxury services, giving them faster Internet connection, and even upgrading their rooms will make them feel like VIPs. During the lean months, letting guests try these extra services won't be too costly for the hotel. 

4. Make the loyalty program more rewarding 

The problem with hotel loyalty programs is that it takes a long time for guests to reap the rewards. Instead of calculating the points according to the number of bookings, why not change it to the number of services availed? Dining at the restaurant or getting a massage should also have points so that guests can rack up points faster. In the hospitality business, customer satisfaction is a top priority. Gaining loyalty from guests is proof of success and excellence. Even in today's competitive industry, it's not impossible to gain trust from patrons. 

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John Jefferis is one of the most influential hoteliers in the Caribbean. He is passionate about seeing guests enjoying the luxurious facilities in his hotels and resorts. Visit this page for more updates about the hospitality industry.

Exploring The Most Scenic Places In Bermuda

Bermuda is known for being a picture-perfect island that never fails to capture the hearts of visitors.  It is the best escape for those who want to get away from the demands of city life.  Below are some of the most scenic places in Bermuda travelers shouldn't miss out on.

St. George's

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a visit to Bermuda's former capital is a must.  The place is also home to St. Peter's Church which was built in 1612, and museums that showcase the beauty of Bermuda.  However, the most popular sights for travelers are the painted stone and masonry buildings in Water Street.  St. George's a favorite place among photographers as it has a unique and classic feel.

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Bermuda's Crystal and Fantasy Caves

These 30 million-year-old caves surely look like a place out of a fantasy movie.  The clear-blue pools, crystallized soda straws, and chandelier-like stalactite formations are a sight to behold.  Exploring the wonders of nature underground has never been more interesting.  Be sure to take in the otherworldly scene before snapping a photograph of the place. 

Hamilton

Hamilton is the commercial hub of Bermuda.  For those who want to explore the religious, political, and business side of the island, this is the place to be.  Hamilton also has great restaurants and shopping centers that tourists will enjoy.  But what probably will be etched in their memories are the pastel-colored colonial buildings that are timeless and charming at the same time. 

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Two days and one night in Bermuda will not be enough.  There's just so much to explore on the island. 

John Jefferis is a celebrated veteran in the hotel management arena after being a recipient of awards such as the Caribbean Hotelier of the Year in 1990 and Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000. He is the current chairman and sole shareholder of the Palm Reed Hotel Development Company Limited and Island Resorts International Limited. Find out more about John’s career by visiting this Facebook page.

How Storytelling Can Give Hotel Sales a Boost

Storytelling has had a profound effect on humanity for thousands of years. From prehistoric cave paintings to parents reading a bedtime story to their children, storytelling has been effective in conveying anecdotes as well as one’s thoughts and feelings.

Hoteliers can also use this powerful communication tool to give their business a boost, especially in sales. Hotels and resorts can have all the competitive advantage in the world, such as excellent location, outstanding facilities and amenities, great customer service, competitive prices, among others. But if they cannot get these across to their potential and existing customers, they might find it difficult to contend against competitors.

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A solution for this is using a storytelling approach when interacting with guests, either in person or digitally.

They must make good use of all available online channels, including the website and social media pages. By posting authentic content in an engaging manner, it becomes easier to market the hotel and resort as potential clients get a clearer picture of what awaits them should they decide to book or visit the place.

Storytelling can also be instrumental in providing guests a memorable stay. By teaching employees how to interact with and what to say to guests or using audio-visual designs or triggers to share what sets the hotel – its features, location, and the experience it provides – apart, guests are more likely to become repeat customers.

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John Jefferis is renowned for his hands-on approach in managing his hospitality businesses. He has been in the industry for more than four decades now, already recognized as one of the most successful hoteliers in the world. Read more insights on hotel management here.

Top Honeymoon Sights And Things To Do In Bermuda

Bermuda has a singular charm and natural beauty having tourists from around the world coming back for more. It’s especially appealing to honeymooners seeking the ultimate island escape in the Caribbean, and wanting to pair it up with impeccable hotel service and entertainment throughout their stay. Here are some sights and things to do for lovebirds.

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Couples can have a taste of Bermuda’s history and culture by visiting sights such as the Unfinished Church in the Town of St. George, which is unsurprisingly one of the island nation’s popular wedding destinations. The stone edifice boasts of massive arches and regal walls, along with a manicured grass carpet and beautiful skyline to enjoy. Moongates, or horseshoe-shaped limestone passageways aplenty in Bermuda, traditionally offer newlyweds good luck as they pass through.

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Stroll in places beyond the beach and marvel at Lover’s Lane in the Paget Marsh, which is aptly named for its romantic cedar and palmetto covered forest teeming with wildlife and the songs of birds. Have a quiet walk or bicycle ride, too, on Railway Trail, a mid-20th century rail route and national park where lovers can encounter secret beaches, an old drawbridge, and remnants of the island’s past. Ride horses on the beach to take the romantic adventure up a notch.

Finally, luxury hotel destinations such as Coco Reef Resort and the assortment of luxurious spa resorts around mix romance and relaxation, not to mention gastronomic delights that will call paradise to mind.

John Jefferis is a Bermuda-based hotelier who has been named the Premier Hotelier of the Caribbean by the Caribbean World Television. Visit this blog to learn more about the hospitality industry.

A Caribbean Island Nation’s Booming Hospitality Industry

The architectural landscape of Cuba for years has been dotted with vacant ancient buildings, exuding an eerie atmosphere of abandonment. The gloomy air of neglect is expected to perk up as real estate development started to roll since the thawing of the country’s relationship with the United States.

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Construction cranes line the horizon; construction sites are mushrooming in not a few locales of the island nation in the northern part of the Caribbean. Primary targets are the unutilized structures for conversion into hotels to accommodate the increasing influx of visitors from the country’s rich and powerful neighbors.

The reinvigoration of building structures is further boosted by the loosening of bureaucratic reins, welcoming foreign hotel developers into the fray. Restrictions on private enterprise are likewise lifted with the objective of arresting the decreasing growth of gross domestic product in 2016, a startling occurrence for the first time in two decades.

Ahead of the pack of newly refurbished luxury hotels is the 246-room Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana, which occupies a vast space in a renovated European-style shopping arcade that constitutes an entire block. It is scheduled to open in early June. Another, Hotel Inglaterra, located on the other side of Parque Central, which has been in existence in 1875 and boasts of having Winston Churchill as one of its guests, is set to start accepting bookings and guests by December 2019. Several other luxury hotels run by professional managers from Spain and France surround the vicinity.

Foreign experts known in the hospitality industry worldwide are being tapped to help manage the hotels, which, per structure and nature of Cuban economy, are all under the proprietorship of the government. For example, the Manzana which thrives on the investments by the Cuban state company Almest Investments is co-managed by the Swiss luxury hotelier Kempinski and the Gaviota Group of Cuba. Meanwhile, The Inglaterra will be under the management auspices of Marriott International. The successful international market penetration of Cuba’s luxury hotels, however, has to reckon with several hurdles. Utility services such as water and electricity are still lacking. Sources of steady supplies of reliable raw materials for preparation of quality meals are scarce. Widespread poverty is still very visible, which may not be attractive to tourists.

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On the other hand, many Americans and Europeans have been intrigued and lured towards a cultural exploration of Cuba owing to the country’s isolation for so many years. The Cuban Ministry of Tourism recorded over four million visitors in 2016, up 13 percent from the previous year, enough to propel its hospitality industry.

Born in Hampshire, UK, John Jefferis is an acclaimed hotelier who has 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He is the chairman and owner of Coco Reef Resorts, a high-class tourist spot located in Bermuda and Tobago. Mr. Jefferis is famous for his hands-on approach in managing his businesses. His strong involvement in the various aspects of his business, from conceptualization to logistics is one of the qualities for which he is truly admired, and also the reason behind his indisputable success. Visit this blog for more updates in the hospitality industry.

Hotel booking mistakes to avoid

While booking a hotel seems quite straightforward and entails only picking a destination, travel dates, and a payment method, there are a number of blunders one can commit in the process. And these mistakes could prove costly and easily ruin one’s long-planned trip. 

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Here are things to avoid doing when making hotel reservations. 

Expecting the best and everything you requested Typically, those booking through the hotel website, along with loyalty members, get first dibs on room assignments, including better views and quieter locations. Most booking engines also allow guests to make requests or comments regarding their stay, but this doesn’t mean such requests are guaranteed. If this is the case, politely speak to the front-desk agent to request your desired change. 

Not accounting for taxes and resort fees There are fees that hotel guests could dodge if they don’t wish to avail themselves of certain services, such as housekeeping or newspaper delivery. But note that there are mandatory ones such as resort fees, so one needs to account for the added cost when booking a hotel room. 

Booking non-refundable rates Non-refundable rates are cheaper that the regular rates for a reason: the hotelier benefits from the lower price when a room is locked in. If you ever find yourself needing to cancel the hotel reservation due to bad weather, illness, or a personal reason, it’s inevitable to forgo the non-refundable rate. The fix: pay the heftier yet refundable rate instead for when you need to put the trip on hold. 

Other hotel booking faux pas Common booking mistakes include failing to check the exact location and surrounding establishments; skipping the user review sites; inquire if there’s available airport shuttle, internet access, or breakfast (and if they are complimentary); and sign up for a loyalty program that rewards frequent stays.

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John Jefferis is a highly-respected hotelier who establishes a myriad of activities and amenities in all of his hotels to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of his guests. For more on the hospitality business, like this Facebook page.

A Number Of Reasons To Visit Bermuda On Your Next Vacation

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Bermuda is a truly special place on earth, with its offerings uniquely its own. Here are some reasons to book your next holiday in Bermuda.

Contrary to popular belief, vacationing in Bermuda does not have to be very expensive. The area is as plain and simple as can be, with its offerings of the nature experience. This is hardly expensive to maintain, and so there really is no reason to dig deep into one’s pocket just to experience the naturally occurring elements that are there.

The beaches are very pristine. Bermuda communities have truly done their part in maintaining the natural beauty of its collective coasts, where one can have the most fulfilling experience of bathing in the turquoise blue waters and exploring many secret coves and islets.

The amenities are quite complete. On top of the exhilarating view of the ocean, many guests have enjoyed relaxation to the hilt, with stone massages, various kinds of spas, or just the simple act of detaching from the familiar and being at peace with nature.

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Bermuda is quite the party place too, for more sociable guests who intend to meet other people from around the world. Flanagan’s Irish Pub is a melting pot for people of various cultures. Listening to live music while drinking a few bottles of English beer has been an inviting idea for merriment. Bermuda also happens to be a home to some of the rarest and most exquisite variety of alcoholic drinks.

All of these are well within one’s reach, as traveling to Bermuda is not very complicated. It also helps that the fun comes in cheap too.

John Jefferis is a Bermuda-based hotelier most recognized as the owner and chairman of a chain of world-class hotels in Bermuda and Tobago called the Coco Reef Resorts. Visit this page for more updates about the hospitality industry.