For episode #17 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Megan Smith, a renowned innkeeping expert and consultant, as well as the host of the popular “Inside Innkeeping” podcast series. She discusses how innkeepers can increase revenues, improve operations, and remain competitive.
Remaining competitive in the innkeeping arena is no small challenge, especially in the face of multiple accommodation offerings, and Airbnb growing in popularity.
However, now is actually a great time for innkeepers to adapt to the changing tourism landscape by pursuing new revenue streams. For example, rather than swimming against the tide of short-term rentals, Megan suggests that many innkeepers consider embracing this change by putting some of their rooms on the Airbnb platform.
She also asserts that there are many great strategies that can help innkeepers greatly improve revenue generation. These include hosting events, mixers, concerts, and weddings, as well as partnering with golf courses, transportation providers, wineries, museums, and art galleries on referral arrangements.
Another idea is to co-brand and sell local products, as well as focus on your passions – offering surfing lessons as an example.
In this podcast, Megan, who also co-owned and operated The Vermont Inn for 13 years, and served as Vermont’s State Tourism Director, discusses how innkeepers can increase their revenues, improve their operations, and remain competitive:
Megan’s background in the innkeeping industry. (1:05)
Insights into Megan’s consulting work. (2:40)
How innkeepers can leverage Airbnb. (4:23)
Other consulting services and ideas Megan has shared with innkeepers to improve operations. (7:14)
Some creative ideas and advice for innkeepers to improve their revenue. (11:20)
Insights into how weddings can help drive additional revenue. (15:38)
How to secure partnerships with local businesses to create revenue opportunities. (19:32)
·Why this is a good time for innkeepers to be creative and focus on differentiating themselves. (24:03)
We are very thankful to Megan for sharing her insights with us! You can learn more about Megan’s consulting services, by visiting her website.
For episode #16 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Rob Fulton, CEO of the Association of Independent Hospitality Professionals (AIHP) about the upcoming AIHP 2019 State of B&Bs Report and the future of independent hospitality – in part two of this two-part podcast series.
The Association of Independent Hospitality Professionals (AIHP) is a nonprofit organization that represents, supports, educates, and advocates for independent hospitality professionals to enhance their personal satisfaction and business success. Founded in 2015, AIHP has seen phenomenal growth over the last four years and continues to gain traction as a key voice for independent lodging.
Last year, the organization issued its in-depth “B&B’s UNBOUND – The State of B&B’s in the U.S.” study, and is gearing up to launch 2019 version of this study. The updated report will dive deeper into topics around everyday operations, occupancy levels and financial efforts at B&Bs – to allow AIHP members to benchmark and compare their businesses to their peers.
AIHP is also working to help B&Bs best manage some of the most significant changes impacting the future of the industry. For example, the organization is continually seeking to level the playing field for B&Bs with it comes to short-term rental providers, as well as providing educational resources to help properties enhance direct bookings.
In this podcast, Rob shares insights into the upcoming State of B&Bs Study, the future of the industry, and how owning the localized guest experience is important:
Insights into the 2019 version of the State of B&Bs Study. (1:05)
More about AIHP’s role in helping innkeepers deal with short-term rentals and OTAs. (5:32)
How AIHP is helping innkeepers to enhance overall direct bookings. (7:26)
How owning the local guest experience is important for innkeepers. (12:18)
What the future holds for the independent lodging industry overall. (17:45)
How the sector is embracing new innovations that enhance the guest experience. (21:24)
We are very thankful to Rob for sharing his insights with us! Be sure to listen to part one of this podcast series here. You can learn more about AIHP by visiting its website.
For episode #14 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Rob Fulton, CEO of the Association of Independent Hospitality Professionals (AIHP), about the 2019 AIHP Summit, as well as his organization’s 2018 study “B&B’s UNBOUND – The State of B&B’s in the U.S.”
The Association of Independent Hospitality Professionals (AIHP) is a nonprofit organization that represents, supports, educates, and advocates for independent hospitality professionals to enhance their personal satisfaction and business success. Founded in 2015, AIHP has seen phenomenal growth over the last four years and continues to gain traction as a key voice for independent lodging.
In 2018, the organization issued its in-depth “B&B’s UNBOUND – The State of B&B’s in the U.S.” study, which focuses on how independent hoteliers and B&Bs fit into the larger travel industry. In the face of the impact of OTAs and short-term rentals, the study found that the sector is actually growing overall, despite these disruptive trends.
In late March of this year, AIHP held its highly successful 2019 Knowledge Sharing Summit & Marketplace in Cincinnati. With events like this, a forward-thinking belief that technology and innovation is essential for helping innkeepers enhance the guest experience, and its commitment to educate its members, the organization is positioned to continue playing a key role in representing the independent hospitality sector for many years to come.
In this podcast, Rob shares insights into the mission of AIHP, its annual 2019 Summit, and key sector trends:
AIHP’s history and mission. (1:16)
Insights into the recent 2019 AIHP Summit and key takeaways from the event. (3:34)
How the AIHP Summit was also beneficial for the Frictionless Guest App. (6:42)
Information about the AIHP 2020 Knowledge Sharing Summit & Marketplace, which is taking place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (10:00)
An overview of the “B&B’s UNBOUND – The State of B&B’s in the U.S.” 2018 study. (11:12)
Insights into both industry growth and the impact of OTAs and short-term rentals on the independent innkeeping sector. (15:35)
Why independent hoteliers need to embrace the new changes that are happening in the industry, and how organizations like AIHP can help. (19:58)
We are very thankful to Rob for sharing his insights with us! Stay tuned for part two of this interview series, where Rob discusses the upcoming 2019 State of B&Bs report being provided by AIHP and offers a deeper dive into the future of the independent hospitality sector. You can learn more about AIHP by visiting its website.
For episode #12 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Tim Piper, a renowned B&B expert and Partner with The Hearthside Group, who provides insights into his services and key trends in the innkeeping arena.
When getting into the B&B business, it’s all too easy to get caught up into the romantic vision of being an innkeeper in a bucolic place far away from the hectic pace that dominates life in major urban areas.
To be an aspiring innkeeper, the key is understanding if this business model actually works for you, and if so, develop the right strategies for ensuring long-term success. By taking off the “rose-colored” glasses, prospective innkeepers understand the realities behind running a successful inn or B&B.
Tim Piper offers in-depth business valuation and processes that help both B&B buyers and sellers either find, or sell, their properties. He also offers his popular Aspiring Innkeeper seminar series to help prospective buyers to fully understand how to succeed in this business.
In this podcast, Tim provides detailed insights into the consultancy services he offers for both B&B buyers and sellers:
· Tim’s background in the hospitality business. (1:04)
· Insights into The Hearthside Group’s offerings. (1:43)
· The services that Tim offers for prospective innkeepers, versus traditional real estate brokering services. (2:35)
· How the buying process works for Tim’s clients. (8:01)
· More about the services that Tim offers for B&B sellers. (11:01)
· Tim’s perspective on achieving long-term success as a B&B owner. (18:00)
· How Tim structures the payment for the services he provides for buyers. (20:44)
· Why it is important that buyers use consultants like Tim to help them find the right property. (25:34)
We would like to thank Tim for sharing his insights. You can learn more about The Hearthside Group by visiting their website.
For episode #11 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Wendy Collins, co-owner of The Mission Inn in Cape May, NJ, who discusses how she takes a “high-tech, high-touch” approach to pleasing guests.
As with other corporate professionals entering the innkeeper arena, there is much to be drawn from prior work experiences that can help to differentiate a property on many levels.
For Wendy Collins and Laura Shaddock, this means fully leveraging technology for both pleasing guests, and effectively running The Mission Inn.
After acquiring the property in 2016, Wendy and Laura quickly automated pre- and post-stay emails that provide insights on their favorite events around town, and encourage guests to leave positive online reviews, respectively. They also use a new cloud-based guest booking engine that allows them to manage guest bookings from their mobile devices.
In addition, Wendy and Laura have expanded their 2,000 Facebook followers into Instagram, which allows them to appeal to younger guests. The property also has an email database of more than 5,000 people for their ongoing e-blasts, which have an open rate of 40 to 45 percent – whereas the industry email open rate is only 10 percent.
Another way The Mission Inn differentiates itself is through its in-house concert series – where they have top musical talent perform at the property. Wendy and Laura use these concerts as a great way to draw people to the property during the winter months, and it enhances overall word-of-mouth marketing – with people actually booking their stays when there is a concert.
As a result of these efforts, The Mission Inn has built a loyal following, which allows them to do 100 percent of their bookings direct – without needing to rely on OTAs.
In this podcast, Wendy shares her innkeeper story, and how they truly focus on providing specialized guest experiences:
Insights about how Wendy and Laura became innkeepers. (1:00)
Details about The Mission Inn and the B&B landscape in Cape May, NJ. (2:14)
How and why they take a “high-tech, high-touch” approach. (4:30)
Insights into their use of social media for connecting with guests and bringing in new guests. (7:11)
How they balance the use of technology with personally interacting with their guests. (11:30)
Putting on monthly house concerts during October through April. (12:10)
How they built guest loyalty to the point where they don’t need to rely on OTAs. (16:30)
How Wendy defines “guest experience,” and how they deliver on providing a great stay. (21:10)
We would like to thank Wendy for sharing her innkeeper story. You can learn more about The Mission Inn by visiting their website.
