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#Post#: 497--------------------------------------------------
Advice when a major event is coming to town...
By: Arks Date: April 7, 2024, 9:13 am
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We've known for years that we are right in the middle of the
coming eclipse area of total darkness, and that our area will be
welcoming thousands of guests. All lodging within 50 miles of
the eclipse zone have been full for a long time, and when they
get a cancellation, they are now rebooking $150 rooms for $700
and up!
Not knowing any better, I let people book rooms over a year ago
for this eclipse weekend. I had no idea at the time what to
charge. I just raised rates about $50/night and the rooms filled
up fast.
Knowing what I know now, I would have blocked all the rooms for
that weekend, and only opened them up a week ago! For one thing,
that would have avoided all the folks who booked a year or more
ago, then needed to cancel. Taking reservations only a week in
advance means they KNOW they can't cancel, and I don't have to
modify my cancellation policy for the event.
All weekend I've been fielding contacts from people who didn't
plan ahead, desperate for a room and offering me huge amounts of
money to cancel someone who booked for less and "sell" the room
to them! People are awful, but I am not, and I'm just eating the
loss of what I COULD have made if I'd known what I was doing! I
could have rented 50 rooms if I'd had them! When the next
eclipse comes, in 2045, I'll know how to do it! ;D
#Post#: 498--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice when a major event is coming to town...
By: gillumhouse Date: April 7, 2024, 9:29 am
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I just waved goodbye to a couple who are on their way to Xenia,
Ohio for the eclipse. As I was getting ready to charge hi credit
card, he told me to add $20 to it. Tips do not happen a lot
these days. (That almost covered his Military discount)
I raised my prices a little this year and I think they will go
up again next year - assuming I am still here. I do not go up
and down with events - I am too old to remember what I raised
them to - AND I was not in the oath of the Eclipse totality
anyway. Just happy to have gotten a night from people traveling
TO it.
#Post#: 499--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice when a major event is coming to town...
By: Thebeachhouse Date: April 8, 2024, 7:10 am
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A lesson people near the Kentucky Derby and Indianapolis 500
probably know. But don’t beat yourself up. A rare event
brings a long learning curve.
We have annual events in town that book a year in advance every
year and, we’ve discussed it, but did not bump our rates. You
still get the same breakfast and the same chance of rain.
Anyway, enjoy the eclipse! We got the first sunny clear day in
(it feels like) weeks, so the weather is cooperating.
#Post#: 500--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice when a major event is coming to town...
By: Generic Date: April 8, 2024, 1:20 pm
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[quote author=Thebeachhouse link=topic=79.msg499#msg499
date=1712578216]
A lesson people near the Kentucky Derby and Indianapolis 500
probably know. But don’t beat yourself up. A rare event brings
a long learning curve.
We have annual events in town that book a year in advance every
year and, we’ve discussed it, but did not bump our rates. You
still get the same breakfast and the same chance of rain.
Anyway, enjoy the eclipse! We got the first sunny clear day in
(it feels like) weeks, so the weather is cooperating.
[/quote]
Your rates should have gone up at least 6.5% to cover 2022 CPI
(but 10% to cover the increase in food costs). And another 3.4%
to cover 2023 CPI.
We put our rates up last year and inch up rates as we get closer
to dates.
#Post#: 501--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice when a major event is coming to town...
By: Thebeachhouse Date: April 9, 2024, 6:18 am
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In 2022, we had a regular guest ask, “Did you raise your rates?”
Before we could respond, another regular guest said, “Have
you seen the price of bacon lately?!” 🤣
#Post#: 504--------------------------------------------------
Re: Advice when a major event is coming to town...
By: Generic Date: April 11, 2024, 3:55 pm
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We have a major annual event here at the start of June. I like
to sell the 4 nights together (Thursday to Monday), but it
doesn't always happen. Some people want just 3 days (Thursday to
Sunday) and some just want the 2 day weekend. We usually don't
do the 2 day weekend unless people book around it.
And well, I want my money for the weekend, so I finally made it
available via the OTAs, but I marked it up by more than the
commission. Poppa has bills to pay.
I had 3 rooms left. 1 King (shared) and 1 was the King/Queen
suite (private). Nice inquiry yesterday for a few days starting
on Sunday, so I split the King/Queen suite, which makes it into
a King (shared) and a Queen (shared). But hey, they asked....
Today, I get a request for 2 rooms. Well, too late for the
private bath, that sold.... a day late! Took my two kings that
were left and told me they saw them on the OTAs at the price and
looked at our price direct... and booked that. So, no commission
to pay and I played absolutely fair.
Now, all I have left for the weekend is a 3 night. Modified the
minimum stay and I'm sure that it will go. If it doesn't, I will
mark up just the Friday/Saturday for the cost of the 3 nights
and it will go closer to the date as people get desperate.
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