Maximising Success in the Australian Accommodation Industry

In the ever-evolving landscape of the Australian accommodation industry, the ability to adapt and innovate is paramount. In this article, we share critical insights and strategies to navigate the current trends and thrive in a market that shows promise and resilience.

Australian Hotels and Accommodation Landscape

Supply and Investment Trends

The resilience of the Australian accommodation industry is evident in the increasing supply of accommodations, that is opening of new rooms, despite global challenges. This growth in the development of new rooms signals more confidence in the market's potential, according to Australian Hotel Market Highlights – 1H 2023. 

Travel Trends 

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, and we are again starting to see a significant surge in both domestic and international travel. The end of 2023 projections are optimistic, with a continued positive trajectory. Notably, the top three contributors to international traffic arriving in Australia at the end of this year are New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Pent-up travel demand, regulated airfares, and increased flight capacity have fuelled the current travel boom. Business travel, often a barometer of economic activity, has played a pivotal role in the industry's recovery.

In the era of digital convenience, a staggering 67% of bookings are now made online, according to insights from InnQuest. Consumer preferences for streamlined processes start from the booking phase and extend towards the overall dining experience, from ordering to payment. Using technology to implement these processes for booking and reservations positions your hotel as forward-thinking and guest-centric.

Revenue and Recovery

A striking aspect of the industry's recovery is the impressive increase in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) for all major cities in Australia, surpassing the 100% mark as the holiday season approaches, the outlook remains positive, suggesting heightened demand for accommodations.

The highest number of domestic overnight visitors in 2022 was in New South Wales, with 24.89 million in total, followed by Queensland and Victoria, as mentioned by InnQuest. This number is expected to grow, given the increasing RevPAR and increased supply of accommodation.

Accommodation Sector Strategies During Holidays

Festive Themed Packages

To capitalise on the holiday season, many hotels enhance their appeal by offering Christmas-themed packages. These may include special deals on accommodation bundled with festive offerings for food and drinks, creating an enticing proposition for potential guests.

Being a part of families' traditions around Christmas helps hotels provide a personal touch to each family's unique celebration by catering to their needs, be it decorations or culinary preferences. As the Traveller of the Sydney Morning Herald mentions, hotels have seen more traffic when their Christmas offerings cater to traditions and special family celebrations.

Leveraging Restaurants and Bars

 Boosting hotel revenue often depends on amenities like on-site restaurants and bars. The key lies in implementing efficient reservations and waitlist systems to simplify the booking experience and contribute to positive guest perceptions.

Hotels will strategically benefit when they implement efficient reservations and waitlist systems to maximise profits, especially during busy seasons. Given that 67% of the bookings for hotels and restaurants are now made online, it enhances customer convenience and makes it easy to manage the volume of guests during the busy season. 

Staff Management

Beyond simply filling rooms, maintaining service quality is paramount for guest satisfaction and positive reviews. Adequate staff training is essential to meet service standards, and adherence to Australian labour laws regarding holiday wages is imperative for legal compliance.

As a result of the prevailing worker shortages in this nation, there is a heightened necessity to enhance staff retention. This requires tackling challenges like burnout and mental health, fostering increased flexibility, and extending opportunities for professional growth. By prioritising measures to tackle these challenges, we can support the hospitality workforce and increase employee retention and satisfaction.

 Moreover, technology plays a crucial role in compensating for the shortfall in the workforce, alleviating pressure on hotel staff through various means. Predicting and hiring the required staff ensures optimal service without compromising profitability. Integrations like Deputy and Tanda help you comply with Australian labour laws, understand your venue requirements, and help you manage your staff better, all of which can help foster flexibility and improved conditions for staff.

Enhancing Guest Experience with Technology

Personalised Guest Experience

Personalised experience has been one of the biggest challenges for the Australian accommodation industry in 2023, according to Digital Guest, and utilising technology is an efficient way to overcome this challenge. You can offer a personalised guest experience and set up YourOrder based on your unique offerings. 

Staff shortage, answering phone calls, and delivering your hospitality to your customers can all be organised through technology so your staff can focus on what's important – the customer.

 Therefore, introducing in-room dining through QR codes can elevate the guest experience, providing a seamless and contactless approach to dining within the confines of their accommodation. Your guests can order room service, ask for turndown service, or order any other offerings you might have simply by scanning a QR code in the room. Similarly, using QR codes and integrating them with your POS, restaurant, and bar, you can step up different menus and process room chargebacks.

Bepoz YourOrder

Bepoz's YourOrder technology emerges as a game-changer, streamlining the ordering process for dining, drinks, and additional amenities. It enhances customer service and reduces the need for constant phone interaction, thus improving overall efficiency.

 The benefit of utilising this technology throughout the hotel reduces wait time for customers and improves staff performance. Staff who cannot be present everywhere, all the time can better manage workflows as they are digitised and not based on an analogue system. This means they can deliver the service, while customers can place orders from their phones wherever they are in the hotel.

PMS Integration

 A seamless integration between the POS and Property Management System (PMS) is crucial for efficient chargebacks and real-time updates on reservations and room status. Regular system updates ensure accuracy and provide real-time information to enhance operational efficiency. 

Strategic preparation becomes pivotal as the Australian accommodation industry braces for increased demand. Bepoz, with its integrated POS, reservations, and ordering systems, stands as a robust solution to optimise operations and cater to the evolving needs of the industry. Hotels are encouraged to proactively embrace the positive outlook and prepare to welcome a surge in guests with confidence and efficiency.

We welcome you to explore how Bepoz can tailor its solutions to your needs. Reach out to our specialists and take a step toward future-proofing your accommodation business.