Don’t discount – “Add-on!”
Add-ons
Being in any industry these days means thinking of the ‘bottom line’, being in the tourism industry though gives us scope to think more about the ‘Add-ON’ rather than ‘Price OFF’.
Here in the South West we are blessed with nature's add-ons: the countryside, the moors, our coastline, as well as our cities and all that history. Add-ons give your product that extra value, the added factor that can seal the deal.
When we enjoy a meal – applying salt and pepper, mustard or horseradish – can enhance the enjoyment. Such add-ons are not expensive but can make the difference between full satisfaction or not.
Outside Adventure Consultants Ltd can provide you with that ‘Add-on’
As a Hotel or Guesthouse – do you have a lawn? Add some Croquet, Archery, or Team exercises.
Do you have a paddock? ‘Add-on’ Blind football, Laser Clays or Team building.
Do you have access to more land? ‘Add-on’ Clay Shooting, Horse riding/whispering, 4x4 driving.
Are you close to water? ‘Add-on’ Fishing, Sailing, Surfing etc.
No Lawn? No fields? No waterfront? Then get your guests picked up, and still offer the Add-ons!
All possible ‘Add-ons’ that could help you secure that Conference or Group booking; maybe something your competitor cannot provide – or more likely, has not thought to provide?
Think out of the box and ‘Add-on!’ In a way, an ‘Add on’ can really be you going that extra mile to provide special, memorable service. Perhaps – pop over to the Railway station and collect your guests; drive to the Wedding Venue and collect your guests after the Reception and then take them back to their car in the morning. You could spend £100s on an advert that reaches a few but going that little bit extra might just cost you a tenner – but boy! – will your guests talk about you and recommend you… and return!
What progress we have made since the 1960/70s guest house on the seaside where you had to be ‘out’ by 9.30am and could not return until 6pm. Of course we have moved on from there, but we can still continue to improve our hospitality.
There should be very little difference between entertaining family and friends and welcome paying guests – the joy is that you are being paid for what you would normally do anyway.
In my brief ‘Talk’ to The West Country Tourism Conference at Westpoint, Exeter on Wednesday 6th February 2013 I refer to some specific events that we have been drawn into to secure bookings for Hotels: The provision of Archery on the morning of a wedding at a time when the ushers were just hanging around with nothing to do and the groom did not want them to find the Bar!
Some clay shooting added to a 4x4 outing so that the non-drivers in the party had something that they could do.
Did these examples cost money? – Yes! Was there any reluctance to pay? – No! Who benefitted? – We (OAC Ltd) did; the Hotels did as they added a tickle to the Bill for arranging it and the Guests did as they were delighted.
So, is it after all an ‘Add-On’? Or is it just a full service… the sort of service that we all like to think comes from the best in the West Country?
Nick Agg-Manning – Managing Director of Outside adventure Consultants Ltd (OAC Ltd)
