ENTREPRENEURS: HOW TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP MAKE YOUR RESORT BUSINESS A SUCCESS

A Canadian couple, Tim and Marie-Jo Thomson, bought a three-bedroom house in a gated community close to Tamarindo, a town in Costa Rica, located near the country’s northwest Pacific coastline, nearly eight years ago. There they started up a property rental and resort business and a surfing school, called Casa de Mojo, a 1.1 km walk to the popular Playa Conchal beach.

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Business is picking up again, after pandemic restrictions, and that couple is now looking at buying a hotel down there, really ramping up what they’re doing, especially with international tourists who love the Central American country.

Technology is the core of a successful resort business. Here are some essential tools and resources to help your resort stay ahead of its competitors.

Automation services & software

Automation services and software can help streamline many processes and provide accurate data to help improve decision-making. For this reason, automating certain resort operations such as guest check-in, reservations, and housekeeping can be incredibly helpful. Here are some areas you can automate:

Online reservations system

These days, customers expect fast, easy booking when it comes to reserving their stays at resorts. That’s why having an online reservation system is so important. It allows customers to quickly and easily book their stay directly from your website or social media channels. It also allows them to pay with a variety of payment methods and make special requests if needed. This makes the booking process more efficient and helps reduce any potential stress on your staff.

Customer relationship management (CRM) software

In order to keep track of customers’ contact information, preferences, past purchases, and other relevant data points, you need CRM software. This type of software can help you gain valuable insights into customer behavior and patterns that can be used to improve your service offering or create more targeted campaigns for marketing purposes. It also allows you to quickly respond to customer inquiries or provide personalized offers based on past transactions.

Data analytics & reporting

Data analytics tools allow you to collect data related to your guests’ preferences, booking behavior, and more. This data can then be used to improve operations and make the customer experience more enjoyable and hassle-free. Analytics tools also help you identify potential issues and opportunities before they become major problems. Additionally, it can provide detailed reports that help you measure success metrics and track performance.

Communication solutions

Having robust communication solutions in place is essential for any resort business. These tools enable you to communicate with both customers and staff more efficiently and help ensure that information is relayed quickly and accurately. Here are some useful solutions to invest in:

VoIP services

Utilizing VoIP gateway solutions allows you to easily make international or long-distance calls. It converts calls from one network to another, allowing you to make calls from any device without needing additional hardware or software. It also allows for better customer service since customers can be contacted quickly and easily, no matter where they are. VoIP services also help reduce your phone bill costs since they’re much cheaper than traditional phone lines.

Video conferencing tools

Video conferencing tools can be especially useful for training staff and managing remote teams. It allows you to easily connect with people regardless of their location, ensuring efficient communication and collaboration between team members. Additionally, it also enables customers to “visit” your resort virtually, even if they can’t physically travel to it.

Email and instant messaging platforms

Email and instant messaging platforms allow you to send messages quickly and easily. They’re especially useful for making customer inquiries, providing updates on services, or simply sending out greetings. These tools are also great for internal communication since they enable staff to quickly send information or files without the need for in-person meetings.

Digital marketing

As a resort business owner, it’s essential that you invest in digital marketing services in order to increase visibility online and attract new customers. These efforts can help drive traffic to your site by providing helpful information that potential customers are searching for online. Here are some common tactics you can use:

Search engine optimization (SEO)

SEO is a strategy to optimize your website to increase its visibility on search engines such as Google and Bing. This can be done by using targeted keywords, writing content that answers customer queries, and ensuring that your site loads quickly and efficiently.

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising

Using this type of advertising, you can create ads and place them on search engine results pages. Customers who click on these ads will be charged a fee based on the cost-per-click. This is an effective way to drive traffic to your site and generate leads quickly.

Social media management

Social media has become one of the most powerful tools for businesses, allowing them to interact with customers, build relationships, and promote their products/services. Investing in social media management services can help you create and execute an effective social media strategy that will bring more customers to your resort business.

Utilizing these essential technological tools and resources allows you to set your resort up for success no matter what industry challenges may arise. Whether it’s automating certain processes, collecting customer data, or optimizing your digital marketing efforts, these tools can help you stay ahead of the competition and ensure that your resort business continues to thrive.