Preparing for Peak Seasons: Tips for Managing High Occupancy Periods

Seasonal highpoints will propel your revenues sky high literally but drain your resources unless you are prepared. Below are some tips that will prepare you for high occupancy seasons: 

1. Project Demand Accurately

• Learn from your past and predict peak days and months. 
• Utilize forecasting analytics software to include trends, holidays, and local events.
• Monitor weather and travel trends that compel booking. 

2. Staff Optimisation

• Employ and train seasonal employees well ahead of time. 
• Utilize flexible scheduling software to staff high-traffic periods. 
• Train employees to accomplish several distinct tasks and remove bottlenecks. 

3. Streamlining Operations

• Pre-seasonal facility and equipment inspection to have all running like clockwork. 
• Employ inventory control systems to maintain low-level inventory in stock. 
• Automate check-in/check-out or sales procedures wherever feasible. 

4. Guest/Customer Experience Improvement

• Provide express services (mobile check-in, touchless payments). 
• Be up-front in sharing wait times, services, and policies. 
• Provide special deals or rewards discounts to repeat clients. 

5. Improve Internal Communication

• Use internal message boards (such as Slack or Teams) for live scheduling. 
• Do daily huddles in peak weeks to get staff aligned and take care of issues. 
• Have SOPs ready to take care of ongoing problems in the peak traffic. 

6. Apply Dynamic Pricing

• Rebalance rates or prices based on demand, using revenue management practices. 
• Provide pre-booking specials or package discounts to stagandpost demand. 

7. Track and React in Real-Time

• Employ real-time dashboards to monitor KPIs such as occupancy, waiting time, or sales. 
• Be capable of redirecting resources at the time based on real-time demands. 
• Adjust services in the moment quickly based on customer comment. 

8. Plan Life After the Rush

• Book deep cleaning or restocking stock after the rush. 
• Conduct performance review to see what worked and what did not. 
• Reward your employees for attempting to boost morale and retention. 

Bonus Tip: Contingency Planning 

• Develop contingency plans for staffing shortages, technical failure, or supply chain collapse.