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Every hotel experiences seasonality differently.
Knowing when demand fluctuates is important, but knowing why is what allows you to plan strategically. Here are a few ways we tackled low season at The Bliss:
1. Analyze booking trends & market data
At The Bliss, summer was actually our low season because our core audience—corporate travelers—travel less during the holidays. But that insight alone isn’t enough. By digging deeper into our data, we uncovered actionable patterns:
✅ Booking lead times – Business travelers book 2-4 weeks in advance, while leisure guests book much earlier. That means waiting until summer to push offers is too late—we needed to market to leisure travelers months ahead.
✅ Demand drivers – Local conferences drive occupancy in spring and fall, but summer concerts and festivals attract leisure travelers. Adjusting our promotions to align with these events helped us capture demand.
✅ Guest segmentation shifts – Since corporate stays decline in summer, we tested staycation packages targeting local couples and families. This helped us fill rooms that would otherwise sit empty.
2. Cut costs without cutting corners
Managing expenses efficiently can make a huge difference. Review supplier contracts, adjust breakfast buffet offerings to minimize waste, and find small areas where savings add up over time. Every small expense can contribute to a bigger financial impact.
3. Smart pricing & value-driven packages
Pricing isn’t just about lowering rates in low season—it’s about maximizing perceived value. At The Bliss, we used a mix of dynamic pricing and tailored offers to attract different guest segments:
✅ Shift your target market – If business travel slows down, pivot to leisure guests with family-friendly or weekend getaway deals.
✅ Bundled experiences – Partner with local restaurants, theaters, casinos, or event spaces to create exclusive stay-and-play packages.
✅ Length-of-stay discounts – Offer a lower nightly rate for extended stays to maintain occupancy without steep discounts.
✅ Loyalty and direct booking incentives – Reward past guests with exclusive discounts or perks when they book directly instead of through OTAs.
4. Leverage low season for improvements
Instead of seeing the low season as a setback, use it as an opportunity to refresh your property. Any maintenance, renovations, or deep cleaning tasks that are hard to manage during peak season should be tackled now, ensuring everything is in top shape when business picks up again.
IMG: A Bliss Hotel staff member keeping things spotless during the low season.
5. Flexible staffing
During high season, we relied on part-time and student staff to keep operations running smoothly. University students looking for flexible work step in to support housekeeping, concierge, and events, helping us manage the surge in demand without overloading our core team. It’s a win-win—students gain valuable experience, and we maintain top-tier service at a lower cost.
