Casambo Jam Session – Sunday, 30 June 2019

Sunday the 30 June 2019 saw another incredible installment of the Casambo Jam Session. The festivities were really a marvel to watch and witness. The number of talented artists involved in this latest production was really phenomenal.

The initial purpose of the jam sessions consisted of Casambo Exclusive Guest Lodge wanting to provide a wonderful platform for upcoming artists to showcase their talent. Music is an international language, one that doesn't discriminate and bring people together. The ambiance in the air when people are enjoying the sweet sounds of fellow talented artists is unrivaled. Family, friends and loved ones gathered to share an experience of a lifetime that you had to be there to enjoy.

Time and time again the great line-up of live music, good food, drink specials and so much more has proved to be a winning recipe for the Casambo Jam Sessions. It has also upheld the standard of it is a popular way to spend a relaxing afternoon with friends and family. The jam sessions also help city dwellers unwind and rejuvenate from the long hard week.

Casambo Exclusive Guest Lodge is an appropriate venue to host this initiative. In addition to the fun experience, the lodge will make sure that your visit and support is never in vain. They believe in the power that is in encouraging talents to make use of platforms to grow and nurture their gifts. The Jam Session is a great example. This is their form of giving back as appreciation to the support they receive from customers.

The Jam session that took place Sunday, 30^th June 2019 to wrap up Youth Month couldn’t have been a better display of the array of talent Mbombela has to offer. Casambo is constantly looking for ways to make sure that they have happy clients. This also extend the heart of their work, they have a love for what they do and so they show it in initiatives such as the Jam Session. It is amazing how Casambo has taken to themselves to really do community work and services in such a manner. Such initiatives build the future of our country, they enlarge closed territories and do some amazing work in encouraging people to expose their gifts and talents. The future is bright because of such initiatives.

How to deal with off-season emptiness at your hotel

Whether it's a rush of leaf-peeping tourists in autumn or a fast-ringing register during the December holidays, seasonal businesses such as guesthouses or hotels are often faced with the challenge of generating a year's revenue in just a few months. But there are some ways to keep the cash coming in all year 'round.

Unfortunately, like the saying goes 'a closed mouth don't get fed'. To keep the money coming in, even after the key season has passed, something has to give. This means thinking creatively, learn more about the need of your customers and testing out new ideas.

Here are a few ideas to build into your hospitality marketing strategies to deal with off-season emptiness.

1) Adopt a discount policy

People love discounts and the perception of a “good deal” will definitely help your business to be taken more into account. It is possible to target a specific consumer type as well as to opt for specific categories (senior discounts, group discounts, etc.). Or you can also put the discount promotion, for example, into one of the restaurants in the city you know the owner. Another possibility is to link the discount promotion to social media: for example, 5%-10% discount for those who share a promotional post on Facebook or tag the brand name in a photo on Instagram.

2) Use local activities and events

During the low occupancy period, it is important for your business to generate more requests. You can use local activities and events as a marketing opportunity to attract more guests. So take note of concerts, parties, fairs, marathons, and parades in the area. You could also create a special promotion implying a discount for anyone who will be present at the event or make a partnership with the sponsors.

3) Create special packages

Increase your customer base by creating special packages to attract guests. It can be the “Valentine package”, “family package”, “couple package” or whatever you like … Make room for your fantasy! You may want to include in the package a gift basket, a room decorated with rose petals and free drinks, such as wine or champagne, etc. These actions will surely be of great value to the business. Not only will it bring joy and satisfaction to the customers, but it will also be a great way of promoting you! With this marketing strategy, your business can also set a higher price in exchange for the customer experience.

4) Retain customers

The customer loyalty program will help you increase your hotel’s occupation, creating an even stronger relationship with your regular customers. For example, you could send personal e-mails with a special discount.

It is wrongly believed, in fact, that people don’t check e-mail promotions. Be sure they do it! Just think that current email service providers differentiate primary mail from the one containing promotional e-mails.

And many read the marketing-promotional section only to check the discount offered by the website or newsletter to which they are subscribed!

In a few words: never forget to get the mail address of your guests when they are checking in.

5) Promote your business to a local business

Did you know that you can increase the flow of your hotel guests by promoting it to a local company for their events, such as business seminars and meetings? As you know, such events are conducted with so many guests and consequently, they are very profitable because probably the company will book many rooms at a time.

Also, keep in mind that some business events are repeated every year, so it can become the source of a safer income!

These simple marketing strategies can prove to be very effective in helping your business reach a broader market and increase employment.

6) Look to major destination events

Compile a list of any major landmark milestones or groundbreaking events that your popular attractions are celebrating during that time. If a major attraction is celebrating an anniversary, approach them to be their official host hotel for the event. You’ll usually have to pay-to-play for this type of partnership, but you’ll get massive exposure with an exclusive link on their website and other marketing collateral promoting the event. Amp up your value even more by offering an incentive to book with your hotel, such as a free ride to get to the event. Or, another form of complimentary transportation to/from. This type of partnership is competitive, so act quickly before other hotels nab the ‘official’ spot.

7) Leverage smaller, but still popular, local events

Restaurant weeks, festivals, marathons, parades, state fairs. Pull together a list of events that would attract your target market and fall during your slow period. Work out a special deal just for attendees, like a discount when they show you their ticket stub upon checkout. Work with the event organizers for additional placement on their marketing materials and advertising of your discounted rate. Simply leveraging an event and creating a partnership with event organizers can nudge a visitor to choose your property over another.

10 Effective ways to boost your business’ low occupancy and revenue

It is no secret that as people love cheaper... or rather discounted things. This including clothing items, gadgets or even holiday accommodation.

But as for accommodation owners, the lower price the more bookings, right? Wrong!

It can be easy, and very tempting, to think that slashing rates to virtually nothing will sell more rooms and increase room revenue during the week.

While it may sell a few rooms, the discounting strategy rarely sells enough to offset the reduced revenue.

It’s important to keep in mind that lower rates don’t create demand; they can set the wrong expectations for guests and erode your price integrity. Instead, think of adding value to beat the midweek blues.

Here are 10 effective ways to boost your business’ low occupancy and revenue:

1 Up-sell at every opportunity

Persuade your guests to spend a little more through your online booking engine by adding carefully thought-out extras such as a romantic package or champagne breakfast. You could also consider asking a guest during check-in if they would like to get a better room for a slightly higher rate.

This is simply about letting your guests know what options are available to them. If it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind! Use your front desk or other designated area to take advantage of point-of-sale opportunities such as car rental or tickets to events and tours. Adding this extra value to guests not only brings in revenue but also provides a better traveler experience.

2. Offer a few select ‘holiday’ products

We all know travel customers often want to help themselves to some of the added extras provided, such as soaps or shampoo, and you should want them to. According to Forbes, when guests take their toiletries home with them, it’s a sign you have done a good job picking the right products. You should also be hoping those guests will think of their stay when they use that soap or shampoo later on. Whatever the product may be, give guests something to remember their time with you and add a new revenue stream by making some of your products available for purchase.

For example, sunscreens, shampoos or even towels for the beach. (This might even prevent them from ‘accidentally’ packing your bathroom towels in their bags before check-out!)

3. Switch from halogen lighting to LED

LED lighting lasts almost 10 times longer than halogen lighting and could save you enormous costs in the long run. Investigate all of your LED options and see which ones work best for you and your property.

4. Offer guests a bit of festive cheer during the festive season

During the festive season, many guests want to feel more at home by celebrating with a small holiday tree in their room. For that special touch, consider offering a fully decorated in-room Christmas tree for a small price.

5. Do a booking channel audit

Draw reports on all of your booking channels using your all-in-one booking management solution. Booking channels such as your website and OTAs should be regularly monitored to see where the best performance lies. If one booking site is performing better than another, see what it is that could be attributing to that performance (such as great images, or better descriptions), and adjust your other channels accordingly.

6. Do an energy assessment

Doing an energy audit can identify areas where you are overspending and will allow you to either find a better provider, or keep spend to a minimum. Check everything that consumes electricity, gas or fuel. You will soon see where you are spending the most money and can make adjustments to lower your overall expenses.

7. A customer referral scheme

Satisfied customers should be encouraged to refer their friends and family to stay at your property. Offer your potential guests incentives such as a promotion code, which you can easily set up in your all-in-one booking management solution to be redeemed at the time of booking on your website. A post-stay email can also be set up to automatically send to your guests after they leave, with a specific promotion code and discount. Remember: Word of mouth is often the most powerful marketing tool.

8. Welcome pets

You may not warm to pets, but many travelers would love to travel with their furry companions. If possible, make your small hotel pet-friendly so you not only attract a different segment of travel customers, but can be in a position to charge a little extra for your rooms.

9. Discounts for extended stays

Some guests are quite flexible with their travel schedule and might want to stay an extra night or two. Offering a 50% discount off an additional night, when paying the regular rate for the first few nights, could ensure a higher occupancy and incremental revenue.

10. Network with others in the hospitality and tourism industry

Networking with other businesses in your area that attract tourists and travelers could increase revenue and add more value to your guests. For example, you could offer a discounted ticket to your guests for local attractions, which could increase their revenue and, in turn, provide a better guest experience. This can work both ways as businesses can drive their customers to your property if you offer a special rate.

If you remember to ensure you provide the best guest experience you can, be a savvy spender, and jump on opportunities where you can maximise your booking revenue, you will be well on your way to running a successful hotel and enjoying that holiday at the end of the year.

7 tips to securing accommodation last minute

You're feeling spontaneous and need to go away — preferably next weekend. A last-minute vacation is more feasible than you think, don't be resigned to the fact that you will have to pay a high rate for your accommodation.

There are tricks you can use as long as you are willing to put a little bit of effort into your research. Using the Internet and the telephone can save you significant money instead of just accepting what an accommodation quotes you as its standard rate. Sometimes just being polite when asking for a lower rate can save you a significant amount per night.

Here's how to fulfill vacation wanderlust on demand.

1. Be flexible — with dates and destination.

Sunday can be one of the more expensive days to fly, but moving your return to a Monday or Tuesday can make a big difference in price — or, plug in dates for two weeks later and do a side-by-side comparison.
Also, play around with your length of stay. Some accommodations offer a fifth night free, which gives you an extra day at no additional cost.

2. Get On The Phone

Do not rely on the Internet alone when searching for cheap, last-minute deals on lodging. Call the accommodation directly and ask if there are any last-minute deals available on a room. The rate listed on an accommodation's website is not always the lowest rate that it will offer. If an accommodation has a large number of rooms open for a night and it's less than 48 hours before that date, a manager at the accommodation may be willing to reduce the rates further than what the website advertises. Do not be afraid to ask for a lower rate. The worst the manager can do is say no.

3. Outsource the planning.

Not all accommodations are created equal and, even with limited lead time, a travel pro can help match you with the right fit — often at an unadvertised rate. Some may add a small fee to expedite last-minute plans (and make a few urgent phone calls on your behalf), but an accredited organization will give you peace of mind that your vacation has been vetted. They also may be able to pull some strings so that accommodations know who you are before you get there.

4. Search for discounts.

Combing through pages of discount codes and vouchers won’t always be fruitful but it’s worth a go. Keep an eye on offers and discount code websites. Both Voucher Codes and Voucher Cloud have a long list of offers that are available but sometimes aren’t clearly advertised on travel websites themselves. Worst case scenario, your voucher code will be declined. There’s no harm in trying, right?

5. Note what’s non-refundable.

Most accommodations have a cancellation policy of anywhere from 24 hours to 7 to 21 days in advance. For last-minute jaunts, your reservation may have to be paid in full up front. If there's a still a chance you might come down with the flu in the week before you leave, or if your boss may not approve those last-minute vacation days, consider travel protection insurance.

6. Beware of a deal that’s too good.

Scrolling through pages of user reviews may cut into your packing time, but be sure to do your due diligence to make sure you're getting what you paid for. Last-minute deals are not always what they're cracked up to be.

7. Get on the waitlist.

Flexibility is key when you're on a short time frame, but if that dreamy resort you fell in love with on Instagram is fully booked, call and ask to be put on a wait list for any last-minute cancellations. Same goes for dinner reservations, spa appointments and the like.

11 Things Not to Do When Booking For Accommodation

Byline: Unathi Nkanjeni

When it comes to preparing for your end year holiday, finding accommodation in your destination city is likely to be one of the most challenging aspects of the process.

Let’s be honest, finding accommodation in your own city can be tough, not to mention a completely unfamiliar city that you are yet to actually step foot in. With various rules and regulations that you’ll need to wrap your head around, it’s undoubtedly daunting. To help ease some of those stresses, here are a few important things to consider when looking for your accommodation this festive season. 

Then you can get back to what really matters – making plans and looking forward to your holiday adventure!

Follow these accommodation booking tips to get the best room in the best location at the best price.

1. Don’t forget to check the exact accommodation location.

There are great places that seemed to be in an ideal location, except that they are surrounded by busy roads, including an on-ramp and off-ramp to a highway on either side of the place. It will feel like you are staying in an interstate rest stop. You won't really be able to walk anywhere, and stepping outside will not just be annoying but borderline dangerous.

In some places, fine restaurants are a block away, and a running trail a half-mile away, and a great river walk another half-mile from there. When you book for accommodation, you'll think it is close to all those cool things, but always check closely enough to realize where exactly it’s located and that you can get to any of them without risking life and limb.

The easiest way to prevent this sort of problem is to see the site for yourself. Most booking websites include a map view of some kind, and you might also take a look at Google Street View or Bing’s Bird’s Eye view to get a good look at the lay of the land.

2. Don’t skip the review sites.

Knowing as much as possible about any given property is your best strategy for getting accommodation and a room that you actually enjoy staying in.  Switch your preferred accommodation after a bit of research, as there is always something you would never know without the help of folks who have already stayed at a property. 

These might include noise, lousy food, Wi-Fi, dated rooms and more — even the fact that the place is pretty much on a highway median. And you might find out a lot of good things as well.

3. Don’t forget to check if the accommodation has an airport shuttle.

If you a big fan of using public transportation when zooming around at your destination, as it puts you among the locals in a simple, straightforward way.

If you not a huge fan of public transportation to and from the airport, however. Starting and (especially) ending a trip by hauling massive bags through an unfamiliar subway system can be a grueling experience, especially when you are trying to get some rare R&R.

But getting to and from your accommodation in a taxi (or even an Uber) can be expensive, especially since most airports are quite a distance from the nearest city center. When considering the cost of one place vs. another, you will want to know whether the airport offers a complimentary shuttle.

4. Don’t fail to check parking availability and cost.

If you will have your own car, check both availability and pricing on parking at the place. Even if the place has parking available, it often comes with a price tag. If the place doesn’t have its own parking, the cost can be even higher in some places where you are forced to use private lots, and you have to worry about the car getting dinged or broken into — not to mention the hassle of having to find a spot every day.

5. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of breakfast.

The actual per-night difference between an accommodation that offers a solid continental (or even full) breakfast included in the rate compared to one that offers a R23 buffet can be significant, to say the least.

You can usually find out this information on the accommodation website or by calling the front desk directly. Since most folks prefer to breakfast at their accommodation, this is an important question if you are concerned about your budget. Sure, you can always try to find an affordable cafe nearby, but you can’t beat a free breakfast for convenience.

6. Don’t take internet access for granted.

As with breakfast, parking and a shuttle, if you absolutely need internet access, you also need to consider it part of your nightly accommodation budget when comparing prices. A place where you save R100/night but then pay R200 a day for internet is no savings at all.

This is a tricky one, though, so make sure you check this closely; internet access may be free for loyalty members but not to other guests, for instance.

Additionally, some places have started charging for access per device, or sometimes allowing only two devices per paying customer. If more than one person is staying in the room, this can become a problem very quickly, as most folks connect with at least two devices these days (e.g., a laptop and a smartphone). Check the fine print.

7. Program members, don’t book anywhere but directly through the accommodation.

This applies mainly if you belong to a loyalty club and hope to have points awarded to your account — because if you book through pretty much any third party, places won’t pony up the points. This includes well-known booking sites, group bookings, bookings by your travel agent, bookings by the accommodation’s own vacation club and even bookings at conference rates.

8. Don’t forget to sign up for the rewards program

It is often free to sign up for a place’s loyalty program, and in some cases, significant rewards kick in almost immediately. These can include complimentary Wi-Fi, as mentioned above, but also many “soft” benefits that you might not even be aware of; front desk agents might give you a slightly better room, for example.

9. Don’t be afraid to ask for a better rate.

One of the simplest but most effective tactics for getting a better rate is to ask for one. An open-ended approach is usually recommended - something like “are there any better special rates available?” This usually prompts the reservations person to ask if you are a member of a travel or other association, a member of a loyalty program, etc. From there they will often offer a better rate one way or another, simply for the asking.

10. Don’t be afraid to call the place directly.

If you have an accommodation place that is showing no rooms available, or really high rates, or lack of availability of certain special needs rooms (pet-friendly, accessible, kid-friendly, etc.), you should call the place and ask directly. The front desk often has information about cancellations, additional rooms and more that may not immediately show up on accommodation or booking sites.

Even if you have a simple question, such as “How much does internet access cost?” or “Is breakfast included?” a quick call to the place can settle pretty much any doubts you might have.

11. Don’t forget to ask.

You would be surprised what a place can and will do for you if you simply ask politely. Many front desk folks will lend common toiletries, make restaurant recommendations and reservations, call for taxis, give directions, help with public transportation and handle other logistical items without even flinching.

Additionally, you can often request a room on a certain side of the place, on an upper floor, away from the main road, closer to the elevator if you are disabled and more. Simply ask, and you may receive.