Discount in Slack Season Helps to get more bookings Or Not?

[Snehal1]

I feel by giving discount does not attract more guest in Off Season.  The travelling guest ( Transit  Halt ) or guest with Pets are not concern about rates, But they look for the convenience.  What do you Say?

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Snehal1 Its impossible to say unless you have access data from all surrounding properties.

It may be that by reducing your rate you just get less revenue from the same number of travellers.

BUT remember how Southwest Airlines and Ryanair operate - Cheap flights that generate the market in the first place. People now travel who would never have travelled before.

I see this with some Airbnb properties. They are too expensive for me to travel unless I have to. If they were cheaper I would travel more.....

[Lorna170]

@Snehal1    I choose not to discount seasonally.  My reasoning is that my property does not become less (or more) valuable based on the time of year.  I offer value every day.  I do not concern myself with booking every available night, but attracting the discerning guest who appreciates the amenities offered.  When compared to other hosts in my immediate vicinity, especially those who have pricing that fluctuates with discounts and premium dates, I book with more frequency even during the slack season.

My records over the past 25 years show that bookings are slim in January and September. Offering discounts during those months did not attract more guests, and the ones that did book were not the caliber of guest that I want.  

I now select dates in these months for heavy maintenance and a thorough multi-day deep clean. Blocking my working days actually seems to attract guests to book the remaining dates.

Best wishes for whatever you decide to do.

[Greystone0]

HI @Snehal1 - great question and really good feedback so far.

Hi @Lorna170  - this is a really appealing  viewpoint and I find this extremely re-assuring to see as it is how I feel without having really solidified a concept yet.