Profile picture for the user l
6

Question of the Week: Do you partner with local businesses?

Establishing partnerships with local businesses is a great way to improve guest experiences while also increasing revenue. How do you work with the local business community?

Restaurant dine-and-stay packages? Discounts for local attractions and tours? Airport shuttles? Share your tips and photos in the comments below!



Profile picture for the user t
7
Thuild - Your … 5 years ago

To be honest I tried doing this and then gave up as the local culture is the following:

- everyone for themselves

- do not let anyone earn money off you

- we are forgetful or don't care to follow up

- we are not interested

I've been chasing a neighboring fine dining restaurant for over 4 months now and still haven't gotten a reply to when we can set up a meeting so that I can give them some business by sending my guests to them. Therefore I send my guests elsewhere if they are reluctant to help themselves a little.

Businesses here are very hardly open to any partnership. Well, that's Romania and their insecurity issues.

Best regards,

Zsolt - www.thuild.com

Profile picture for the user f
8
fluff 5 years ago

Yes we do, with various types of businesses. Usually for a small commission, this works both ways, as is the culture here.

Profile picture for the user k
7
Katerinka12 5 years ago

"I've been chasing a neighboring fine dining restaurant for over 4 months now and still haven't gotten a reply to when we can set up a meeting so that I can give them some business by sending my guests to them."

Wow. That restaurant should be blacklisted. Though they will find a good explanation, normally it is: hello, I am not the owner. I do not care. But I do not forget to get my salary and ask for benefits.

As for me, charging a small commission (referral) is also a culture here, though many people would just not pay. Even being a general, a person with 100 diplomas and certificates, a national hero, etc. I am just lucky that my units are located in super prime area, that definitely do not require any partnership with local businesses.

Profile picture for the user k
7
Katerinka12 5 years ago

Good chef - - > good restaurant.. After 3 months bad chef - - - > well, how can you cope with them?

In my case, extreme traffic will not allow any taxi company to run well. "If I tell them to pick up a guest at 4.00 in the morning they will be there 5 minutes earlier" such situation is just a dream in Philippines. Unless you pay for VIP service and it costs a lot. And even huge money is not a guarantee that the car will be on time.

That's why we just do our best to improve ourselves as hosts and do not rely on anyone.

Profile picture for the user f
8
fluff 5 years ago

It's not directly a money thing for us, we count it as local networking. We find it boosts direct sales by referrals and works in both directions. We only have this arrangement with businesses we have used and trust.

Profile picture for the user a
2
Anthea 5 years ago

At The Pool House in Barbados, I have partnered with a hire company. This company gives my guests up to 30% discount if the guests are staying at our property. My commission is included in the discount as I would rather pass on the savings to my guests. I also use another company who gives my guests a discount and me a commission if I recommend their car hire business. I have tried other services such as sailing and dining out, but have not formed partnerships with these companies. If the service or experience has been good, I promote them in my guests.

Profile picture for the user s
5
Sara Jarvis 5 years ago

As a Football Club minutes from my house have just been promoted to the Premier League I noticed a lot of fans , staff, and players families want to stay close, my recent guest attended a conference there and she was the only person who could leave home literally minutes before it started from my place, so I’m letting the Club know I’m available.

Profile picture for the user j
2
Judy Gathiru 5 years ago

I like the idea of partnering with local businesses especially where we are guests need reliable mode of transport so i have two cab drivers who offer the guests good service and in turn we both make profit. we are working together the idea that only one party to prosper is not good.

Restaurants, we have not done it but it is a good idea i will try.

Profile picture for the user m
10
M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Laura thanks for the idea. I will give it a try.

Profile picture for the user b
7
Bandara Hotels… 5 years ago

Ofcourse we are working with local business to create a win - win business together.

Profile picture for the user j
3
Jessie & Jay (… 5 years ago

Our guests often ask us for recommendations. We only recommend where we have been and enjoyed whether it be a restaurant or a local attraction. After a guest returns, I always ask them how they liked it to get the feedback that I need to continue recommending a place or activity. You cannot guarantee that everyone will have a great experience. However, I think it is better to recommend what you know rather than to not be helpful when they ask.

m
2
Mcdanielhugh 5 years ago

We have an excellent partnership with our local pub / restaurant, we are a BnB and cannot and do not want to cook dinners for guests. We book the tables for our guests and the pub landlady always make a fuss of them, introduces them to local customers to make them feel welcome. She has developed a range of home made pies which have become very popular and which are unique to the pub and by extension to our BnB. It's a symbiotic relationship which suits us both, and most importantly gives the guests a full rural / village experience. It drives business for both of us!.

Profile picture for the user w
3
Weigelt 5 years ago

Lots of B&B's do -- partner with car rental companies, diving excursions, etc. They take a cut. We don't do that. If you're going to partner, please make sure your guests know that you receive a "cut" for the business you send. Otherwise it feels rather dishonest.

Profile picture for the user a
2
Anthea 5 years ago

I most certainly agree with Weigelt.

Profile picture for the user a
2
Anthea 5 years ago

I really like your suggestion Mcdanielhugh. If I were running a bed and breakfast, I think that I would operate it along the same lines or employ a cook.

Anthea

Profile picture for the user a
8
Aaltje B. 5 years ago

yes, I think it is important.

I just connected with someone having a coffee shop in a nearby village, and a new young couple starting a cafe/restaurant are open to working together.

As soon as their visitors' card is ready I will add this info to my guestbook, and hopefully, they will refer some travellers to our farm stay.

I have tasted both the coffee of the coffee shop and the food of the restaurant and they were very friendly and helpful, so that is another bonus. At least I know them personally.