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Ilaria - Community Manager

Introduce Yourself – May Edition

Hi everyone!

First of all, welcome to all the new partners! We hope this space will be a useful source of support and advice for you.

Introducing yourself in the comments below is a great way to kick off a conversation with a fellow partner. Here are some good questions we like to ask every month to get you started...

  • Where are you from?
  • What kind of property do you run?
  • What are you hoping to get out of joining the Partner Community?

And if you’d like more information about how the community works, check out our Community Guidelines – they explain everything from how to upload your profile picture to what sort of content we don’t accept.

Want to get involved straight away? Check out the ‘Featured’ tab on our homepage or jump straight into one of our recent conversations.

Happy posting!

Ilaria 


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Edwin John Amis 4 years ago

Hi Everyone;

My name is John Amis and I run a Guest House in Bedfordview, Johannesburg in South Africa.

Our property consists of three double rooms and a single room, all with en-suite bathrooms, as well as a self catering apartment consisting of two double bedrooms.

We are hoping to obtain some sound advice on handling the ongoing upsetting occurrences of cancelled bookings and no-shows

Any advice?

John and Pam

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hello! Edwin John Amis and welcome to the forum.
Please share some pictures of your beautiful country... and property.

Take care...

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Lindiewhite143 4 years ago

Hello John and Pam

I'm also quite new on BDC and have had to deal with similar disappointments - not only with guests not arriving, but also that you as host, cannot cancel the booking yourself.

It was on one of these Partner Forum chats that I read of a way to manage it: communicate with your guest immediately, requesting a pre-/part-payment by a specific date, providing a means for them to do it i.e. your banking details, and if they don't comply, calling BDC to request that they cancel the reservation. If you can prove that you've made reasonable effort to arrange matters with the guest, BDC seem to be willing to cancel the booking.

Make sure you always keep your calendar up to date and that you communicate with guests via BDC's platform, and don't accept another booking for the same dates as you will be penalized for overbooking.

All the best and happy hosting!

Lindie
Festina Lente In Onrus
South Africa

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Thanks Linde for sharing with us your experience. Communicating with guests via BDC is very important in case something goes wrong with the reservation.
Have a wonderful day...

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Bedandbreakfas… 4 years ago

Hi,

My name is Lisa and I have been running a Bed and Breakfast in Westward Ho! North Devon, UK for just over a year and absolutely love it. I only have 2 rooms but as I do it all on my own (husband is a builder so out early) it’s just about right. I’m still trying to get some kind of routine but manage to get it all done in it. April was a very good month for me having 41 nights booked and hopefully with the exposure from BDC will continue to grow.

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Wow!!! Lisa that's great. 41 nights in April!!!!
Keep up the good work... and I am sure you will expand in no time...
Nice to have you in the forum... please share some pictures with us...
Wish you a great season...

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Bedandbreakfas… 4 years ago

This is me. I am positioned at the top of the Kipling Tors in Westward Ho! North Devon. We are only a few minutes walk from the South West Coast Path. Love it here. Grown up around here all my life and still love the area.

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Bedandbreakfas… 4 years ago

Do need to up grade my photos as guests have commented that they don’t do the place justice.

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Bobchip13 4 years ago

Hi everyone, my name is Rob Faux and I've recently converted one of my houses into a 5 bed serviced accommodation home from home. It's based in Ilkeston, which sits between Nottingham and Derby in the East Midlands UK, and I'm hoping to attract Contractors during the mid week and leisure based guests at the week end. The house has only been open since early April but bookings from BDC have been very sparse.

I would welcome your comments into how I can improve this. I would post some pics but they all seem to be over 2mb so won't load?

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Bedandbreakfas… 4 years ago

Hi Rob, I started with BDC in September and I had the same reaction. Slow going for the first 3-4 months but that could have been the timing too but now its a lot better, (16 nights last month out of 41). I did think it would be better than this too if I’m honest so would be nice to hear from some one who has a bit more experience. Good luck with it. All the best Lisa.

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Frontoffice 4 years ago

Hallo everyone

My name is Getrude fom Naro Moru River Lodge based in Kenya. We have a Mt. Kenya climbing route and we also facilitate the same for guests. We have accomodation for guests, restaurant swimming, Sauna,Nature trails,camping basically all a guest needs to relax. Kindly would appreciate some ideas on how to grow in terms of numbers and guests bookings.

Thanks.

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Angel's Guest … 4 years ago

Hi Everyone , I am Elizabeth Chung , from Trinidad West Indies . We have a seven bedroom house with 4 En suites and shared baths for the others , one main large kitchen and a shared living room .

In February of this year I had my first guests for the Carnival season , I experienced no shows , a walk out , had one couple from Airbnb , four guests from booking.com . , one referral couple . last minute , two rooms needed up empty .

I don't like when the guest does not communicate , after I sent out messages to them.

Unfortunately , I am being charged for the "No show" guests , plus its saying "stayed " and pending payment , when I try to state , "No Show" the tab blocks it . How can we contact Booking.com, to rectify , I sent out a message .

Kindly advise how to get Booking.com , to remove , contact and cancel the "No Shows" from my account for payment .

Best Regards ,

Elizabeth

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Centralsarande… 4 years ago

Hi all,

I'm from Albania (Saranda) olso, have a good summer :)

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Thenorthjewel 4 years ago

Hi all
My name ayman from jordan middle east I decided 3 yeears ago to experience to have travellers started with one small pangalow now I have five big pangalow I have name (the North jewel) because I live in the north but I have problem of many cancellation and no show In spite it's nice area I have lots of local guests but I need to share this with other countries...but unfortunately
It's honor if anyone like to visite

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hi! Thenorthjewel and thanks for the invitation. Unfortunately I have many cancellations like you and that makes me miserable...

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Lou 4 years ago

Hi Ilaria and Hi to everyone here...

This is Lourdes from Tenerife in Canary Islands, Spain.

I am the owner and I have been runnig it for the last 2years, Mi Rincón en La Pedrera, it's a 5 bedroom house and on the Booking page we rent a small double room with private bathroom and access to a big main Kitchen and an exterior "patio" with BBQ and a big table for eating.

And I am here because I want to learn more about hosting through reading your comments.

have a nice day

Lou

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Vince Foster 4 years ago

Hello everyone, its Daniel & Vince here

We own an 8 bedroom Guest House in the Leeds postcode LS19 UK, we are just 20 minutes from the busy metropolitan city. We are in close proximity to the Leeds-Bradford International Airport just 1.9 miles or 6 minutes by car

Our house is unique, the building is circa 1864 and although we have 8 En-suite bedrooms, singles, doubles, a Twin and a family room we have a large function room that we hire out, and we are a licensed wedding venue. Sometimes it is hard to have a balance between the room guests and functions especially during peak season! as one is as important as the other for revenue

We only took over 1st Feb 2018 and it is both enjoyable and a challenge, we have welcomed guests from over 50 nationalities, held 3 weddings so far, hosted countless dinner parties and lots of other functions plus live music events

Any advice in the hospitality industry greatly received :)

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hi! Daniel & Vince what a unique Guest House you have. Thanks for sharing your experiences and amazing accommodation.
Wish you a great season.

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hello! Lou, so nice to have you here. I have visited Gran Canaria a few years ago and had marvelous time. Unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to visit Tenerife. This forum is full of information and experiences. Partners are always willing to help each other and that is the best part of it.
Wish you all the best and please share some pictures of your beautiful place.

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Thenorthjewel 4 years ago

Hi
I still have fake reservations many booking receive but they dont arrive I don't know if this contenious or I could have real reservation I keep fingers cross each time have reservation. . .. may be my luck will change in the end but I will not give up
The North jewel
Thanks

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Katerinka12 4 years ago

Daniel and Vince,

Thank you so much for sharing pictures of your great place. Honestly, you should be the one to give us a good advise!

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Katerinka12 actually I was thinking the same thing....

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Captainsquarters21 4 years ago

Hi my name is Barbara,

My Guest Houses are in Southport Merseyside not far from Liverpool.

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Captainsquarters21 4 years ago

My partner used to be a Captain of a ship, so we named it the Captain's Quarters.

We are a town center location so only offer room only, why do breakfast when you don't have too.

Bought the Andora Guest house next door but one so run both of them.

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Gail and John 4 years ago

Hi my name is Gail. Both myself and my husband John own a Bed and Breakfast called The Coelacanth, named after a once thought extinct fish that has much history with our town. We live 28km away from East London (yes in South Africa). We have four bedrooms en-suite and offer both bed and breakfast or room only options. We are coastal and in close proximity to a lovely beach. However we are in a very non tourist part of the country so have to rely on business people to keep going. This year has been very quite so far but hoping things will pick up.
We also have a very big problem with no shows and false bookings. We are four years into the business and have learnt by trial and error on how to handle. Quick communication with guests, requesting a deposit and communicating. If none of this happens we can be 99% sure it's a no show, false booking. Keep everything on the booking. Com channels such as date deposit was requested, cut off time whereby guest can pay deposit etc, this definately can help.
Our other issue has been false or misleading reviews.
I wish booking. Com gave the owner a fairer chance to ammend a false review.
Good Luck everyone :)

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Merch Gymreig … 4 years ago

We are privileged to live in an Old Water Mill and have re-jigged the property to accommodate three large en-suite bedrooms. The house is full of character and is happiest when full of people. We have a small woodland, a running river through the garden, three healthy cats to keep the mice at bay and bats that fly outside at dusk. Fortunate enough not to have street lights so on a clear night can view the sky and stars, often see the Space Station travelling...still exciting for us after 20 years here.

Recently purchased the Mill House and are in the midst of destroying walls, building walls, plastering, creating en-suites, tiling etc etc... the list does not seem to get any smaller. Hopefully will open in Spring 2020 with another three large bedrooms; all en-suite.

We are situated right on the 'outer elbow' of the Llyn Peninsula - North West Wales UK. Mountains behind us and an unspoilt coastline to the front. We have our very own language - Welsh and English is our second learnt language.

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Pamela 4 years ago

Hi everyone I am Pamela !

I run my Bed and breakfast named Joy in north of Italy ( Liguria) . I have 2 double bedroom and 1 triple one . I am busy during the Summer as I live in a seatown called Albissola Marina where many tourists come to go to the wonderful beaches just to sunbathe and relaxing .

I like running my Bed and breakfast especially I adore making the breakfast .

Have a great season !

Pamela xxx

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hi! Pamela and welcome to the forum. What a beautiful place to live and visit for holidays. We’ve been to Italy so many times. Every time we have very memorable experiences.
This summer I have Italian guests and I am so excited meeting them.
Have a beautiful night.

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Pamela 4 years ago

Where did you go to Italy?

I host many foreign people at my B&B I like meeting them !

Pamela

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Good morning Pamela!!!

We have traveled all around Italy a couple of times. Once we came accross by ferry from Patras and had a grand tour to Europe visiting so many big and smaller villages. Another time we went to Cannes and from there again we made a tour by car admiring the French and Italian Riviera, but although it was summer time the water was very cold in comparison to our waters. So many incredible memories. Tuscany was unbelievable!!! From Rome we also went by train to Florance!!! My friend had lived there when she was a student, so she showed us around Florance, I will never forget that amazing ice cream we had. Walking in Ponte Vecchio was so fabulous!!! So many amazing museums!!!

Of course Rome and Vatican are incredible places that one wants to visit over and over again....

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Pamela 4 years ago

Good afternnon !

Close where I live there are amazing places to visit like Le cinque terre including Portofino , the view is amazing from that , the houses are different painted , many famous artists come there !

Venice is gougeous as well !

My husband and I like travelling ,we visited many places in Europe and Canada too.

Keep in touch ! xxx

Pamela

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fluff 4 years ago

@ Bedandbreakfastwestwardho

I have a terrible admission to make;

A long time ago I used to visit Bideford for work once or twice a month over a 3 year period and never managed to visit Westward Ho!

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Yes Pamela I know. I’ve seen the painted houses they are gorgeous. Maybe I will get the chance to visit some day.
Canada is a different story. Although I’ve lived there when I was a teenager and have lovable relatives and friends I prefer more warmer countries like ours.
Cheers!!!

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Nblodgesarangkot 4 years ago

Hi it's Narayan from Nepal, i run my own individual NB lodge & Restaurant which has 4 double bed rooms and 2 single bed rooms for our guests. which is located in Pokhara, Sarangkot-18 with great Himalayan Range, green hills, sunset views. we have restaurant as well as Bar facilities for our Guests.

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hi! Nblodgesarangkot and welcome to the forum.
Green hills, sunset views... please share some photos with us of your beautiful establishment.
Wish you a happy weekend.

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Stevew407 4 years ago

HI, we are host in pattaya and outskirt of Bangkok, Thailand. Thanks for helping and posting Tarn - see the other posts about the Dream Resort and if interested in any fashion we are open to all communications and results. Thanks again - Steve and Tarn

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Stevew407 4 years ago

Any way to edit a comment? Also, we have property in California USA too. And are trying to help Mom and Dad and ourselves with a VILLAGE EXPERIENCE in Esan, the northeast of Thailand. Which is where the property for the Dream Resort is - Elefante Blanco ( patent pending submission)

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Litchy566 4 years ago

Hi Everyone

My name is Peter Litchmore, my property is in Jamaica Ocho Rios. Its a studio apartment in the hills of Ocho Rios. Since in joined BDC it's been going well but BDC have now suspended my property because they say i made a rash comment to a guest.

What happen was the guest over stayed and left the place in a bad state. I have apologised to the guest since told BDC it will never happen again.

I have tried to get in touch with BDC to sort it out but i have not been able to contact them, my property is still on the BDC site and i am still hosting BDC guests but i can't do any new bookings through BDC.

I did speak to someone at BDC who told me that the best way to solve this is to speak to the relevant department and they will advise me but i have tried to email them and they have not responded.

Kind Regards

Peter

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Ana Kvesic88 4 years ago

New host, referral program for getting 5 commission-free bookings!!!!!!!

All new booking partner use my link and receive 5 commission-free bookings (up to a maximum value of EUR 200*).

My link:

https://join.booking.com/r/d/364db60c?lang=en-us

What is the Partner Referral Program?

Our Partner Referral Program lets you refer friends to list their property on Booking.com, then save money on your own commission as a reward. Plus, your friends get to save on their commission, too.

For each friend you refer, both you and that friend are eligible to receive 5 commission-free bookings (up to a maximum value of EUR 200*).

You'll be rewarded for the first 10 friends who list their properties and receive a booking. This means you can receive a total reward of up to EUR 2000* in commission-free bookings.

https://partnerhelp.booking.com/en-gb/help/growing-your-business/all-you-need-know-about-partner-referral-programme

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Torrdarach 4 years ago

Hi there,

I am Graeme and I run a B&B in the Highlands of Scotland.

I am hoping to pick up some tips on running the business and creating more bookings etc

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fluff 4 years ago

Welcome Graeme!

What a lovely property you have, I took a tour of your website.

I noticed the use of, to these partially sassanach eyes, a particular tartan in many rooms. Does it have significance to you?

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agenciadex 4 years ago

Hey, guys!

This is Cleber and I work in partnership with the owner managing the calendar, responding to the guest on line, creating strategies, analyzing the performance of the property and doing price research.

As my work is on line I can do it with properties anywhere, but currently I take care of 06 properties on the Booking.com platform, all in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

I love my city and I hope that one day you will visit it because besides Copacabana, Búzios, Angra dos Reis and Ipanema, there are many other beautiful places around here with beautiful beaches and many even paradisiacal ones.

But below I decided to share some photos of the Marvelous City, as it is popularly known as Rio de Janeiro, here in Brazil.

I have an excellent day!

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hi! agenciadex and welcome to the forum. Speechless!!!
Your country is so amazing. It’s one of my dreams....to have a chance to visit you.
Thank you for sharing... Rio De Janeiro is fabulous...

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Pamela 4 years ago

Wow agenciadex literally you live in an amazing place !

Pamela

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agenciadex 4 years ago

Hi Pamela, it's true Rio de Janeiro is beautiful and we are waiting for you here from ARMS OPEN. Thank you! Sincerely, Cleber

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Hi! agenciadex and thank you very much for your kindness. Maybe some day....
Wish you a great weekend.