Gbenga Sumonu 
The pandemic has ravaged hospitality business leaving us undoubtedly not the same hence for us to remain competitive in the market as we reopen our hospitality businesses, we must be ready to adopt new strategies in line with evolving business models that will meet anticipated guest’s expectations.
Here are some tips to help us through this recovery process:
*Hospitality establishment must be ready to comply with COVID – 19 guidelines, and certifications must be conspicuously displayed in such establishment with attendants training for all the staff on COVID – 19 precautionary handling and management.
*The safety guidelines must be physically seen by the guests, these include checking of guest’s temperature; Check must within the minimum threshold, the availability of noncontact soap dispenser, running water and sanitizer dispenser.
*The social distancing marks should be seen by guests in public areas of the hospitality establishment.
*All establishments must be ready to align their marketing and revenue management strategies across boards.
Hotels and similar establishments must have their websites updated, highly interactive with anticipated guest’s information. Create a FAQ page.
*Implement a variety of options that will give your properties some conversions online, freebies, free cancellations, coupons and other offers.
*Stay connected with your customer reservation management tools, follow up with all guests and reconnect with mails, telephones and any other social media tools.
*Create priority roles and compensation for all loyal customers and communicate such to them immediately.
*Use positive guest’s reviews post – COVID -19 for online marketing to attract potential guests to the establishments in all marketing channels. *We are encouraged to shut down all cost centres pending when business resumes fully while exploring opportunities for new phase of business development.
*Avoid the temptation of offering promotional discounts for a start. It will be a burden to our break-even point, as the reopening guidelines do not allow for full occupancy yet.
*Gbenga Sumonu, is the Managing Consultant of Complete Hospitality Services Limited, and Coordinator of Lagos State chapter of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN)
