Occupancy rate “drops dramatically starting in November,” says general manager at Riverside Inn in Fulton
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
During the wintertime, occupancy rates in places of lodging tends to decrease as fewer vacationers come to the area. Without the lure of summer and fall recreation and the events that draw crowds, vacationers have fewer reasons to come here.
“We have reasonable occupancy, but not very high,” said Reddy Kolan, host at Pleasant Night Inn in West Carthage in November. “But during the winter, it is slower. During winter, our business is low. Then starting from April onwards, we fill the accommodation from rates of 60% up to 70%.”
Kolan noted that participating in Expedia booking has helped Pleasant Night Inn attract more lodgers during the winter months as well as the warmer months than in previous years.
Listing on Expedia helps raise awareness of Pleasant Night Inn, Kolan said. Since it is not part of a chain of lodgings, travelers may not otherwise know it’s available. Guests also appreciate the convenience of online booking and the ease of comparing it to other lodgings.
At Riverside Inn in Fulton, Harry Kelawala, general manager, said that his occupancy rate also “drops dramatically starting in November.”
Guests pour in for Harborfest in Oswego and the New York State Fair in Syracuse, among other attractions and events. During the 13-day NYS Fair, Kelawala often has no vacancies. But with cold weather comes higher vacancy rates.
Kelawala’s key to keeping cashflow higher in the dull winter months includes working with the Department of Social Services to offer short-term housing for people who need a temporary home until they find an apartment.
Since Riverside is already set up for short-term vacation stays, this arrangement is comfortable for guests and offers Riverside a steadier revenue stream. This strategy can help keep the occupancy rate at or above 70% during the winter months. In this time period, about 65% of guests stay at Riverside because of the Department of Social Services program.
In addition, Riverside offers a wintertime discount promotion to attract other guests who want extended stays. This proves helpful for people temporarily working in the area such as for a utility company.
“If they have a big crew who needs more than five rooms, we have a special rate for them,” Kelawala added. “We are currently running a promo for 15% online that’s effective through the end of January.”
Although it’s not as busy as summer, it has helped Riverside to promote long-term stays for apartment seekers and discounts for guests working on short-term project.
