It is a revenue source, and as such cannot be ignored.
I remember one General Manager telling me, he wanted to start laundry & storage service for the season's changes in North India. It is a viable model and does make use the heavy investment that a laundry is.
This Economic Times story shares how JW Marriott, Hyatt, Carlson and others are now becoming out-sourced laundry partners to other smaller hotels.
What is else is possible?
- Food
Oh yes. Why not?
There are already hotels that offer their bakery to other hoteliers in various cities. Can we do more? Can we now have a white label service that can bring food from another hotel's kitchens without telling the customer or maybe re-brand it as our own?
Maybe.
- Equipment Rentals
Five star hotels may have equipment that smaller hotels may need on a case-by-case basis. Think projectors, screens, multi-media, chairs, banquet tables etc.
- Staff
What about leasing staff?
I know you are thinking, what? people are the core of our service offering. hear me out.
What if a hotel had idle staff - say housekeeping, security, food & beverage team that is not being optimally used? Couldn't they then send them to other non-competing service providers?
e.g. A hotel in Rajasthan helping out a hotel in Shimla in the summers. Low season for Rajasthan, peak season for Shimla.
or, a local hotel sending a team for Out Door Catering in another city.
Let me know what other ideas you think hotels could make money from.
Also, definitely share your comments if you don't agree or think this is not such a good idea!
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Prabhjot Bedi is a hospitality Ideator and helps owners and managers create innovative solutions to their problems!
contact him on +91 9872000604 or mail@prabhjotbedi.com