At Devon Holidays, we are continually investing time, effort and resources into bringing more guests to your properties and ensuring they have a fantastic experience during their stay.
Over the past few months we have introduced a number of initiatives designed to increase bookings and improve guest satisfaction, including:
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Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits for arriving guests
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Welcome postcards with our direct contact number should guests need assistance
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Fresh flowers and chocolates for Mothers Day to create a great first impression
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Pets staying free of charge, encouraging more bookings from dog owners
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Seven-day support, taking calls at all hours to ensure guests feel supported and cared for throughout their stay
All of these touches are designed to do two things:
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Attract more guests to your property
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Ensure they leave happy and wanting to return
However, there is one area where we really need your help.
Reviews Are Absolutely Crucial
When potential guests are searching for a holiday online, reviews are one of the biggest factors influencing their decision.
Properties with more reviews and higher scores naturally stand out and appear higher in search results. Guests can also filter properties by review score, meaning that properties with fewer or lower reviews may not appear in their search at all.
Put simply:
More positive reviews = more visibility = more bookings.
Current Review Levels
At the moment:
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Less than 10% of guests leave reviews on Booking.com
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Around 15% leave reviews on Airbnb
This means that many happy guests are leaving without sharing their experience online, and we are missing a huge opportunity to strengthen your property’s reputation.
A Simple Way to Help
We have previously asked if friends or family who have stayed in your lodge could leave reviews on:
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TripAdvisor (mentioning your lodge and that it was booked via Devon Holidays)
These reviews really help people find your property and build trust with future guests.
A Trial That Is Working
A small number of owners have recently agreed to take part in a review incentive trial.
Guests are offered a £18 hamper as a thank-you for leaving a review after their stay.
The results have been fantastic.
Review rates have increased from under 10% to around 35% of guests leaving reviews — and importantly, they are overwhelmingly positive.
Why This Matters for Your Property
Increasing your number of high-scoring reviews will:
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Improve your guest rating
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Increase your visibility in search results
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Help your property stand out against competitors
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Lead to more bookings and stronger revenue
For a relatively small investment, this could make a significant difference to your future bookings.
Interested in Joining the Trial?
If you would like to take part in the review hamper initiative, please simply WhatsApp Amy, who will add your property to the list and ensure the offer is promoted to your guests.
Together we can continue improving the visibility, reputation and success of your property.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
The Devon Holidays Team