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Eid checklist: 5 hotelier questions to get ready
How many questions can you confidently say yes to from the checklist below? Make every Eid experience count.
Eid is coming, and UAE hotels are about to get really busy. Whether it’s Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha, these holidays bring huge opportunities for hotels. Just look at last Eid, during the nine-day Eid Al Fitr break in 2024, UAE hotels hit 100% occupancy.
If you’re a hotelier, these five questions might help you spot any operational gaps that could affect your guests’ Eid experience. Or, even better, you might find that your hotel has everything covered and is more than ready for every peak season ahead.
Let’s get started..
1. Are your direct booking perks visible?
Every day, a guest considers booking your hotel, then compares prices and perks on different OTAs, only to choose another platform. This scenario plays out across thousands of hotels, gradually chipping away at revenue. The problem? Either your direct booking perks aren’t visible, or legacy systems are slowing you down.
A connected platform that integrates your website, booking engine, CRM, and revenue management system is key to making direct bookings seamless and appealing. Make sure to show your guests why booking directly with you is worth it, and the checkout is just as smooth as any OTA.
Contact us, we can help in this area!
2. Do you support local and international payment methods?
Not everyone carries a credit card. Guests expect to pay using their preferred methods, whether it’s Apple Pay, Mada, or digital wallets. If your hotel isn’t offering a diverse range of payment options, you could be turning away guests before they even step foot in your lobby.
Catering to local and international payment preferences makes transactions effortless for travelers. The smoother the checkout process, the more likely guests will complete their bookings without hesitation.
3. Have you considered self-check-in options?
The days of long front desk queues are fading fast. Many younger, tech-savvy travelers prefer a more independent stay, where they can check in, access their rooms, and even pay, all without waiting in line.
The trend is clear: 29% of Millennials in the UAE prefer human-free check-ins, compared to 21% globally. Plus, 28% of UAE guests say long check-in and check-out processes make them less likely to return. Hotels that offer self-check-in kiosks, mobile app bookings, and contactless payments aren’t just keeping up, they’re leading the way.
4. Are your upsell strategies in place?
Personalization is more than just greeting guests by name. It’s about offering the right message, upgrade, or experience at the right time.
Our recent hospitality report shows that 37% of guests are willing to pay more for personalized experiences. Whether it’s room upgrades, late check-outs, or special packages, offering tailored add-ons boosts revenue while making guests feel valued. The right technology can help automate these upsell opportunities without adding pressure to your staff.
5. Is your hotel leveraging automation for efficiency?
Automation has been changing the game in hospitality, from speeding up check-ins to handling payments and guest data without the hassle. The right tools can cut down on manual work, reduce mistakes, and make life easier for both your staff and your guests.
Whether it’s automating payment reconciliation, spotting fraud, or personalizing upsells, technology keeps your hotel running smoothly, especially during peak seasons like Eid. Plus, with insights from unified payments, you can track spending trends and finetune operations for the next big rush.
Make every Eid experience count with Adyen
Eid is a huge opportunity for UAE hotels, not just to maximize revenue, but to deliver an unforgettable guest experience. Whether it’s making direct bookings more attractive, offering seamless payment options, or automating operations, the right technology can help you stay ahead.
At Adyen, we help hotels simplify payments, reduce fraud, and create frictionless stays for guests. So while you focus on making their experience exceptional, we’ll handle the rest.
Want to know more about this? Let’s talk.
