Successful Operations

What Do Successful Operators Do?

Plan Your Business

  • Develop a thorough, written business plan.
  • Make sure you look into every possible situation, stumbling block, and restriction you may come across.
  • Detailed planning can leave you in a better position to anticipate problems, seize new opportunities and resist jumping into a situation before you have fully analyzed the effects on your business.
  • A well-planned business also conveys a professional image in the marketplace, and it should provide better service.

Conduct Research and Get Trained

  • Enroll in classes that are related to your specific area of the tourism industry so you can be prepared for the road ahead.
  • Understand your market - identify target markets and look for new markets. Have a written marketing plan!
  • Identify your competitive advantage. How is your facility/product different from your competitors?

Be Willing to Adapt

Monitor your product range and market place closely, and if necessary:

  • Modify your product range to maintain or increase market share.
  • Add to the existing product range by developing new products.
  • Divest products if they are not meeting targets or business objectives.

Maximize your use of the Internet as a marketing tool.

Balance Debt

  • Does the business give acceptable returns on investment/risk involved?
  • Are you gaining an adequate wage or salary for your labours?
  • Is there a realistic likelihood of a capital gain in the business?
  • Many operators misjudge the amount of capital necessary to take part in a tourism operation. You must allow for the unexpected expenditure.

Use Networks [There is no need to go it alone!]

  • Build partnerships with complementary organizations. Good operators recognize the benefits of working in partnerships to achieve a common goal.

  • If you are new to the industry, get involved in associations that relate to your business and make some contacts for yourself. Once you get your foot in the door, you'll be amazed at how many people you will find who have similar ideas.

  • Get involved in the industry as well as the local community. This will help to:
    • Create high visibility
    • Enhance your reputation
    • Provide your company with recognition in the industry

Training and Business Counseling

Over the past several years both the public and private sectors have invested in a range of education and training activities that offer National tourism occupational standards and certification through:

  • Private training programs
  • Customer Service seminars
  • Tourism-related apprenticeships
  • Secondary school tourism courses
  • Post-secondary programs

Training, certification and standards for the tourism/hospitality industry are available through: