New online business course for B&B owners

Bed and breakfast hosts wanting to supercharge their business can now benefit from a new online tool sharing valuable tips and information.

The Hosting Hero Blueprint, created by Hoster, is a self-paced online learning tool for both aspiring and experienced hosted accommodation operators.

Hoster is owned by Donna Brooke (pictured), who has many years’ experience in the accommodation and hosted accommodation sectors.

Donna operates Sunlover Retreat in Tairua and is the immediate past president of the Bed & Breakfast Association New Zealand.

Hosted accommodation covers bed and breakfast, properties listed on booking platforms like AirBnB, as well as those who offer short term rental accommodation.

New Zealand’s hosted bed and breakfast sector attracts high value international visitors who

appreciate the opportunity to meet Kiwis in their own homes, getting to know them and enjoying some of our most beautiful locations like the locals do.

Ms Brooke says she wants to give back to the sector by sharing the expertise she has gained over the years of running her B&B.

“Across the sector, we are all gearing up again after the challenges of the past few years. So it felt like the perfect time to develop the Hosting Hero Blueprint,” she says.

“Experienced hosts are using it to update themselves on current trends and taking the time to

supercharge what they already know. New business owners are finding the information invaluable to help set up a professional hosting business, using the templates, instructional videos and resources. You could say that it helps them to hit the ground running!”

The webinars are self-paced and are available indefinitely to subscribers. Modules include topics such as setting up your business, marketing, sustainability and working with the travel trade. Informative interviews with experts provide more in-depth information.

Helpful tips and blogs

Donna is encouraging people to sign up to the Hoster newsletter as there is a tip each week and an informative blog.

Everyone who signs up to the newsletter gets a free e-book How to Price Your Accommodation, which offers guidance on how to set the right price to attract the right guests.

Those who have already tried the Hosting Hero Blueprint are praising the content:

One B&B owner said they had become complacent with using the same materials from their first assessment for BBANZ.

“When we listened to your webinar, particularly around health and safety, we realised we needed to get more proactive and actually diary in monthly updates on these things. We have changed so much outside that our old H&S plan will be very out of date. I am really looking forward to the rest of the modules.”

To find out more and to sign up for the Hosting Hero Blueprint, go to www.hoster.co.nz