Optimize or lose? Space management is a challenge for any tourist accommodation, especially to do it in a correct and effective way.

That space is perishable is no secret. Although it tends to have a very long useful life, it is always assumed that a space that is not occupied or sold today cannot be made tomorrow. Esta realidad ha llevado a que cada vez más empresas reconozcan que no optimizar sus espacios puede representar un coste de oportunidad que no pueden permitirse.

An example of how companies are adopting strategies to maximize the use of their available space can be found in the restaurant industry. In restaurants, the choice of table type is a key factor in space optimization as it determines the number of diners that can be accommodated in the same place. For this reason, many restaurants prefer to use square tables rather than round or rectangular tables, as they have been shown to allow for better distribution of diners and greater flexibility in accommodating groups of different sizes.

In addition to the choice of tables, restaurants are implementing different systems to maximize the performance of each seat across all shifts and schedules. One of these systems is the so-called REVPASH (Revenue per available seat hour), which consists of measuring the revenue generated by each available seat in a given hour. With this information, restaurants can identify the times and days of peak demand and adjust their offerings accordingly.

Another example can be found in the aviation industry, where space optimization is essential to maximize revenue and maintain profitable processes. Airlines have implemented a variety of optimization strategies, from educating customers about the size of bags allowed for boarding, to managing advance ticket sales and the use of overbooking.The practice of overbooking consists of selling more seats than the aircraft has available, in anticipation that some passengers will not show up for the flight. In this way, they ensure that the majority of seats are occupied and maximize revenue for each flight.

Why is proper space management important?

Efficient space management is an increasingly important need in a world where resources are limited and competition is fiercer and fiercer.

The list of businesses where efficient space management has become a key factor is extensive. From offices and coworkings, even shopping malls with their shops and points of sale, as well as the management of classrooms in training centers, hotels and tourist apartments. In all these businesses it is essential to maximize the use of available space to achieve greater efficiency and profitability.

Proper space management in tourist accommodations is important for several reasons:

1. Improve the customer experience: a well-managed space can improve the customer experience. Tourists expect a clean and tidy room and facilities, and a lack of space or poor space management can create a negative experience.

2. Increases customer satisfaction: proper space management can also contribute to improving the user experience, which translates into greater customer satisfaction and loyalty. For example, in a well-managed hotel, guests can enjoy a comfortable, well-appointed room and easy access to all the hotel’s facilities and services.

3. Increases revenues: proper space management can allow the creation of new rooms or the improvement of existing ones, which can increase the number of bookings and, therefore, the revenues of the tourist accommodation.

4. Reduce costs: proper space management can also reduce costs by maximizing the use of resources and minimizing wasted space, which translates into savings in terms of energy, cleaning and maintenance.

In addition to the impact it has on costs, revenue and customer satisfaction, managing space provides access to key information for strategic decision making. In this sense, having accurate and updated data on space occupancy, use and demand is essential to implement the best business models and continuously improve.

There are athletes who excel in space management, able to always find the best escape route and visualize opportunities where others do not see them. As in elite sports, efficient space management is a complex process that requires a team of highly trained professionals specialized in data collection, analysis and forecasting.

It is important to keep in mind that space management today is not just about using a tool or software. to organize and distribute the physical resources of a company, but has become a discipline that involves the implementation of innovative strategies and techniques to make the most of the available space. In order to carry out effective space management, it is necessary to take into account multiple factors, such as user demand, market trends, availability of resources, among others. That is why it is essential to have a professional and trained team that can carry out a thorough analysis of the data to develop appropriate strategies to make the most of the available resources.

As discussed above, efficient space management is crucial to ensure guest satisfaction and comfort, as well as to maximize the use of available space and optimize operating costs. In addition, it also improves safety and hygiene in tourist accommodations by allowing easy circulation and access to common areas and rooms.

It is essential that space management is a priority in the planning and operation of any tourist accommodation, look where others don’t look, to find what others can’t find, now more than ever.