How does a small resort in Calabar go from 30% occupancy to fully booked weekends in just 4 months?
The answer wasn’t expensive ads or flashy discounts—it was one smart partnership most hotels overlook.
Here’s the exact strategy The Palm Grove Resort used to attract 500+ high-paying guests without spending a dime on marketing.
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The Problem: Empty Rooms in a Tourist Hotspot
Calabar is packed with attractions—Tinapa, Marina Resort, Carnival—but in 2023, The Palm Grove Resort struggled with:
– Low visibility (hidden off the main road)
– No group bookings
– Dependence on walk-ins (unreliable)
Then they discovered the secret partner: Local Tour Operators.
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The Partnership That Changed Everything
Instead of begging for guests, they flipped the script—making tour operators more money by filling their resort.
Step 1: The Pitch to Tour Companies
They approached 10 Calabar tour operators with this offer:
> “Give your clients a luxury stay at OUR resort instead of your usual hotels, and we’ll:
> – Give you 25% commission (higher than competitors)
> – Throw in free breakfast for your groups
> – Feature YOUR company on our website as ‘Preferred Partner’”
Result: 7 out of 10 signed up immediately.
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Step 2: Creating Irresistible Packages
They designed exclusive experiences only bookable through partners:
1. “Carnival Weekend Getaway”
– 2-night stay + free shuttle to Carnival events
– Tour operator markup: +₦15,000/person
2. “Tinapa Shopping & Stay”
– Resort room + VIP discount at Tinapa outlets
– Tour operator markup: +₦10,000/person
3. “Calabar River Cruise Package”
– Sunset cruise + seafood dinner
– Tour operator markup: +₦20,000/person
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Step 3: The Social Proof Loop
– Every guest from tour groups was encouraged to tag the resort in photos.
– The resort then reposted these and tagged the tour operators—free marketing for both.
📸 Example Post:
“Another amazing group from @CalabarToursNG living their best life at Palm Grove! 🎉 Book their ‘Carnival Package’ today!”
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The 4-Month Results
| Metric | Before Partnership | After Partnership |
|——–|——————–|——————-|
| Weekend Occupancy | 30% | 95% |
| Average Group Size | 0 | 15-20 guests/week |
| Social Media Reach | 1K/month | 50K+ impressions |
| Revenue from Packages | ₦0 | ₦8.7 million |
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Why This Worked (When Ads Failed)
1. Trust Transfer – Guests booked through operators they already knew.
2. Win-Win Pricing – Operators earned more than with bigger hotels.
3. Zero Marketing Cost – The tour companies brought the guests.
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3 Easy Ways to Copy This Strategy 1️⃣ Identify Local Partners (Tour companies, event planners, even churches)
2️⃣ Offer Higher Commissions (At least 20-25%)
3️⃣ Create Exclusive Packages (Something they can’t get elsewhere)
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Your Turn: Start Today
1. Make a list of 5 potential partners in your city.
2. Draft a simple partnership offer (like the one above).
3. Follow up in person—relationships seal deals.
📢 Want Us to Connect You? DM “PARTNER” for our free partnership pitch template.
🔔 Follow @HotelsAndPlaces for more profit-boosting secrets!
HotelMarketing NigerianHotels TourismPartnerships HotelSuccess ResortManagement
