Set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this eco-friendly resort spans 129 acres of forest, lakes, and trails. Established in 1965, it features nine lakeside cottages and a guest house. Leora, the current owner, has continued her grandfather’s green legacy while turning the property into a popular mountain wedding destination, where guests also enjoy outdoor activities like canoeing, mountain biking, and fishing.
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The challenges before eviivo
Leora’s team managed bookings manually with a paper calendar, an outdated process that needed modernizing. Due to high OTA commissions, Leora had focused on direct bookings but struggled to grow website reservations. The team’s volume of administrative work also limited their ability to focus on building the resort’s reputation through strong guest relationships.
The solutions implemented with eviivo
Leora implemented eviivo Suite to modernize operations, grow direct bookings and streamline guest communications:
- Paper-based processes are replaced with an efficient, cloud-based system to handle bookings and check-ins.
- eviivo’s booking engine makes it easy for travelers to book directly and securely, while new bookings are automatically saved to eviivo’s calendar, saving the team valuable time.
- Automated pre-stay emails to guests and a unified messaging inbox ensure Leora and her team stay on top of inquiries from various channels.
The results
- Direct sales have increased by 20% in 2024, while revenue has grown by 8%.
- 41% of bookings are now made 3 months in advance, ensuring a steady cash flow.
- Guest experiences have improved, reflected in the resort’s high ratings on Google and Tripadvisor.
Conclusion
With eviivo’s support, Leora has streamlined daily operations while propelling the resort’s revenue and direct sales. Committed to attracting more guests seeking a unique eco-friendly retreat, she has now turned her eye to a global audience, using eviivo’s unrivalled OTA integrations to start listing on major platforms.