"Building a homestay for leisure service costs a pretty penny, the owner said."
Homestay, a general words is being using usually for the travellers in around the world in general and in my country in particular. There has been a million of homestays were built and come into operation in Viet Nam, as a result, this kind of accomodation brings many profits and benefits for the owner as well as the travellers.
I have an occasion to visit one of the homestays in my hometown, and have a litte time to talk with the owner. Therefore, it helps me to get a better point of view of this field about the pros and cos, the finance, sales stragegy, profit and so on. Let’s make a small tour to visit her homestay!
The location!
One of the most important things when one is going to dig into the accommodation service is about the location. It can be stayed next to the lake, the beach, the hectic metropolis… this advantage brings the amount of visitors in every years.
The homestay I visit located near by the huge lake in my hometown. In the past, this area was almost coffee planation and agricutural lands. Time after time, following the pace of economic transition, they cut the trees, devided the land into the smaller ones and sell it to others, and the variety of services go up from here.
She (the owner of homestay) takes full advantage of it to create and built her own homestay as her style. I do not ask the area, but seem like it is quite large, approximately over 2000m. The weather here is quite cool and comfortable because of lying next to the lake. Standing from the top of homestay, I can have a width view of the lake and view from a distance. So, it is a plus- point of a well location for a homestay ^^.
The financial power!
In order to build this range of homestay, the owners said it took a lot of money to invest and renovate, from the scenes, accommodation, equipments, materials and especially the trees. Natural feeling always plays a crucial role in any services in tourism, so does homestay. To have such a green vibe and a poetic atmosphere like this, she has forked out of money, asked her family and loaned someone to complete it. I did not ask the detail, however, I know it is true. She let me have a walk freely to enjoy the nature as well as do whatever I want here without paying any penny.
As a nature lover, of course I cannot miss this chance out ^^. She also invites me a cup of orange juice, just in case I am thirsty when enjoying her homestay. Oh! So sweet she is ^^.
The style of homestay!
Before making any investment or business, one absolutely has plans and the things which he/she needs to do, even the style of its business. I think this is the 3rd crucial thing for a start – up plan.
Turn it back to this homestay, she told me that at the first sight, she did not have any ideal or any thought about what the homestay should be. She just does it following her sense and her favourite characteristic. Therefore, she just made it by number. If there is error or mistake happened, she would fix it and re do gain with the every experience.
There are total 5 houses in her homestay in each corner at the garden. According to the amount of it, she can pick up and welcome over 30 visitors at the most per days. So the profit she gains per day is… hahaha oh, I cannot count cause economy is not my favourite subjects. Lol.
The facilities are installed fully in each accommodation, from A.C, water dispenser to hair dryer and so on. Obviously it can not compare to some luxury hotels or resort by the way, however, it is appropriate and suitable for travellers just like me.
Well, if I have ability to do my own business, I will not do my start- up with tourism cause I have no knowledge and the risk from it makes me quite nervous. Lol. I can be a good traveller but a business woman.
Anyway, I have to thank the beautiful owner for letting me visit her homestay and teach me a lot of useful knowledge about this business. I hope my friends on Hive platform can enjoy the vibe online with me too ^^.
