Experience Audits & Hospitality Strategy for Small & Medium Tourism Businesses

Deep dive and quick scan diagnoses, playing “doctor” for small businesses.

Client: Donor-implementation Partners (Gadfly Innovation Pvt Ltd & Youlead / Tourism Resilience Project) & Private Property Owners, Operators

Status: Near completion [June - November 2023]

RETRACE Hospitality was appointed Tourism Sector Expert Advisor and Hospitality Business Mentor to the Pekoe Trail Business Incubation program. This is one component of a multi-donor funded, multi-year Pekoe Trail development and launch. RETRACE Hospitality’s engagement included provided advice, guidance and strategic planning for over thirty (30) tourism businesses including star-class hotels, boutique hotels, villas, private bungalows, vacation rentals, home stays, guesthouses, campsites, tea factories, restaurants and bars. RETRACE Hospitality’s engagement with these businesses included the following levels:

1. Quick Scan (LITE Mentorship): One hour visit to business and guided tour with Owner. Near-term strategic advice and low-hanging quick fixes delivered.

2. Deep Dives: Several hours spent with owner of business on property/at business, strategic advice for business and destination improvement + implementation challenges discussed).

3. Detailed Mentorship: Multiple hours of ownership engagement, overnight stays, detailed experience audits, strategic advice for short, medium and long-term.

Some of the key areas of mentorship and business improvement provided by RETRACE Hospitality included but not limited to:

1. Brand building, concept & development

2. Interior design, styling & refurbishing

3. Menu revisions, designs & supplier/sourcing plans

4. Financial management & planning

5. Rate & revenue strategy, distribution & marketing insights (including target market profiling)

6. Staffing & resource planning

7. Allied excursions & experience design + partnership proposals

8. Long-term business planning & strategy

Additionally, RETRACE Hospitality provided strategic advice to the project implementation partners and lead consultants on Tourism Outreach Strategy, Tourism Business Incubation Processes, Values for Preferred Partners for the Pekoe Trail, Selection Criteria & Process to establish partner tourism businesses for the Pekoe Trail, Sustainability Standards and Tiers for Pekoe Trail affiliated businesses (not certifications) and general advice regarding Data Collection; Ecosystems Restoration & Environmental Improvement; Branding & Positioning; Staffing, Recruitment & Resources; Community Supply Chains and Pekoe Trail Experience & Exposure.

For more information, visit thepekoetrailsrilanka.com.