The starting point
Airport locations are highly competitive: numerous hotels compete for the same travellers, often with a very similar offering. For such a property at an airport in eastern Germany we developed a concept pursuing two goals at once — to stand out visibly from the competition and to secure a predictable base occupancy, independent of seasonal swings in travel.
Lever 1: its own EV-charging infrastructure
The analysis revealed a concrete need to install several EV-charging points on the property itself. Precisely at an airport — with many rental cars, frequent drivers and a growing share of electric vehicles — reliable charging becomes a genuine booking argument. It sets the property visibly apart from nearby competitors and creates a reason to book here rather than next door.
Lever 2: a long-stay share for predictable occupancy
In addition, the concept earmarks around 35 % of the rooms as a long-stay contingent for companies with longer-term accommodation needs (for example personnel-services firms and project teams), with the remainder in classic hotel operation. This use mix secures a stable base occupancy, smooths seasonal swings and makes the property's earnings considerably more predictable.
Why it works
The two levers reinforce each other: the charging infrastructure sharpens the profile and draws additional demand, while the long-stay share stabilises occupancy from below. Together they make the property more resilient to competition and seasonality — and thereby more profitable and more attractive to operators and investors alike.
What transfers
Not every location suits every concept — the design and shares depend on location, building and demand. But the principle transfers: whoever prevails at a competitive location combines differentiation (a real reason to book here) with occupancy security (a predictable floor). For owners and operators, it pays to ask exactly these two questions early.
The image is for illustration only and does not show the actual property. Which hotel this concerns we name for interested parties on request — subject to release by our clients. A separate enquiry is all it takes.