Promoting your French gîte or chambre d’hôtes to increase your bookings

By Valérie Aston on 18 October 2008 · Viewed 5821 times · Questions

Out of season and even in the holiday season it takes a lot of work to find customers. Here's a few ideas to get you started.

If you have any questions about registering of running a gîte or chambre d’hôtes business in France, you're welcome to join my forum where you get all the answers and advice you need.

  • Make your website personal, keep it updated and promote your local area.
  • Have postcards or business cards printed and drop them at the Offices de Tourisme within a 100km radius.
  • Boards of tourism usually keep a record of local gîtes which they give to tourists looking for a place to stay, make sure they have your details.
  • Create a gîte à thème with specific activities such as fishing, equestrian, farm, art, cooking, etc.

Join one of the six national gîte or chambre d’hôtes networks

www.gites-de-france.fr
http://www.clevacances.com
http://www.fleursdesoleil.fr
http://www.bienvenue-au-chateau.com
http://www.accueil-paysan.com
http://www.bienvenue-a-la-ferme.com

Advertise your gîte or chambre d’hôtes on online directories

www.cheznous.co.uk
http://www.france4families.com
http://www.aweekor2infrance.com
http://www.frenchconnections.co.uk
http://www.holidayswanted.com
http://www.french-property-news.com
http://www.francemag.com
http://www.france-rental.com
http://www.homelidays.com
http://www.likhom.com

Advertise on Belgium & Dutch websites

www.bbexpo.be
http://www.joyedevivre.be

Good luck!


Valerie Lemiere: Start Business in France

About the author: Valérie Aston

I've been helping people who want to start or already have a small business set up in France since 2009. After graduating from a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, I worked as a senior marketing consultant in the UK and France for various International companies. I worked as a conseillère en création d'entreprises (senior business advisor) for BGE here in France and run this independent business on a daily basis.