NATCHEZ ON THE WATERFRONT19


key to profit, but they do tend to be very site-specific. Getting them set up will often take more effort than a simple ‘For Rent’ sign, but the rewards can be meaningful. In urban areas, boat club rentals


that have had an on and off again erratic acceptance are becoming more popular for certain markets. This can provide additional berth rentals and use of the chandlery store and other pay-as-you-go amenities, but it also provides traffic of other potential customers into the marina. More and more facilities are


training their dockhands and fuel service providers with the ability and sometimes with a monetary incentive to ask clients if they need any sun protection, ice, soda, water, etc. This needs to be done with tact as opposed to overselling and being pushy. The results have been significant, particularly when many of these items can now be found at the fuel dock as opposed to having to walk all the way to the chandlery store.


More and more boat-owners like


having dinner on their boat, whether or not they have been out. Many love to grill, but do not have grills on board or are not allowed to use


their grills while at the dock. Many facilities are now providing on shore grills for free, but then charging for the charcoal and lighting fluid. Many are also providing lockers with steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs for sale and some facilities even make arrangements with fish markets for the ‘catch of the day’ or the ‘one that got away’.


Special events Marinas offer a great waterfront location to meet for a drink, but they are not capitalising on the location for various functions such as weddings and other special events. One facility has become so popular that they now have a temporary large function tent on their lawn area and another on their car park. Not only do they derive income, but once again, they are bringing in non-customers to their facility. On a smaller scale, and well shy


of setting up your own restaurant, perhaps there is a way for your facility to capitalise on the current food truck craze, whether by allowing a truck or trucks to come on the weekend to serve your clients or to make use of your empty waterfront parking area to


We are in the electronic age and setting up an app for clients, as


well as accumulating base information, including client likes and dislikes, past and scheduled service needs and concierge desires can provide a substantive boost to profit enhancements.


attract the business lunch crowd during the week. That pretty empty weekday


car park might also prove an attractive location for a farmers’ market or similar operation.


‘Free WiFi’ WiFi is now a necessity probably more so than water. Most people are turned off by charging for usage. Many hotels are now rethinking their policy of charging


and adding to the base cost then advertising ‘Free WiFi’ and it seems to be working. Others are using it not only for security, but for boat-owners to see their boats from their ‘phones through an app when away from the marina. Some facilities have taken to selling advertising. I would suggest that marina operators think twice before doing so as it potentially backfires if clients do not like this type of interference. However, WiFi can be useful for providing weather forecasts, tidal or water level updates, fishing activities, boating regattas, and services provided by the facility, all of which have been found to be desired by the overwhelming majority of clients. We are in the electronic age


and setting up an app for clients, as well as accumulating base information, including client likes and dislikes, past and scheduled service needs and concierge desires can provide a substantive boost to profit enhancements. One can then easily remind clients that it’s time for a scheduled service or what opportunities are available for various concierge services, etc. This type of soft-sell marketing


Patrons enjoy a drink in


Hemingway’s Resto-Bar at Karpaz Gate Marina in North Cyprus.


JUNE 2016 • MARINA EURO-REPORT


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