Starting a business is always a large undertaking. In the world of hotels, opening up a hotel in another country can introduce even more red tape into the process. Having a solid business plan and reasonable expectations going into a new hotel venture are paramount to maintaining a successful operation. But if you keep a few things in mind when beginning your journey towards owning your own hotel or resort oversees you can start realising the dream of owning and operating a successful business.
- Check Permit Requirements and Building Codes
Construction of any building requires you to work around many different codes depending on what country you are building in. Different job sites call for the use of different equipment. Building a hotel on the beach and building a hotel in a busy city center will come with different sets of regulations about what equipment can be used like cranes, scaffolding, and materials for example. Having a clear understanding of these regulations beforehand will help you stay on schedule at your building site.
- Gain Local Contacts
Building and operating a hotel in a foreign country can be made easier by having local business contacts that can help you find whatever it is you may need. Whether it’s getting a concrete order filled in the Philippines or finding out where in Perth cranes can be hired to build a skyscraper, local business contacts will make finding them easier. When searching for a property to build on, having a local who is knowledgeable about the area can be crucial to securing a good location and, in turn, making your business prospects brighter.
- Have a Clear Budget
Having a clear and well thought out budget can be crucial to the success of a construction project in another country. Coming into a big project means you need to know where your money is being spent and how that is contributing to your overall goal. The clearer your budget is the better you will be at communicating your needs to your suppliers. Spending money is part of any building operation, but understanding your own budget clearly going in can help you save valuable time and money.
- Expect Delays but Never Give Up
Starting a hotel development in any country will come with its own set of delays. Things like building inspections and government permits all too often slow down a hotel operation. These things are to be expected. Knowing this to begin with will help you anticipate any delays before they happen. Things as simple as bad weather can really throw a wrench in the gears of a construction project. Learning to mediate problems as they arise will help your hotel project overseas become a success.
