Madeleine, Beyond Bookings represents a new kind of financing model in the hotel industry. What exactly is behind bebo convert?

Madeleine Berner: ‘bebo convert’ is our approach to converting unsold rooms – in this case, vacant rooms – into a new form of currency. Hotels can use this currency to settle their suppliers’ invoices without having to dip into their budget. This is a major advantage, particularly at a time of high operating costs and low booking numbers. Vacancies are therefore no longer written off, but instead gain real added value.

What specific benefits does this concept offer a hotel?

Madeleine Berner: Firstly, of course, the relief in terms of cash flow. A hotel can purchase the necessary products or services – such as digital tools that promote greater sustainability – and pay for them using its revenue from unoccupied rooms. Or even ideas and projects that were previously unfeasible can now be realised with bebo convert.

On the other hand, the concept ensures that new guests visit the hotel. This is because rooms that would otherwise remain empty are no longer left unused, but are put to good use. This also generates additional revenue from on-site facilities, such as the restaurant or spa. It’s a win-win situation for hotels: more guests, more revenue, and cost savings to boot.

What role does sustainability play at Beyond Bookings?

Madeleine Berner: A key role – because our concept enables hotels to invest precisely in the areas they have often had to put on the back burner for cost reasons, such as energy-efficient equipment. At the same time, we make use of the existing resource of ‘unoccupied rooms’. Through bebo convert, these are utilised in a sensible and sustainable way, rather than simply being written off.

How does bebo fit in with the philosophy of GreenSign hotels?

Madeleine Berner: Very good! GreenSign properties are characterised by responsible, sustainable and forward-looking practices. With bebo convert, they can put this approach into practice in a cost-effective way without having to use their own capital. It is a modern solution for a new approach to sustainable business, which is entirely in keeping with GreenSign’s ethos.

Is there any practical experience to draw on?

Madeleine Berner: Yes, we already work with hundreds of hotels, including many GreenSign-certified hotels. Our partner, the Hotel am Schloß Apolda, is a very good example. There, bebo convert is used specifically to turn unsold rooms into investments. This hotel has been able to attract new guests through our model, particularly at weekends. Our deposit solution also gives the hotel the flexibility to make future purchases, such as software or technical tools. Mark-Andreas Kühnelt, Managing Director of the Hotel am Schloß Apolda, sums it up perfectly:

"With bebo convert, we’re successfully attracting new guests – especially at the weekends" That’s a real added value. Instead of vacancies, we’re seeing extra bookings.

"Our software library enables us to remain flexible so that we can acquire new software and other technical tools in the future. It is a well-thought-out solution that brings real benefits to our organisation."

bebo convert therefore demonstrates how the hospitality industry can operate in a way that is both economically viable and sustainable, without having to rely on traditional loans. Unsold rooms become a new form of payment that attracts new guests whilst also enabling investment in new projects. The example of the Hotel am Schloß Apolda clearly illustrates how effectively bebo convert works in practice.