We recently had the pleasure of participating in a fascinating discussion between two members of Partner Expert's board of directors - Adrian Shufel and Oliver Andrzeczuk. They talked about the key aspects of investing in the tourism facilities sector and came to a unified conclusion: The success of a project depends on planning before design.

Initial error

One of the main problems arises when the developer hands over full control of the project to the architect. As Oliver points out, this often leads to having to go back in the process and fine-tune the building's features. Detecting an error at the design stage is not that costly. The problem arises when the error is noticed during construction, in which case the investor incurs much higher costs. Adrian also stresses the importance of an in-depth analysis of the plot's location, especially its main assets, which affect the structure of the building. For example, if there is an aqua park in the neighborhood, it does not make sense to duplicate this function in our facility - a more modest water infrastructure will suffice. In addition, it is essential to determine the profile of the target customer even before design begins. We will design different unit sizes for "second home" type facilities than for strictly investment facilities.

When you design for investors, you need to know their needs

Adrian stresses that success in the tourism industry depends on the ability to deeply understand the expectations and needs of future users of the facility. In his words: "We can't start by drawing up plans and designs. We must first take the time to understand who we are creating for, and the ideal tool to help us do that is 'Buyer Persona.'"

Who is the "Buyer Persona?"

Buyer Persona is not just dry statistics and demographic information. It is first and foremost a rich, multidimensional characterization of our potential customer, taking into account their preferences, expectations, aspirations and concerns. It's a tool that allows us to move beyond traditional analysis methods based on demographics or geography. Buyer Persona leads us to a deep understanding of human motivations and behavior. As a result, we make sure that the tourism facilities we design will accurately meet the needs and expectations of our clients, attracting them and increasing the chance of investment success. By thoroughly understanding our clients' motivations, we are able to create designs that not only meet their expectations, but also adapt to their specific needs and budget - the key to investment success.

Functionality vs. architectural visions

It is not uncommon for architects to idealize their designs, not realizing that any
common space also has a business dimension, and not always what they come up with will
meet the authentic needs of the market. The imagined aesthetic concept of a space in
an architect's head may differ significantly from the expectations and requirements of the final
users.

An example of this divergent approach can be seen in the case of designing a gym adjacent to a spa area. Although at first glance such a concept may seem incongruous, in reality it can lead to numerous complications. The most important of these is the potential problem of noise, which can interfere with the relaxing atmosphere in the spa. However, it should not be forgotten that even the most experienced architects, specializing in various design disciplines, may not have the practice for specific types of facilities, such as those of a tourist nature. As Oliver points out, it's important to think deeply about even the smallest details - from the location of linen lockers to the logistics involved in rentals. In addition, ill-considered design decisions, such as, for example, directly connecting the spa area to the main hotel lobby, through which both dressed guests and those in robes pass, can detract from the comfort of the stay. In the hospitality industry, every detail, even the smallest, matters to the guest's final experience, which consequently affects occupancy and investor profits. In conclusion, the key to successful facility design is to have a deep understanding of the end user's needs and to avoid the pitfalls of imposing one's own vision at the expense of the practicality and functionality of the space.

Summary

The key to success in designing tourism facilities is thorough strategic planning even before design work begins. What appears beautiful on paper is not always functional. Properly understanding the needs of the target client and properly tailoring the design to those needs is the key to creating a facility that is not only aesthetically appealing, but also functional and profitable.