1 - "The lamentation over the sharpness of competition is in reality only a lamentation over the deficiency of ideas." Walther Rathenau
Ouch! Mr. Rathenau couldn’t be more direct! What does this tell us? Well, certainly we should stop ourselves before complaining about the “others”! The realisation is that we need to get better, not bitter. Turn negative energy into motivation and focus on developing stronger ideas instead of hoping for weaker competition.
2 - "You can’t look at the competition and say you're going to do it better. You have to look at the competition and say you’re going to do it differently." Steve Jobs
Word, Steve Jobs. Nothing is more important for your boutique concept (or any concept in fact) than to create unique, innovative and clearly distinguishable points of difference. These tangible USPs make your product unique, command attention and give you a talking point, not to mention a strong story. They attract PR and thus maximise marketing efforts, allowing you to achieve higher average room rates, boost your occupancy and sales.
3 - "Companies that solely focus on competition will ultimately die. Those that focus on value creation will thrive." Edward de Bono
When creating the Milaidhoo Island concept we did a LOT of homework (and we mean a LOT). We studied the market, the industry, ... We knew that if we wanted to innovate and differentiate the Milaidhoo Island product, we had to create trends, rather than follow them. So we started to look at luxury and boutique tourism from a different perspective, studied new luxury guests in different industries and in different markets and above all, were not only thinking about hardware and services, but much more about experiences. Because we knew that only if we were able to create real and true value, the boutique resort product would thrive and succeed.
Our hard work has certainly paid off. The outcome of nearly 19 months of research and development is an undeniably sophisticated 5-star boutique resort, brimming with USPs that clearly taps into a niche. Milaidhoo Island is by no means just another 5-star resort in the Maldives. Offering reinvented luxury and spacious outdoor living it epitomises the true and contemporary Maldives by telling the story of a small island. It’s a lifestyle escape with personality, offering heartfelt hospitality and barefoot informality. Don’t just take our word for it, see it for yourself.
As you might have already guessed, we are totally in love with the Milaidhoo concept and it’s potential. We could go on and on about it – but for all our sakes we will stop here! We are truly convinced that from November 2016 onwards it will introduce guests to a new, exciting holiday experience and will go some way to redefining boutique hotel concepts in the Maldives and beyond. Want to know more? Follow the story of a small island here.
So how about you? When will we see you on Milaidhoo Island? What’s your take on creating boutique hotel concepts? Are you in love with your competition? As always – feel free to share, comment, post and tell us your story ;-).
In this spirit, better your best!
Until the next time…
Your MAp team
ke time for prosecco