Guts in hospitality

On Tuesday 6 January, Theo and I are glued to our computers to hear more about the challenge with GUTS. Frans Goenee (hospitality inspiration manager) and Ankie Joos (project leader) are today’s online speakers. We listen intently, especially to Frans, who has worked at Efteling for over 35 years and inspires all the other participants. Frans challenges us: Do you dare to look beyond the biscuit with your tea?

We are asked to come up with and carry out a challenge based on the question: what is a downside for guests and how can we use our courage to turn it into a happy guest experience? We have to record it in a two-minute film or write in two A4 sheets of paper. Our minds immediately start working, and we quickly decide that it will be a film starring our headstrong Navida & mischievous Floris. iMovie and Youtube channel BoksheideBuiten cn be useful for this. Now there is plenty of snowfall, which is very romantic, but it turns out to be less convenient for filming. So that plan is on hold for now. We give ourselves time to think about a possible script.

The partygoers  

Let’s briefly return to the previous blog. When sharing on Facebook & Instagram, I mentioned Visit and Visit Brabant. To my surprise, I see that Visit Eersel has shared the story, which makes my day magical. On Wednesday afternoon, I receive a phone call from Isabella Put. She maneges the social media accounts, tips & events for Visit Eersel. Isabella tells me she is standing in front of the gate of BoksheideBuiten. We are doing a photo shoot. Can we take photos at the holiday cottages? Of course, I’ll be right there!

Isabella, photographer Bart Roos and two volunteers from Visit Eersel, Pauline and Jos. I know Jos from the times I’ve popped in to drop off flyers for BoksheideBuiten. Bart is already busy taking photos when  I arrive. Pauline and Jos have wheeled suitcases with them, as if they are coming to stay with us. I welcome everyone with a hug, as always. Wow, what an unexpected surprise and how cool! I have brought a mystery guest with me and ask Bart to keep his camera ready. Our always cheerful dog Vesta sprints over to make her mystery contribution and welcome the guests in her own spontaneous way.

Life is a party, we shout in unison,  and soon we have strung a row of garlands between the three holiday cottages. There is laughter and roaring during the photo shoot; Pauline and Jos are so cute together. Poppy Cottage is highlighted, along with a small part of our spot, because time is running out to photograph Paddock Paradise and the ponies. I advise Isabella to also visit the centre of Eersel with its cosy terraces, so drinking mulled wine also gets a place in the schedule. That certainly fits in with the atmosphere and offers them a nice ending to this spontaneous afternoon. I say goodbye to the Visit Eersel crew with a with a kiss on the air and a wave 🙋‍♀️.

Leading role

Slowly, in the days that follow, the snow begins to melt and the sun reappears. It’s time to make a script for the GUTS film. The idea is to build obstacles and, together with Navida & Floris, symbolically jump over it. With two ponies at the same time, I’ll need some GUTS for that! We compare Theo’s and my calendars to agree on which day the video will be made. On the day of filming, the jumping bars are laid out, the ponies are brought in form the fieds and groomed. We are ready to shoot the video. It’s great fun, we’re really looking forward to it! The deadline for delivery is 13 February 😂 and, thanks to good plannin, everything went smoothly.

Are you curious about the Film?