Hotel feasibility studies
Can your project work? A feasibility study tells you before you invest, with hard data on the market, the competition and the numbers.
Why you need a feasibility study
Opening or converting a hospitality property requires significant investment. A feasibility study reduces the risk and helps you:
understand whether there is demand for your project in that location;
choose the right concept and positioning;
estimate revenue, costs and profitability realistically;
identify regulatory constraints and weak points early;
present your project with solid arguments to banks, partners and authorities.
Sometimes the study shows that the project needs changes, or that it should not go ahead. That is a valuable result too: it stops you investing in the wrong project.
Which projects
B&Bs and serviced holiday homes
Small hotels and mountain hotels
Hostels and group accommodation
Aparthotels and serviced residences
Restaurants and bars linked to a tourism project
Mountain huts, alpine sites and tourism projects for municipalities and patriziati
Conversion of historic buildings into hospitality properties
What the study includes
Location and context
Area, access, attractions, seasonality and the property's position.
Regulations
Required permits and the Ticino hotel and restaurant law (LEAR/RLEAR): type of business, structural and hygiene requirements, self-monitoring.
Tourism market
Arrivals, overnight stays, occupancy and guest origin in the region, based on official statistics.
Competition
Direct competitors, their offer, rates and positioning.
Concept and positioning
Hotel product, target guests, unique selling proposition and SWOT analysis.
Organisation
Operating model, staffing and roles.
Numbers
Profit and loss forecast based on hotel industry standards: rooms, food and beverage, other revenue, payroll, overheads, gross operating profit (GOP) and net operating profit (NOP). Assumptions and financial projections for the first 10 years.
Conclusions and recommendations
Overall assessment, key risks and concrete next steps.
Second review on request: we work with Horesman SA, a hotel trust company, which can carry out a second review of the financial results of our studies. This optional service is not included in the standard offer.
How we work
First meeting – We listen to your idea and identify the type of study you need.
Proposal and engagement – A clear proposal with scope, timing and fees.
Data collection and analysis – Site visit, documents, market and competition analysis.
Draft and review – We present a first version and discuss it with you and your architect.
Final study – We deliver and present the complete study.
Typical duration: usually 8–12 weeks, depending on the complexity of the project. Free, no-obligation quote after an initial meeting.
Our experience
In Ticino and Graubünden we have carried out studies and analyses for projects in Olivone, Daro, Bellinzona, Leontica, Curio, Capriasca, Cagiallo, Grono, Val Calanca and San Bernardino, as well as in French-speaking Switzerland.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a feasibility study and a business plan?
A feasibility study tests whether the project is viable. A business plan builds on it and turns it into a full plan for lenders and management: company, marketing, organisation, risks and finance.
How long does it take?
A full study usually takes 8–12 weeks, depending on the documents available and the complexity of the project.
Can the study conclude that the project is not viable?
Yes. The study is objective: if the numbers do not work, we say so clearly and, where possible, suggest alternatives.
Do you work in Graubünden?
Yes, especially in Italian-speaking Graubünden (Moesano, Val Calanca, Valposchiavo, Bregaglia) and in other Swiss regions.
Can I use the study to apply for a loan or subsidy?
Yes. It is the basis of the business plan that banks, the Swiss Society for Hotel Credit and the canton require.
Tell us about your project
In a first meeting we work out together whether you need a full feasibility study or a first check is enough.