Walk-up and on-demand rides keep cars moving, but the taxi companies with the steadiest income in the Caribbean all have something in common: regular accounts. A hotel that sends you its airport transfers, an office that books staff transport every week, a villa company that calls you for every arrival. These accounts fill quiet days, bring predictable revenue and lead to referrals. Here is how to win them and keep them.
Why accounts matter
- Predictable work. A hotel or company account can mean bookings every day, not just in high season.
- Better trips. Airport transfers, executive runs and event shuttles usually pay more than short local rides.
- Less marketing. One relationship with a front desk can bring hundreds of riders a year.
- Referrals. Hotel managers, office managers and event planners talk to each other.
Who to approach
Start with the businesses near you that move people every day:
- Hotels, resorts, guest houses and short-stay apartments
- Villa rental and property management companies
- Banks, insurance companies, embassies and large offices
- Hospitals, clinics and medical tourism providers
- Schools, universities and training centres
- Event planners, wedding planners and churches
- Travel agents and destination management companies
What hotels and companies actually want
When you pitch, do not lead with your price. Lead with what keeps the manager’s life easy. Most buyers of transport care about the same five things:
- Reliability. The car turns up on time, every time, even at 4 a.m.
- Easy booking. One app, number or form to book through, with fast confirmation.
- Visibility. They can see the driver is on the way without calling you.
- Safe, presentable drivers and vehicles. Licensed, insured, clean, polite.
- Clean paperwork. Receipts in your company name, clear rates and simple monthly billing.
Build your pitch
Bring a rate card
List fixed prices for the trips that account will need most: airport to the hotel, the hotel to the main attractions, office to airport, per-hour rates for executive work. Show sedan, van and coaster prices separately. Fixed rates are the first thing a front desk will ask for.
Show how they will book
A hotel desk or office manager should be able to book a ride for a guest or staff member in under a minute. With your own branded booking app, they can book in the app on the guest’s behalf or send the guest your app to book directly. Your dispatcher can also enter their phone and WhatsApp requests on the same dispatch board.
Show live tracking
Few things impress a hotel manager more than being able to tell a waiting guest “your car is two minutes away” without making a call. Live trip tracking makes that possible, and it reduces the complaints that end partnerships.
Bring your documents
Have copies of your business registration, vehicle permits, insurance and driver checks ready. Large companies and hotels may need them before they can add you as a supplier.
Start with a trial
Ask for a small trial: airport transfers for one month, or staff transport for one department. Treat every trial trip as an audition. Send your best drivers, confirm every booking, follow up on any issue the same day and send a short report at the end of the month with the number of trips, punctuality and ratings.
Keep the account
- Assign a contact. One person at your company the account can always reach.
- Review every month. Trips completed, late pickups and why, and any feedback.
- Watch ratings. Rider ratings show which drivers the account’s guests or staff prefer. Use them.
- Make receipts painless. Every trip should produce a receipt in your company name with the route, fare and payment method.
- Say thank you. A small gesture at Christmas for the front desk team goes a long way.
Let guests keep booking you
Every hotel guest or business visitor you carry is a potential repeat rider. When they book through your app, it stays on their phone for the rest of their trip and their next visit. On a shared ride-hailing app, they could end up with any driver. With your own app, the rider stays with your company, and you keep 95% of every completed app fare.
Conduence gives Caribbean taxi, tour and charter companies a rider app in their own name, a driver app and a dispatch dashboard built for this kind of account work. Get a free proposal, or read our tips for smoother airport and hotel pickups.