While many hotels come with strong strategies for peak and off-peak seasons, they overlook shoulder season.

That shouldn’t be the case, at all.

Shoulder season in hospitality is as important as any other period of the year.

Now, for those who have never heard about it, shoulder season is real. And going forward in this blog, I will walk you through what is a shoulder period in a hotel, how can shoulder season affect hotel revenue, and all the other nitty-gritty.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the blog.

What Is Shoulder Season in Hospitality?

Shoulder season in hospitality is between the peak and off-peak season. Every part of the world has its own shoulder seasons; it varies from hotel to hotel based on the destination.

For instance, based on the location, if summer is the peak season for your hotel and winter is the low season, then spring and autumn are the shoulder seasons.

What makes shoulder season a bit complicated to deal with is that it has elements from other periods as well. During shoulder season, hotels don’t receive a lot of reservations but it still has some advantages.

How does Shoulder Season affect hotels?

Unlike off-peak season, shoulder season isn’t the time when business is low. However, being an overlooked period, hotels don’t really have a strategy to keep the business floating.

Meaning, if hoteliers fail to create a framework, their property might witness a drastic drop in demand.

Let me explain it better with a scenario.

Roshan is a hotelier based out of Coorg, India. Over the years, he has learned the skills of pricing rooms based on the season and earning better profit. However, he has always been inconsiderate about the shoulder season.  

But then his perception changed when his hotel was abysmally impacted by the shoulder season. There was hardly any booking and he witnessed severe loss. Turns out, the other hotels in the vicinity tweaked their strategy and attracted more travelers.

Being a median travel season; it’s not easy to predict how shoulder season is going to turn out for hotel businesses. For some, it may become a great deal while for others it could be another off-peak period of the year.

How Can Hotels Make the Most Out of Shoulder Season?

To cope or increase hotel occupancy during shoulder season, hoteliers must be proactive and incorporate solid strategies to consistently attract travelers.

Following are some of the points that every hotelier must keep in mind while preparing for the shoulder season:

1. Identify your shoulder seasons

Experienced hoteliers are already aware of all the seasons of a hospitality business.

However, it’s a little difficult for new or budding hoteliers to identify when exactly the shoulder season is. Why so? Because the booking flow during shoulder season is significantly unpredictable.

Now, if you want to keep your hotel profitable during this particular time of the year, the first and foremost thing to do is identify it. There are shoulder seasons for both the spring and fall; but again, it depends on the destination.

So, analyze your current and past booking flow, traveler preferences, and market behavior, and determine when exactly you witnessed shoulder season.

2. Plan everything in advance

Now that you know which time of the year is shoulder season for your hotel, it’s time to be prepared — IN ADVANCE.

What I mean by ‘in advance’ is that you cannot start strategizing a day, week, or month before. You have to start working on things during your peak or off-peak season.

Be it in terms of marketing, pricing, or operation, everything has to be rolled out.

Keep in mind, that travelers are becoming smarter. They now understand that shoulder seasons go a little lighter on their pocket, which is why it is becoming more and more attractive.

Therefore, do not procrastinate and wait for the last moment. Start planning for your hotel’s shoulder season as soon as you can.

3. Set realistic goals for shoulder season

Like I said above, shoulder seasons are unpredictable. And this is why you have to understand that the goals you set for this particular time of the year have to be realistic.

When I say realistic goals, I mean the goals you can reach based on your hotel’s abilities.

For example, at the beginning of the year, you set a goal of 10% growth in terms of revenue. Now, based on your analysis, you could divide it among all the seasons. The off-peak season could have 1-2%, peak season could make 4-5%, and shoulder season could do 3-4%.

You cannot simply set a goal that in this shoulder season your hotel is going to make 5-6% more revenue. It doesn’t work that way. You have to keep the entire year in mind.

4. Turn to seasonal pricing and packages

Seasonal pricing and packages are a great way to make the most out of the shoulder season.

For those who aren’t aware, seasonal pricing is all about pricing your hotel’s rooms and services depending on the season.

For example, during peak season, you set a higher room rate due to the rising demand. But when it’s an off-peak season, you set lower prices to acquire more reservations.

Now you must be wondering how should you price your rooms during shoulder season?

Well, I don’t like to complicate things, and that’s why keeping your room rate lower than your peak season but still higher than your low season should ideally work.

However, I suggest you do the research and math, and then come up with something that you believe is going to work.  

Not to mention, you can also create exclusive packages to attract more travelers to your hotel.

5. Deliver the right message through marketing

Marketing is supremely crucial for a hotel the entire year. However, the messaging needs to keep on changing depending on the season.

Meaning, the messaging you used for the peak season is not going to work for the shoulder season. The reason is that travelers’ and guests’ preferences keep on changing.

Those who visited your hilltop hotel during the peak period might not visit your property for the same reason during shoulder season. Therefore, it is important to understand the motivation of your guests.

I recently wrote an article on the role of psychology in hotel marketing. Do give it a read to make your hotel marketing better.

6. Leverage revenue management strategies

Revenue management is a blessing in disguise for hotels of all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is; revenue management can turn into a revenue-generating machine.

For instance, imagine a hotel without any sort of pricing strategy. Throughout the years, it has had the same room rate. However, the hotel has come across the concept of dynamic pricing and now it keeps on changing the room rates based on the market condition or demand.

But there’s still a sad story, it’s not seeing any significant result. The revenue is still the same — dull!!

What could be the reason behind this fiasco? Well, the answer is the lack of in-depth understanding.

This is where revenue management comes into the picture.

A revenue manager or a revenue management system collects and organizes data related to a hotel’s revenue, sales, and other financial aspects. Next up, based on the analysis, it comes up with pricing that is likely to attract more guests to the hotel and boost the overall revenue.

So, if you think that revenue management is amiss at your hotel then it’s time to turn to it.

The post The Secret to a Successful Shoulder Season in Hospitality appeared first on eZee Absolute.

Travellers these days not only look for places to stay and eat. They seek to explore more and be a part of the local culture wherever they go.

So, as the purpose of travel has evolved beyond reaching places, the impact of food tourism has become a significant factor in shaping how hotels cater to their guests. 

The Rise of Food Tourism

Food tourism or culinary tourism, is when people travel to explore and enjoy the food of different places. It’s when travellers go beyond typical sightseeing and include experiencing a place’s local flavours, dishes, and culinary traditions. 

This trend reflects that many travellers now want to be a part of a place’s culture by enjoying its food. This has a big impact on hotels because they play a key role in making these food experiences happen. 

You must be wondering, what’s the deal with food tourism? How can it possibly affect something as vast as the hotel industry? 

Well, let me tell you—it’s a journey that’s changing the way we experience travel and hospitality.

The global culinary tourism market size reached US$ 946.4 Billion in 2023. Looking forward, it is expected to reach US$ 3,515.1 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 15.2% during 2024-2032.

These figures highlight the economic significance and growing influence of culinary tourism on travel decisions and hotel revenues as well.

Now, let’s explore how food tourism is influencing the growth of the hotel industry and understand how hoteliers can use this trend to attract food lovers and improve their overall business.

The Role of Culinary Tourism in Promoting Hotels

Destination Differentiation:

In a sea of hotel options, offering a unique culinary experience can set a hotel apart. A well-crafted menu featuring local ingredients and traditional dishes can serve as a major selling point, enticing travellers to choose your hotel over others.

Enhanced Guest Experience:

Culinary tourism enhances the overall guest experience. A hotel that actively promotes and integrates local flavours into its offerings provides guests with an opportunity to create lasting memories. It taps into the emotional aspect of travel, where the taste and aroma of a dish can become a cherished memory.

Positive Reviews and Word-of-mouth Marketing:

Culinary travellers are likely to share their experiences through social media, online reviews, and personal recommendations. Positive word-of-mouth marketing can significantly boost a hotel’s reputation and visibility, attracting a wider audience and inspiring repeat visits.

Collaborations and Partnerships:

The culinary world thrives on collaborations. Hotels can collaborate with local chefs, food artisans, wineries and farmers to create a network that benefits the local community while also enriching the culinary offerings of the hotel. These partnerships not only elevate the hotel’s offerings but also contribute to the overall development of the local community.

How Food Tourism Attracts Culinary Travelers to Hotels?

Picture this: You’re a food enthusiast on a trip to Thailand. It isn’t unknown that Thailand is a hotspot for its vibrant and rich flavours. So, how could you possibly miss trying authentic Thai food? 

You’ve heard about a hotel known for its amazing traditional Thai dishes. Excited, you arrive and are welcomed with a menu full of local delights – from fragrant curries to spicy street food. 

The hotel even offers fun cooking classes where you can learn to make these dishes yourself. They share stories about each dish’s history, giving you a taste of Thai culture. Your delicious meals and newfound cooking skills make you rave about the hotel to your friends and on social media. 

Well, this is exactly how food tourism works and it brings curious travellers to hotels, offering them a true taste of the destination.

Simply put, food tourism has become a bridge that connects culinary travellers to hotels offering unique and authentic dining experiences. 

By recognizing the desires of these travellers and aligning their offerings accordingly, hotels can successfully position themselves as sought-after destinations for those with a passion for food. 

Strategies for Hoteliers to Embrace Culinary Tourism

For hoteliers, embracing and promoting culinary tourism isn’t just a trend; it’s a strategic move that can elevate their brand, attract a dedicated niche of food travellers, and earn guest loyalty.  

Here are some effective strategies you can adopt to promote culinary tourism and attract more food travellers to your hotel:

Designing Culinary Experiences

• Craft a Distinct Culinary Identity: Develop a unique culinary identity that reflects both the local culture and the hotel’s personality. Showcase a diverse range of dishes that encompass traditional flavours as well as innovative interpretations, creating a memorable dining experience that resonates with diverse palates.

• Highlight Local Ingredients: Collaborate with local farmers, wineries, and suppliers to source fresh, seasonal ingredients. Highlighting locally sourced products not only supports the community but also adds an authentic touch to your menus, appealing to food travellers seeking local flavours.

• Fusion of Tradition and Modernity: Curate menus that balance traditional dishes with modern interpretations, catering to both travellers seeking authenticity and those open to culinary innovation.

Enhancing Guest Engagement

• Curate Culinary Packages: Design enticing culinary packages that include accommodations, dining experiences, and perhaps even guide food tours of the surrounding area. Tailor these packages to cater to different tastes.

• Integrating Cultural Narratives: Educate your staff to impart cultural context related to the dishes presented. Enhancing the dining experience with intriguing stories and anecdotes adds a layer of guest involvement.

Marketing and Promotion

• Use Social Media: Utilize platforms like Instagram and YouTube to visually highlight your culinary offerings. The visual content of delicious dishes has the potential to go viral, reaching a wider audience.

• Engage with Influencers: Collaborate with influencers in the food and travel domains such as vloggers whose values resonate with your brand. Through their extensive audience reach, they can introduce your culinary offerings to a wider online community.

• Highlight Local Festivals and Events: Use local food festivals, fairs and events and align your promotional activities with these occasions. 

For example; in a coastal town hosting a seafood festival, a mid-size hotel can stand out by offering a “Seafood Festival Getaway” package. This may include accommodations and festival tickets. Through social media engagement and local partnerships, the hotel can attract food enthusiasts boosting occupancy and visibility.

The post Strategies for Hotels to Capitalize on Culinary Tourism appeared first on eZee Absolute.

As hoteliers, you constantly explore avenues to enhance guest experiences, streamline operations, and enrich your property’s standing. Within this journey toward excellence, there’s an exceptional opportunity that often lies beyond the traditional boundaries of leisure travel.

We’re talking about the MICE industry – an acronym for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions/Events. Whether you’re operating a boutique inn nestled in a town or a luxurious resort overlooking pristine beaches. MICE holds transformative potential for your establishment.

And believe me when I say, understanding the impact of MICE on the hotel industry is not just insightful; it’s essential for a hotel.

So, let’s uncover a realm of insights on how this industry can reshape your property’s future and unveil a world of opportunities you may not have fully explored before.

Impact of MICE on The Hospitality Industry

In the busy world of hospitality, MICE tourism emerges as a powerful catalyst, reshaping the landscape of hotels and accommodations. This connection between the MICE and hotels has big effects, spanning from economic growth to operational innovation. Wondering how?

Let’s take a closer look at the impact of MICE on the hotel industry and how it contributes to its growth.

Driving Occupancy and Revenue

One of the most immediate and noticeable impacts of MICE on the hotel industry is occupancy rates and revenue generation. Big meetings, conferences, and events bring lots of people like attendees and speakers who need a place to stay.

As a result, hotels usually get bookings during MICE events, which helps them make a steady income and handle the low seasons of the year. This is a dependable way for hotels to stay financially strong throughout the year.

Boosting Infrastructure Investment

As a hotel owner if there’s an important conference to be held at your hotel. You’d want to make sure your hotel is ready to give them a comfortable and impressive experience, right? Well, that’s what MICE makes you prepared for.

In simple words, MICE tourism encourages hotels to make their property even better. When hotels host big meetings, conferences, and events, they realize the need for good facilities and modern equipment.

To welcome all the people attending, hotels often decide to improve their spaces. They might build bigger meeting rooms, get advanced technology, and create new areas for events.

These changes not only make the hotel look more appealing to event organizers but also to regular visitors.

Diverse Guest Experiences

One of the standout advantages of MICE events for hotels is the opportunity to create tailored experiences for a diverse array of guests.

As hotels gear up to host conferences, meetings, and events, they naturally adapt their services and amenities to meet the specific needs of business travellers and attendees.

For example; a medical conference brings in doctors, researchers, and students, each needing specific services. Similarly, a wedding event attracts couples and vendors, each seeking different experiences. This mix of attendees creates a diverse guest environment, making hotels more dynamic and accommodating to various needs.

This flexibility showcases the hotel’s ability to cater to different needs, appealing to a wide range of guests and enhancing its reputation.

Off-Peak Utilization

You know, how sometimes not many people visit your hotel? Well, MICE events are here to change that. MICE tourism acts as a clever strategy for hotels to make the most of their quieter times by hosting big meetings, conferences, and events.

These events bring in lots of people during periods when the hotel is usually less busy, filling up rooms and spaces that would otherwise be underutilized. This approach transforms slow days into vibrant and energetic ones. helping hotels maintain a steady flow of guests throughout the year.

By using MICE events to balance out the ups and downs of visitor numbers, hotels ensure their spaces remain active and bustling, regardless of the season.

Showcasing Expertise and Establishing Credibility

When a hotel successfully hosts MICE events, it showcases its versatility and adaptability, which enhances its reputation as a multi-dimensional hospitality provider.

Successful execution of conferences and exhibitions not only highlights a hotel’s event management power but also showcases its commitment to excellence.

This creates a lasting impression on attendees, who are likely to share their positive experiences through word-of-mouth or online reviews.

Opportunities for Cross-Promotion, Networking and Partnerships

Hotels that host MICE events become hubs for networking and relationship building. Business professionals attending conferences or conventions often engage in informal meetings, discussions, and networking sessions within the hotel premises, making the hotel even more attractive to them.

Additionally, collaborations between hotels and event organisers provide opportunities for cross-promotion. Hotels can leverage event marketing to attract new guests and attendees, while event organizers can offer special rates to participants, creating a win-win situation.

Strengthening Brand Visibility

The positive effects of MICE on a hotel’s brand perception are undeniable. Events and conferences provide hotels with opportunities to showcase their capabilities and strengths to a wider audience.

When hotels successfully host and manage meetings, incentives, conferences, and events, they showcase their expertise and dedication to excellence. This positive impression made on event participants and attendees led to increased brand recognition and awareness.

In simple terms, MICE tourism helps hotels become more popular. The hotel became popular not just for events, but also for people who want a nice place to stay.

How Events Amplify Hospitality’s Power: Case Studies

When large-scale events happen in any city, hotels have a golden opportunity to shine. Here I am talking about the electrifying Taylor Swift Eras Tour or Olympic at Rio De Janeiro or the Chennai SuperKings T-20 match.

All these events did one thing in common – attracted audiences or fans from across the world.

If we talk about The Taylor Swift Eras Tour it has literally shocked the economy with a boom in hotel bookings and tourist arrivals.

On another note, Summer Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro attracted athletes, spectators and media from across the globe; leading to a surge in accommodation demand.

Lastly, the T20 match, with Dhoni’s fanbase in India and abroad, happened to attract a huge number of participants at the stadium and a hike in bookings for people wanting to explore the city.

All I am saying is, that with such events hotels can make the most out of it by offering event-focused packages, showcasing convenience, creating engaging content, and leveraging partnerships, to position themselves as the go-to choice for attendees.

Does MICE tourism come at a significant cost to hotels?

The cost of hosting MICE events can vary widely depending on factors such as the size and scale of the event, the facilities and services required, and the level of customization needed. While hosting MICE events may involve certain expenses, it’s important to consider both the potential costs and their benefits.

For example; Investments in upgraded infrastructure, planning coordination, and specialized services are often necessary to accommodate the unique demands of MICE tourists. However, these expenditures can also be viewed as strategic investments that yield substantial returns in terms of revenue, brand enhancement, and guest loyalty.

The post Explore MICE Tourism Opportunities for Your Hotel appeared first on eZee Absolute.

For instance, in extreme weather conditions like heavy rainfall, traveling takes a back seat. But apart from that, people do travel to hill stations and beaches in the summer and to warm areas in the winter.

And as we know, in the Indian subcontinent, summer lasts longer than winter, so people seek out vacation spots to escape it.

This is why travel is at its peak in the summer, and hoteliers can reap immense benefits during this time.

Now if you are clueless or following the same regular methods to attract guests during the summer, then this blog is your savior. Here I am sharing the most effective ways to market your hotel for this summer season.

Summer: The Most Popular Season Among Travelers

Statistics show that summer 2023 saw an upsurge of 8.7 million travelers based on current booking trends. This is a big green flag for the hospitality industry.

In fact, 42 percent of UK travelers reported that climate change will impact their travel plans for 2024.

But why does summer get this special love from travelers?

From what I have experienced, summer evokes a nostalgic feeling. It brings back childhood memories of summer break and family time. This is why people choose summer for family vacations and trips.

Aside from families, many businesses send their employees on summer vacation to take a break from heat waves and maintain a work-life balance.

Moreover, summer suits every age group, whether it is kids, adults, or boomers.

Hence, hoteliers need effective hotel marketing strategies for this summer so they can secure an upper hand at bookings and revenue. More on such strategies are discussed below. Follow along!

How Can Hotels Make the Most Out of Summer 2024?

Summer is one of the busiest seasons for the hotel industry, but the question is: how can you make your hospitality stand out to drive maximum booking traffic?

To help you do this effectively, I have curated 8 brilliant ways to market your hotel for the summer of 2024. Explore them all in this section.

1. Give a summer touch to your marketing

Marketing is the main pillar for driving guests. So, you must roll out your summer marketing strategies at the perfect time, which is now.

Your website and social media platforms should have a summer-ready makeover.

Images play a crucial role in helping you achieve this. They set up a visually pleasing vibe for your guests and persuade them to make bookings.

Apart from this, your content should also highlight the summer-specific amenities like air-conditioning, swimming pool, complimentary cold drinks, etc.

On top of it all, sprinkle a good color theme that gives a soothing effect to your guests’ eyes in the middle of the hot summer.

2. Add emotional appeal

How can hotels use summer to emotionally appeal to their guests?

— By advertising how a summer vacation at your hotel can enrich their lives with memories and good times.

After all, who doesn’t go for a vacation during the summer break?

Kids especially love that! They get tired of sitting inside the four walls and going nowhere because it’s too hot outside. So, a trip with their family can do wonders for them.

Furthermore, Friendship Day comes in mid-summer, so you can create a buzz around friend groups to finally go to their pending reunions.

In a nutshell, it’s just a matter of adding emotions to your marketing to build instant connections with your guests. Once they see that you offer a perfect stay featuring fun for kids and leisure for adults, they can barely resist making a plan.

3. Provide amazing packages and discounts

As the summer season is almost here, this is the best time to offer good deals on pre-bookings of summer packages.

Letting your guests claim exciting packages on family or group bookings is a smart and sure way to increase your occupancy rate.

You can also offer an early bird discount on great deals and ensure that your guests get an all-inclusive experience. 

So, it’s time to frame your summer holiday packages and promote them on your social media handles and website to engage guests’ activities at the very outset of summer.

You must note here that a good package can sell itself more than any other offer.

4. Beat the heat with a welcome drink

We know that summer is all about finding ways to keep our cool.

And the most basic way to step up against the hot summer is by drinking cold water, homemade beverages, and fresh juices.

Hence, it is plausible to welcome your guests with a glass full of chilled satisfaction.

Here I am recommending just a basic drink, nothing extravagant! You can also consider an indigenous drink to make it more appealing.

This small gesture can fulfill your guests more than you can imagine. We think that only big things matter, but believe me, it’s the small gestures that win your guests’ hearts.

5. Add a cool breeze to your menu

Now let’s move on from the welcome drinks and talk about the rest of them, shall we?

Just kidding

Setting a perfect menu that complements the summer theme is another important task.

First of all, in the summer, people are a bit repellent toward cooked or warm food. And they look out for foods that are light on the stomach. 

This means your menu must have loads of fresh fruits, salads, juices, cocktails, and smoothies. These categories of food must be kept on your menu because people are now more conscious of their health.

Adding to this, cakes, pastries, and ice creams can give your menu a wholehearted summer vibe.

6. Include sports activities

Relating to the family vacations and packages we talked about, adding sports activities and fun games can add more value to your guests’ stay.

These activities are always a good choice for making their vacations active and worthwhile. If you succeed at this, then only word of mouth will be enough to drive your sales for the rest of the season.

Not only families, but friend groups or bleisure travelers may also wish to join in for a fun game session.

You can choose evenings when the sun is at its lowest intensity. Host fun, summer-themed games and activities for your guests, like a lawn twister, a frozen-t-shirt race, a dunk bucket game, and much more.

You can come up with quirky water games according to your property’s space.

7. Shield your guests from the sunny havoc

Just 2 seconds of exposure in the afternoon of a summer day is enough torture, right? This is why saving your guests from this is important.

For doing so, conditioning the air temperature is essential—whether by providing AC rooms or installing centralized ACs.

Aside from that, your hotel can consider providing cab services for guests to save them from the hot sun. You can provide it for free up to a certain radius around your property.

You can also install patio umbrellas to provide a shady boon to your guests. It will add comfort to their swimming session while they relax by the pool.

Note: Keep greenery on your property for natural cooling covert and shade.

8. Offer complimentary services

Who doesn’t love complimentary services?

They are the key to establishing an amazing guest experience. 

Is your hotel ready with summer-themed complementary items?

Well, the one on my mind right now is the summer survival kit that can please your guests.

You can put together a nice kit that includes all of the summer essentials, such as body wash to keep them clean, sunscreen to keep them from getting tanned, face cream to keep their skin look fresh in the midst of the summer sweat, and stuff like that.

How about a complimentary ice cream treat per day on bookings of 5 days or more? Or for all the children that visit your hotel? This will be my personal favorite, as we all know that summer and ice cream are always a big hit together.

Explore the benefits of complimentary services

The post Amazing Hotel Strategies to Attract Guests During Summer 2024 appeared first on eZee Absolute.

Hotels that manage to keep a keen eye on the trends and happenings, always outplay their competitors and succeed. But keeping a tap on every aspect of the industry doesn’t seem possible.  

But again, you don’t have to know about everything. Even a certain number of hospitality industry statistics could help you ace your hoteliering game.

In this blog, I have listed some of the prominent insights from various aspects of the travel and hospitality industry.

I believe, these global hospitality industry statistics should definitely be on your radar if you want to take your hotel to the next level. 

Important Hospitality Statistics for Hoteliers to Keep In Mind

The key to success in the hotel industry is to continuously find different and new ways to deliver exceptional guest experiences. And for that, you need to understand what’s happening in the entire hospitality landscape.

To make it easier for you, here are some of the prime statistics that you, as a hotelier, should keep on your radar.

What do numbers say about the current state of the industry?

1. The global hotel industry was valued at US$ 628.4 billion in 2021. (TMR)
2. The market size of the global hotel and resort industry, which was $1.52 trillion in 2019 fell below one trillion in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Statista)
3.  In 2022, the global hotel and resort industry market was forecast to reach $1.06 trillion. (Statista)
4. Hotel room nights demand and room revenues in 2022 are expected to nearly return to 2019 levels. Room revenue is expected to reach $168 billion and occupancy is projected to be 63.4%. (AHLA)
5. In 2022, the global travel and tourism revenue will reach over $600 million. (Statista)
6. In 2021, 2,246 hotels opened worldwide, with a forecast increase of 2,805 hotel openings in 2022. (Statista)

What will the hospitality industry look like in 2024 and beyond?

7. By the end of 2031, the global hotel and resort industry market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% and reach US$ 1.27 trillion. (Statista)
8. By 2023, the global travel and tourism revenue will return to a pre-pandemic amount of over 730 million with hotels being the main contributing segment to this increase. (Statista)
9. The global hotel and travel accommodation industry is projected to have a CAGR of 7% by 2025, resulting in a market value of $1.05 trillion. (Zippia)
10. Room demand is likely to reach an all-time high in 2023 and continue to shoot up in 2024. (Costar)
11. Online sales in the hotel segment will generate 80% of total revenue by 2026. (Statista)

The types of travel people are betting on at present

12. 71% of global travelers want to travel more sustainably compared to 2021 data. (Booking.com)
13. 38% of global travelers look for information on the sustainability efforts of a property before they book. (Booking.com)
14. 78% of respondents think there is still more to do to make more sustainable stay options easier to find for everyone. (Booking.com)
15. Despite global economic and political uncertainty, 72% of respondents feel traveling is still worth it. (Hospitalitynet)
16. 43% of travelers are likely to use virtual reality for their travel choices. (Hospitalitynet)
17. 46% are more likely to travel somewhere they otherwise wouldn’t have if they could experience it virtually first. (Hospitalitynet)
18. In 2023, 42% of travelers want to go on a break that focuses on their mental and physical health. (Hospitalitynet)

Technology’s pivotal role in the hospitality industry

19. Around 70% of millennials prefer to book with hotels that offer technologies like contactless check-in and payments. (Eastern Peak)
20. 80% of hotel guests would prefer to download and use a hotel app to check in, check out and check information about the hotel. (Hotel Management)
21. 47% of hotel guests would prefer to order room service if the hotel has the option of ordering via an app. (Hotel Management)
22. With technology, around 93% of hoteliers witnessed the biggest gains in terms of efficiency. (Hotel Operations)
23. Around 89% of on-property respondents are likely to report their teams benefited from technology. (Hotel Operations)
24. More than 50% of hoteliers feel technology companies don’t understand their needs. (Hotel Operations)

How Do Statistics Benefit Hotel Businesses?

The travel and hospitality industry highly depends on numbers and trends. Keeping a tap on statistics helps hotel businesses understand their strengths and what may be working against them.

To get a clear picture, let’s look at the specific benefits of statistics.

Services Recommendation

When a hotel collects detailed information derived from sources, it can analyze that data and predict trends for the upcoming months or years. And this is really important for improving offerings, finding newer and better ways to attract customers, and boosting sales.

For example, research shows that travelers going to hill stations for trekking are more likely to avail of services from the hotel itself. Now, as a hotelier, you should first do your research on the same and if things turn out to be true, you must get your hands into setting up trekking offers and deals.

Revenue Management

Numbers are at the heart of hotel revenue management. Although figures that relate directly to the hotel are usually preferred, ignoring general data from the industry isn’t a great thing to do.

With relevant numbers from the industry, revenue managers can perform better analyses to predict customer behavior and optimize strategies to maximize revenue.

In other words, it all boils down to understanding the supply and demand trends and identifying what actually travellers value the most.

Let’s look at the stat that reads “travel and tourism revenue worldwide will return to a pre-pandemic amount, which is 730 million, and hotels are going to be the main contributors.” For us, this might seem like data about the industry reviving but for hotel revenue managers it is an opportunity to bring in more cash to the register.

Marketing Efficiency

Hotel marketing is definitely one of those aspects that benefits to a greater level with statistics. It allows hotel marketers to understand what exactly travelers are seeking. Once they get a hold of the traveler’s preferences, it becomes really easy to run relevant marketing campaigns.

If you look at the current trends section of the block, it emphasizes highly on sustainable travel. Now, if hoteliers manage to somehow leverage the sustainability quotient in their marketing campaigns, they are more likely to attract guests looking for sustainable stay options.

However, ensure that your efforts to showcase sustainability aren’t relying on greenwashing.

The post Hospitality Industry Statistics You Must Check Before Stepping Into 2024 appeared first on eZee Absolute.

This year, the festival of lights is clubbed with a weekend, making it a perfect opportunity for all Indians to plan a great gateway.

Not to mention, it is also a great opportunity for hotels to attract guests to boost their business significantly.

Sounds interesting, right?

Diwali and Hospitality Go Hand in Hand

Every year, during Diwali, the global hospitality industry witnesses a great surge in bookings. And this is not just me who’s making this tall statement, there are stats that show how Diwali impacts the performance of Indian hotels.

As per Deepak Harane, regional manager (Pune), MTDC, nearly 60% of MTDC resorts are already reserved for the 2023 Diwali season.

Another study also finds that domestic tourism in India is clearly on the upswing with the festive season witnessing a forward booking surge of 25 percent compared to the previous year.

Bharatt Malik, Senior VP of Flights and Hotel Business at Yatra Online says the room tariffs during this year’s Diwali period are up by 20 percent compared to the previous month.

This makes it evident that the role Diwali plays in the industry is prominent.

Meaning hotels must create strategies the right way to reap maximum benefits. But how?

How can Hotels Prepare for Diwali?

Now that you know how Diwali impacts the hospitality industry, it’s time to get the call rolling. So, here are a few tips on how hotels can attract guests during Diwali and boost revenue.

1. Decide what strategy to use

Planning ahead is a prominent aspect of achieving business goals. And this is the same for hotels as well.

Before you run any offer or campaign during Diwali, first decide how you actually want to pull it off.

Do you want to target a particular group of travelers?

Or, do you want to open up for all kinds of guests?

How about your campaign length?

Various questions may arise while planning for a festival season.  

You have to take the call and decide how you want to go about it.

By strategizing prior, you become proactive and foresee issues or roadblocks that may come your way to take appropriate actions.

2. Create various offers and packages

Now that you have a strategy in place, let me help you with a point that is going to top up your festivity strategy.

Packages and offers are two prominent ingredients of a successful hotel recipe.

Offering discounts and packages quickly draws travelers into your hotel, intrigues them to make a reservation, and helps you boost occupancy.

Have you seen those discounted prices on banners where a higher price is always struck out? Well, that’s a good way to go about it. Further, you can make your offer more intriguing by creating packages that include various amenities.

The idea is to tell your guests that they can save money, and you’re likely to get their attention.

But again, shout your offer message louder way before the festivity starts.

(We will talk more about this going forward. Keep reading.)

3. Be strategic about the pricing

Pricing is a supremely sensitive aspect of an accommodation business.

If you price the rooms higher, the guests will ghost you. And if you lower them without conscious thought, you’re prone to witnessing loss.

Then what should you do?

Sell more rooms at the right price and at the right time.

However, it’s easier said than done. Because hoteliers either don’t have the proper knowledge of setting room prices or they don’t simply care.

To help you master hotel room pricing, here are two of my favorite blogs on the topic. These will surely help you understand this top affair and get it right.

• Powerful hotel pricing strategies
• How to identify if your pricing strategies are broken?

4. Start partnering with ethnic brands

Diwali and ethnic themes are a match made in heaven.

If you are reading this, I want you to know that Indians love connecting with ethnic things. Be it food, stationary, clothing, or anything.

Your role here is to bring that ethnic vibe closer to your guests. And one of the best ways to go about it is by partnering with brands that are in the ethnic space.

But what’s next after partnering?

Maybe allow them to set up stalls in your hotel. People would love to visit stalls during their stay and make a purchase.

It’s a win-win.

Your guests are happy, your partnered brands make money, and you make a commission.

5. Host a special event

People want their Diwali to be memorable. And if they are staying at your property, they would expect something special. 

Events are one of those special things that people usually look for when they explore hotels and gateways.

Diwali special events are a great way to attract travelers. They not only boost your occupancy during the festival but also enable you to earn extra by upselling.

When I am saying event it could be anything that goes hand-in-hand with Diwali. Be it a musical concert, gala dinner, etc.

Also, read: Strategies to Boost Events at Your Hotel

6. Plan around the gifts

How about some gifts for your guests?

Already sounds like a plan, isn’t it?

Many hotels think of this as an expense. But that’s wrong, mi amigo.

Gifts, especially during festivals like Diwali, are a great way to build meaningful and long-lasting business-consumer relationships.

When you give gifts to your guests, they’ll have a sense of being admired and valued. And that’s exactly what drives hotels towards becoming a brand that people love.

Therefore, if you are planning to attract guests during Diwali and make it special, do bet on some good gifts.

7. Have a strong hotel technology stack

In this fast-paced and competitive hospitality industry, technology is going to be your sidekick.

If your hotel is the hero, then technology is a counterpoint that offers something you don’t have.

With the right set of hotel technology (especially integrated technology), you not only streamline and automate your hotel’s daily operations but also become capable of delivering a supreme guest experience.

If you haven’t turned to hotel technology, it is not too late yet.

Analyze your hotel, look for all the pain points, and analyze the technologies that can ease things out for you.

During festivals like Diwali, hotels are likely to have a huge inflow of guests and hotel technology is certainly going to support you throughout.

8. Spread the word through marketing

Next up, bet on marketing as much as you can.

You may have the best event coming up, the most intriguing packages and discounts, a supremely flawless operational infrastructure, and many activities to make Diwali awesome.

But what’s the point if no one knows about it?

Well, that’s when marketing comes into the picture.

Leverage every form of marketing, whether it’s posting on Facebook and Instagram, running digital ads, or even putting up hoarding by the highway. 

Not every guest of yours is on the mobile all the time, so it’s not a bad idea to leverage traditional marketing techniques.  

9. Get the messaging right 

In continuation to the previous point, messaging is also a factor that needs to be addressed.

It’s not just your hotel that’s preparing for the festival of lights, there are numerous hotels that must be doing the same.

And if you want to stand out, your messaging has to be simple yet appealing. It needs to create clarity and align your guests to the big picture.

From discounts on rooms to freebies, the marketing message has to touch up every prominent point and intrigue your guests.

10. Focus on post-Diwali stays

Now, what most hotels overlook is the period after Diwali.

Yes, you heard it right.

A few days post-Diwali is also a great opportunity to drive hotel sales.

There are times when people tend to go on small vacations post celebrations. Wedding season also follows after the Diwali. And you as a hotelier cannot afford to miss it.

Here's how you can make your hotel wedding-friendly.

Be strategic about this too. 

Do not replicate the same offers and packages. 

Do your research and come up with strategies that would go in line with post-Diwali preferences of people.  

A Little Something for International Hotels

While I tried to cover almost everything for hotels in India to attract guests during Diwali, I don’t want to miss addressing the same for hotels in other countries.

For many, festivals like Diwali are a perfect excuse for an overseas vacation and they don’t shy away from extending their work leaves a bit for the vacation.

Meaning, this festival is also an excellent time for international hotels to attract Indians and boost revenue.

Now, before you already jump on the bandwagon and start preparing for Diwali, there’s a little something you must keep in mind.

If I plan to travel to some international destination on Diwali, then I would expect certain things to be the same as we do in India.  Maybe I would want to perform puja, gamble in a casino, and even feast on Indian dishes.

We Indians love our festivals and just because we are traveling abroad, we aren’t going straight to the beach or strolling around the city; we are doing our festivity chores first.

So, if you’re reading this, I want you to know that it’s worth every dime to prepare for the festival of Diwali. Get aggressive in your marketing and spread the word.

The post Light Up Your Occupancy: Tips for Attracting Guests During Diwali appeared first on eZee Absolute.

But wait, this time travel isn’t just about vacation. People are meeting clients, attending meetings, closing deals, and getting promoted for their performance, all while traveling.

A little confused?

Here we are talking about Bleisure travel, a travel trend that is gaining tremendous traction from all around the world.

And by looking at the way the hospitality industry has embraced it, bleisure certainly looks like a profitable segment to tap into.

In this blog, I will walk you through the nitty-gritty of bleisure travel and also help you make your hotel ready for it.

Read on, if you want to mint some good revenue out of this new segment.

What Is Bleisure Travel?

Bleisure travel is exactly what you think it is.

Bleisure travel is about combining business travel and leisure travel into one trip. So, what exactly happens is that business travelers extend their stays in order to relax, reduce stress, and take in the sights and sounds of the community.

Additionally, if you aren’t aware, there’s another term for blending business and leisure (or vacation) — it is called “bizcation”.

However, we are going to stick to “bleisure”.

Because, yes, it sounds cool.  

Numbers That Speak for Themselves

What is so fascinating about bleisure travel that it is becoming popular?

Isn’t it boring?

The fact that the primary reason is work, it seems a little unlikely that someone would actually enjoy such trips. 

These are some of the things that I heard from a couple of peers when I was doing my part of the research.

But the more I dug, the more it was becoming evident that bleisure travel is here to stay.

With time, the work and personal lives of travelers are merging. Businesses are becoming empathic towards their employees. Today, they understand that the key to retaining talent is to boost morale and help reduce their stress. Hence, bleisure travel is becoming a go-to element in many corporates.

And this, in turn, presents a great opportunity for hotels to uplift their revenue by tapping into it.

Let me share a few statistics from research by Expedia:

• 32% of respondents said that they travel for work once or twice a month
• 71% of business trips are two to three nights in duration.
• When looking at international business travel, the prevalence of bleisure increases to 52%.
• 66% of bleisure travelers said they spend more money on leisure activities because of the money they saved on travel.
• More than 80% of bleisure travelers said they tend to stay at the same hotel where they stayed on their business trip.

Now, if these numbers don’t convince you about the prominence of bleisure travel, then I don’t know what would.

How Can Hotels Become Bleisure Travel-Ready?

Okay, Harsh. I get it.

I know that bleisure is the thing, currently; and it is going to boom in the coming years as well.

But, what’s next?

How am I going to join the bandwagon?

Are there any ways to attract bleisure travelers?

This is exactly, what you’re thinking, right? Fret, no more. I will help you.

The preferences of bleisure travelers are not the same as others. And if hotels want to make the best out of this set of guests, they must invest their time and efforts to understand bleisure better.

Let’s look at the aspects that a hotel needs to work on:

1. Have a work-centric infrastructure

Of course, bleisure travelers look for leisure. But that’s secondary. Their primary thing on their to-do list is work.

Meaning, apart from a comfortable stay, these travelers also seek co-working spaces or something similar in hotels where they can get their work done without any disturbance or difficulties.

And how can you ensure that? By having the following things on your property:

• Set up multiple workspaces and conference rooms to allow bleisure travelers to work and host other official events.
• Ensure that the hotel is equipped with high-speed internet so that the bleisure guests can work seamlessly.
• Keep spare computers, laptops, and other IT accessories to support them with everything they need to carry out their official tasks.
• Stationaries are also important for bleisure guests during their stay. And when you have them available at your property, it shows that you are detail-oriented.

2. Create offers and packages

Companies love it when everything (all the amenities and service) come in one package. It saves their time and money. And that’s the space where hotels need to play.

Let me explain by the way I think of it.

For instance, there’s this company that wants to host a client meeting in a different city. They have multiple hotel options from that particular city. But it gets a little overwhelming when they have to book everything separately — be it the rooms for their employees or the conference hall they want for the meeting.

But, imagine, your hotel already has predefined packages for such bookings.

Let’s call a package as Premium Corporate Bundle which includes 3 rooms, a dedicated conference hall, breakfast for all guests, and required stationaries.

This makes it a lot easier for companies to make a reservation.

Further, an offer like 10% off on bookings made within 2 days of enquiry (basically, something that drives urgency) increases your chances of making a significant sale.

#ProTip

This presents you with a great opportunity for upselling as well. You can pitch additional services to guests or the company, such as a spa, recreational activities, room upgrades, and more, for extra charges.

Upselling is an efficient option for every property type to boost revenue. And not to mention, stats say, 60% of consumers would be spending more if an additional service compliments or enhances their main purchase.

Want to learn more about upselling?

Read this blog: Unique Ways of Upselling in Hotels

3. Play a strategic marketing game

Marketing is, anyway, at the heart of a hotel business, but when it comes to certain types of trends, it needs a little different approach.

Now, there are various forms of marketing — both in the digital and offline spaces. But you, as a hotelier, should be aware of the channels that are going to yield better results.

The way I think of it is that you first ask yourself this question — Where are my prospects hanging out?

Are they hanging out on LinkedIn? Are they hanging out in some corporate lounge in your nearest airport? Or are they hanging out in some co-working space?

I believe this makes it a little clear where exactly (or on which channels) you should direct your marketing efforts.

Let me give an example.

If I am running online ads, I will focus more on LinkedIn because that’s where my target audience is. When it comes to offline marketing, maybe I would use lounge magazines for advertisements or a billboard right in front of the airport.

4. Leverage loyalty program

Bringing in corporate guests, turning them into bleisure guests, and retaining them is a challenge indeed. However, this can be eased by leveraging loyalty programs.

If you aren’t aware, hotel loyalty programs are reward-based marketing strategies used for guest retention as well as new guest acquisition.

For example, you have had a bleisure booking with a company last year and they signed up for your loyalty program. This year, the company is planning to send its 10 top-performing employees to a different location (where you have your hotel’s other property) for work and vacation.

Now, this is where a loyalty program can help you gain a repeat booking. You can offer that company to utilize their membership card and access the rewards in that property.

Acquiring a new customer is anywhere 5 to 25 times way more expensive than retaining an existing or old one.

Then why not retain the existing ones?

Learn more about loyalty programs here: Hotel Loyalty Program for Maximum Customer Retention

5. Have something exciting on offer

Now, this is my favorite section because we are going to address the “leisure” part of the topic.

How do you make a hotel intriguing for bleisure travelers?

By adding amenities, activities, and services that would help them ease out and relax.

Here are a few things that you can add to your property:

• Have a spa in your hotel for bleisure travelers to soak in hot, bubbly water and relax their minds and improve mental well-being.
• Offer sightseeing or community gathering to help them understand the local culture better.
• You can also take your guests trekking on the nearest hill. Make them set up camp in the woods and spend the night under the starry sky.
• How about some gaming? You can have gaming rooms for millennial bleisure travelers to hop on the couch and play FIFA.
• An in-house bar is also a great way to help travelers rejuvenate after a hectic workweek.

These are just a few ideas that I had in mind. You can always do your own research and see where you can make a difference.

After all, it is BLEISURE and it wouldn’t do any justice if you don’t add some fun-filled and intriguing element to it.  

6. Have a strong distribution strategy in place

Your hotel has multiple options to acquire bookings from. You can list your hotels on OTAs, let your guests book directly from your website or Facebook page, and even acquire reservations from your hotel app.

However, it is crucial to understand where the chances are more of getting reservations. You can either bet on one channel or utilize a plethora of other channels.

Lay a robust distribution strategy to make the right call and become profitable.

Talking about acquiring bookings, there are two prominent technologies to bet on — a booking engine and a channel manager.

A booking engine lets you acquire direct, commission-free bookings, while a channel manager lets you acquire bookings from OTAs and update your inventory in real-time.

So, make sure you have these two technologies in your arsenal.

7. Incorporate a property management system (PMS)

While I have talked about all the brass tacks, it’s time to address the importance of a hotel PMS in this whole shebang.

Doesn’t matter if you’re a branded hotel chain or a new small property, you need a system that can enable your hotel to reach its full potential. And that’s exactly what a PMS does.

From streamlining operations and automating tasks to enhancing the guest experience at your property, a PMS will do everything.

But how do you pick the right software for your hotel?

Let me help you with that too. Click the below button to learn more.

The post The Right Way to Attract Bleisure Travelers to Your Hotel appeared first on eZee Absolute.

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

Unlike the last couple of years, travel trends are predicted to be hefty in 2024. With governments lifting their regulations and organizations still opting to work from home, it is a win-win for hoteliers.

According to Booking.com’s travel predictions, 69% of Indian travellers claim that they didn’t realize the importance of travel on their health until the pandemic.

However, to make the most out of this bustling season, hoteliers must be prepared beforehand. 

We have penned down a blog to reveal the travel predictions for 2024 and how hotel owners and managers can be prepared to embrace these trends.

But before we jump to that, here’s something you might want to know…

Travel Will Be Reimagined In 2024

Summer 2022 was predicted by Expedia Group to be one of the busiest travel seasons ever. And to a great extent, the prediction seems to have proved right.  

From the quarantine season to travelling for relaxation, there was more than one reason behind this forecast becoming true.

It wouldn’t be wrong if you say it was the year of the triumphant return of travel.  

Now, talking about 2024, according  to a report by Government and Public Sector advisory Suraj Nangia, Indian outbound tourism is going to surpass USD 42 billion by 2024.

But does this mean, being an accommodation provider, you can charge mind-boggling prices and take advantage of your guests?

Of course not!

Rather, you should adopt effective strategies to get maximum bookings and make amendments to your property to cater to these travel predictions for the year 2024.

Top Travel Predictions for 2024

From solo trips to community travel, no matter whether the destination is domestic or international, travel predictions play a pivotal role in helping hoteliers strategize and keep up with the ever-rising competition.

Here are some of the trends you need to watch out for: 

1. Workation trends

With work from home taking a toll on mental health and productivity, office-goers are already working from all over the world and organizations are encouraging the same.

Today there are multiple businesses that are promoting the culture of work from anywhere.

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Given the holiday season kicking in, employees are definitely going to make the most out of this trend. 

Being a hotelier, you must be prepared to cater to their needs. From free Wi-Fi to peaceful work-friendly living places, you must ensure that your guests get the right surroundings to work.

Along with these, you can introduce flexible housekeeping routines, free transportation, in-room meals, and more, to give your guests a stay they won’t regret investing in.

Here’s more for you to dig into: 

2. Staycation

Staycations have gained huge momentum lately. 

The idea of having a relaxed and comfortable stay without the pressure of ticking off the sight-seeing spots or activities is something that guests are breathlessly awaiting for, and this is where staycations come in!

One reason, people are now looking for options that are not too far from their homes yet offer an amazing stay; without burning a hole in their pocket.

You can promote your property on OTAs and other relevant channels by emphasizing your location, accessibility, amenities, activities, and services you provide.

Moreover, you can add the precautionary measures that you have been taking to ensure your guests are safe during their stay. You can consider including touch-free services, regular sanitization, contactless guest operations, and other similar services.

3. Embracing the unknown

To escape from the monotony of life, bold adventures are something travellers will be looking forward to. This year’s favourite destinations can include less-explored places to popular locations with extreme sports like paragliding, skiing, bungee jumping, etc.

To make your property the first choice among tourists, the first thing you can do is introduce adventurous sports or activities based on your demographic location. 

For example, if you have an open green meadow you can promote horse riding or polo, or any other similar sport. If located near a beach, you can make use of the private beach and upsell water sports to your guests.

Wondering what to do if you have no such amenity to offer?

Simple, make use of what you have. If your property is located in a serene place, use solidarity as your key factor to attract guests. There are numerous ideas you can think of.

4. Long weekends

With several festivals falling on weekdays, long weekends are something guests are looking forward to this year. From Diwali to Thanksgiving, the calendar looks travelicious!

And what does this mean to you as a hotelier?

To make use of these predictions, you can curate exclusive packages for guests travelling during these long weekends, utilizing the holiday travel season. Additionally, to ensure they choose your property you can create personalized marketing strategies that include offers, discounts on activities, coupons at gift shops, and more. 

Along with these, you can invest in intelligent pricing strategies that will gain you more revenue. We have a detailed blog that will help you set the right pricing strategy for your business.

5. Community connection

Community connection is going to be a sure hit this year. Travelers are looking forward to meeting new people where they can bond and create everlasting memories.

There are several homestays that host Vipassana, camps that attract hundreds of yoga and meditation enthusiasts or people who practice mindfulness to their properties.

Similarly, you can host biking trips and invite bikers from all over the world to take part in the event. Or create a trekking itinerary and use the event to attract adventure lovers to your property.

Music events, yoga camps, summer schools, Zumba, and pottery classes- there are several options to choose from!

This will not only be a direct boost to your revenue but will also promote your property among travellers and enthusiasts. 

6. Bleisure holidays

The thin line between work and life is gradually blurring and so is the difference between business and personal travel. 

The travel industry has witnessed a plethora of changes in the last few years, bleisure travel being one of them. A bleisure holiday is a combination of two words – business & leisure. 

Bleisure holidays typically involve corporate travellers who extend their business trips to relax for a few more days. This works two ways – higher business for properties and on the other hand creates a better work-life balance for the tourists.

To make the most out of these trips and accommodate bleisure tourists at your property there are a few small amenities you might want to have like meeting rooms, workspaces, smart speakers, high-speed internet,  etc.  

Along with these, you can promote leisure activities like a spa, sauna, bar, gym, specific add-ons like complimentary breakfasts, and other similar offers at your property.

7. Travel for self-care

According to a report, about 85% of Indian travelers believe that traveling helps their mental and physical health more than any other mode of relaxation.

Vitamin Vacay is a trending term today, meaning – vacation has become an integral component of one’s well-being.

After years-long travel restrictions, explorers today are acknowledging the importance of travel on their mental and physical health. This has directly urged guests to travel for the upcoming holiday season. 

Tourists today are looking for stays that offer a cozy atmosphere, and relaxing activities like spas, herbal therapies, massages, and more. 

Investing in a massage parlour or a swimming pool can work wonders in dragging these guests to your property. 

If you are looking for more ideas to make your property incorporate the wellness travel trends, we have a complete blog for you:

8. Pet-friendly trips

Pets have been an integral part of people’s lives for ages and today most tourists can’t even think of leaving their pets behind while traveling. Pet parents do not care about spending the extra bucks given their four-legged buddies are welcomed wherever they go.

Apart from the business perspective, hoteliers can build a solid brand image for their property by turning pet-friendly. This can be done easily by maintaining a proper set of rules regulations and prices.

To know more about how you can turn your property pet-friendly, here’s a blog that covers all the nitty-gritty parts of it.  

9. Slow travel

People, with time, have started exploring various forms of travel and slow travel is one of them.

Unlike mainstream tourism, slow travel is more about building connections with local people, cultures, food, and music. You can also say that it is about living the lifestyle of the local communities, remaining sustainable for the environment, and making an emotional impact.

As a hotelier, you can tap into this form of travel and attract a lot of slow travellers to your property. You can partner with the local community, ethnic restaurants, arts and crafts schools, etc. to deliver a great guest experience.

10. Sustainable travel

While I have talked about sustainability in the previous point, it also needs special mention because of its gaining traction. 

According to a report by Booking.com, around 53% of global travellers wanted to travel more sustainably.

Now, not all sustainable travellers look for a hotel and book it the right way. The same report also suggests that around 65% of global travelers crave for serenity of nature indoors and desire green spaces and plants during their stay.

This data is more than enough to show the changes in people’s travel preferences and it’s high time hotels start making efforts to cater to the same. By this, I mean hotel needs to start adopting practices to become eco-friendly.

We have a dedicated blog that talks about how a hotel can become eco-friendly, a property that travellers will love. Do give it a read.

11. Nostalgic escapes

Remember those times back in the 90s when you would travel with your entire family and go to amusement parks?

Well, a similar type of travel is going to be back in fashion in 2024. Booking.com’s travel trends report suggests that 88% of travellers want to go on a nostalgic getaway, escaping to simpler times. Data from another report also states that entertainment and movies have a significant effect on Indian travellers. About 94% of them say they are inclined towards a destination shown in movies or a show.

Meaning, that hotels that are situated near such nostalgic escapes or destinations should start parting with parks and strategizing their marketing approach.

The post Travel Predictions 2024: How Can Hoteliers Be Prepared? appeared first on eZee Absolute.

6 out of 10 people experience stress at work. And, China has the highest rate of workplace stress; 86% to be precise.

Stress is often not limited to the workplace, but there are various other factors that contribute to it. These include monotonous lifestyles, financial breakdowns, social media anxiety, relationship issues, and so on.

To help people break this chain, doctors recommend going on a vacation or taking a break from their daily routine. This is where health and wellness travel is one of the upcoming trends in the hospitality industry. 

If you are new to this concept, this blog is for you. Today, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about health and wellness travel trends, along with some tips for hoteliers to make the best of it. 

What is Health and Wellness Travel?

Health and wellness travel is going on a vacation, staying at a retreat hotel, and indulging in various activities for mental and physical well-being. This involves going for therapeutic sessions like Ayurvedic spa treatment, being a part of yoga training sessions, or meditation classes, that can help in the rejuvenation of mind and body.

Often this stay lasts from a week to a month. In fact, most of the retreat hotels are offering a workation to guests, opting for health and wellness travel. Meaning, they can stay, experience therapeutic sessions, and simultaneously work from the property. 

Nowadays, many organizations are encouraging their staff to go for such workation and take a break from their routine, especially for those working from home.

Why is Health and Wellness Travel Trending?

As I mentioned earlier, stress is quite common these days. In fact, WHO has declared that depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. 

Traveling is said to be an effective treatment for stress. Whenever you visit any destination, the first thing that helps you get out of depression is the change in surroundings. Secondly, you tend to meet different people, make new friends, and share your stories with them. 

Now, when you add the health and wellness factor to it, the trip becomes more productive, indulging, and rejuvenating. Reason being, the activities you do gives you a sense of relaxation, and calmness, and help you break free from the shackles of stressful thoughts. 

Let me share my experience with you. I lost my job in 2020, and I was sitting idle for around 6 months. I tried my hands on certain things like teaching, business, multi-level marketing, and whatnot. But none of them worked.

Eventually, I became depressed and had to seek a way to get rid of it. That’s when I thought of traveling to ‘Rishikesh  – The Yoganagiri’. The trip lasted for almost a week. 

My stay was clubbed with meditation sessions, yoga classes, and other stress-relieving activities. And trust me, it literally worked. I came out of depression, had a relaxed state of mind, and gained good control over my anger.  

This is not just my story. There are various people out there who opt for this kind of wellness travel to get rid of stressful issues and work on their physical and mental well-being. That’s why health and wellness travel is a trend among people.

What are Different Kinds of Health and Wellness Travel Trends?

When it comes to health and wellness travel trends, it is not just limited to one single category. Here are some of the prominent ones.

1. Sustainable travel 

We are all aware that the earth is in grave danger owing to global warming. Hence, various organizations are adopting eco-friendly ways to help save the environment. And, so are the hotels. 

Sustainable tourism is one of the ongoing travel trends in the hospitality industry. Guests often look forward to staying in a hotel that has adopted sustainable ways. This helps them live in a clean, refreshing, and healthier environment. 

For instance, many hotels are switching to renewable energy resources to reduce their carbon footprints. This includes opting for solar-powered water heaters instead of coal and wood-based. 

Another commonly accepted measure is organic products. There are many properties that have resorted to disinfectants, room fresheners, and toiletries that are made from natural products and are chemical-free. 

These kinds of initiatives are appreciated by guests, and in turn, give a boost to a sustainable lifestyle. In fact, as per a report shared by IMARC Group, the global ecotourism market size reached US$ 172.4 Billion in 2022. It is expected to reach US$ 374.2 Billion by 2028, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9% during 2023-2028.

Considering these stats and figures, it could be rightly said that ecotourism is one of the emerging health and wellness travel trends.

2. Tours for physical wellness 

Physical wellness is not just about going to the gym, building muscles, or having 6-pack abs. It’s more about developing your flexibility, agility, and reflexes. 

There are many martial arts form famous across the world, such as Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta, Judo, Kushti, and Tai Chi, that help open up your muscles and make you more flexible. Additionally, they also help in improving agility. But, how can traveling help you with that? 

Well, many guests look for hotels providing packages that include such activities. In fact, there are retreat properties that have martial arts experts on their premises. Where, guests can come, stay for a long duration, and do a crash course during their vacation.

Not only this, indulging in sports such as trekking, mountain climbing, cycling, and marathons helps in physical well-being. And even they are quite popular among guests. Let me share an example for the same.

In Bali, Indonesia, there is a rocky mountain cycling tour that starts at 4 AM in the morning. This involves visiting Mount Batur to witness the glorious sunrise and glimpse the iconic volcanic mountain. And it’s one of the sought-after activities by travelers for leisure and physical well-being.

There are thousands of other destinations promoting such sports to help travelers indulge in physical activities during their vacations. Some of the famous ones are:

• Kayaking in Costa Rica
• Scuba diving in Spain
• River rafting in North India
• Skiing in Whistler (Canada)
• Skydiving in New Zealand

3. Traveling for mental health

Yoga is widely accepted across the world as a path to restore mental balance, attain peace, and improve physical well-being. There are 84 asanas in yoga, and of that, meditation is the most recommended to channel your thoughts and have control over your mind. 

Here’s a scenario that will help you understand the reason behind it. Imagine yourself sitting on the mountainside with a mesmerizing view of surrounding valleys and greenery-clad peaks. 

Once you close your eyes and focus on your breath, you’ll start hearing the melodious music of nature. And every gust of breeze flowing through your hair seems like sweeping away all your worries. With time, you’ll find yourself a bit closer to attaining nirvana and filled with a surge of positive vibes.

This is just one scenario. People often travel to natural places just to experience serenity. Opting for yoga sessions during such trips can help in improving your mental wellness. 

That’s where hotels come into the picture. Guests can book a stay for a long duration in hotels located at remote/natural destinations and experience a yogic lifestyle. 

In fact, retreat/wellness properties offering yoga training are perfect for guests to rejuvenate themselves. Here are some interesting facts about yoga tourism shared by Book Retreats,

• There are around 300 million yoga practitioners worldwide.
• Of these, around 86% have reported a strong sense of mental clarity.
• There are approx 20,000 yoga retreats in the world.
• The worth of the yoga industry is a whooping US$84 billion worldwide.

I guess these stats are more than enough to justify the fact that the yogic way of living is one of the health and wellness travel trends of 2024. 

4. Therapeutic travel

Last but not least is therapeutic travel. As the name suggests, this involves traveling to destinations to receive a therapeutic massage or attaining therapy sessions. 

You might be aware of the famous Ayurvedic spa treatments offered in Kerala. Travelers visiting there often opt for it. And considering its popularity, many hotels have started including spa therapy sessions as a part of travel packages. 

There are basically three widely accepted Ayurvedic treatments by properties in India, viz;

• Abhiyangam
• Shirodhara therapy
• Panchakarma 

These therapy sessions last for a week or two. Out of these 3 sessions, the former two are opted for by travelers only if recommended by doctors. Talking about the latter one, it can be experienced by any guest for rejuvenation purposes. 

Word to wise: If you opt for Abhiyangam or Shirodhara, ensure you consult your doctor first. In case you have any medical history, do not go for it.

5. Rehab tourism

Rehab Tourism is one of the quirkiest types of wellness travel.

Yes, you heard it right.

For those who aren’t aware of this form of travel, it is a vacation where travelers mostly seek treatment for their addiction problems.

The reason behind rehab tourism gaining traction is that a basic vасаtіоn-lіkе trеаtmеnt wоrkѕ well for most treatment seekers. This form of treatment and travel is not trаumаtіzing to the traveler (the patient, to be precise) аѕ оutrіght еxреnѕіvе hоѕріtаlіzаtіоn.

To make this approach of rehab effective, centers and hospitality businesses are partnering up to curate a ѕоft аррrоасh that nоt оnlу аttrасts recovering аddісtѕ but also helps in significantly асhіеve соurѕе соmрlеtіоn rаtеѕ.

Despite being a farewell new trend, it seems to be catching up at a good speed as it is focused totally on delivering health and wellness.

If you think, you and your hotel can be a part of this cause, then it is certainly a great way to jump into the trend and offer what’s best for people.

How can Hotels Tap into this Segment?

Hotels play a pivotal role in health and wellness travel. After all, they are the accommodation providers to travelers opting for wellness tourism. 

They can make the best of it by providing facilities associated with health and wellness travel at their property. Be it introducing the concept of yoga, physical activities, or therapeutic sessions.

But whilst you partner with such service providers, it’s important that they have certified practitioners. Or go for ones that have been associated with these segments for a long time and have good client reviews.

For therapeutic sessions, it is mandatory to check if the person giving it has proper certification in the same. Also, ensure that s/he is using proper oils and equipment to deliver it the way it’s supposed to be. 

The Kairali group in India is the best example of a retreat property. They have a plethora of packages with almost every type of Ayurvedic massage for the guests. Moreover, travelers can combine it with yoga sessions to complete their treatment cycle and feel completely rejuvenated. 

Trust me, I’ve stayed at their properties and went under a treatment for my spinal issue. The results were quite amazing, and to date I recommend everyone to experience it themselves.

Here is a video that’ll compel you to go for it. 

What does the Future of Health and Wellness Tourism Look Like? 

Post-pandemic, people are more concerned about their well-being. And after a long work from home, everyone is looking forward to a break to rejuvenate themselves. That’s why various health and wellness programs are being reintroduced in the hospitality industry. 

The concept is not new, but it has gained momentum in recent years. Moreover, it has helped people to start things afresh. 

Even now, people opting for workation are looking for places that can aid in improving their physical well-being and finding inner peace. This has led to exponential growth in wellness tourism.  

It can be rightly said that health and wellness travel is one of the trends in the hospitality industry with a bright future.

The post Heard of Travelasana? The Top Health and Wellness Travel Trends in 2024 appeared first on eZee Absolute.

If you’ve a property at a beautiful destination and offer special tariffs for solo travelers, then marketing it to me is a good opportunity for you. 

You see, every guest, whether potential, frequent, or in-house, follows certain travel habits, and it’s necessary for hotels to identify them.

I know you would be having certain questions such as: What are travel habits? Is it really important to determine them? How to understand travel behavior?

Let me give answers to all your questions in this blog.

What are travel habits?

Travel habits, also known as travel behaviour, can be simply defined as common traits that guests follow while traveling to any destination. It could be booking patterns, requested amenities or services, reasons and frequency of travelling, or any other factor that can help you in understanding your guests better.

Not only this, there are several other reasons why you should be investing time in understanding travel behavior, let’s take a look at them.

Why is it necessary to understand travel behavior?

One of the prime reasons for understanding travel behavior is to know what travelers are seeking around the world. You can even learn some of them from your frequent guests.

Apart from that, it can help you serve your guests more efficiently, as you would be aware of their requirements and expectations from a hotel. This will give you an edge over your competitors and facilitate major guest retention.

Another important reason for identifying travel behavior is effective target marketing. What’s that?

Well, you may be aware of marketing as per guest segment, this is somewhat similar to that. However, this is more of an individual approach, where you target a specific person at a time. If done right, it can benefit you in the long run.

What are the most common travel habits?

The traveler community has evolved over time; so have their travel habits. For instance, before the internet era, people used to plan their journeys 3 months prior.

Moreover, finding a hotel for staying in was either through travel agents, tourism magazines, or referrals from friends and family. I still remember, whenever I traveled with my parents, we used to roam around for hours searching for a perfect place to stay.

As I said, things change with time. Nowadays, people are inclined towards spontaneous travel plans. This has led hotels to promote last-minute bookings amongst such guests.

Before you start understanding travel behavior, let me give you a list of some of the common ones to make your work easier.

• Budget and solo traveling
• Exploring off-beat destinations
• Light traveling
• Visiting local attractions
• Learning and trying regional cuisines
• Opting for free breakfast
• Look for hotels with Wi-Fi
• Search for sustainable staying options

Whilst these are some general traits that can help you, there are some guests’ travel habits that can be a reason for your loss:

• Improper reviews to cash out some extra benefit from hotels
• Stealing from hotel
• Creating unnecessary ruckus

Some of these would’ve been observed by you as well. You can find and list them using the strategies I have mentioned ahead. 

How to understand travel behavior?

Without further ado, let’s get straight to addressing the core part of the blog – understanding travel behavior of guests.

1. Check every guest’s booking history

To begin with, analyse your booking history. It’ll help you in identifying which guests have: 

• Often opted for last-minute bookings;
• Stayed mostly on weekends or a fortnight only;
• Travelled during season;
• Booked room with the lowest tariff;
• Selected room with CP plan;
• Made booking from the website and OTAs;
• Whether travelled solo or with a group.

Based on such details you can create certain customised packages for your guests and promote them accordingly. Moreover, a personalised package adhering to a particular guest’s preferences is definitely a successful strategy to win them.

2. Analyse orders during previous stay

Another important aspect that needs to be considered in analysing is, food habits. People are now becoming more health conscious and fitness enthusiasts. 

In fact, these days, many GenZ and millennials’ travel habits include opting for healthy food whenever they stay in a hotel. In addition to this, most of them are adopting the “Go Vegan” trend.

So, when you are analysing your guests’ profiles, check for their previous orders. Also, don’t forget to see if they have made any particular requests or recommendations which can be implemented at your property.

3. Understand their reviews and feedback

Reviews and feedback are a vital component of a hotel’s online reputation. But did you know, they can be used for understanding travel behavior?

Yes, indeed, they can be. Let’s take this review for an instance.

If you see, the guest (Mr Juan) is quite satisfied with the cleanliness of the hotel. However, if you read further, he opted for CP plan, but didn’t find the breakfast upto his expectations.

Now, when you market your property to him, you can emphasise on the breakfast part. Moreover, you can offer a complimentary one for this previous experience.

Similarly, you need to analyse your hotel’s reviews from multiple OTAs to understand travel behavior of your guests. Investing in a reputation management software would ease out this task for you and save your efforts as well.

Also, go for compset analysis. All you need to do is see what your guests have to say about your competitors.

Their most criticised factors could prove to be the best weapon in your arsenal while target marketing.

4. Use survey forms

I’m sure you’d be urging your guests to share their review on the online booking platforms. But it’s uncertain that they would do it or not.

So, why not collect their feedback at the property itself. No, not on those platforms, but internally, for further analysis.

I used to do this during my internship. Every time a guest would come to the reception for checking out, we had a protocol to give guests a survey form. It would have simple MCQs regarding experience they had at the property and what can be done to make it better.

Next day our manager would analyse them, and brief us during meetings on what steps can be taken to enhance that guest’s experience during the next visit.

And guess what, it worked. We identified a travel habit of one of our frequent guests. He always booked a room for single pax and opted for one with a balcony to smoke up. 

Eventually, next time he visited us, we offered him a perfect room without even him asking for it. Results? Happy guest, improved brand loyalty, and better guest satisfaction.

So, consider this example and use this step for understanding the travel behavior of your guests.

5. Keep yourself updated with trends

The points I’ve mentioned above are mainly useful for understanding the traits of your hotel’s guests. Let me tell you how you can understand the travel behavior of tourists across the world.

I always say, “Either be the trend, or follow it”. In this digital era, being in trend is the next big thing.

The best way to find out about them is by bringing social media to your aid. All you need to do is just follow hashtags and accounts that are relatable to your business, such as:

• #hotel
• #hoteltrend
• #trending
• #trendinghotels
• #hotelguests
• #traveltrend
• #travelcommunity
• #hospitalitytrends

Once you start following them, you’ll get the posts pertaining to them in your feed. You can see why guests are recommending other hotels, what kind of services those properties offer, and try to implement them at your property. 

For example, many guests have a habit of posting pictures of the view from their hotel’s room on social media. If you have such USP at your property, it’s time to market it to such travelers.

Another way is staying in touch with bloggers. You can bookmark some of the famous hospitality and tourism blogs websites to stay updated with travel trends and deploy the feasible ones at your hotel.

6. Connect with travel agents for insights

Travel agents have been a crucial part of the hospitality industry for a long time. From getting hotels booked over multiple calls to handling reservations with mere clicks, they’ve seen an evolution in guests’ travel habits over the period.

You should connect with them and learn about what kind of bookings and hotels, travelers are looking for. Check if they have guests looking for a particular amenity or facility that you can cater to.

7. Don’t forget OTA Managers

Last but not least, OTAs. There’s no doubt that they generate a huge chunk of business for hotels, and over the last few years, their popularity amongst travelers has grown exponentially.

If you want to understand guests’ travel behavior across the world, OTA managers are one of the sources to learn about them. They are usually  in touch with major hotels and often analyse them to guide hoteliers on how they can increase bookings. 

It could be either by promoting most sought room meal plans, any specific room category, last-minute offers, or some other factor as per the market demand. Staying in touch with them will help you in understanding the ongoing travel traits which can be used for further benefits.

The post Why Understanding Travel Behavior Is Necessary For EVERY Hotel? appeared first on eZee Absolute.