Take a look at some hospitality industry trends and accommodation industry trends for 2021!
Since the outbreak of Covid-19, significant changes have occurred in the hospitality industry and accommodation industry. Here is some insight into what you can expect to see from the hospitality and accommodation industries in 2021 and on wards.
Contactless Services
There has been a clear rise in the popularity of contactless and digital services, such as mobile check-ins, contactless payments, voice control and facial recognition. It has been predicted that guests will eventually expect these same conveniences when accessing hotel rooms. Although allowing for fingerprint recognition and touch free technology upgrades will be costly and not feasible for all hoteliers to install and maintain.
Hotel Community
There has also been a rise in hotels changing their interior design styles to evoke a sense of homeliness and a more informal atmosphere. This helps to close the gab between guests and locals, encouraging an inviting feeling of hotel community among guests and staff. More and more travellers are seeking experiences that give back to local communities or offer niche adventures and things like personally catered packages.
Stay-cations
Since travel restrictions were implemented in 2020, there has been a rise in “staycations” from those that usually jet set, choosing instead to stay home or visit local areas. There has been a rise in time spent outdoors, both locally and when travelling. This could be because the spread of Covid-19 was less likely to be spread outdoors; areas that cater to hiking, biking, national parks etc.
A new generation
A new, younger generation of travellers has emerged, with different requirements than older generations. While older generations are thinking about hotels and car rentals, younger generations are thinking about AirBNB and Uber. Value travellers are always in search of experiences that offer both great value and price.
Location Location Locaiton!
While newsletters, social platforms and websites are great tools for communicating with customers, it will be more important that ever to make it easier for locals to find your business. Implementing tools such as “google my business” will become a must.
Sustainability
With the elimination of touch points where possible, sustainability and environmental considerations are also high on the list of considerations for guests. For example, eliminating unnecessary paper consumption with the use of opt-in receipts. Accommodation and hospitality businesses are encouraged to make eco-friendly switches where ever possible. Vegan friendly options are also proving to have environmental advantages. Vegan and plant based diets are increasing in popularity as more people are becoming health-conscious.
Staying ahead
After the peak of the pandemic, many restaurants and hotels had no other choice but to close their doors. Now that a fresh year has begun, we may begin to see new restaurants start up with a focus on sustainability, delivery, contactless pick up and payment and of course an increased use in technology wherever possible. And accommodation areas offering more virtual tours, online check-ins and delivered to door options.
Virtual Assistants
Along with digital check-ins, virtual tours and augmented realities are more popular than ever before. Offer your guests a virtual sneak peak of local areas, hotel rooms and views to entice them to book with you and not your competitors. To help assist guests online at any hour, many businesses have introduced chat bots to answer frequently asked questions and offer a direct greeting online.
The future is now
Technology plays a huge part before, after and during a visit. Along with being used for booking, finding out what there is on offer and checking out. Technology is also expected for in-room services like food delivery and internet access. Many accommodation businesses have revised their business plans to stay in the game and get the most from under-used spaces. Some have gained extra revenue by providing month-to-month accommodation like a unit. Others are offering high-speed internet services and work-friendly spaces.
Cleaning and Sanitation
Sanitation and cleaning standards have sky-rocketed since the outbreak of Covid-19. It is now expected that there are two levels of cleanliness in a space; cleaning and sanitation. Customers are willing to play their part by washing hands frequently, wearing masks and social distancing as needed. But it is expected that hotels rooms receive thorough cleaning and sanitation between check-ins. And that restaurants are being extra cautions with food preparation and disinfecting tables and counters between customers.
