2017 promises to be a year of big changes. The global hotel industry has evolved continuously and there are a lot more changes to come. We have selected the top three trends that will most directly impact the hospitality and tourism industry in the Caribbean.
Smartphones and Customized Service
The role of the smartphone has continued to grow and has changed every aspect of the hospitality business. With new technology, guests can skip the registration desk and go directly to their room by checking-in on your mobile phone or via tablet at a formal front desk. They can also pick their room directly from their phone, and unlock their room door which will be programmed to only open when their mobile device is nearby. They will also be able to control all other aspects of the room such as lighting, AC, and reservations for dinners and other hotel services.
While the mobile based technologies offer wonderful conveniences, they also provide hotels with ample data and new channels to better market to future guests. It allows the hotel to track trends and identify how they can best follow them. Personalized travel is on the rise and consumers want to feel important. Consumers want personalized, on-demand recommendations that help them live like the locals. And they want you as the hotelier to supply that experience. Companies like Airbnb capitalize on new trend by enabling consumers to travel on their own terms in new cities and neighborhoods. Implementing a 2017 strategy with mobile based customized service at its core will help properties increase its overall booking and ancillary revenues.
Back to Basics
With all of the new technology, updated hotel designs, customer service innovations, website development and all other factors that play into providing a unique experience to guests, it is ever more important for us to remember the basics: a good night’s sleep.
Fifty-five percent of travelers said they look for reviews that specifically address sleep quality, according to TripAdvisor. Eighteen percent said they look for hotels that offer special “sleep perks”. There are many ways hotels are addressing this most basic need, and all of these sleep amenities are becoming a large draw for new guests and brand builders for returning guests.
Wellness Travel
In recent years, more people around the world have begun to recognize the importance of wellness – a trend which has seen the value of the industry increase year-on-year. The various segments making up the wellness travel are diverse and include, among others, healthy eating and weight loss, fitness, alternative medicine, the spa industry, and have also tied in closely with environmental and cultural conservation. During a national survey by market research company Nielsen Scarborough in spring 2016, 13.71 million people said that they had used day spa services within the past 12 months.