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| Topic: Hotel Business Current and Future Trends |
Hospitality has long been synonymous with the hotel industry. Any
changes in trends of hotel business have wide scale implications on an
otherwise diverse industry. What might be an opportunity for a traveler
can be a matter of survival for hotels? It will not be an
oversimplification to suggest that the emerging concepts in hotel
industry reveal an atmosphere of stiff competition. Here is a look at a
few major issues:
Is Green better?
Amid growing concern over environment friendly services, a majority
of travelers now prefer Green and Eco lodgings. Recent surveys by trade
associations such as Partnership Travel Industry Association and online
retailers like Yahoo revealed that nearly seventy percent of the
tourists are willing to pay extra when it comes to environmental
friendly lodgings. These surveys further revealed that these guests
will pay anywhere from nine to ten percent premium on the already
advertised prices.
What can be stated as a welcome relief for the educated traveler
might pose real challenges for the hotel business. To better understand
the scenario, it should be noted that hotels are presently facing
severe shortages in occupancy rates which are at their lowest since
1971. Such a crisis and lack of funds can definitely hamper any efforts
to install appliances that comply with the LEEDS standards (Leadership
in Energy & Environmental Design). Some experts agree that a trade
off may lead hotels into removing free amenities that include little
bottles of shampoos, jams and free basket of fruits; all of which are
the hallmark of these eco lodgings.
Where have the Workers gone?
The hotel industry gives employment at a very large proportion of
part time workers, who after gaining substantial experience, leave for
other lucrative jobs at restaurants and outdoors. Low wages in the
hotel industry is one of the primary reasons for low retention rates.
Hotel industry Gurus are already thinking of ways to attract and
retain qualified workers by increasing the pay scales and by reducing
the long working hours. The top management is now devising constructive
methods that will retain the existing workers by sponsoring education
and creating attractive career paths.
Mega Hotels
The rising cost of construction and a struggling real estate has
prompted hoteliers to deploy the pre-fabricated and cost effective
solution in the construction of new hotels. In fact they are fighting
back by producing highly efficient designs that utilize a greater
proportion of space for revenue generating purpose. Future trends in
the hotel construction will seek to maximize the use of building areas
by constructing a multi purpose facility that will include Casinos,
shopping outlets and Theatres. The stand alone hotel concept is likely
to vanish as the new properties will be constructed as a mixed use
development to provide guests with facilities such as Church, Hospitals
and Theme Parks. Such a variety will ensure that guests remain at one
spot which will help generate revenue for the entire hotel complex.
The evolution of savvy traveler
The evolution of internet has given rise to a phenomenon where
travelers are becoming ever more demanding. Industry professionals
suggest that an increase in a trend, to review properties online, will
make travelers less forgiving as they are able to post their travel
experiences. Such an overemphasis on web may even lead to stiff
competition and price reduction strategies where only large players may
be able to survive.
To ward of such threats, the small business owner is now turning
towards opening a boutique establishment as an alternate to 70s style
motels. Such niche properties are popping up everywhere by advertising
a more personalized "home away from home" kind of experience. The
introduction of such boutique properties has also given rise to the
popular and widely accepted theme of modern hostels. These hostels are
keen to provide a clean and safe environment for budget conscious
travelers. Their goal is to wipe out the myths associated with cheap
motels and dingy guesthouses.
Whatever may be the case, one thing is for sure that constant
remodeling of the hotel industry has made it more functional and
practical not only for the guests but also for the hotel owners. |
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Articles by hoteljob.in.th | 2009-11-29 22:02:21 |
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