The year 2023 is definitely the year of travel!
According to the latest research the number of trips taken this year is expected to increase by 40% compared to previous years. This data opens up new opportunities for hotels to grow and develop.
New safety standards, ecological popularity, and a focus on providing exceptional experiences and personalized approaches to each guest are expected. With the help of technological innovations, the hotel industry will strive to improve service quality and adapt to the needs of modern travelers.
Below we delve into hotel trends that will make 2023 a year of unforgettable traveler experiences.
Hospitality trends
Rapid technological development
Technological advancement is accelerating automation and personalization in hotels.
Booking.com statistics indicate that as many as 47% of respondents want digital services when booking and staying, such as online check-in.
How can hotels provide such services to their guests?
An important step is to transition to automation, which can make operations and reception work 70% easier compared to manual management.
Providing such a system offers cost and time efficiency and enables staff to focus on the requests and needs of their guests.
One of the newer approaches to hotel trends is virtual reality. This type of technology allows travelers to explore and plan their hotel stay before even arriving at the destination. It also helps in creating virtual tours of the hotel, allowing hotels to attract more guests. However, according to Booking.com data, 60% of respondents claim that virtual travel cannot replace a true experience, but can serve as a basis for decision-making.
Sustainability
Ecology and sustainability have become increasingly important issues in recent years. Guests are becoming more aware of the need for social responsibility, so hotels must offer their guests environmentally friendly options.
According to research, 58% of travelers want to see hotels using more sustainable practices such as recycling, the use of renewable energy sources, and waste reduction. Hoteliers will focus on reducing their ecological footprint and technology will be of great help in this. For example, sensors will be used to reduce energy consumption in hotels, and digitization will enable the reduction of paper and waste
New destinations, new challenges
As tourism recovers from the crisis, more and more hotels are opening up in new destinations, including lesser-known cities, mountain peaks, and rural areas that offer unique experiences and extraordinary nature.
Almost 73% of travelers want to experience travel outside of their comfort zone, and 30% of them want to explore lesser-known cities. Health and safety standards are key in choosing a destination this year.
Hoteliers strive to offer guests as many diverse services in their facility as possible, including wellness and spa, sports activities, and outdoor activities.
Traveler preferences vary and it is difficult to predict their desires. Some hotels use data analytics to predict new trends and develop offerings for such destinations. On the other hand, some hotels focus on improving tourist attractions in existing destinations to attract guests to something completely new and authentic.
Guest experience
Hotels around the world have been focusing on improving the guest experience in recent years, from customizing the room to the guest’s preferences to offering personalized food and beverage offerings.
According to research, 53% of travelers believe they will have a better experience if hotels collect and use guest data to personalize the experience and guest satisfaction. By collecting data, hotel staff can ensure that all needs are met and that activities that are most relevant are offered.
Hotel technology can contribute to an improved experience. By using guest app, hotels can allow guests to customize their needs before arriving at the hotel. There are also special services such as tours, city tours, or special dinners, providing them with special treatment that is in line with their individual interests.
Personalized experiences are significant in achieving long-term guest loyalty. When hotels take into account the needs of their guests and provide them with a unique and unforgettable stay, they will feel valued and will return again.
