By Katie Scheer
A key to longevity, success, and profitability is to stay on top of trends, and it’s even more optimal to be the trendsetter. We do market research and competitor analysis at >3,000 global hotels per year so we witness, see, and hear what initiatives are being implemented and what is trending in this fast-paced, highly competitive industry. Here’s our professional take on the top hospitality trends that you should capitalize on in 2015:
- Apps are being developed and used to directly connect guests/planners with hotels and to make communication more efficient and turnkey. These apps can perform mobile check-in, operate as a digital concierge so you can set/schedule preferences and reservations, and more.
- Healthy food options, tableside ordering, and upscale buffets are becoming more and more popular in catering.
- Cake pops, dessert buffets, and cupcakes are often used in place of wedding cakes. Signature specialty drinks, late night snacks, and photo booths are also “hot” additions to wedding receptions.
- More and more ballrooms are getting modernized in look and now include uplights with improved technology.
- Virtual tours are available online that allow you to see the hotels as if you are there walking through them. What better way to make sure that the look and feel is what you are going for!
- 2-3 different speeds of internet are being offered to hotel guests so they can choose a fast enough service to do what they need to do.
- Minibars are becoming a thing of the past. If hotels keep the refrigerators, they offer to stock them if the guest wishes.
- Easy accessibility is being enhanced through a comprehensive online and social presence. Hotels are maintaining very organized websites that have venue menus and details and are conducting daily marketing efforts through interactive social media posts and campaigns.
- Gift shops are quick to point out that toiletries can be retrieved at the front desk at no cost, even if they sell the items at the shop. Also, while many gift shops are offering universal/travel cell phone and tablet chargers, many hotels allow guests to borrow them from the concierge at no charge.
- Many catering, room service, and restaurant menus not only offer healthy meal options catering to many dietary preferences and needs, but they also note which menu items are gluten free, vegan, nut free, organic, and heart healthy. Also, the farm-to-table concept and more protein options for salads are also growing in popularity. In addition, many offer sushi or have a sushi restaurant on property.
- Many hotels at least offer free WiFi in public areas of the hotel.
One thing that will always be on trend and is the core driving force behind measuring “how you are doing” is how satisfied your customers are with you. Your customers create the need and demand of these trends; therefore, you have to listen, react, and respond by delivering or they will take their business elsewhere. So if you do jump on this trend bandwagon, make sure that you are on top of delivering the best customer experiences and cater all of these suggestions to your customer personas.
