Hotel & Motel Management - December 27, 2007 - (Page 106) » BY ST EPH A NIE RICCA, M A N AG ING EDI TOR Internet, breakfast top consumer wish lists t’s all about the bed. And the complimentary breakfast. And above all, don’t forget the free, high-speed wireless Internet access. This year consumers voiced opinions about their personal preferences when it comes to hotel services and amenities on Hotel & Motel Management’s ConsumerInsights pages, which showcased trends among business and leisure travelers, as researched by Ypartnership. Based on those results (available online at www.hotelmotel.com/consumertrends), it’s clear that free wireless and wired Internet access will become even more important in 2008 for both business and leisure travelers. In 2007 alone, 23 percent of business travelers said they would switch hotel brands if a log-on fee was charged. Flat-panel TV installations continue to make headlines, but consumers value free breakfast over TV technology. Hotels, take note: Yes, the upgrade to the latest in TVs will trickle down to all segments, but breakfast improvements—for business travelers and vacationers alike—will always win rave reviews. I More than in leisure travelers find a premium quality mattress extremely or very important when selecting accommodations As more brands open that cater to Generation X, hoteliers might consider the fact that younger travelers like options when it comes to check-in and check-out, whether that’s online, with a personal data assistant or through a kiosk. But baby boomers likely will prefer the personal touch, so traditional service will never go out of style. Travel trends influence consumer decisions, and business travel still is up. Thirty-five percent of business travelers planned more business trips in 2007, Ypartnership president and c.e.o. Peter Yesawich wrote in May [“Forecast: Partly sunny, slight chance of showers,” May 21, 2007], and that group will continue to expect amenities like upgraded beds and complimentary breakfast in all segments. One consumer trend to keep a close eye on in 2008: green. The industry is divided as to definitions, but a recent study Ypartnership co-authored with the Travel Industry Association of America showed that the consumer preference for green lodging will grow. Fifty-four percent of respondents stated they “would be more likely to patronize hotels or resorts they knew practiced environmental responsibility,” Yesawich wrote [“Consumers will pay for green, but only to a point,” Nov. 5, 2007]. As green awareness rises among consumers over the next few years, its effect on the lodging industry is sure to become more visible. sricca@questex.com All chart data exerpted from charts printed by HOTEL & MOTEL MANAGEMENT in 2007. Data based on surveys conducted by Ypartnership in 2007. 6 10 How much are you willing to pay for high-speed Internet access? 23% of all respondents said they would pay nothing and chose not to stay at a hotel/motel/resort if it did not offer free high-speed Internet access The importance of in-room entertainment, breakfast and newspapers when traveling for business: Complimentary breakfast daily 37% of all respondents said they would pay nothing but would stay at a hotel/motel/resort even if it did not offer free high-speed Internet access 63% 106 HOTEL & MOTEL MANAGEMENT | THE ADVISOR DECEMBER 2007 www.HotelMotel.com http://www.hotelmotel.com/consumertrends http://www.HotelMotel.com
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