Considering the future of the hotel industry after Covid-19, many within the travel and hospitality industry are already looking ahead to determine what long-term
luxury hotel trends may hold for their businesses.
Unlike other trends in the past (overtourism, passenger shaming, frequent flier program changes), the new luxury travel paradigm heading into 2022 is mostly positive.
Keeping an eye out for the latest
top hospitality & hotel trends can help you stay abreast of all the changes in the industry and any events that impact how you do business.
Things aren’t going back to ‘normal’; things are evolving to a new level.
1. Will staycations still be extremely popular in 2022?
Staycations shot up throughout 2020 & 2021 as there were massive restrictions on international travel during these times.
These increased staycations will help to bring lost business to the luxury hotel industry and will help to rebuild the position that hotels lost due to the pandemic.
Many more people know high-end hotel brands than before (as they have been raising their brand awareness in the local stay market) and they too want to experience luxury in their own country.
Hotels are an experience unto themselves.
The industry is growing fast across the country and hotels are tapping celebrity chefs, cool spa partners, hot amenities, attractions and events that speak to the local.
As we move towards 2022, we envisage people will continue to book staycations as well as holidays abroad.
It’s a good idea to check your market to see what travelers are looking for and how you can bring the the experiences they want to your hotel, without losing the attraction of the local area.
If you want to have guests returning year-on-year, you must get the balance right.
2. Experiential holidays are growing in popularity
Travel has always been about experiencing different cultures.
Luxury hotels have an advantage in what they can offer in terms of retreats and niche holidays.
For example they can look to add recreational activities like yoga, which is beneficial for both mind and body, and signals that the hotel is offering a relaxing break for their customer after a significantly stressful year.
Pet travel is going to a whole new level this year.
More airports and hotels are becoming pet friendly.
Other examples are family adventure holidays or stag and hen parties.
You could partner with local businesses that provide fun activities, such as caving, kayaking, horse riding and golf to create a package deal that will entice people to book their stay in your hotel.
3. Encourage working from home days
Working from home during lockdown seemed to increase productivity.
Even when offices reopen, many workplaces might still consider working from home or move to a hybrid working pattern.
As a luxury hotelier you can encourage a “working from home day” package with food, teas, coffees, and high-speed internet in your hotel.
This is a good idea specially for quieter weekdays.
Another package could be scheduled on a Friday with the ability to extend over the weekend and use a gym pass.
In this way, you’ll encourage regulars to become guests at your hotel.
4. Smart rooms are on the rise
Technology is ever evolving, and the internet of things is spreading in hotel rooms as well.
Luxury hotels are providing streaming services or a room key on your smartphone.
The essential hotel amenities in a guestroom are becoming increasingly digitized.
Hotel technology can help hotel staff run a much smoother and more efficient service and will improve the guest’s experience.
Technology such as smart controls, voice-activated controls, and casting devices can help your guest adapt their stay to their own personal comfort level with ease- for instance by bringing your own stream devices like an amazon fire stick, wireless device charging, smart controls, and tablet-based control.
5. Going green
The focus on environmental sustainability isn’t new, but the degree to which guests expect (and prefer) eco-friendly products and services is.
Hotels will reduce their plastic usage by cutting down on single-use plastics for events, conferences, and other everyday hotel items (think of the miniature shampoo bottles).
They’re also giving guests the opportunity to opt-out of daily room cleans, and in particular, cut down on washing towels daily.
But it isn’t enough!
Today’s traveler wants to stay at hotels that have integrated green practices in all aspects of their business.
We can see the evidence of the fact that environmentally friendly trends will stay from physical changes to hotel buildings, like the addition of solar panels, to F&B menus with more vegetarian and vegan choices.
Conclusion
As travel returns, luxury hotels need to consider all their channels and encourage global travellers as well as retain the local market they cultivated during the pandemic.
Take the initiative with ideas for new offers and segments which are coherent with your brand message and values.
Also ask your existing customers what they want – let them be your guide to your future success.