The hospitality sector was affected by COVID-19 in the same way as other industries around the world. A significant impact of the Pandemic was the shutdown of the hospitality industry for two years. After a brief scare from Omicron, it bounced back, but it has been back on track since 2022.
The Covid-19 pandemic caused a two-year shutdown of the hotel industry due to its disruptive effects. Since 2022, however, the program has recovered and is back on track. Despite this, many trends have emerged in the hotel industry that hoteliers have to be aware of in 2023. As in my beautiful state of California, the best hotel in Bakersfield city learn about these trends in 2022 and plan accordingly to overcome pandemic losses in 2023.
Take a look at the 8 emerging hotel trends you need to be aware of in 2023. These trends have been influenced by the pandemic. Many of these changes, however, have been the result of an overall expansion in the hospitality industry, which has existed for several years before the pandemic.
Hotel Industry Trends To Watch This Year
-
Personalized Guest Experience
It is becoming increasingly popular for hotel guests to request personalized and customized experiences as the industry evolves. Travelers today, especially millennials and Gen-Z, want their trips to be unique and personalized. Nowadays, travelers are looking for unique, one-of-a-kind experiences that cater to their specific interests and needs. In order to cater to the individual wants and needs of their guests, hotels and other hospitality businesses use technology and data.
Hoteliers are working to deliver personalized experiences for today’s travelers, from recommendations for activities and experiences to customized accommodations and amenities.
-
Growth in Staycations
Over the past few years, staycations have become more popular as people look for ways to replenish and relax without traveling. It is also becoming more common for people to choose staycations for their vacations since they require less transportation and can often include local activities and adventures. There is a strong possibility that the staycation trend will rise in 2023, as more people seek ways to relax and unwind without the stress of traveling.
-
Sustainability Oriented
Recently, the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility has been growing in the hospitality industry. The use of eco-friendly cleaning products, local food, and sustainable materials are among the eco-friendly initiatives implemented by many hotels. The best hotel in Kern County, California has this thing on display and I have personally seen it. Travel and hospitality consumers are becoming increasingly aware of how their choices impact the environment, and this trend is likely to continue in the coming years.
-
Technological Advancements
In addition to technology being used to enhance customer experiences, another trend in the hospitality industry has been the increasing use of it. The use of mobile apps and other digital tools to book rooms, access hotel services, etc., is part of this trend. The use of technology will also be a major contributor to the creation of marketing campaigns.
Using data intelligence, marketing emails will be customized and promotions will be delivered through customized communication. Hotel and destination virtual tours that provide immersive experiences for guests will also boom using virtual and augmented reality.
-
Prioritize Wellness
Many guests will continue to place a high priority on wellness. Hotels and other hospitality businesses are increasingly offering wellness amenities and activities in response to the growing popularity of wellness in recent years.
Hotels and resorts might offer wellness-related amenities and activities such as fitness centers, yoga classes, wellness retreats, healthy dining options, spa services, and outdoor activities like hiking and biking. As part of their design and operation, many hotels incorporate wellness principles, such as using natural materials, promoting natural light and fresh air, and providing in-room amenities that help their guests relax and unwind.
-
Staff Shortages
In hotels, there is a shortage of staff due to the COVID pandemic. In the past two years, there has been no business, resulting in staff migrating to other jobs. It is common for the hospitality industry to be known for its hectic schedules and lack of work-life balance. The hospitality industry is now out of reach for many prospective employees because many seek remote work.
As a result, existing employees may feel stressed and strained, as they always face the brunt of staff shortages. Hoteliers need to pay attention to the mental health and conditions of their staff in 2023.
-
Bookings Direct Vs Online Travel Agencies (OTA)
There has been a dominance of OTAs as a revenue channel for hotels for the past decade or so. Aside from the convenience provided to guests, OTAs were indispensable for hotel bookings because they allowed properties to be listed based on location, type, and other requirements. Due to OTAs’ booking commissions, hotels were forced to make a compromise.
Today, hoteliers are bucking this trend by offering direct booking options to their guests. Direct bookings can be made on a hotel’s website, on a social network platform, or by phone. Following the COVID pandemic, hotels are now looking for ways to recover their revenue losses. In 2023, direct bookings will be one of the major trends in the hotel industry.
-
Diverse Hotel Operations
In the wake of the pandemic, hotels have learned the importance of branching out and diversifying. They cannot depend solely on one revenue stream. In addition to providing their spaces for various activities such as events, recreational activities, etc., hotels may be able to generate additional revenue. Some of the area’s hotels are listed below:
- Co-working and meeting spaces are rented temporarily.
- In addition to real estate, they can develop properties.
- Open hotel gyms to the public.
- Developing relationships with local businesses such as restaurants and bars.
Final Words
The following is a list of some new trends being followed by hotels in 2023. As of right now, the hotel industry is booming after the downfall that occurred during the pandemic. Through these trends, hotels flourished after the pandemic. This is something hotels can leverage and extract fruitful results from, like many 3-star hotel in Bakersfield and 5-stars in the area do.