Top Hospitality Trends That are Changing the Game

If there’s something we can say about the hospitality industry is that the industry is not that resilient.

That’s for sure! 🙂

Undoubtedly hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, besides the travel industry, it may be reeling, but it’s still not down for the count. Industry professionals have been scrambling to adapt to the “new normal” and provide their customers with both enjoyable and safe services.

The current situation may have spurred innovation and sped up some planned innovations and practices. Among them are contactless (digitalized) services, smart rooms, communal living, greater experience personalization, and sustainable solutions.

People have actually become more tech-savvy during the pandemic, as they’ve had to rely on technology for various basic necessities they’ve been taking for granted.

So, let’s take a peek at the new world of hospitality.

Contactless Service

One innovation that is fast-becoming mainstream is a contactless service.

Now it’s possible to book, pay, check-in, get room service, and check out all without ever coming face to face with another person. Most of this is done online, through automated forms, or “conversations” with chatbots.

On the premises, the guests can simply use their QR code to check-in and send requests via the customized App.

While this is definitely convenient and safe, it also needs to be able to provide a personal touch to many customers crave.

Fortunately, the hotel staff can still leave personalized greeting cards.

On the other hand, cooks can still make meals that are tailored to their customers.

The trend isn’t really new, it started with the advent of RFID technology, and it has only become more refined since then. We’ve been booking and paying for services online for a while now, this simply an extension of that.

Increased Focus on Hygiene

Maintaining personal hygiene is no longer just a matter of good manners. It has become a matter of public health, empathy, and general ethics.

Almost every “new” hospitality trend has increased concern for others and the desire for safety at its very core.

Contactless service prevents us from spreading germs and potentially infecting someone. Sustainable practices ensure the future generations will have a future.

Is it any wonder that almost every advertisement is warning us to “stay safe”?

The businesses that are still afloat have enacted strict measures to encourage social distancing and cleanliness.

Why?

Because creating a sense of safety has become essential for customer retention.

We can expect disinfectant dispensaries, mandatory protective gear for staff, and clear distance markers to ensure people don’t get too close.

In the new climate, even a whiff of an improperly contained outbreak or a sanitation violation will be enough to shutter a place for good.

 

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Virtual Reality Tours

While it’s always been popular with tech enthusiasts, VR technology has not really grabbed the public attention until recently. However, during the last several years, technology has gotten significantly cheaper.

Also, it’s finally gaining mass appeal.

Surprisingly, the main beneficiaries of VR are museums, realtors, and the hospitality industry. Virtual tours are a recent trend that can develop even more steam due to the pandemic.

After all, you can’t violate the social distancing rules if you’re not even in the same room, right?

With a relatively cheap add-on for their phone, potential guests can visit the place they want to stay in without setting a foot inside. The number of “wasted” viewings and visits drops significantly, while direct bookings increase, saving everyone both time and money.

Eco-Friendly Solutions

Sustainability has been the name of the game for a while now. But it’s becoming even more prominent with the increasingly apparent effects of climate change.

Millennials, and Gen Z especially, are looking for more than pure comfort in leisure. They want ethical, sustainable, and eco-friendly experiences from top to bottom.

The pandemic has also brought another important factor into focus, safety.

Countries in Asia and Oceania (New Zealand and Taiwan are particularly famous for this) have the best track record in putting the pandemic under control. Those destinations are becoming popular for people willing to put up with numerous and taxing safety procedures.

That’s why the hospitality industry must expand its offer to accommodate these growing demographics. An increasing number of properties consider eco-friendliness one of their main selling points.

Sustainable and fully-serviced apartments for rent in Hong Kong proudly advertise the use of recycled materials and energy-saving designs in their accommodations.

Communal areas are also a big selling point, as they allow for both socialization and tend to save resources.

Final thoughts

So, there you have it, some new trends to look forward to (or not) if you intend to travel.

While, on the whole, they will make us safer, there’s definitely a danger of increased alienation and isolation.

Ironically, we’re already bridging those gaps with technology, so we can expect more innovations as time goes by, and people learn to adapt and improvise.