As temperatures rise and summer approaches, the hospitality industry gears up for one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. With pent-up demand for travel and leisure activities, hotels have a golden opportunity to jump on summer travel trends early and capture the attention of eager travellers. Here’s how hotels can get ahead of the curve and position themselves for success in the upcoming summer.
- Anticipate Travel Trends: The key to staying ahead in the hospitality industry is anticipating travel trends before they fully materialize. Monitor industry reports, consumer surveys, and social media trends to identify emerging patterns in travel preferences, such as destinations, activities, and accommodation preferences. Hotels can tailor their offerings to meet travellers’ evolving needs and desires by staying informed.
- Promote Outdoor Amenities: With warmer weather and longer daylight hours, travellers increasingly seek outdoor experiences and activities. Hotels can capitalise on this trend by highlighting their outdoor amenities, such as pools, rooftop bars, gardens, and outdoor dining areas. Emphasising these features in marketing campaigns and promotional materials can attract guests looking to soak up the sun and enjoy al fresco experiences.
- Offer Summer Packages and Promotions: Create enticing summer packages and promotions to attract travellers seeking value-added deals and discounts. Consider bundling accommodations with complimentary breakfast, spa credits, or outdoor excursions to enhance the guest experience. Hotels can incentivise bookings and differentiate themselves from competitors by offering attractive package deals.
- Embrace Flexible Booking Policies: Flexibility is vital in today’s uncertain travel landscape. Hotels can appeal to travellers’ preferences for flexibility by offering lenient booking policies, such as free cancellation or modification up to a specific date. Flexible booking policies provide peace of mind to travellers and encourage them to book confidently, knowing they can adjust their plans if needed.
- Curate Local Experiences: As travellers seek authentic and immersive experiences, hotels can curate local experiences that showcase the unique culture, cuisine, and attractions of their destination. Partner with local tour operators, restaurants, and attractions to offer curated experiences such as culinary tours, guided hikes, or cultural workshops. By providing guests with insider access to the best the destination offers, hotels can enhance the overall guest experience and create lasting memories.
- Leverage Digital Marketing Channels: Harness the power of digital marketing channels to reach potential guests and drive bookings. Invest in targeted advertising campaigns on social media platforms, search engines, and travel websites to increase visibility and attract travellers actively researching summer vacation options. Engage with followers through compelling content, user-generated reviews, and interactive experiences to build brand loyalty and drive bookings.
- Prioritise Health and Safety: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, travellers’ health and safety remain top priorities. Hotels should continue implementing rigorous cleaning and sanitation protocols to reassure guests of their commitment to safety. Highlighting these measures in marketing communications can instil confidence in travellers and alleviate concerns about travel during the summer season.
Hotels can be successful in the upcoming summer travel season by anticipating travel trends, promoting outdoor amenities, offering summer packages and promotions, embracing flexible booking policies, curating local experiences, leveraging digital marketing channels, and prioritising health and safety. By staying proactive and innovative; hotels can capture the attention of travellers and capitalise on the surge in demand for summer getaways.