Today hotels are much more than just a place to stay over when traveling. The hospitality industry has witnessed a tremendous transformation in the past two decades. The hospitality segment is witnessing heavy investments with rising consumer demand for business cum luxury hotels. This had created a healthy competition in the market and the hotels are continuously coming up with innovative stratagems to tempt the business travelers.
One would think that spacious rooms aesthetically designed with luxurious décor are an attraction in themselves. Especially when they come equipped with electronic safes, mini-bars, direct dial telephones and additional outlets for fax/modem. But wait, there are yet more services and facilities to lure the guest, ranging from airport pick-ups, express check-ins and checkouts, wireless internet connectivity, interactive televisions, smart meeting and conference facilities, state-of-the-art gyms and spa treatments, complementary breakfast and first pressing of garments – hotels are offering all this and still more for corporate clients like special discounts event management services, etc. Each hotel strives to offer something distinctive to distinguish itself from the multitude. Today, the business traveler is spoiled for choice, with an abundance of luxury hotels competing for business.
The more expensive hotel suites also come with a butler service, complimentary limousine pick up and drop from the airport, cocktail hour with complimentary canapés and snacks or other such offers. Some of the most popular services among hi-flying guest are exclusive check-in and check-out, exclusive meeting room available on complimentary basis subject to availability and a business centre with all modern amenities like fax, photocopier, multimedia workstation with internet and secretarial services. Add to all the above the convenience of instant online reservations without having to deal with travel agents, not to mention getting attractive deals for hosting conferences, events and intimate family occasions in the hotel itself. The business traveler has never before been pampered as in today’s hotels. What more could a guest ask for?
You would think the list of facilities has been exhausted, but wait, there is still more being offered. The hotels have a number of choices for entertaining the guests, ranging from discotheques, live entertainment lounges, outdoor pools, Italian, Indian, Thai and many more specialized restaurants, bakeries and delis and last but not the least 24-hour coffee shops. Another facility is real time downloading of international newspapers in its original format..
Yet another strategy to woo guests are loyalty programmes, most hotel groups have reward programmes for regular guests. The extra attention strengthens brand loyalty among guests and also promotes public relations. Loyalty rewards can influence a guest’s choice of hotel. Benefits of such schemes might include; priority booking, free upgrades subject to availability and early check-in or late checkouts. Some hotels even offer selected branded merchandise, free weekend stays, fine dining and even free flights, if you get lucky.
