For everyone in the hotel industry, 2020 has been an unusual and hard year. Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the industry, and we are all adjusting to the ‘new normal.’ All of our preconceptions about travelling, operating hotels, and interacting with consumers, hotel owners, management firms, lenders, banks, and team members have been shattered by this major event.
On the other side, the year 2021 appears to be quite optimistic, as the globe will soon be immunised. We must remember that the hospitality sector is all about greeting visitors with a smile and getting to know them. We all are confident that by 2022, we will be able to smile at our visitors again, and they will return the grin without a mask.
Modern hotel trends 2022 are all labelled as fresh or continuing, with new beginnings. It’s fresh because it’s new, and it’s continuing because it’s something that’s not going away.
Smart hotels
Guests are intrigued by the idea of incorporating the Internet of Things (IoT) into a property. It provides them with a great degree of comfort and efficiency, as well as a sense of elegance. People are starting to use technology like this in their own homes, so the demand for it at hotels is only going to grow.
Sustainable Hotels
As it becomes obvious that sustainability is a major concern, society is becoming more environmentally sensitive. These shifting perceptions are influencing how travellers select their lodging. Sustainable building, energy conservation, and trash management are all concerns for sustainable hotels.
PMS
One of the most important aspects affecting the hotel’s operation is the PMS (Property Management System). The hotel business is dominated by the PMS, and I’ve been informed that there are over 4,000 distinct PMSs worldwide. To be relevant to visitors and team members, all apps must contact the various PMSs. Despite significant technological advancements, hoteliers now have to manage too many applications: one for back-of-house operations, one for concierge services, one for keyless access to unlock the hotel’s doors, one to monitor social media evaluations, and so on.
Advancements like Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
These technologies are no longer considered specialist sectors. They are already quite popular in gaming and entertainment, as well as attractions, and they may be very beneficial to hotel guests. Virtual reality uses visual and auditory input to replace the real environment, whereas augmented reality overlays virtual features on top of the real world. Virtual tours of your property and even portions of the location are available to customers who wish to sample before they purchase. A hotel may employ AR to give information to guests, such as an interactive map.
Some travellers may find being served by a robot unsettling, while others may embrace the opportunity to avoid having to contact people while staying at their hotel. Robots are increasingly being used in hotels to assist with automating check-in and check-out, carrying baggage, functioning as concierges, and providing room service.
Unique Offerings
Many hotels are beginning to identify their brands by doing something distinctive with their design, layout, or furnishings. Travelers are increasingly seeking for interesting, unique hotel experiences, so whatever a hotel can do to create a novelty element will be advantageous.
Flexibility
Customers, in my experience in co-working spaces, are seeking flexibility. As hotels, we must adjust our mind-sets and be more adaptable in our operations, public spaces, and room design. Flexibility should extend to the point where room arrangements and sizes may be readily modified to meet the demands of guests.
Green Solutions to Climate Change
As hoteliers, we must consider new technologies in order to become more environmentally conscious. We need to use solar power, conserve energy, reuse hotel greywater, conserve heat, enhance air circulation, use more energy-efficient lighting, and employ ecologically friendly materials.
Safety is Paramount
Finally, as hoteliers, we are exposed to the possibility of anything going wrong. From the owner and staff members to the visitors, we bear a significant amount of responsibility for their safety. I’ve recently witnessed cyber-attacks on many firms, which is concerning.
As we become more and more reliant on technology, the hotel sector must work together to adapt to new developments in the business world and hotel operations.
