15 key hotel and travel trends

A notable development this year was the rapid change in the hospitality sector in terms of technology, travel preferences and booking behaviour. Responding to these trends is essential to stay competitive and optimise the guest experience.

1. Personalisation: Create a guest experience that feels exclusive and unique, from personalised welcome messages to customised activity suggestions.

2. Local experiences: Travellers are looking for authentic, local experiences. Highlight your area by promoting places of interest, unique dining addresses or guided tours. 

3. Environmentally conscious choices: Environmental awareness is a mainstream trend these days. Implement sustainable practices in your way of working and communicate about it on your website and social media. 

4. Contactless service: Guests increasingly demand flexibility, autonomy and comfort. With a self-service kiosk, you can meet this need.

5. Importance of facilities: The amenities in your accommodation are important for travellers' decision-making. Make sure they are clearly and consistently mentioned on your website and booking sites. 

6. Need for flexibility: In an unpredictable world, guests value flexibility more. Increase your bookings by offering flexible booking terms in exchange for a slightly higher rate.

7. Teleworking & workstations: Remote working is immensely popular today. Attract this target group with pleasant workplaces, high-speed internet, meeting rooms and special packages.

8. Inspiration over destination: Travellers are increasingly inspired by online platforms and recommendations. Invest in good online visibility on Google, OTAs and social media. 

9. Higher price per booking: Our research showed that guests in the Netherlands will spend about 13% more per booking in 2023 than in 2022. So promote longer stays, extras and packages on your Booking Engine.

10. Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI helps hoteliers personalise guest experiences thanks to data analytics, AI-driven assistants and chatbots (such as Runnr.ai).

11. Smartphones: Smartphones have become an integral part of travel, crucial for bookings, digital room keys and direct communication with guests.

12. Automated guest communication: Hoteliers can automate their guest communication and upselling with new tools (such as Bookingplanner by Stardekk).

13. Digital invoicing: Switching to digital invoicing increases (cost) efficiency and significantly simplifies your payment process, invoicing and accounting. 

14. Social media: Social media remains important in inspiring travellers and strengthening customer loyalty through user-generated content and influencer marketing. 

15. Dynamic pricing: Beat the competition by managing your rates in real time based on the market and your occupancy rates. New tools (such as RoomPriceGenie) also make this strategy accessible to smaller properties. 

Wondering how Bookingplanner by Stardekk will future-proof your accommodation? 
Visit the stand during Horecava for an inspiring talk (Hall 1 - no. 01.428) and get a chance to win a great prize!