Top 5 hospitality trends in 2019

Hotels and hostels have always been places where people go to switch off and forget about work. Ask the people who run them, though, and they will tell you technology now sits at the heart of the business, because so much of it, from searching and booking to paying, happens online.

Here are five trends any property can use to its advantage this year.

1. Millennial travellers

Millennials travel a lot, and they often decide where to go at the last minute. If you run a hostel or a hotel that attracts them, make check-in quick and easy, and offer good food at fair prices.

It pays off. Millennials share their trips on social media, and a stay they enjoyed becomes free promotion for your property.

2. A tech explosion

Guests arrive expecting technology that works. If you host conferences or business meetings, keep your equipment up to date, and make sure there are staff on hand who know how to use it, so that help arrives the moment a guest needs it.

3. More international visitors

As more guests arrive from abroad, languages matter. Staff who speak several languages fluently make guests feel welcome and at home.

Many travellers have stayed in hotels where nobody at the desk could help them in their own language. A team that can is a real reason to choose your property over the one next door.

4. A focus on well-being

People care more about their health than they used to. Many are cutting out junk food and building a healthier routine, and they expect to keep it up while they travel.

Give them the space to do it: a well-equipped gym, a pool and a choice of healthy meals. Shared spaces with games such as table tennis, darts and table football help too, because they give guests a reason to spend time together, meet new people and enjoy the stay.

5. Seamless technology

Technology improves every year, and every industry benefits. In hospitality it has made booking a room more appealing and getting into it easier than ever. Services such as mobile check-in and a digital concierge make it simpler, and more enjoyable, for guests to find the information they need.

Staying ahead

These are only five trends, but each deserves attention. Properties that act on them will feel more modern to their guests, and will find it easier to attract new ones.