5 Hotel Trends Shaping Our Motivations To Travel

With the rise of big hotel franchises, customers are beginning to expect more and more from a hotel stay. Whether it’s having all of the basics covered or new and improved amenities, hotel goers are expecting something special from their night away. Something just as special as what their favorite influencer received when they stayed at the same hotel.

While social media word of mouth is undoubtedly influencing motivations to travel, it isn’t the only trend influencing the hotel industry. In fact, everything from pet and eco-friendliness to the use of high tech is shaping the way we choose hotels.

There was once a time when people would get their travel inspiration from guidebooks and word of mouth. However, in the internet age, everything about travel has changed, from the way we book trips right down to the way we are motivated to travel. Consequently, here are the top 5 hotel trends shaping motivations to travel in the modern age.

1. A hotel’s presence on social media

Whether we like it or not, social media plays a large role in our decision making. Be it what clothes to wear, which celebrities to love or where to travel, social media motivates our decision making on a daily basis. That’s why a hotel’s presence on social media motivates an individual to travel.

Social media makes the property available to travelers 24/7. Whether it’s through sponsored ads, hashtags or posts, hotels are now more accessible than ever. When travelers share videos and photos of their trips with friends, families, and followers, this simple act is one of the most impactful factors when it comes to motivating others to take a trip. This is because in the social media age we are conditioned to want what others have.

2. The promise of a unique experience

In an age where hotels are a dime a dozen, hotels need to do something to make themselves stand out. That’s why many hotels are now starting to differentiate their brand by doing something unique with the way they design, layout or outfit their property.

Travelers are looking for a unique hotel experience, rather than just a place to sleep for the night. Therefore, anything a hotel can do to provide a novelty factor will increase the motivation to travel. Whether it’s a pet in the lobby or virtual reality headsets upon arrival, the prospect of a unique experience will motivate travelers to visit a certain hotel.

3. High technology allows for better hotel room experiences

In houses all over the world, high tech is beginning to have a presence. Therefore, if people can stay at home and experience this high level of convenience and efficiency, they won’t want a hotel that operates like it’s in the dark ages.

When hotels incorporate the Internet of Things (loT) into the property, guests get excited. There’s a sense of luxury and greater experiences to be had. So people inevitably look for hotels that are ‘smart’. Highlighting why high tech experiences are motivating travelers to stay at certain hotels.

4. Eco-consciousness in the travel industry

People the world over are quickly becoming more environmentally conscious. In an attempt to protect the environment for future generations, people are beginning to let environmental reasons influence where they stay while on holidays.

Sometimes the very nature of hotels can be bad for the environment. However, when hotels make concerted efforts to use solar power, conserve water and reduce plastic, among other things, travelers are more inclined to stay there. Once hotels join the sustainability movement, people are motivated to stay there as their holiday won’t be negatively impacting the environment.

5. Pets can join their owners for a holiday stay

Pet owners can struggle when it comes time for a holiday. Pets inevitably become part of the family, so how can we leave a family member at home while we go off and travel? Luckily, a hotel trend is emerging where it is now acceptable to bring pets on holiday.

The freedom to bring our furry friends with us on holiday is a huge motivator when it comes to traveling and in particular, what hotel to stay in. Being able to travel with pets takes the guilt out of holiday time. In fact, the knowledge that we can take our pets on holiday is actually motivating people to pack up and stay in a particular hotel.

The ever-changing hotel business

The digital age has changed everything from the way we communicate to the way we travel. With more hotels than ever before, these businesses have to reinvent themselves, offering more unique services than ever, just to attract customers.

The ever-changing needs of individuals have motivated the hotel industry to offer services that help the environment, pet owners and gadget lovers choose where to stay. Yet, what these changes have actually done is create trends that motivate people to travel.

While hoteliers are undoubtedly working hard to make the hotel experience of individuals better than ever, this benchmark will always change. Meaning that hotels will constantly have to look for new trends that motivate certain sectors of the market to travel.