Traveling and Hotels During the Pandemic
The hotel industry offers short-term accommodations to travelers. It serves many different types of travellers, from business people to weary road trippers to spring breakers. Hotels can vary greatly, from small “mom and pop” joints with only a few rooms to large resorts. They may offer different amenities, but all hotels have one thing in common: privacy. Hotels give you a private room to sleep in, with your own toilet and shower, and they usually have somewhere for you to park your car. This can be a huge selling point for some people, especially when traveling alone.
Most travel experts agree that booking a hotel in advance is the best way to save money on airfare, car rentals and accommodations. A good rule of thumb is to start watching prices about 40 days in advance and keep track of the trend as you get closer to your trip. This way, you can know when the price is rising or falling and book at the right time.
In recent years, a new type of lodging establishment has come onto the scene: the vacation rental. It has gained popularity among people who are looking for a place to stay that is more comfortable and private than a hostel or shared accommodation. In order to compete with this new kind of lodging, hotels have started focusing on offering special amenities and services that appeal to vacationers. For example, some hotels are now offering free parking or reduced rates for guests who book through their website or a third party booking site instead of directly with the hotel.
Many hotel chains operate multiple brands under the same name to cater to different types of travellers. This allows them to market their hotels to a targeted audience without undermining the integrity of their brand. For example, a hotel chain that normally sells high-end luxury accommodations might launch an inexpensive motel under another brand to target travelers who are more price sensitive during the pandemic.
Although some travellers have decided to cancel their trips due to the pandemic, it is expected that most of them will return to normal travel habits in the long run. It is also possible that some segments of the travel market will recover at different times. For example, economy hotels are likely to recover more quickly than luxury and upper-upscale hotels.
As the demand for hotel rooms declines, some travel companies have developed new products that allow their customers to use their loyalty points at alternative accommodations. For instance, Marriott International has launched a Homes and Villas platform to let its loyalty members book short-term and vacation rentals. Its acquisition of Onefinestay earlier this year shows that the hotel industry is taking notice of Airbnb’s success and attempting to adapt to changing consumer preferences. However, Airbnb is still the leader in this area, with a much wider range of options and a loyal customer base. Ultimately, it will be up to hotel chains to determine how they can best compete with this innovative competitor.