19 June 2008

Hotel trends emerging in weak US economy

A new survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) reveals various industry trends but one emerging pattern is with higher gas prices and lower expectations for the economy, hotel guests are inclined to stay closer to home.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœOur radius is tightening. We used to draw most of our leisure guests within 180 miles and a three-hour drive but now weÃ¢â¬â¢re looking more like a two hour drive,Ã¢â¬~ said Mike Wainwright, vice president of sales and marketing at the Orlando-based Gaylord Palms Resort and Conference Center.

The AH&LA 2008 Lodging Survey, one of the most comprehensive industry-wide surveys of its kind, revealed these other hotel trends:

----Wireless Internet access is represented in 91% of responding properties, up 35% from just four years earlier,

----The number of hotels that charge for in-room Internet use is on the decline. Sixteen percent of hotels charge for this service, down from 19% in 2006 and 22% in 2004,

----More than one third of respondents offer iPod docking stations in-room.

----Seventy-nine percent of responding properties had an exercise room and/or fitness facility, and 77% of these are complimentary for guests,

----The number of respondents who offer vegetarian menu options rose 16% to 48%.

----Twenty-four percent of respondents offer allergy-free hotel rooms.

Hotels are coming up with some creative programs to attract both leisure and meeting-goers. The Gaylord Palms, for example, which draws most of its business from Tampa and Orlando unveiled a program designed for groups as small as ten. It includes a sleeping room, a brainstorm space and a flexible menu of optional services.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœFor instance, we can arrange for a late morning bus to pick up 10 members of cross-departmental team in Tampa, for a short trip to Orlando,Ã¢â¬~ said Mr Wainwright.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœStrategy discussion can begin on the bus, and continue in a brainstorming suite at the hotel. Next, the group can take a break with an evening team-building dinner. The productivity and discussion continues the next morning, with the team can be back in Tampa in time for close of business.Ã¢â¬~

Gaylord, located near Walt Disney World, has also come up with new initiatives to lure leisure travelers. One example is its Ã¢â¬ÅâœSummer Treasure Hunt ChallengeÃ¢â¬~ where guests can compete for $10,000 in cash in a game reminiscent of reality TV.

Report by David Wilkening