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The hospitality industry is changing. Advances in tech, changes in guest values, and societal shifts caused by the pandemic all drove new practices and innovations in 2022. These were just the beginning, though.
With 2023 just begun, we take a look at some of the biggest predictions and innovations relating to the hospitality industry, from designing spaces for remote working to facilitating remote check-ins – and have a look at what the more distant future could hold, too.
The Increasing Incorporation of Smart Technology
Innovations in smart tech made major waves in the hospitality industry in 2022, and this trend is set to accelerate this year! Last year saw many hotels deploying guest experience apps, such as that offered by Duve, as well as online check-in for hotels and smart keys, which enabled guests to use their smartphones as their room keys. These innovations not only serve to upgrade the guest experience but automate many elements of front desk admin, freeing up staff to get on with tasks more geared towards ensuring every guest is happy.
Smart tech will proliferate in the hospitality industry throughout this year, with ever more sophisticated chatbots expected to become more widely used, and the information and services they’re able to provide will increase. This is great for guests and employees; the former will have access to support 24/7, while staff members’ time can be used more productively.
The Importance of Sustainability
Sustainability is already a key concern for the majority of guests, and this will be even more the case in 2023. As well as aligning with the values of their guests, hospitality establishments that operate sustainably also tend to enjoy cost-saving benefits, making it a great approach on every level.
The use of solar power and LED lighting will gradually become standard in hotels and other venues, with LEED certificates being sought as a matter of course. Getting on board with this trend early is highly advisable.
Guests will be more likely than ever before to consciously book rooms at hotels with rock-solid eco-credentials, looking at things like whether the food in the restaurant is locally sourced and how environmentally friendly and ethically the business operates overall in terms of its systems and processes.
Supporting Remote Working
In the wake of the pandemic, there’s been a revolution in how and where we work. Remote working has now become normal, and we’ve become a nation of digital nomads, ready and able to do our work from anywhere in the world.
In light of this, 2022 saw a demand for high-quality hybrid spaces within hospitality venues that support both relaxation and work. Embrace this ever-growing trend in your hotel by offering a range of work-friendly, aesthetically pleasing communal spaces, as well as ensuring that the facilities in guests’ room support remote working, also. To this end, having free, fast, and reliable broadband connections is now absolutely vital, with guests actively choosing venues that support their ability to work.
Experiences Are Everything
As the year progresses, so will the guest focus on the experience. Reflecting this is the significant rise (as compared to pre-pandemic years) in the price of hotel rooms during events such as Coachella, the Montreal Jazz Festival, and the Super Bowl. Room-wise, hotels in the relevant regions are selling out faster than ever before when major events are on, emphasizing the appetite of guests to enjoy experiences and their willingness to spend to do so.
The hospitality industry is expected to make the most of this trend by partnering with the organizations behind local or regional events, promoting festivals, and even becoming involved in organizing their own events.
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The Rise of the Pop-Up Hotel
With pop-up bars, restaurants, and shops gaining immense popularity over the last few years, it’s now the turn of the pop-up hotel! Temporary ice hotels have long since drawn legions of fans in locations such as Norway, Sweden, and Canada, and new forms of pop-up hotels will proliferate worldwide in 2023.
Mobile hotels could literally appear anywhere, from popular festivals to co-working venues to conferences to temporary events – and the best part is that the different ambiance of each location will give them a distinct atmosphere depending on where they appear! This trend ties in neatly with guests’ desires for unique experiences and is likely to generate new excitement about travel and its potential.
Looking to the Future
And what about the trends post-2023 that are expected to emerge in the hospitality industry? Tech solutions will doubtless play an increasing role in improving the guest experience, making their stay smoother, with intuitive platforms and tools deployed to not only cater to guests’ needs but anticipate them in advance. It’s also very likely that robots will be used for tasks such as cleaning and routine hotel maintenance. It’s projected that eco-hotels will become the norm, with hotels generating all their own energy and working with their local community to create and offer sustainable solutions and services.
If you run a hotel, guesthouse, or another hospitality venue, then keeping an eye on these likely future trends can help you get ahead of the curve and begin to adopt some of these innovations today.
