The hotel industry is on the rise with the current U.S. hotels room night vacancy of 35 percent down from 45 percent five years ago, Chicago Tribune reports, citing data from travel-research company STR Inc.'s study.
The outlet notes that room rates average at $115.72 a night, compared to $97.31 previously. Aside from that, currently, nearly 130,000 hotel rooms are being built, translating to more than 30 percent increase from a year ago, adds Chicago Tribune.
With the growing industry, hotels are on their toes with the latest trends to be relevant and be competitive. Here are the three hottest trends in the industry.
1. Hotels Try to 'Unbrand' Themselves
Hotels are now deviating from the popular brands that people identify with luxury and service quality like Hyatt, Hilton or Marriott, notes Chicago Tribune.
Now, these popular hotels hide their identity to consumers, said Pauline Frommer, editorial director for Frommer's, a travel guide company. "The big hotel chains are in the business of pretending they aren't big chains. They want you to think they are boutiques," Frommer told Chicago Tribune.
Ever heard of hotels named Moxy, Canopy or Vib? They are actually hotels launched by parent companies with big names in the business, namely Marriott International Inc, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and Best Western International Inc., adds the outlet.
2. Hotels Try To Lure Millennials
According to U.S. Travel News, hotels are luring in the millennials---born in the early 1980s to early 2000s---as they are expected to be a driving force in the business soon. "Over the next five to 10 years, millennials will become the biggest customer segment for hotels worldwide, and hotel brands are rushing to meet and exceed the needs of these travelers," said Ignacio Maza, the Signature Travel Network vice president.
The outlet says that by 2025, millennials or Gen Y will represent three-fourths of the workforce, citing a 2014 study by Deloitte, an accounting advisory company.
Thus, hotels tend to be more technology-savvy offering high-speed Internet to please Gen Y. Hotels also change lobby design to a more communal setting as millenials do not mind being seated next to strangers, states U.S. Travel News.
3. Hotels Are Friendlier With Pets.
In another article by U.S. Travel News, hotels become more pet-friendly than ever, treating them as "an extension of the family." Some hotels reportedly offer these pets "welcome treats, bowls, and beds, to specialized room service menus and pet massages."
At Kimpton hotels, the pets get to stay for free. In New York, a small hotel, Soho Grand, does not charge for the pets' stay either---pets are even offerred amazing deals like bedding, toys, leashes for free. The Soho Grand also showcases a pet-friendly park, informs the outlet.
