For me, a hotel stay is associated with a vacation – a break from work and a chance for a little luxury and relaxation. However, for an estimated 41% of travelers, it is just part of the job.
Business travelers are a demographic that a hotel would be foolish to ignore. Statistics show that, on average, a business traveler will spend more than a pleasure traveler. Even when a company has a travel policy in place, business travelers are still fairly likely to practice “rogue booking”, booking outside of their travel program.
Considering the unique nature of a business traveler’s visit, how can your hotel cater to this group?
CONVENIENCE
Before even arriving at your hotel, your guest has had to do a fair amount of organization. Between travel arrangements, coordinating their personal lives and preparing professionally for whatever that trip may entail, the stay itself is a very small part of the work involved in business travelling.
Since that is the case, the main thing your guest needs at that point is ease and convenience. An easy check-in process and clear directions can certainly help out in that regard. Amenities, such as a quick turnaround for dry-cleaning and strong wi-fi, will certainly make a good impression. Additionally, having a business centre for any last-minute printing or other business needs is a great feature.
- However, what about your room design? Depending on the length of the stay, adequate storage and a luggage rack will ensure an easier stay for your guest. Accessible USB data ports, outlets or wireless charging areas make for easy device management. Standard parts of hotel design, like noise management, become all the more essential when you consider your guest needing a good night’s sleep for the next day’s big presentation.
CONSIDER YOUR SHARED SPACES
In many instances, a business traveler is travelling alone. However, that does not mean that they want to feel lonely. Consider how your shared spaces can be designed to allow your guests to be “alone together”. Additionally, given the ability of professionals to work outside of a traditional business centre, your lobby and other shared spaces may become an ideal work space. Does it have that ability or are your guests victims of inflexible design?
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Like Dorothy said, there is no place like home. When professionals need to travel, how can you create a “home away from home”? Make the stay customizable for your guest – allow them to set their preferences ahead of their stay. Does your guest have everything they need? A cup of coffee in the morning, basic toiletries and their favourite shampoo?
With your design, you want the room to feel comfortable and cozy. Your guest should not feel like they are intruding on someone else’s space, but that it is theirs to enjoy. Given that, you will want furniture to have multiple functions and the space to have flexibility to suit your guests’ needs.
How do you attract business travelers to your hotel? Let us know in the comments below!
