Survey reveals hotel technology trends preferred by travelers

08-07-24

The survey results also indicate that travelers consider the following technology elements essential in a perfect hotel:

• In-room smart home devices (43%)

• Keyless entry (34%)

• In-room mobile access (27%)

• Digital ordering (24%)

In addition, 36% of respondents admitted to turning to artificial intelligence for recommendations when booking travel. Surprisingly, 52% plan to use their vacation as an opportunity to work remotely. Of these, 69% prefer to work from the comfort of their room, a quarter from the hotel pool or spa, and nearly 25% from the hotel bar or restaurant.

The results also reveal that those who travel for work find that these trips offer additional opportunities. Nearly half (48%) of respondents have extended their work trips to turn them into vacations. Hotel workers say guests traveling for work or combining work and vacation are the easiest to serve, with 83% and 76% positive responses, respectively.

"Trends in hospitality are constantly changing, but we are seeing indicators that people are re-prioritizing travel," notes the report from Mews, the company in charge of the survey. "While we are seeing some weakness in the mid-market and select-service hotels, the luxury sector appears resilient. Guests visiting luxury properties are spending more on travel and staying longer."

The survey also highlights a continued increase in people extending their work travel to have more time off, thus combining work and vacation. Cutting-edge hotels are capitalizing on this trend by embracing personalized guest experiences and offering a variety of services that meet their different needs. More and more hotels are adopting technology that creates seamless experiences for their guests, regardless of their reason for travel.

Incorporating these technologies not only meets the expectations of modern travelers, but also improves the operational efficiency of hotels. Self-service experiences, smart devices and remote work options represent an evolution in the way hotels interact with their guests, offering an unprecedented level of personalization and convenience. This trend underscores the importance of innovation in the hotel industry to remain competitive and meet the changing demands of global travelers.