Like many modern industries, the hotel and extended stay industry within the United States is constantly evolving. As technology advances, the workforce evolves, and hotel guest needs change, it’s critical that hotels and their teams adapt to stay relevant and successful. The COVID-19 pandemic and other recent changes in the global and national markets have even further influenced changes in the sector over the past few years. What can hotel guests (and staff) expect in the final months of 2023 and heading into the new year? There are a few emerging or growing trends to look out for. While the term “trend” might seem to signify short-term, many of the shifts below seem to be here to stay.
Technological Advancements = Contactless Stays?
One of the biggest challenges for the hotel industry during the pandemic years was the need to pivot to contactless operations wherever possible. Much of the technology and processes implemented during this time have remained widely relied upon by industry leaders. However, do guests prefer this type of experience, or is a traditional high-touch approach what people want from a hotel? Guest preferences vary, but most hotels will continue to include human interaction in some capacity. Still, contactless or technology-enabled processes that prove to make hotels more efficient and positively impact guest satisfaction will continue. With advancements in technology happening by the minute, it’s only fair to assume more tech in the hotel world over time.
Longer Travel Durations = More Extended Stay Options
Average hotel stays are getting longer. Remote working opportunities are driving a lot of U.S. workers to incorporate leisure and business travel (coined “bleisure”), and leisure travel, in general, is experiencing a surge. For guests looking to stay at a property longer than a few days or a week, hotels offering extended stay accommodation are becoming more popular. Extended stay options differ from traditional hotels in price and amenities offered. With longer stays being the norm, having on-site laundry facilities is a must. Many of the rooms in these facilities have kitchens or small kitchenettes so guests are able to cook on-site and avoid eating at restaurants for every meal.
Extended stays are often more economical for longer stays than traditional hotels, another advantage for long-term travelers. Along with being more affordable, extended stay facilities generally allow for (near) unlimited extensions, so guests can elect to stay for additional nights on an ongoing basis. Guests that prefer extended stay options fall into a few subcategories, including individuals or groups on location for work, families needing housing before or after a home sale, and those with open-ended travel plans.
High Focus on Employee Growth and Retention
Hospitality employees are hard workers. They deserve to have an employer focused on their growth in addition to that of the business. Recent years have brought about a reimagining of the employer/employee relationship, and employee empowerment is even more of a focus now than ever. But, how does a hotel turn this buzzword into meaningful actions? A big aspect of empowering team members is communication – primarily listening. It’s crucial that employers create open and welcoming channels through which staff can voice opinions or concerns, ask questions, or seek feedback or growth opportunities.
Providing and encouraging employees to seek out those opportunities to grow in their careers is another important step. Strong managers coach individuals and provide cross-training opportunities or assign greater responsibility to staff who express a desire to take the next step career-wise.
A greater focus on the employee experience is beneficial to workers. Hotels that maintain the focus are more likely to retain strong employees. Keeping teams full of dedicated personnel helps all aspects of hotel operations run smoothly. Current industry leaders are betting on this strategy and investing heavily in their employee experience.
Taking the First Step in the Hotel Industry
Possibly the biggest “trend” currently in the hotel industry – like many others – is a struggle to fill open positions. Employers around the world are struggling with staff shortages due to a variety of global, national, and industry factors. For those looking for a career transition, now is the time to take advantage of the plethora of options in hotels – specifically the opportunities with employers dedicated to employee empowerment.
The Westmont Hospitality Group operates extended stay accommodations across the United States and approaches employee empowerment from a proactive standpoint. This takes the form of providing extensive training programs designed for industry newbies that help participants develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in hospitality and grow within the organization. We strive to continuously provide a safe and empowering environment for our team to thrive and our business to succeed along the way.
The current opportunities within the organization extend from part-time hourly positions to salaried full-time roles. These roles exist within all departmental teams, including housekeeping, the front office, maintenance, and guest relations. Our jobs database provides all the relevant information potential applicants need to know, and applying for positions is a quick and easy process. In addition, our hotel industry blog offers resume writing advice, interview preparation guidance, and valuable other resources for those making the transition into hospitality. Questions about an existing position or our training programs? We encourage you to reach out to the recruitment team today!