THE FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY AND HOTELS

COVID-19 and coronavirus-related concerns are quickly transforming the shape of hotels and hospitality firms. Changes to the marketplace will only continue to accelerate in 2021 and the coming decade. Below, you’ll find a quick-hit overview to many of the paradigm shifts currently happening in these spaces, and how organizations of every size are adapting to recent disruptions.

• ADDED SAFETY + SECURITY – Hotels and conference centers worldwide are taking extensive steps to increase safety and put travelers’ minds at ease. Just a few solutions they’re turning to range from implementing advanced cleaning measures and temperature checks to instituting more social distancing solutions and health checks, as well as maintaining more medical staff on-hand.
• NEW CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS – Swing by several cities, and you’ll find that hoteliers are working with local municipal leaders to create certification programs and awards that venues can display that denote adherence to heightened healthcare and safety standards. You’ll also find that a number of hotel associations are working to promote educational initiatives and introduce new best practices and standards.
• HYBRID AND ONLINE MEETINGS – As you’re aware, more and more meeting planners and venues, e.g. hotels and expo centers, are working to provide digital and hybrid solutions. With an eye towards offering social distant on-site gatherings, they’re also working to provide greater spacing between seats at events, host fewer individuals in rooms, and staggering gatherings so as to avoid large crowds congregating.
• AR AND VR TOOLS – A growing number of destinations and properties are using high-tech headsets coupled with augmented reality and virtual reality apps, which superimpose digital images and video over real world scenes and immerse users in simulated 3D landscapes, respectively, as a means to facilitate networking, meetings, and interaction, or conduct training and on-site tours.
• OUTDOOR MEETINGS TAKE OVER – In an effort to avoid close-quarters indoor gatherings, more hotel and hospitality providers are looking to package up and offer travelers waterfront, al fresco, and outdoor get-togethers of every kind.
• NEW CATERING OPTIONS – As venues are aware, it’s not only growingly important to provide more distant and well spaced out dining stations. It’s also important to host gatherings in more public and open-air areas, and providing individually packaged and distributed meal options as well. Themed dining and entertainment experiences are also becoming increasingly popular.
• VIRTUAL CHECK-INS – A rising number of hotel properties and hospitality venues are switching from real-world to digital check-in alternatives. So while you can always stand six feet apart from other patrons and wait to see a front desk attendant, it’s becoming increasingly preferable to facilitate check-ins from websites, apps, and other high-tech tools.