With 2017 just around the corner, what better time to consider trends and predictions for hotel sales and marketing.
CEO Rob Blood and Chief Inspiration Officer Dawn Hagin of Newburyport, Massachusetts-based Lark Hotels, operators of 18 boutique hotels throughout New England and in Northern California, have forward-looking thought about hotel technology trends and the shift toward a connective travel experience, as well as brand authenticity and how to embrace social media voices. Today, we share their predictions.
From Rob Blood, CEO of Lark Hotels:
“In the coming year, I expect to see an increase in communication with guest service agents or hotel concierge staff via text message. While there are more and more apps rolling out around the guest experience, I think that people are getting tired of downloading apps. In the future, more and more hotels will begin to communicate with guests through text messaging to instantaneously make special requests, ask questions and find local recommendations.
“With the shift in the hotel world from product to experience, we’ll continue to see the development of hotel brands for the millennial traveler and for people looking for connection – whether it be with other people, with neighborhoods or with the stay experience itself. Rooms are getting smaller and interactive common spaces are getting more popular. Brands like Mama Shelter, Freehand and Generator Hostels are working successfully in this space, and I think that is only the beginning.”
From Dawn Hagin, chief inspiration officer at Lark Hotels:
“A trend we’re seeing a lot of is, believe it or not, not following trends at all. In other words, a move toward realness and embracing of a hotel’s history and surroundings in a genuine way.
“As part of that, I also see a move toward working with social media voices who can tell a brand’s story authentically, and become part of that brand’s chorus, instead of just catering to anyone who has a following — cultivating brand ambassadors who truly ‘get’ you.”