Traveling and Hotels
Traveling and hotels are closely linked, as most people who travel long distances require accommodation during their trip. The lodging sector is a vital part of the travel industry, which also includes airports, airlines and other travel service providers.
Travelers’ accommodation requirements can vary widely, depending on the length of their trip, whether they are traveling for business or leisure, and their budget. Typically, travelers choose to stay in hotels, but there are many other options available, too. These include homestays, hostels, motels and inns. In addition, some travelers choose to rent private accommodations such as apartments or villas.
Most hotels offer amenities such as free Wi-Fi, a fitness center and restaurants. Some even have meeting rooms, business centers and laundry services. Business travelers are a main target for hotels, as they tend to take more trips and make larger bookings than other types of travelers.
Some hotels provide discounts or special perks for hotel loyalty program members. These may include room upgrades, discounted meal rates or a free night after a certain number of stays. Many hotels now also offer mobile apps that allow travelers to find and book rooms on the go. These apps can help consumers save time and avoid line ups at the front desk.
Many hotels use bundled vacation packages to disguise their sales, but online travel agencies such as Kayak and Travelocity are well known for these types of deals. Airline brands such as United and Southwest also offer a variety of vacation packages, and daily deal sites such as Groupon Getaways and LivingSocial Escapes have begun to enter the market with similar offerings.
In addition, hotel chains often sell rooms to other travel companies, such as tour operators and cruise lines. These partners can offer a full package including airfare, hotel and car rental. Travel experts say that travelers can usually find the best deals by searching a few different sources for their accommodations. This way, they can be sure to get the lowest price and have a wide selection of choices.
Aside from bundled deals, hotels typically drop their rates as departure dates approach. This is because they don’t want to be stuck with unused “room inventory,” so they cut rates in hopes of filling their properties. However, it is sometimes possible to score an even better bargain by booking a room closer to arrival date.
In terms of saving money on flights and lodging, the most savvy travelers are those who can be flexible with their schedules. By flying on less popular days of the week and checking into hotels on Tuesday rather than Friday, travelers can save hundreds of dollars per trip. Travel booking apps can also help, by showing a graph of flight prices over time and suggesting the best times to buy tickets and hotel rooms. This type of personalization can improve the overall customer experience and build loyalty with customers. Moreover, it can also increase the likelihood of repeat business and referrals.