Trends shaping the hotel industry, according to Ron Pohl & Ken Minnikin
Ron Pohl is senior VP of brand management and member services for Phoenix-based Best Western International.
Ken Minnikin is director of marketing for Australia-based Mantra Group.
- "Approximately 20% of all travel was booked on mobile devices during 2011; two years ago that number was nearly zero. Within the next three years, 80% of all bookings will be made via mobile devices."
- “Consumers are utilizing new technology such as mobile/cell phones and tablets, to conduct research and to make accommodation bookings. And even more interesting is when they are undertaking this activity.” For example, activity is peaking at 11 p.m. local time in Australia"
- "We have become an industry that is much more science than art”
- "Guests today, especially road warriors, want rooms that remind them of home (…) That can be reflected both in the design aesthetic as well as amenities and technology."
- “Customers like the inn feel or the expanded bed-and-breakfast feel. There’s not many brands or chains that are affiliated with those types of products. It’s an opportunity to take smaller hotels (of 30 to 50 rooms) and place them in a market with a brand name.”
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