Scott Kemeling of Georgia is a hospitality business professional with a keen eye for emerging trends in the industry. As the landscape continues to evolve, it’s imperative for professionals and businesses to adapt. In this article, Scott Kemeling explores the latest trends shaping the sector by way of innovative practices, cutting-edge technologies, and evolving consumer behaviors.
With a focus on remote work, health and wellness, digital experience, and sustainability, there’s never been a more exciting time to explore what’s on the horizon in hospitality.
Scott Kemeling on Embracing Remote Work and “Bleisure” Travel
As remote work continues to rise, with 35% of respondents having the opportunity to work from home and 58% enjoying hybrid structures, the hospitality industry is adapting to cater to business travelers and their leisure needs. Hotels are stepping up their game, providing workspaces, strong Wi-Fi, and amenities that perfectly accommodate both work and leisure needs, as guests expect more from their stay.
Scott Kemeling says that today’s travelers seek to get the most out of their stay, guaranteeing their stay meets both their work and leisure needs, including business travel and leisure trip requirements. Designing attractive workspaces and launching custom marketing programs allows hotels to draw in working nomads and simplify the booking process.
Focus on Health and Wellness
The hospitality industry is actively embracing health and wellness, as seen by the heightened focus on sustainability, purpose, and well-being driving consumer behavior. Among the emerging trends, hotel brands are offering concierge services, holistic services, spa facilities, and outdoor activities to cater to guests seeking rejuvenation.
In response to the rapidly growing demand for outdoor experiences, hotels are enthusiastically providing upscale camping experiences and modular units in remote locations, further elevating the guest experience. Under Canvas, Basecamp, and LOGE are examples of hospitality businesses focusing exclusively on the outdoors. They offer unique experiences for adventure seekers.
Scott Kemeling also notes that these innovative companies demonstrate that the hospitality industry is not only embracing health and wellness, but is also creating unique opportunities for guests to connect with nature and prioritize their well-being.
Contactless and Digital Guest Experiences
In the age of digitalization, contactless and digital guest experiences have gained tremendous momentum in the hospitality industry. Cleanliness is a crucial factor in travel plans for many consumers, with 70% of Americans agreeing that a hotel’s cleanliness is a key factor in their travel plans. Hospitality businesses are investing in digital and contactless services to enhance safety measures and provide a superior experience by streamlining the guest journey.
Scott Kemeling of Georgia provides examples of digital and contactless guest experiences below:
- Mobile check-in
- Contactless payments
- Voice control
- Biometrics
- Mobile reservations
- Contactless check-in/out
Moreover, facial and fingerprint recognition for hotel room access can provide a great level of convenience for guests, ensuring a seamless and secure experience.
Hyper-Personalization and Customized Experiences
Hyper-personalization in the hospitality industry is all about offering highly customized one-to-one interactions between the guest and the host at scale. Hotels can create these tailored experiences by utilizing big data and leveraging technological platforms such as CRM and CEM, which allows them to deliver exceptional service that meets individual needs and preferences.
Scott Kemeling of Georgia notes that the importance of personalization in the hospitality industry cannot be overstated, as it allows businesses to provide travelers with tailored services that cater to their unique desires. Revolutionizing hotel operations with management systems enables hotels to:
- Maximize revenues
- Strengthen customer relationships
- Optimize property
- Streamline channels
- Build a positive reputation
In an industry where customer satisfaction is key, hyper-personalization has become crucial to meeting expectations and setting businesses apart.
Innovative Hotel Technology
Innovative hotel technology is a key factor in streamlining customer experiences and management, with AI-powered chatbots, augmented reality (AR), and keyless entry systems, even in traditional hotels.
It’s worth probing these exciting technologies further to understand how they’re revolutionizing the industry.
Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented reality (AR) technology is enhancing hotel experiences by enabling guests to visualize rooms, event spaces, and local attractions. With over 500 million AR-friendly smartphones projected to be engaged in the hotel industry by 2023, AR technology is poised to become a game-changer for the sector.
AR provides an incredible opportunity for hotels to create immersive experiences for customers, such as virtual tours of hotel rooms and event spaces, as well as interactive maps of local attractions. Hotels can enhance the guest experience and ensure a memorable stay by providing useful information and its surroundings through the integration of AR technology into their services.
Adapting Business Models and Asset Management
For hospitality businesses to remain competitive and concentrate on their core offerings, they must adapt their business models and asset management strategies. The asset-light approach, which separates the management of operations and real-estate assets, is an innovative way for businesses to stay agile and responsive to market changes.
Scott Kemeling of Georgia says that quantitative competencies, such as forecasting and budgeting, are becoming increasingly important in the hospitality industry. Hospitality businesses can effectively navigate the ever-changing landscape and ensure long-term success and profitability by embracing data-driven decision-making and modifying their business models.
Summary
In conclusion, the hospitality industry is experiencing a wave of exciting trends and innovations. From embracing both remote work and leisure travel to prioritizing health and wellness, contactless experiences, the industry is evolving and adapting to cater to the diverse demands of modern travelers. As businesses focus on niche markets, adapt their business models, and engage with their communities, the hospitality industry will continue to thrive and create memorable, unique experiences for guests around the world.
