A hotel stay is an essential part of any vacation or business trip. However, hotels aren’t the only choice for accommodations when you’re on the go. Alternative lodgings, such as Airbnb homes and vacation rentals, can offer a more personal touch. However, hotels can also provide many amenities that can make your travel more enjoyable and comfortable.
Hotel staff members are available to assist with reservations, check-in, and other needs. In addition, hotels often provide a variety of services, such as concierges, security, and dining and entertainment options. Hotels can be a great option for families with children and groups traveling together. In addition, they can offer a wide range of amenities, such as swimming pools, spas, and fitness centers.
While luxury properties typically offer the highest levels of service, even some mid-priced hotels have a lot to offer. As the popularity of Airbnb and other alternative accommodations grows, hotels have been adding more features to their rooms and rethinking how they operate. For example, some are eliminating carpets (to be easier to clean) and single-use toiletries, and replacing them with reusable items and a more holistic approach to wellness. Other updates are focusing on guest experiences, with many brands now offering local cultural activities, like cooking lessons or picking up a game of pickleball.
Regardless of the type of lodging you choose, hotels continue to be a good value for most travelers. The average daily rate (ADR) for a hotel is often less than the cost of a similar room at an Airbnb home or rental, and most hotels offer flexible cancellation policies. Many hotels are also able to accommodate specific preferences, such as non-smoking rooms, pet-friendly accommodations, and early or late checkouts.
In addition, a hotel’s website may include deals that aren’t available through an OTA; the hotel’s site can also serve as its booking platform. Finally, aggregators, which don’t handle reservations themselves, can be helpful in comparing prices by trawling OTAs and hotel sites to return a compendium of results.
Traveling and hotels are a huge industry. Many people work in hotels or travel to different locations for leisure and business purposes. People who are interested in working in this field should consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in travel and hospitality management. This degree will prepare students to work in the travel and hotel industry by providing a strong background in finance, marketing, and organization.
In addition to a Bachelor’s Degree, students interested in this career should also consider a master’s or doctoral degree in Travel and Hospitality Management. These degrees will teach students how to better serve their clients and be more effective leaders in the travel industry. They’ll also gain valuable experience through internships and other hands-on learning opportunities. Additionally, these degrees will allow students to expand their networks in the travel and hospitality industries. As a result, they’ll be more likely to find employment or open their own travel agencies or hotels.