Each week, we give you a run down of the hostel industry insights and offer our take (we can also provide a variety of GIFs for your entertainment, too!).
1. WHATSAPP IS TRANSFORMING THE GUEST EXPERIENCE
“The move marks the latest phase in AccorHotels’ introduction of mobile technology to improve the guest and employee experience.” – Source.
Forget guests emailing, calling the front desk or walking down to reception – AccorHotels UK & Ireland are now using Whatsapp for guests to communicate with hotel staff.
Using one of the world’s most popular messaging apps, AccorHotels now provide guests with a dedicated phone number with their keycard on arrival. From their own mobile, guests can contact reception with room service or housekeeping requests as well as general queries about where best to eat or drink in the local area. They can also message wherever they are in or out of the hotel and during or after their stay.
“Guests want to communicate using the methods they are most familiar with,” AccorHotels Northern Europe COO Thomas Dubaere said. “The use of WhatsApp has increased exponentially over the past few years and is a platform most of our guests tell us they feel very comfortable using, so enabling them to use it to order room service or ask reception a question is a logical step to ensuring they have the best possible experience in our hotels.”
The combination of the rise in smartphones and the confidence of modern travellers with technology means people now expect to be able to do everything from their mobiles.
A recent survey found that 90% of travellers from the UK & USA would find communicating via text with their accommodation provider either ‘very’ or ‘somewhat useful, preferring quick, direct responses rather than picking up the phone.
Using Whatsapp for your hostel is a great way to build a relationship with your upcoming, present and past guests – you can share special personalised promotions e.g 10% off a relevant activity, send an in-stay welcome message or ask for feedback after their stay.
2. COME AND SEE US AT HOSTELSKILLS
The agenda for October’s HostelSkills conference in Lisbon has just been announced – and we’re going to be speaking!
We will be running a workshop on how hostels can use Instagram to increase booking and reach more guests. We will cover topics such as what content actually works on the platform, how to make the most of InstaStories and InstaHighlights as well as getting started with Instagram advertising.
There will be a variety of talks from hostel owners and fellow industry professionals on topics such as the transformation of the hostel brand image, improving revenue management and the challenges both OTAs and hostels are currently facing.
HostelSkills conferences are the meeting point for global hostel professionals who come together twice a year to discuss the latest industry trends and look for ways to reinvent hostels as the first choice for global travellers.
We look forward to seeing some of you there!
3. AIRBNB MAKE THEIR MOVE ON BUSINESS TRAVEL BOOKINGS
“Airbnb is going to integrate Airbnb Experiences and curated lists of meeting-appropriate homes into its booking tool. Initial feedback has been strong, so it’s probably only a matter of time until Airbnb builds partnerships in other areas.” – Source.
Last week, Airbnb announced it would be adding its Airbnb Experience products and a personalised list of meeting-appropriate homes into the booking tools for both travellers and those booking travel on behalf of others for business.
The announcement comes after their partnership began last year with WeWork, a company providing shared workspaces, startup communities and services for entrepreneurs and freelancers. WeWork allows Airbnb customers to buy a day pass to their nearby workspace, demonstrating the accommodation providers push into its business travel offerings beyond just homes.
Following on from the success of Airbnb for Work, as well as the rise of digital nomads, remote workers and those combining their work and leisure travel, there is little surprise that we are now seeing further developments into the business travel sector from the hospitality service.
While we are seeing Airbnb move into the business travel world, the hostel industry remains a few steps ahead. The rise of co-working hostels with facilities specifically designed for remote workers and digital nomads are growing fast. Hostels such as Tribe Theory are transforming the way entrepreneurs can travel by creating an inspiring community to network, share ideas and meet like-minded people who are taking a modern approach to working life.
So, although Airbnb may be able to offer quirky meeting spaces for businesses on the move, hostels remain the accommodation providers who can offer remote workers a creative community where they are able to live, socialise and network on a budget.
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