The hotel industry has undergone a lot of changes in the past decade, and the trends are strongly leaning towards one thing. Hotels need to shift their culture to work with the world today. This manifests itself in different ways, from technological upgrades to eco-friendly practices in the daily upkeep of your hotel. In today’s article, we will be discussing why hotels need a cultural reset so that they won’t fall behind with the fast and loose trends of today.

Hotels In a Post-COVID World

One of the biggest reasons for hotels suddenly having to shift their priorities and practices was the COVID-19 pandemic. The sudden lack of guests meant a huge hit to profits for hotels all around the world. However, hotels all around the world have started adapting, and two ways, in particular, have become the forefront of the cultural reset we are seeing today.

The first is eco-friendliness. The lack of guests means maintenance costs start becoming a liability. As it turns out, sustainability is an incredibly useful tool for saving costs when there aren’t any guests to justify the costs of upkeep. In many ways, the pandemic has shown hotels the excesses of their conventional practices.

The second is digitization. With everybody forced to stay home, or at the very least, having social distance, working remotely has become a core aspect of daily life. Meetings are now held through video conferences, temperatures of guests are measured with thermal scanners, and their medical history is logged in databases for posterity.

Eco-Friendly Practices

With climate change becoming a more and more oppressive problem in society, industries such as hotels must reduce their carbon footprint and go for sustainable practices. These are not only environmentally friendly but also just as efficient and effective as the old conventional methods of hotel management.

By going eco-friendly, you’re not just saving the environment, but also improving your reputation. Customers are more likely to engage in business with hotels that take eco-friendly practices into account. It communicates a clear sense of responsibility on the hotel’s behalf. Here are a few ways that your hotel can go eco-friendly.

Cut Down on Waste

Excess waste is a huge factor in the overall pollution of the world, so reducing waste is a good start. This could be done in several ways:

  • Add clearly labeled bins for recyclables and ensure they are near high traffic areas
  • Have water bottle filling stations in key areas instead of disposable water bottles
  • Offer a one-time branded and reusable water bottle as a reward for hotel members
  • If you must use disposable containers, ensure that they are biodegradable
  • Turn off electricity in areas of the hotel where nothing is being done.

Alternative Resources and Machinery

Sustainability is the name of the game, and going this route not only reduces waste but also saves you a significant amount in upkeep costs. Examples are:

  • Using electric or hybrid cars
  • Automatic light bulbs that reduce in brightness depending on motion and daylight
  • Automatic Thermostats
  • Digitize forms instead of printing them out
  • Incorporate more shade into your hotel’s architecture

Using alternative tools in your hotel is a crucial step in changing your hotel’s culture to one of sustainability and efficiency.

Digitize Your Business

Hotels should always have the comfort of the guests at the forefront of their plans. One of the best ways to make guests comfortable is by making their experience as smooth and convenient as possible. This is where digitization comes in very handy. There are many ways to start your hotel’s digital transformation. A few examples include:

Data Management

One of the most troublesome parts of maintaining a hotel is the sheer amount of data that needs to be processed. Maintenance costs, utilities, foodstuff, and a whole host of other complicated resources are very hard to keep track of with manual paperwork or outdated excel spreadsheets.

Digitizing your business with the latest digital management tools is key to making your hotel run like a well-oiled machine. Proper digitization is the only way to ensure that your hotel can keep up with the ever-shifting trends of the world, whether it be the summer season or a full-blown pandemic.

Increase Communication With Clientele

It’s no shock that events and meetings have drastically changed since the pandemic. Communicating with your guests is very important, but people alone can’t handle the requests of every single guest in the hotel. It’s crucial that every guest feels their needs are being taken care of.

In this regard, digitization is incredibly helpful. You could offer a hotel app with all the latest news and deals about your hotel to your guests. In addition, the app could also act as a quick resource for them to find places such as where to find food or where the nearest gym is located.

Hotels are no stranger to the ever-changing needs of their clientele, but now more than ever is when the industry as a whole needs a shake-up. Digitization and sustainability are the premiere forces of cultural change in the industry. The pandemic only pushed the change from a crawl to a run.  Modernizing through these two practices is the key to a successful future for the industry.

Over to you

The hotel industry is always changing, especially during a time of crisis. Make sure to future-proof your business and continue attracting new guests by investing in these solutions.

Ready to take your hotels digital transformation to a new level?

Hire a digital transformation coach for a new and bright future!

Contact Are Morch – Digital Transformation Coach today!

Related article: 5 Surprising Changes to the Hospitality Industry We Think Are Here to Stay

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NOTE

The hotel industry still is facing some uphill challenges. Make sure you follow their guidelines and say THANK YOU to those that now show a unique spirit to serve, and help us all get through this!! #hotelstrong #hospitalitystrong

About Are Morch

Hi, I am Are Morch. Your Digital Transformation Coach helps hotels create unique and unexpected experiences by freeing up resources to focus on new ideas through value innovation and a growth mindset.

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