The hospitality industry is very competitive and to be successful in a fast paced business, it’s crucial to keep up with the latest trends in order to avoid falling behind. Today’s guest demands will be tomorrow’s history. Successful companies and business owners are always peering over the horizon. Keeping pace with the hospitality industry trends is one of the several ways you as an owner can ensure that your business is delivering excellent customer experience.
The hospitality industry is diverse in nature and includes everything from hotels, restaurants, bars, travel agencies, senior living environments, medical facilities, and other accommodation venues. Nevertheless, there are some trends that are standard across the entire hospitality industry. The industry is increasingly competitive and ever-growing. Emerging technologies and rising customer expectations are constantly shaping it. Be it interior design, technology, service, food, amenities or commercial furniture, it’s never too late to plan and even stay ahead of competition this year with these hospitality trends for 2020.
Digital will continue to Reshape Guest Experience
Technology has taken center stage of our lives and therefore it should be no surprise that the hospitality industry will be powered by digital technologies. Mobile will continue to influence the industry. Other incipient technologies that brand globally will keep on being incorporated into guest experience. This will propel hospitality providers to serve guests in a significantly more connected way, striking a perfect balance between human interaction and automated solutions. Examples of technology support human interaction would include the deployment of real time translation earphones and smart glasses that would allow staff (especially at hotels) to communicate with guests in their native tongue. However, there are other technologies that you can expect to make a mark in 2020:
- Internet of Things is one the major emerging technology trends in the hospitality industry. This trend enables the staff/employees to keep track and manage valuable inventory with in the facility. In the case of hotels, the Smart Hotel features allow staff and guests to regulate energy consumption more efficiently and support sustainability and pro-environment initiatives. It also has the potential to increase revenue. Business owners that are investing in mobile engagement expect guests to use mobile devices for payment, making reservations, booking rooms, placing orders, accessing keys for various amnesties, etc. Additionally, IoT powered technology can send real-time offers to customers’ smartphones, thereby encouraging more sales.
- Artificial Intelligence is another digital feature which many business owners are experimenting with. This trend helps (mostly) helps hotels interact with guests in numerous ways. From using AI-fueled robots to chatbots at the reception area or for room/food service, many of these commercial settings are rapidly moving toward guest-centric hospitality. On the other hand, AI-enabled devices have shown to reduce the need for human assistance when it comes to answering and resolving problems that commonly arise among customers.
- Virtual Realityis being used by many hoteliers, restaurateurs and other business owners to blend the digital and physical worlds with the purpose of creating an immersive world for their guests. Not only does it make guest (travel) experience more seamless; it also entertains them thus popularizing This trend is expected to grow with hotels and other commercial business around the world that are searching for different and innovative ways to incorporate VR into guest experience. Several examples of these ways are giving people virtual tours by placing theme in a simulated hotel, for instance, and by providing VR experiences of storytelling of each room.
Embracing Sustainable Business Practices
As we face more environmental issues every day, people are increasingly becoming more concerned about sustainability and want to know how the businesses they deal with are handling them. Sustainability, for this reason, has been one of the most perceptible hospitality industry trends in recent times. A large section of the hospitality industry has participated in Go Green Acts which are meant to lessen negative environmental impact. This cause is proved to be good for the planet and also for businesses. Subsequently, customers are willing to pay more for products and services to companies that engage in sustainable business practices.
There are a sheer growing number of hoteliers, restaurateurs, and other business owners engaging in eco-friendly business practices. Examples of these practices range from restaurants promoting vegetarian/vegan options on their menus to hotels using smart light bulbs and smart heating/air conditioning to save energy. Within other venues in the accommodation sector, decisions on using more sustainable materials for commercial furniture are being made. Green campaigns that many businesses in the hospitality industry will consider are global carbon emission compliance, saving water, waste reduction and limiting plastic usage. Smart buildings that will digitalize such facilities will also result in lower energy costs. Determining the right time to go completely green – to the possible detriment of guest comfort – is a million dollar question that many operators are unwilling to answer.
Online Communities
Over the years, especially in the digital age, online communities have changed the way businesses in the hospitality sector have interacted with customers. Company websites, online magazines and social media networks greatly contribute to hospitality facilities’ interpretation of transparency hence leading to the improvement in the quality of services they provide. Online marketing is heavily reliant on multi-user interactivity. Reviews about hotels, restaurants and other businesses posted in the internet affect the customer’s decisions. Word-of-mouth still remains a powerful tool. Now combined with today’s digital platforms, customers can easily share their experiences. Business owners also can find unique selling points.
Positive feedback can translate into economic value for your business. People tend to rely more on reviews made by previous and current customers. As a business owner, you can extract a lot of information from online communities about the reviewer’s age, hobbies, interests and lifestyle to gain valuable insights. That way, you can receive updates with the current trends in the business and competition as well as the upgrades you will need to improve your services.
Sharing Economies
What began with startups like Airbnb and Zipcar, which innovated the physical exchange of services by connecting consumers, the sharing economy is now reaching the hospitality and food service industry. Moving past the experimental stage in the hospitality industry, the sharing economy has been redefining the industry with the expectation to grow in the coming years. Derived from the belief of mutual parties sharing unused assets or properties with each other, the sharing economy leverages technology to facilitate these exchanges. This can be done through collaborative platforms, shared marketplaces or peer-to-peer applications. Some of these groundbreaking projects also address challenges such as food waste or social problems in local communities. You can easily coordinate transitions via online in the sharing economy.
Although this model has been embraced among private individuals, it has nonetheless made an economic impact for leading and major brands in the hospitality industry. The sharing economy allows more flexible management for restaurateurs and hoteliers. Accommodations and lodging properties listed on these platforms are not legally required to follow the same rules and regulations as a traditional hotel, restaurant or other commercial facilities. Applying this principle, they can deliver more consistent and better customer services and guest experiences.
Hospitality Commercial Furniture Trends
Transforming your venue into a destination, and not just a source of food and entertainment is challenge 2020 brings to the industry. Restaurants and hotels are buying into current trends and expanding their social media presence to capture businesses from younger generations. Creating an environment which customer customers can share their experiences on social media is now an imperative. However, a brand needs more than just a flashy, digital prowess. Keeping substance and quality in check without compromising on charismatic and enticing persona is standard which the industry is expected to measure up to in 2020.
A multitude of factors can affect how long a guest will stay at a restaurant or if he/she is likely to return. Ambiance should be the key factor. The venue’s overall character is comprised of service as well as physical and intangible counterparts. Commercial furniture is a huge essential attribute of any restaurant and hotel. Owners need to recognize trends and seek inspiration for furniture layouts that will provide the right feng shui for customers. Below are some restaurant furniture trends to anticipate this year:
Booths and Waiting Benches
Picture this scenario. Imagine being led by your hostess to your table to discover that one side of the table has a big, comfortable padded seating and the other side has metal chairs. What are you most likely to sit on? Most people will beeline for the booth side, leaving the chairs to the weaker pack. Fortunately, 2020 is bringing a resurgence of restaurant booths and waiting benches. Booth seating screams “luxury”, giving most venues a more upscale feel. Customers will certainly appreciate its comfortably padding and durability. Restaurant booths and benches/banquettes make an elegant seating option and can be customized to blend in with any décor type. There are a variety of tufting and other designing options to explore along with different materials and colors. These upholstery techniques can be applied to give your booth its own personality and add to the character of your restaurant’s brand.
Mixed Materials
The shift in minimalism to maximalism is quickly trending. A combination of patterned prints and textiles is making it big in 2020. Textured restaurant tables , detailed upholstery and mixed materials are expected this year. Bold statement yet decorative furniture pieces, be it bar stools or chairs, are becoming a defining characteristic of a venue’s brand identity. Multiple fabric choices are being paired together to create a visually indulgent and impressionable restaurant furniture. Complimentary geometric and organic patterns create unique backgrounds for social media content and Instagram scenery.
Shapely Outdoor Patio Furniture
Geometric, 3D-esque commercial patio furniture is another emerging furniture trend we are seeing everywhere. For instance, bulbous designs seen on chairs or bar stools with architecturally inspired frames make for eye-catching decorations that work nicely on restaurant patios. Outdoor restaurant furniture is sometimes an afterthought or seen as less important than restaurant furniture for indoor dining spaces. In many cases, a restaurant patio is the first impression people will get from a restaurant.
The hospitality/food service industry is evolving at an alarming rate, thus demanding the innovation of all aspects of customer experience. Restaurants are no longer just places to stop by for a quick bite. Nor do people use hotels as sleeping accommodations. They have grown into spots where people gather, socialize, co-work, arrange conferences, host events and organize business meetings. Keeping up to date and employing the latest hospitality industry trends in commercial furniture, design, service and business practices are paramount to customer satisfaction.
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