Hotelier Middle East – May 2019

COMMENT & OPINION

HOTELIER MIDDLE EAST | May 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 05 19

T

he total amount of luxury hotels

in Los Angeles, New York and

London is 10%, 11% and 12%

respectively. Moreover, Hong

Kong and Paris’ total luxury hotel count is

24% and 34% respectively. These are some

of the most popular cities in the world and

one can’t help but wonder how long ago they

figured it all out.

Let’s ask ourselves what we look for in

hotels when planning the next business

trip or vacation. Is it the expensive marble-

floored lobbies, decorated with lush

flowers? Or is it the prestige of being picked

up in a grandiose limo, greeted by a well-

groomed butler, wearing a uniform made

out of 15 different pieces of clothing?

Instagrammable moments

The days are gone when the likes of

Sheraton and Hilton were the most

prestigious and sought-after hotels, when

they were setting the standard for all the

others who looked on in awe.

Today, in the time of influencers and

social media, more and more travellers

are expected to seek “Instagrammable”

experiences. Millennials prefer to save their

money on a hotel stay and then spend the

savings on experiences and entertainment

outside of the hotel.

Let’s also not forget Generation Y,

defined as consumers aged 18 to 38, who

are changing the face of travel. From a

workplace and a marketplace perspective,

Generation Y is the fastest growing

demographic in the world. According to

research firm Viacom, Generation Y in the

Middle East accounts for almost half (48%)

of the population compared to 34% around

the world.

With 75% of the global workforce

expected to be made up of this age group

by 2030, do you really think that they still

believe in the hotel bellhop opening their

door, or that, instead, they are led by a “carry

your own luggage, tip yourself ” kind of stay?

COMMENT

Damir Boshnjak argues why there needs to be more affordable hotels across the

region, citing that social media and Generation Y consumers have changed what

travellers expect from hotels today

Want to enter the debate? We want your view, so let’s talk. Drop me an email to: [email protected]

Why we

need more

affordable

hotels in the

region

The new traveller:

splurge your budget on a

great experience,

not your bedroom

By Damir Boshnjak, Hotel

Manager, Studio One Hotel

Generation Y is the fastet

growing demographic in

the world

Damir Boshnjak