Uses, trends and new hotel models brought about by the pandemic
Creativity, agility and adaptability are the key to exploring new formats, uses and business opportunities in a changing and complex environment such as the one the hotel and tourism industry is going through as a result of covid-19. Based on our experience in the 39 establishments across the continent, we see how hotels and hostels have taken on a different role in the current context, including other uses and formulas that respond to current needs.
After the initial impact and consequences of the pandemic on world tourism, the hotel sector has faced the situation, first by contributing to the fight against the health crisis, with the medicalization and adaptation of establishments to accommodate patients or health personnel;The company is now developing formulas that allow it to maintain its activity and to explore new market niches.
The alternative uses are vital for accommodations in covid-19 times. Restrictions and bans on tourism force us to be more creative and to think of solutions that can take hold in the long term, formulas that we are testing in the hotels currently operating in 23 cities in Europe.
CUSTOMIZED LONG-STAY
The hotel as temporary housing was a use that was applied, with limitations, before the pandemic, especially for groups of workers who must move to a destination for long periods of time. The pandemic is making it possible to study other formulas for this type of client, taking advantage of knowledge in group management and focusing on the personalization of services and rates.
This is what the Copenhagen Sydhavn team, which opened its doors this fall, is doing: a group of 35 Spanish workers who will be in charge of building the new subway line in the center of the Danish capital are staying there from this November until April 2021. The hotel has aligned services to these huéspedes with their 24-hour shifts on site to ensure not only that health and safety measures are met, but that customers have what they need, making operations and service schedules flexible.
NÓMADAS DIGITALES
¿Hotels as an alternative to housing in the heart of cities? With the spread of telecommuting, opportunities to commute between various destinations for work are increasing, especially if accommodations offer special rates to attract these hybrid travelers.
Although there are still many limitations on mobility, if teleworking takes hold, hotels, and especially chains, can be good alternatives to cheaper leases, especially for digital nómadas.
WORK SPACES
Remote offices are becoming more prevalent in the teleworking era. Therefore, the company has refocused its expertise in this segment to attract workers who can exercise their profession remotely and who are looking for variety or a quiet place to work without leaving their cities, with a good breakfast, good public transport connections and strict health and safety measures.
The offer of special rates for these uses, for full days or hours, has had good results and experience allows us to evaluate formulas that can be profitable once the pandemic is overcome, especially in low season.
We will seemore trends and models, which will evolve faster than usual, and this forces us to think of options and alternatives that will continue to surprise guests and travelers, without sacrificing comfort, safety and service excellence. We are taking advantage of this juncture to test new formulas and gain experience, and our teams are showing us, every day, how flexible our accommodations are and the possibilities they offer if we think creatively
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