Travel and Tourism

No matter where you travel in Georgia, throughout the United States or around the world, there are certain things that make your hotel stay all the more pleasant. Even though they say that there's no place like home, there are definitely measures that hotels can take to ensure that guests have a better visit. A satisfied customer will be happy to return time after time, so even the most simple steps towards guest satisfaction are a sound business move.

According to a new study from the Center for Hospitality Research (CHR), if guests are aware of the hotel's room rate-changing rules, then they are more likely to consider the establishment as being fair. Adjusted room rates are a response on the part of hotels to the demand and occupancy patterns and the varying rates are adopted according to hotel revenue management techniques. Yet if guests are not aware of the reasons behind such a move, they are more likely to find it unfair. The survey revealed that guests who know how the rules work are more likely to think a rate setting practice is fair.

The CHR study was based on the findings of the responses of 815 participants in the United States. Each respondent was shown one of a range of eight unique scenarios that could be commonplace at New York hotels or even London hotels (so national or international) and required to answer if the hotel was being fair in that particular case. While guests are aware that room rates are subject to change, there were certain conditions and situations in which guests were more willing to accept the changed rate.

The findings suggest a new way to market hotel room rates to enhance the guest experience and help the guest to make informed decisions when it comes to booking a room at a lower cost. This would work to eliminate the practice of guests asking for discounts, as the differential rates can be explained online or by reservation agents and front-desk receptionists. From Shanghai hotels to San Francisco hotels, the most advantageous rate can be secured by booking in advance, ensuring that guests looking to save on room rates are able to make an informed decision.