Here are a few ways hotel technology can help your property benefit from one of the latest pandemic-driven travel trends: trip stacking
Trip stacking is one of the latest travel trends to emerge from the pandemic, and it’s also predicted to be one of the biggest travel trends in 2023. But what exactly is it and how can your hotel profit from this growing trend? Let’s take a look.
What Is Trip Stacking?
To first understand how your property can benefit from this latest trend, we must first answer the question: What is trip stacking? One form of trip stacking comes when a traveler books two or more trips for the same vacation slot. Driven in large part by pandemic protocol exhaustion and the fear that their future vacation plans will be canceled, many travelers have been double or triple booking trips for the same dates. Usually the two trips vary in distance, with one being a riskier option — such as an international destination — and the other being a “safer” option — such as a road trip.
Another form of trip stacking comes when a traveler adds another destination or trip directly following or preceding their existing trip. A fall 2022 study by economy lodging brand Motel 6 revealed that nearly 57% of travelers planned to trip stack this winter.
How Can Your Property Profit from Trip Stacking?
Now that we’ve established the types of trip stacking, how can your property benefit? When it comes to travelers planning backup trips, reservation cancellations can abound when they decide to opt for plan B. That said, putting your hotel’s offering front-and-center can help sway customers to your property. By offering the latest technologies, such as in-room tablets and branded mobile apps, customers can vacation exactly how they want by getting what they want, when they want it.
For those trip stackers tacking on a vacation directly before or after their existing trip, swaying them to stay a little longer can be easiest when your leisure options are front-and-center. Bleisure travelers, or those travelers combining both business travel and leisure travel, are one large group of trip stackers that hotels should focus on. Properties that typically service business travelers now have the opportunity to show them their leisure offerings. Providing open workspaces and a reliable internet connection is key for the business traveler, but hotels must also highlight their leisure amenities to get guests to extend their stay at the property.
One way to do this is through hotel technology. A branded hotel mobile app allows guests looking to relax to order room service, book spa appointments and order drinks poolside, all from their mobile device. Smart-room tablets let travelers browse and order in-room dining, search for local attractions and stream their favorite television shows all from the comfort of their hotel room bed. By offering the best in both business and leisure amenities, trip stackers are sure to be drawn to a property that offers it all.
Want to learn more about how you can make your property stand out using hotel technology? Request a demo today.
