If your property is typically vacant Monday to Friday, you may want to seriously consider catering to the accommodation needs of today’s business travelers. This guest segment makes up a significant chunk of the hospitality industry’s valuation — exclusive data from trivago has revealed that 43% of travelers are booking hotel stays for trips that occur during the workweek. What’s more, the business of hosting business travelers is becoming increasingly lucrative. According to The 2018 Skift Global Business Traveller Report, the sector is estimated to reach $1.6 trillion by 2020.
To win their business, let business travelers know you have everything they need in an accommodation. To get you started, we’ve combed through dozens of online hotel reviews and created a list of the top business-guest requirements. Offer these services and amenities and advertise them on your website and metasearch profiles, and you’ll be well on your way to improving occupancy and growing your RevPAR in 2019 and beyond.
Fast, reliable internet
Every review mentioned the value of the Internet. People are willing to pay for it, too—if it’s top-notch. Ensure your Internet service is fast, reliable, and easy to connect to. If you offer it for free, prominently display the login details throughout your hotel.
Ample power outlets
We’re more plugged in than ever: business travelers especially so. Make sure your rooms have numerous conveniently located power outlets (guests shouldn’t have to move furniture to locate them). Is your property historic and lacking in outlets? You can always provide a power extension socket.
Easy check-in
Business travelers want nothing more than a quick, painless, and flexible check-in process after the hassle of traveling. Some hotels now offer online check-in with keyless room entry to meet this need. If that’s not possible for your property, just make sure you provide a fast check-in service. Step one? Have someone at the reception desk at all times.
Transportation information
If there’s a big conference hall or trade fair venue in town, you can bet business travelers need a way to get there. Display travel options (including costs and departure times) between major travel hubs, your hotel, and any conference center. After all, they’re there to do business—getting to the location is important. Equally important is finding convenient parking back at the hotel after a long day of doing business.
Nutritious breakfast offerings
Business travelers are always on the go. They appreciate good-tasting, healthy breakfasts that are both quick and filling. Help them fuel up for the day with fruit, nuts, healthy cereals, juices, coffee, and tea — and offer to-go snacks and a bagged breakfast for those who don’t have time to sit down and eat.
Hotel bar
A drink can help your guests relax after a hard day’s work. If you have a bar in your hotel, ensure it’s open when your business-traveler guests return later in the evening. No bar? Try offering a bottle of wine or mini-bar in their rooms.
Comfortable beds
Business trips are exhausting. As you’re providing the bed for the night, make sure it’s comfortable. Plush bedding and pillows made from all-natural fibers can help deliver a good night’s sleep. If your blankets are thin and synthetic, it may be time for an update that all guests will enjoy, including business travelers.
Peace & quiet
After the hassle of traveling and the strains of working, business travelers need their sleep. Help them fall asleep faster by placing them in your rooms furthest from the busy street. In addition to noises, light from outside can be distracting. Go the extra step and fit your rooms with blackout curtains.
Tea & coffee
Business trips tend not to adhere to a 9-to-5 schedule. Business travelers often work late and wake up early — making it hard to feel refreshed in the morning. Give guests the extra boost they need by having caffeinated drinks available in-room or via beverage stations on each floor.
Iron and ironing board
More so than the average guest, these travelers dress to impress. Help them work out any sartorial wrinkles by having an iron and ironing board right in the room. If that’s not possible, have one that guests can borrow and let them know about it.
Start attracting business travelers to your property
Start appealing to business travelers browsing hotels online by clearly and prominently showcasing your current business-oriented conveniences, right on your hotel website and metasearch profile. Make sure your trivago profile lists all the top business-traveler amenities you offer – here’s an example of what that could look like:
Claim your property’s trivago profile today.
Featured image credit: Daria Shevtsova on Unsplash
Article originally published December 2016; revised and republished May 2019.
