Hospitality Trends for 2020: Take Your Hotel into the Next Decade

As we say goodbye to one decade and move into the next, hotels will need to be prepared to take their properties and guest experiences into the next decade. Some of the top trends that we will start to see in the hospitality industry in 2020 and beyond include the following influencers.

1. Millennials

Millennials can be a demanding group of people. They are used to getting things quickly and easily without having to stand in line to do so. They embrace technology, mobile devices, social media, and apps. Hotels will need to adapt and offer mobile device check-in/check-out and offer an app.

Additionally, they will want to embrace using mobile devices as a means of communication with millennial guests’ needs—like if they want turndown service, need more towels, etc. Hotels will also need to offer special perks like affordable gourmet dining and wine tastings.

2. Artificial Intelligence

AI (Artificial Intelligence) is another emerging technology hotels will want to incorporate into their guests’ experiences. They could put personal assistant devices like Alexa or Google Assistant in each guest room. Guests could use their personal assistant to request an Uber, buy tickets to events, or order room service from the hotel.

3. Green Sustainability

Being more environmentally conscious will be a big trend in 2020 and beyond for hospitality businesses, including hotels. Adding solar panels to roofs and on-demand water heaters are two upgrades hotels will start to incorporate into their properties. They should also continue to use energy-efficient lighting and water-conserving fixtures. 

 4. Technology

Hotels need to embrace new and emerging technologies. IoT (Internet of Things) is one technology we will start to see being used more in hotels and the hospitality industry. From allowing guests to connect to in-room refrigerators and stock them with food and beverages to using mobile devices as room keys and pool and spa passes, IoT will be a game-changer.

Both VR (virtual reality) and facial recognition will start to become more commonplace in hotels. Some of the larger hotels are already using VR as a way to interact with guests. For instance, they can immerse a guest in a VR experience where they can tour the property, see guests rooms, and onsite amenities.

Facial recognition is being used in different ways for different guest experiences. One way hotels can use it is, after a guest registers and checks in, they will be able to use their mobile device to scan their face and send it to an IoT device that will unlock their guest room door. Instead of needing a key, they can just walk up to the door and press a button to have their face scanned, and the door will unlock. 

5. Increased Use of Social Media

Expect hotels to take things to the next level like providing real-time offers for guests staying on a property. Hotels will also use their social media channels to announce new technologies being added to their properties and using guests’ images and feedback for continued self-promotion.

6. Real-Time Guest Responses

Millennials, just like Gen Xers and Baby Boomers, tend to be brand-loyal when it comes to hotels. To help ensure loyalty from all guests, hotels will move to a real-time guest response when there is an issue or another problem, by communicating through their app, social media, or text messaging.

To ensure your hotel guests are happy and loyal, you should be thinking about updating your property for 2020 and beyond.

To find wholesale hotel supplies and hospitality supplies for your hotel, restaurant, or other hospitality business, please feel free to browse and buy your restaurant and hotel supplies online from our store, or contact National Hospitality Supply at 800-526-8224 for further assistance.