The global growth of the budget and hostel sectors, including the fast-emerging commercialised private rental market such as Airbnb, is set to continue as the consumer increasingly values experience over formality and is highly influenced by social media in the choices they make, claims a new report by HVS.
According to the study, the biggest users of budget accommodation are accustomed to booking through their smart phones, either direct or through online travel agents. This sector is starting to shape part of a ‘sharing economy’ whereby consumers value access to rather than ownership of goods and services.
Online sales growing
As a result of this movement online sales of hotel accommodation through intermediaries such as OTAs as well as direct sales are forecast to continue growing, bridging the gap between guests and smaller independent hotels. Offline sales, as a percentage of total sales, are forecast to continue decreasing, confirming the importance of an effective online presence.
“There are now signs that rather than consolidating the larger hotel groups’ positions, the proliferation of OTAs is fragmenting the market, which may benefit smaller operators who can crowd together,” said report author Harry Douglass.
“Now generation” sales
“The industry is embracing technology to make sales from the ‘now generation’, a consumer group that makes instant hotel decisions, often based purely on online peer to peer platforms such as Facebook and Twitter which have become the new ‘word of mouth’.”
The report, entitled The Budget Hotel Sector’s Position in the Sharing Economy, studies the private rentals market across eight European countries. It reveals the budget and hostel sector has grown from about 8% of the market in 2008, to 10% in 2014. This share is forecast to increase to around 12% by 2017, particularly as the sector gains recognition in new and emerging markets.
“This expansion is also shown to capture market share from the chain hotels. Hyatt Hotels recent purchase of a stake in Lifealike Ltd demonstrates the hotel industry’s increasing acceptance of the necessity to take a position in the peer-to-peer distribution market,” added Douglass.
Source: http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/
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