Value will be a key driver for hotel guests in 2024

Hotel guests will see getting value for money as one of their primary travel drivers for 2024, an industry insider predicts.

Extending work stays with play, and re-creating the comforts of home in-room, will also be major trends as rising living costs may take high-end or extended travel off the agenda for many, says Craig Hooley, Chief Operating Officer of Minor Hotels.

Hooley, whose responsibilities include Oaks Hotels, Resorts and Suites says that as a nation of committed travellers, the brand is noticing many Australians would rather adapt their travel plans than give them up altogether.

Savvy operators will tap into this mindset and adapt to guests’ changing travel preferences, not just by offering deals, but by incorporating added value through partnerships with aligned brands, offering accommodation options for larger groups who can share costs, or encouraging leisure stays to be added onto work trips to save on flight costs, says Hooley.

“Simple things such as a weekend staycation in your own city, a road trip to a regional destination, or a coastal escape with family and friends are the key ingredients to a happy getaway, which is all about taking a break from the rigamarole of everyday life - and feeling like you’re getting great value for money," he says.

"That is something Oaks delivers with our spacious accommodation, value-add partnerships with familiar brands such as Foxtel, Menulog and The Coffee Club, and in-room kitchens, laundry facilities, and living spaces.”

While locals are still keen to get away despite the rising cost of living, value for money is influencing the way we travel, with guests carefully weighing up location, seasonal deals, loyalty program benefits and additional value-add items, such as in-room kitchens to save on the cost of eating out, in-room streaming rather than pay-per-view movies, and quality in-room coffee to avoid the pricey morning café run.

With hybrid working increasingly entrenched, travellers are adding extra days to work trips to save on purchasing airfares or are choosing to work from a holiday destination then explore after hours or on the weekend.

Again, while the bleisure concept isn’t a new one, it’s gaining traction with the skyrocketing work-from-home culture.