Authored article by Rajat Shetty, Managing Director, Ramee Group of Hotels

There’s definitely been a huge gap in how the hospitality industry has changed since the late 90s. People often underestimate how resilient and adaptive this industry can be through time. In just 25 years, it’s observed the hotel distribution model upended by the OTAs (major competitors arriving through the years in the shape of bed & breakfast rhyming Fairbnb ); and then the global pandemic forcing hotels in many key segments to cease business almost overnight!

And yet, despite the costs, the hospitality industry prevailed itself to keep rolling, adapting to new definitions of wellness and staycations, consistently treating budding trends as business opportunities. Amid the backup contingency of having strong hotel development pipelines in many regions, here are a few key points would be trendsetters for the hospitality and F&B industry in 2023.

1. Design Rethinking Led by ‘Work From Anywhere’ Revolution

With more bleisure travellers (people who travel for business and leisure or the ones that add few leisure days to their work travel trips), the functions within the hotel/resort need to tailor these blended needs to optimise their stay quality and experience effectively – comfortably away from their home! Some interior/exterior changes could include upgrades in wardrobe spaces, incorporation of workspaces in room spaces, tech equipment with speedy wifi connectability, slightly less pop of colour and more homeliness with greenscape, reassessment of public areas, and ofcourse better lighting for all moods!

2. Hospitality Optimisation for Multi-Generational Travellers

After prolonged years of forced separation, multi-generational travel has eventually taken precedence for longer vacays. To tackle the age-old issue that these travellers have in finding the perfect hotel that best suits all aged family members’ needs, hospitality owners and designers are evaluating the value that their hotel offers to make strategic changes. Flexibility in space function becomes key and the year 2023 will definitely see an increase demand for smart lock-off suit options, flexibility configured villas/clustered bungalows, edu-tainment kids clubs, spas and wellness clubs, better bed designs for happier tiny tots and their most relieved parents, multi cuisine menu options, menus suited for all age groups, flexible meal option for the night owls rather than forced only free breakfast in the early morning hours.

3. Having the Unexpected, Awe-inspiring, Breaktaking WoW Factor

Having the need to look and feel unique is not just in human nature but it lies with owning assets too. Having the most uniquely built hotel isn’t just a proud thing anymore, it’s what brings free

fame, publicity and marketing to your hotel business these days. With more influencers and social media celebrities, your hotel needs to have that instagrammable factor to pull in more footfall. Even in 2023, an explosion of iconic design, lavish interiors, and cool tech functions will boost more futuristic yet innovative hotels, for instance think of the floating hotels of the Middle East. Everyone today wants the WoW Factor: a brilliant balance of yin and yang, in this case, classy and affordability, scenic and secluded, premium and affordable, wellness and workation oriented.

4. Wellness of the Mind and Body are Now Top Priority on a Traveller’s List

You don’t necessarily have to open a bespoke vegan restaurant or spend lakhs to renovate a spa to be thought of as a wellness boutique hotel. More and more individuals getting health-conscious tend to look for a wellness hotel that consciously makes an effort to promote a healthy lifestyle. For instance placing healthier choices in the mini bar is a tiny step. Providing yoga, meditation, and spa sessions and personal trainers is something health-conscious guests would be happy to pay in the coming seasons. Ensure your guests are choosing your in-house F&B options because they’ll tend to trust your hotel to produce healthier foods instead of non-tried local competitors in your area.

5. Optimise on the Advent of Unique Tourism Niches

By 2023, there will be an unstable demand for various unique tourism niches that are today considered trending. Unique tourism provides travellers the physical and psychological satisfaction of experiencing dedicated thrills they signed up for. Some types of unique tourism include: Sports Tourism, Health Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Recreation Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Pleasure Tourism, Religious Tourism, Wildlife Tourism, Heritage Tourism, etc. Seasonal, economical, political, cultural and various other factors highly influence these tourism products. So, know the right time of the year to market your hotel if it falls in a certain unique tourism.

Other than these highlights, the hospitality industry by 2023 should at least incorporate tech oriented changes to their branding like having a functional website, active social media pages, sponsored events hosted to pull crowds, and many more. Also, providing transformational, ultra-personalised experiences to your guests definitely magnetises them back to your hotel.

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