Hospitality and Technology

Hospitality and Technology

Introduction

People travel for numerous of reasons such as for family vacations, business seminars, weddings, or just for a spontaneous getaway. A majority of them rely on hotels to accommodate them while their out of town. Hotels are considered more than just a place to stay, but a destination that offers a diverseness of activities to keep travelers occupied during their stay.

Hotels differ as the many family and business travelers they accommodate. They range from 5-star hotels, bed and breakfast inn, to youth hostels. The main objective is simply providing a place to spend the night. However, if one chooses to stay longer a hotel can accommodate for extended stays with different types of dining, concierges to plan any type of activity or service that one may desire, and business centers to meet one's needs.

Discussion

In recent years, a few large national hotel chains such as Marriott, Best Western, and Hilton have dominated the hotel industry. Travelers are familiar with establishments that exemplify dependability and quality at reasonable rates. Many hotels recognize the importance of brand loyalty to guests. In doing so, they have expanded their lodging options that are under one corporate name which includes a variety of hotels from limited service, affordable type hotels, and luxury inns (Juline, Matthew and Sookeun, 2010).

While Marriott's hotels outside the US continue to do well, business conditions for the hotels within the US are deteriorating (Reuters, 2008). This will be their weakness for 2008 if the economy continues to decline.

Marriott's opportunities include partnerships with other large companies to come up with new hotel concepts. In 2007 they “announced their partnerships with Nickelodeon and Miller Global Properties, LLC, to develop a new lodging resort brand and concept for travelers seeking fun and adventure, 'Nickelodeon by Marriott'” (Marriott International, INC, 2008). In the same year, they also “announced a partnership with the pioneer of the lifestyle boutique hotel, Ian Schrager, to create Edition, the first truly global boutique lifestyle hotel brand on a large scale” (Marriott International, INC, 2008).

A threat they are facing is the slowing of the tourism industry due to rising travel costs, for both car and airplane that forces less people to take vacations.

Some trends that Marriott is participating in are internet-booking options. This is very attractive to travelers because of the convenience. Travelers are able to obtain availability, prices of room rates that are most ...