Traveling and hotels are two essential sectors in the tourism industry. Most travelers will require some form of accommodation during their journey, and the hotel industry offers many options to fit a variety of budgets.
The lodging industry includes hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts. Each type of property has its own advantages, but hotels typically offer more amenities than motels and have staff available around the clock. This makes hotels a better choice for business travelers who need to stay connected, or families looking for a little extra space.
Many travel-related businesses are experiencing challenging times, and the hotel industry is no exception. A slowdown in demand has been compounded by the coronavirus pandemic and a general uncertainty about the economy.
Despite the tough environment, travel-related industries are poised for recovery. Business travel is slowly rebounding, while leisure travel shows signs of a long-awaited turnaround. The reopening of China also has the potential to rekindle demand.
In terms of online booking, there are three types of sites to consider: OTAs (online travel agencies); hotels’ own websites; and aggregators. The latter trawl both OTAs and hotel sites to return a compendium of results for the destination and dates you’re searching. Regardless of which option you choose, be sure to book through a secure website and check the cancellation policy carefully. Also, sign up for a hotel loyalty program to earn points toward free stays and other perks. Most programs are free to join.