Travel through the prism of frugality – by John Hendrie
John Hendrie - Posted on Friday, September 3, 2010 at 1:43PM On the cusp of a three day Holiday Weekend, Labor Day, AAA set forth a projection of 34.4 million people to travel at least 50 miles from their home. This may have been before the alarming Hurricane Earl began to buffet the Eastern seaboard and quickly began to peter out, as many vacationers had already left the path and homesteads hunkered down. It appears that the weekend shall actually be wonderful, disappointing only the nightly news and their quest for excitement and intrigue. Weather gets everyone’s attention!
There is a new bring-along in those traveler suitcases, however – austerity. Yes, people are traveling, but with different goals and expectations. As pointed out by Christine Hauser in a New York Times article, 8/28/10, “Travel Plans, but Frugality comes along for the Ride”, “The pent-up demand is starting to filter through, though it is more a trickle than a flood. With it, analysts said, comes a new level of austerity, as vacationers search for frugal ways to get away by juggling their finances, taking shorter trips and even staying with relatives”.
So, we Hospitality businesses, who rely on that intrepid traveler, must reconsider the equation – how do we get these folks into our rooms, seated at our tables, enjoying our recreational amenities – actually, just getting them here and there. Well, we have our premise – the Guest Experience is all that counts. And, we adapt, creatively, for we certainly do not want them staying with Mom and Dad, Unk and Auntie, much less former college roomies or old pals. Maybe we beef up the breakfast buffet, align activities with our other Destination partners (who need the business, too), throw in a complimentary cocktail, a free gallon of gas, or a spa special. Be innovative, and make it happen, for the goal is to get them through the door.
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