When travellers choose a hotel for their stay, they look for more than just a place to sleep. Today's guests seek a complete experience, a destination in itself.
In response to this demand, many hotels have started incorporating entertainment options, and some even include unconventional activities like laser tag.
In this blog, we'll explore the reasons why hotels should add entertainment to their offerings.
We'll discuss how it enhances guest satisfaction, boosts revenue, and makes the hotel stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Why Hotels Should Add Entertainment in Their Marketing Strategy
A strategic shift in this transformation has seen hotels increasingly incorporating entertainment into their marketing strategy. The reasons for this are clear:
- To stay competitive
- Enhance guest experiences
- Boost revenue.
This shift towards a more diversified and experiential approach signifies a realization that a comfortable bed and a clean room are no longer enough to capture the hearts and wallets of modern travelers.
Here are the reasons of why hotels are adding entertainment in their business:
Diversify Your Offerings
Hotels have always been more than just a place to lay your head. While comfortable rooms are essential, modern travelers want more. Diversifying your offerings can include spa services, fitness centers, or restaurants, but why stop there? Incorporating entertainment options like laser tag into your hotel allows you to provide a variety of experiences under one roof. Guests don't need to leave the premises to find fun and exciting activities.
Meet Guest Expectations
In an era where Airbnb and other unconventional accommodations are booming, hotels must adapt to remain competitive. Modern travelers often expect more than just a room. By offering entertainment options, hotels can exceed guest expectations, setting themselves apart from their competitors. From a simple game room to more elaborate activities like laser tag, the options are vast.
Boost Occupancy Rates
Empty rooms don't generate revenue. Entertainment facilities can help boost occupancy rates, attracting more guests and keeping them on-site for longer durations. Whether it's a family staying for a weekend or a business traveler looking for some leisure activities, the availability of entertainment can make your hotel more appealing.
Increase Revenue
Entertainment is a revenue-generating asset for hotels. While room rates are essential, they often provide a fixed income. Entertainment options, on the other hand, provide an opportunity for additional sales. Guests are willing to spend on activities they enjoy. Laser tag, for example, can be sold as a separate package or included in a guest's stay, further increasing revenue.
Enhance Guest Satisfaction
Satisfied guests are more likely to become repeat customers and recommend your hotel to others. Offering entertainment options adds an extra layer of enjoyment to their stay. Whether it's a rainy day, a family vacation, or a team-building retreat, having on-site entertainment ensures that guests have a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Create a Unique Selling Proposition
To stand out in the crowded hotel industry, it's essential to have a unique selling proposition (USP). Offering entertainment, especially something unique like laser tag, can make your hotel memorable. When travelers are choosing between multiple options, they are more likely to choose the one that offers a distinctive and enjoyable experience.
Attract Different Demographics
By offering entertainment options, hotels can attract a broader range of demographics. Families with children, couples, friends on vacation, and even corporate groups can find something to enjoy on the hotel premises. Laser tag, for instance, is a versatile activity that can appeal to various age groups.
Foster Social Interaction
Entertainment facilities encourage social interaction among guests. Whether it's a friendly game of laser tag or a shared experience in the game room, hotels can create opportunities for guests to connect and make lasting memories. Social interactions can lead to positive reviews and repeat visits.
Utilize Underutilized Spaces
Hotels often have large, underutilized spaces such as basements or unused outdoor areas. Transforming these spaces into entertainment areas like laser tag arenas can help maximize the potential of the property. It's a cost-effective way to enhance the guest experience and generate revenue from otherwise unused areas.
Adapt to Changing Travel Trends
Travel trends have evolved over the years. The desire for unique, memorable experiences is growing, and hotels need to adapt. By adding entertainment options, hotels can cater to the changing needs of travelers and stay relevant in a dynamic market.
Marketing Opportunities
Entertainment facilities can serve as marketing tools. They can be used to attract potential guests to the hotel and create buzz on social media. Guests often share their experiences online, and a unique entertainment offering like laser tag can become a talking point, attracting more visitors.
Enhance Brand Image
A hotel with entertainment options portrays itself as dynamic and forward-thinking. It sends a message to guests that the establishment cares about their experience and is willing to go the extra mile to provide fun and enjoyment. This enhances the overall brand image of the hotel.
Reducing Seasonal Dependency
Many hotels are highly seasonal, with business peaks during certain times of the year. Entertainment options can help reduce this seasonality by attracting guests during off-peak periods. For example, indoor activities like laser tag can draw visitors when outdoor attractions may not be as appealing.
What Are the Entertainment That Can Be Put On Hotels
Let's explore some of the entertainment options that hotels can consider adding to enhance the guest experience:
- Game Rooms and Arcades: Setting up a game room with a variety of video games, pool tables, and classic arcade games can provide hours of entertainment for guests of all ages. It's a great way to keep guests engaged, especially during inclement weather.
- Swimming Pools and Water Parks: Having a well-maintained swimming pool or a mini water park with water slides and other attractions can be a major draw, especially for families with children. Water-based entertainment offers relaxation and fun.
- Fitness Centers: While fitness centers are common in hotels, they are a form of entertainment in themselves. Offering modern fitness equipment and perhaps fitness classes can make staying at your hotel an active and enjoyable experience.
- Spas and Wellness Centers: A spa and wellness center can provide guests with a relaxing escape from their daily routines. Massages, saunas, and other wellness treatments can be a source of entertainment and rejuvenation.
- Laser Tag: As mentioned earlier, laser tag is a high-energy, team-based game that appeals to various age groups. It's a unique and exciting entertainment option that can set your hotel apart from the competition.
- Live Entertainment: Hotels can host live entertainment events such as music concerts, comedy shows, or theater performances. These events can be a significant draw and create a lively atmosphere for guests.
- Culinary Experiences: High-quality restaurants and bars can be a form of entertainment, especially if they offer unique dining experiences, live music, or themed nights.
- Outdoor Activities: Consider adding outdoor activities like golf courses, tennis courts, or hiking trails, depending on the location of your hotel. These activities can provide guests with outdoor entertainment options.
- Kid's Clubs: For family-friendly hotels, providing supervised kid's clubs with various age-appropriate activities can be a big selling point. Arts and crafts, storytelling, and group games can keep children entertained while parents have some free time.
- Mini Golf: Timeless fun for all ages, and low staff overheads!
- Adventure Sports: For hotels in adventure-rich locations, offering activities like zip-lining, rock climbing, or guided hiking and biking tours can add an element of thrill to the stay.
- Cultural Experiences: Depending on your hotel's location, you can offer cultural experiences like cooking classes, language lessons, or dance workshops. These activities can help guests immerse themselves in the local culture.
- Movie Theaters: Some hotels have incorporated private movie theaters where guests can enjoy a cinema-like experience with the latest movies, snacks, and comfortable seating.
- Escape Rooms: These challenging and interactive games are popular for team-building and family entertainment. Incorporating an escape room on your premises can be a unique attraction.
- Gardens and Green Spaces: Well-landscaped gardens and green spaces provide guests with a peaceful environment for relaxation, picnics, or leisurely strolls. They can be a serene form of entertainment.
- Cooking Classes: Offering cooking classes where guests can learn to prepare local dishes can be both entertaining and educational.
- Wine Tasting and Bars: Hotels in wine regions can have wine-tasting events and wine bars, which can be an entertaining and educational experience for guests.
- Retail and Shopping: Setting up boutique shops, galleries, or a small retail area within the hotel can provide guests with a convenient shopping experience and a unique form of entertainment.
Remember that the choice of entertainment options should align with the hotel's location, target audience, and overall theme. Offering a combination of these activities can make your hotel a versatile and attractive destination for travelers seeking more than just a place to sleep.
Conclusion
The modern traveler seeks an unforgettable experience when choosing a hotel. By adding entertainment options, hotels can meet these evolving expectations, boost revenue, and set themselves apart from the competition.
Activities like laser tag offer a versatile, exciting, and unique experience that appeals to a broad range of guests. In today's highly competitive hotel industry, it's not just about providing a place to sleep; it's about creating a destination in itself.
Adding entertainment to your hotel is a strategic move that benefits both guests and the bottom line.