Overseas hotels’ survival tactics

Beyond our shores, it goes without saying the hotel industry is similarly in deep water as it is a sector that relies heavily on foreign travellers as its main income source. So, how have the lodging business players in other parts of the world innovated their strategies to navigate the uncertainties?

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Robot concierge

In times of physical distancing, hotels have looked into utilising technology to move forward in resuming their operations in safer ways. Introducing Suga, the robot concierge — adopting contactless service, Suga is a butler which will fulfil the needs of hotel guests sans the risk of them engaging with potential virus carriers.

World’s first quarantine-free bubble hotel

Connect@Changi was launched on Feb 18, 2021 by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat. The facility is designed for Singapore and international travellers to conduct business meetings without the need to do quarantine as the meetings can be conducted within this facility. The meeting facilities, accommodations and food and beverage are offered in one package resembling any other regular business trips.

Hotels as self-quarantine centres

According to global real estate services firm JLL, a considerable number of hotels in Thailand have applied to be quarantine centres though these hotels would need to be qualified in meeting the requirements. By turning hotels into quarantine centres, these hotels would at least gain revenue from admission and meal charges.

Micro-wedding service

Big-scale social activities have diminished instantly when Covid-19 hit, and this has affected the wedding industry too. Instead, the pandemic has reshaped people’s mindset on not actually needing large-scale weddings.

Hence, Hilton at Pensacola Beach, Florida has introduced a micro-wedding package where the celebratory event is done in a small group of intimate family members and friends. Complete with floral arrangement and photography services, they cost significantly less than the regular big-dos.

This story first appeared in the EdgeProp.my e-weekly on Feb 26, 2021. You can access back issues here.

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