Tourism in Colombia continues to show positive figures. According to a recent report from the Economic Studies Office of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, the country received more than 3 million foreign visitors between January and July of this year, representing a growth of 32.3% compared to the same period in 2022. In fact, it is expected that by the end of 2023, the figure will continue to rise.
In light of this panorama, a significant shift in the habits and behaviors of travelers has been evident, driven by factors such as technological advancements, health concerns, and sustainability. This, in turn, has led hotel operators to implement various strategies to promote a greater offering of conscious tourism focused on these objectives.
Alejandro Dussan, General Manager of GEH Suites Hotels, a hotel chain with over 10 years of presence in Colombia specializing not only in accommodation services but also as a hotel operator, talks about how technology has become one of the fundamental tools in the sector. It has driven the implementation of improvements to increase operational efficiency and enhance the customer experience.
“In recent years, we have noticed that people prefer to use better, more agile, and secure platforms for making their reservations and all the planning for their trips. This is making the processes less cumbersome and can be completed in less time,” explained Dussan. “In response to this trend, we have been incorporating technology to enhance the traveler's experience, from the moment they select their preferred hotel to when they decide to book their visit dates, considering it a key ally for purchases, human resources management, and internal maintenance”.
For example, millennials or Generation Z, who have grown up alongside technology, are now a priority for hotel operators who constantly seek innovative ways to tailor their services to provide a better experience for these customers.
People have continued to prioritize health and well-being as another key factor when planning a trip and selecting a hotel.
In this context, many of the biosafety protocols implemented during the pandemic in the sector have been maintained and are still valued by a large portion of guests.
“It is important to evaluate and rate the providers who offer us services related to cleanliness and hygiene, for example, those who launder the linens or the staff responsible for room maintenance. This ensures that the services received by our guests align with the highest standards of quality and hygiene,” ensured Dussan.
In this context, there has been a focus on training employees “in the proper use of cleaning products, as well as in appropriate cleaning techniques to provide improved hygiene protocols in hotel rooms and common areas,” explained Dussan. This way, it is possible to prevent the spread of diseases, comply with regulatory guidelines, and increase visitor satisfaction.
Sustainable and environmental care practices have also been added to the list of traveler priorities. A recent study by the Booking platform highlighted that 79% of people want to travel more sustainably in the next 12 months, while 57% of respondents would like to stay in an accommodation with sustainability certification.
Like other industries, the hotel sector has a significant impact on the environment, due to water and resource consumption, as well as waste generation. Therefore, adopting sustainable practices is a way to reduce the impact and demonstrate responsibility towards the environment and each guest, who increasingly demand this commitment.
GEH Suites Hotels, for example, has already initiated various environmental actions aimed at selecting environmentally friendly cleaning products, treating used oil in hotel restaurants, and implementing measures to reduce the use of plastic in its facilities.
As tourism continues to consolidate in Colombia, the actions and good practices of the different hotel operators in the country will continue to drive innovation and the sector's commitment to the needs and new habits of travelers.
Source: portafolio.co
