The rapid developments in world trade have led to an increase in business travel, making the business people market quite significant for city hotels in particular. Determining the factors affecting the accommodation preferences of Turkish business people will significantly contribute to hotel managers developing their marketing strategies.
Factors Affecting Accommodation Preferences
According to research results, six main factors have been identified that affect the accommodation preferences of business people:
1. Activity Facilities: The activities offered by the hotel, such as a gym and swimming pool, are an important preference, especially for young and middle-aged business people.
2. Hotel Image: The prestige and brand of the hotel are important factors for high-income business people.
3. Ease of Transportation: The proximity of the hotel to central locations is an important preference for all age groups and income levels.
4. Cleanliness Factor: The hotel’s hygiene standards are particularly important for middle-income business people.
5. Working Environment: The quality of the hotel’s meeting facilities and work areas is an important criterion for business travelers.
6. Attention and Speed: The customer-oriented and fast service provided by hotel staff is a determining factor in the preferences of business people.
Effect of Demographic Factors
The study also examined whether the demographic characteristics of business people create differences in their accommodation preferences. According to the findings:
- Age Group: Young (20-35 years old) and middle-aged (36-50 years old) business people attach more importance to the activity facilities offered by the hotel, while elderly (51 and over) business people attach less importance to this factor.
- Income Level: High-income business people attach more importance to hotel image and cleanliness factor, while these factors are less important for low-income groups.
- Hotel Star: Five-star hotels are more preferred by business people than four-star hotels. Hotel image, ease of transportation, and working environment factors were effective in this preference.
Conclusion and Recommendations
This research provides hotel managers with important information about the factors affecting the accommodation preferences of business people. In light of this information, hotel businesses can adopt the following strategies:
1. Target Audience-Oriented Services: Strategies should be developed to strengthen the hotel’s image and maintain high hygiene standards.
2. Workspaces: Suitable work environments and meeting rooms should be offered to business people.
3. Customer-Oriented Service: Investments should be made in hotel staff training and customer services.
Source: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/551359