BTN online recently reported on corporate travel managers facing up to the prospect of another year of rising hotel rates. As the hotel industry enjoys its well-deserved boom, travel buyers in companies are complaining about dynamic pricing practices that make it difficult to plan budgets. Hotel rates have become what airline fares used to be – an out-of-control beast running amok on the expense sheet.
Atleast, hotel fares are well deserving of their long good run. The hotel industry has always striven to serve up a better experience for guests through multimillion-dollar upgrades, renovated properties, better beds and better entertainment options. The average hotel room is a much better experience today than it ever was, wifi access and flat-screen tvs included. From the standpoint of the guest, he’s getting much more even if he’s spending more. Think hard. When was the last time an airline really surprised you with its superior customer service OR outstanding in-flight experience OR even on-time performance!? And no one’s complaining…..