10 Takeaways from the 2023 Hunter Hotel Investment Conference

Cautiously bullish was the underlying theme of the 2023 Hunter Hotel Investment Conference located at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis . While the industry faces economic uncertainty that has the potential to impact travel, a majority of the panel attendees were optimistic about the short, near, and long-term outlook for travel.?

Here are 10 other takeaways, collected from some of the most successful and innovative minds in the hospitality industry:

Monetize Desire

Learn to differentiate between what customers say they want and what they are truly willing to pay for.

Labor Shortage

If you are not offering your guests the ability to opt out of housekeeping you are not recognizing the true severity of the labor crisis. Your guests are trying to help you, so let them.

Embrace Nature

The next generation of travelers will crave a connection with the outdoors. Find a way to bring the outside in.

Holistic Travel

Many guests no longer see vacations as an opportunity for indulgence but more of an opportunity to mind their well-being. Find a way to permeate wellness throughout your brand.?

Stay Focused

Always look toward the future but not at the expense of the present. Perfect what you already do as a brand before you take more on.

Trends versus Fads

Stop overreacting to every buzzword or brief shift in the industry. Not every ripple will turn into a wave.

Office Space

Employee pay is only half the battle of recruitment. If you want to attract talent, create a work environment that attracts talent.?

Actionable Feedback

Use consumer feedback for more than punishing or rewarding employees. Listen to your guests and adjust your product or service to address the root of the issue.

Simplicity is Powerful

Long detailed SOPs are not something to brag about. If it's lengthy and complex then it's probably not as refined as it could be.

Home versus Hotel

There was a time when the average hotel quality exceeded the average home. That is no longer the case. Through affordable technology, the average home experience has surpassed the average hotel. To stand out, differentiate and elevate from the standard home experience.

BONUS

Rooftop bars print money. If you have a roof and a bottle of Tito's, then you've got a rooftop bar.