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  Homewood Suites Engages Sociology Expert, 
Dr. Christena E. Nippert-Eng to Explore the 
Work Styles of Today�s Business Traveler
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 26, 2000 -  In today�s fast paced, always-connected society, Americans say the lines have blurred between work, home and travel.  According to today�s Workstyles Survey (© 2000 Hilton Hospitality, Inc.) conducted by Homewood Suites® by Hilton, the days when work, home and travel were separate and defined are gone.

According to the survey, nearly half of leisure travelers today bring work materials, such as a laptop computer, cell phone or pager with them on vacation.  In fact, more than two-thirds of the respondents engage in work activities at home.  Almost half of the respondents surveyed combined a business trip with a leisure trip in the past year.

Sociology expert, Dr. Christena E. Nippert-Eng, author of Home and Work, says, �The ways that we draw the lines between home and work, the personal and the public, are especially visible during business travel.  Because of demands on the family in this new economy, when you go on a business trip, your personal life and away-from-work responsibilities cannot and simply do not stop.�  

Homewood Suites by Hilton, a national chain of upscale extended stay hotels, has engaged Nippert-Eng to assist in their quest to study and explore the work styles of today�s business traveler.  Nippert-Eng also helped Homewood Suites by Hilton develop the survey and study the survey�s results.

The Workstyles Survey also found that, under today�s time constraints, people find they must conduct personal business during the workday.  In fact, more than 60 percent of respondents said that they spend up to 25 percent of each workday on personal matters (i.e. civic projects, doctor�s appointments and personal phone calls).  More than half of those surveyed said they do not feel guilty about taking care of personal matters at work.

The results from the Workstyles Survey also showed that more than 65 percent of the survey respondents prefer to stay in a hotel that has a home-like feel.  Even on a typical business trip, a surprising number of people engage in a number of the same activities as they do when not traveling.

�Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels are designed specifically for the long-term business traveler,� said Jim Holthouser, senior vice president of brand management for Homewood Suites by Hilton.  �The average Homewood Suites extended-stay guest stays 14 nights; therefore, we have to be expert in understanding the needs of our guests and providing the right kind of services.  The survey reveals what we have known all along: what extended-stay travelers really want in a hotel is the comforts and flexibility they enjoy in their own homes.�

To create the �at-home� feel, Homewood Suites by Hilton offers amenities such as in-room kitchens, complimentary grocery shopping, washer/dryer access, and separate work space and bedroom area in each suite.  All ranked high on the survey as the type of preferred amenities for travelers on extended business or leisure trips.

�Many business travelers are more relaxed in a hotel room that feels a little �closer to home� while still supporting that need to focus on work activities,� stated Nippert-Eng.  �A hotel like Homewood Suites by Hilton helps you organize the travel, work and home aspects of your life.  You can cook for yourself, socialize over breakfast in the lodge, or you can enjoy quiet time in your suite or enjoy meeting new people at the evening manager�s receptions.�
As Homewood Suites by Hilton�s consultant on workstyles, Nippert-Eng also will assist as a contributing author of the Homewood Suites by Hilton Workstyles� Tips Booklet (© 2001 Hilton Hospitality, Inc.) due for release in Spring 2001, offering tips on managing work and travel.

Created in 1989, Homewood Suites by Hilton today has more than 90 hotels nationwide.  The brand expects to have more than 100 hotels open by early next year.  

Homewood Suites by Hilton is a subsidiary of Hilton Hotels Corporation, a recognized internationally preeminent hospitality company.  The company develops, owns, manages or franchises 1,800 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. 

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Contact:
Hilton Hospitality, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.homewood-suites.com

Also See Hilton Re-launches Homewood Suites with New Prototype / Jan 2000 


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