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   Crowne Plaza and William F. Harrah College 
of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada Release Road Warrior Survey Results
LAS VEGAS (October 3, 2000) � Just what goes on behind closed hotel room doors? The Crowne Plaza Travel Index, a survey conducted by the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada for Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts polled more than 600 business travelers to determine how they spend their time on the road and in their hotel rooms. Do they sleep in the nude? Hit the minibar? Stay healthy? Tidy up? And which travelers are all wired up? 

The survey Indexed data from 1998 against the 2000 survey to uncover how business traveler habits are changing; the company plans on conducting the survey annually. There are a number of new trends that emerge in the 2000 Index, though one constant is the number of trips - most travelers still take approximately 10 business trips per year, staying an average of four nights per trip. A change in job necessitated travel for 43% of those polled, an increase from 34% in 1998. 

Perhaps the most significant trend to emerge in this year�s Index is the dramatic increase in the use of technology while on the road. Not a moment goes to waste in this wired world, with 48% of warriors traveling with a laptop, up from 33% in 1998. Staying connected is critical for travelers � 64% bring a cell phone (up from 37%) and 52% check their e-mail (up from 39%). 

In this booming economy, today�s traveler is less frugal with only 15% shopping around for hotel deals, down from 25%. The propensity to redeem miles to save money, however, remains relatively static, 22% versus 21% in the 1998 survey. Slightly more travelers take along a spouse with those laptops, 17% over 16%, and an increase in visits to business centers was found, 11% versus 6% in the previous survey. Proof that business travelers are toiling away in their hotel rooms was revealed in the fact that only 4% order up an in-room movie.

Another fast-growing trend among business travelers is adding leisure time onto their trips - 23% of respondents do so. Maybe the destination influences the decision to stay � New York is the city road warriors love to love and love to hate � it scored tops in both most and least favorite categories. San Francisco and Chicago rounded off the top three picks; Los Angeles scored least favorite. 

Other travel notes include:

  • 70% keep up with current events 
  • 51% use express check-out options
  • 50% spend 1-2 hours working in hotel room
  • 38% buy gifts for family and friends 
  • 33% read up on destination before arriving 
  • 27% view dining out as their top indulgence 
On the lighter side, modesty prevails in hotel rooms - 56% of respondents profess to packing pajamas. An astounding 70% of women don nightwear versus 33% of men. Travelers are keen on staying healthy, with 48% taking their daily vitamins along and 52% sticking to their exercise regimens. In addition:
  • 70% pack travel-size beauty products, it doesn�t stop 23% from taking home the hotel toiletries. 
  • 49% eat turndown mints 
  • 45% use in-room coffeemakers 
  • 36% travel with medical information
  • 10% admit to making a mess knowing someone else will clean it 
The new generation of business travelers, the up-and-coming road warriors, does exhibit different behavior, especially when it comes to hi-tech equipment. They�re more cell-phone savvy than their older counterparts and tote more laptops, but they are decidedly less coffeemaker savvy. 

Some traits of the respondents aged 25-35 versus the 56+ year-olds are:

  • 64% travel with a cell phone (59%)
  • 60% keep up with current events (72%)
  • 52% check e-mail (41%)
  • 50% travel with a laptop (38%)
  • 37% eat turn down mints (52%)
  • 35% travel with a pager (24%)
  • 35% use cell phone rather than hotel room phone (27%)
  • 31% use in-room coffeemakers (49%)
�The Crowne Plaza Travel Index is a critical way of learning more about our hotel guests� changing needs and travel habits,� said Robert G. Mayer, vice president, marketing, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, North America, �We can then develop services in direct response to their business travel evolution,� he concluded.

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Contact:
Bass Hotels & Resorts®
www.basshotels.com
www.crowneplaza.com

Also See Holiday Inn Express Surveyed 1,000 Executives to get the Scoop on the Secret Life of Road Warriors / Oct 1999
Crowne Plaza Hotels Travel Index Surveys Today's 'Road Warriors' / 1998
According to 1998 Road Warrior Technology Study the Wait for Hotel Check-In Averages 8.3 Minutes / Oct 1998 


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