Traveling and hotels are a part of the tourism industry that involves visiting places for business or leisure. People have been travelling since ancient times and despite economic blips this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Travel is a great way to experience new cultures, get a break from the everyday and spend quality time with friends and family.
The majority of travellers book their trip and hotel accommodation online, usually through a travel website or third-party booking website (aggregator). Airlines, railways and ferry operators also act as intermediaries offering the option to book hotels for passengers and clients in addition to their regular services.
Many travellers are looking for more than just a place to stay the night – they want an experience that will live on long after they have returned home. Hotels that offer unique, off the beaten track experiences can help attract these guests by providing something that is both fun and memorable. Examples of such accommodations include treehouses, igloos, caves and even cruise ships.
Hotel chains often operate multiple brands and marques to cater for different types of travellers, budgets and travel purposes. For example, a brand associated with full service hotels may launch an economy limited-service marque under its own branding to enter the market without compromising their core reputation. Hotels also often rate themselves according to a star system that can vary from country to country or even from hotel to hotel.