The role of hotels has evolved over the last decade during the boom of interest in experiential
travel. Guests are arriving to hotels with a wealth of previously researched information and
demanding more from their stay.
In response, many independent and branded properties promote themselves as a “travel
experience," versus merely a place to sleep, to a growing range of travelers defining who they
are by where they stay. Global hotel brands have more recently jumped on the trend.
Hotels are catering to these guests by becoming both a portal to the local community and by
turning themselves into a living exhibit of the local culture awaiting outside their walls. They
partner with small area businesses on and off site, host and promote special events, and share
local travel experiences via social media and blogs.
It's difficult to calculate the ROI in terms of increased bookings and room rates, but hoteliers
view destination-specific experiences as a necessary step to remaining relevant with next-
generation travelers. This is partly fueled by the growth of the sharing economy, which innately
provides travelers with a more intimate local experience