Traveling and hotels are a very important part of the world’s tourism industry. This is because most long-distance travellers will need somewhere to stay overnight. The type of accommodation required will depend on the purpose of a trip, the length of time spent in a particular destination, the budget of the person travelling, and their own preferences and requirements.
The accommodation sector encompasses all businesses that offer a place for travellers to sleep overnight. These may be hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts or even camping sites.
Hotels are usually geared towards two types of travellers: business and leisure. The former are primarily for short stays (weeks to months) and primarily cater to business traveller, while the latter are mostly for longer-staying leisure travellers looking for a place to stay that is more of a home away from home.
Hotel rooms are generally furnished with a television, telephone and a minibar. Some hotels also provide a free continental breakfast and/or a la carte dining options.
Some hotels also offer additional services such as a sauna, spa and a fitness centre. In addition, some hotels have business centres that can be accessed by a guest for a fee or on a pay-per-use basis.
Room rates are a major component of a hotel’s revenue. Rates vary significantly from one hotel to another, and are influenced by a variety of factors.
Among the most popular factors that influence hotel room rates are location, price and star rating. For example, a 4.5-star hotel in an upscale neighbourhood may cost more than a three-star hotel in a less affluent part of the city.