HONG KONG ECONOMIC JOURNAL PUBLISHED DATE: 19 OCTOBER 2015
TRANSLATION:
Headline: Hotels use technology to welcome next generation of hotels With the rise of millennials, a new generation of hotels are being designed to cater to them. Hotels cater to them by changing its design, facilities and service to meet the new demands of this group. Carlson Rezidor’s Thorsten Kirschke said, “Guests are looking for more cultural experiences, not too formal, and also fast internet. The hotel industry needs to change, to cater to this (millennial) group of travelers.” Kirschke said, “Guests have these new expectations. For example, guests no longer expects to see a lobby full of marble upon entry. Also, these days, guests-staff experience are more intimate. For example, there’s no longer a reception table.” He also highlighted that social and technology are key for the millennial minded. Hence, many new hotels are investing money in this area. “Although it is important to embrace the millennials, we should not exclude the others,” Kirschke said. Traditional five-star hotels will continue to be in demand, however, this new concept of hotels will have a place in the market. To cater to this new generation of travelers, Carlson Rezidor debuted a new hotel brand, Radisson RED. Kirschke says, it’s a global phenomenon for this type of “lifestyle hotel”. Even though the China economy has been slowing down, Mr. Kirschke expressed that he is not worried, because China’s travel market is huge. He believes that there will still be growth despite the “downturn”. China’s tourism market is still relatively high compared to other countries. Carlson Rezidor is making its mark into the China market.