“Bleisure” travel – in which business trips are extended with leisure activities – is a thriving trend that’s expected to last. A virtual concierge is a powerful trip-enhancing tool that can help hotels cater to these types of trips.
In this article, learn how virtual concierge services stoke a competitive advantage by offering personalized recommendations and promotions that help bleisure travelers make the most of every second they have.
The rise of bleisure travel has been a consistent driver behind the industry’s post-COVID rebound. A 2024 study by Hilton found that 46% of global full-time and self-employed workers plan to travel for business or bleisure this year, with levels varying by country and generation.1 Within the US, almost half of business travelers plan to add an element of leisure to their work trips in 2024 across all generations in the workforce.
The popularity of combining work and play suggests that the hoteliers who can best accommodate these travelers will be rewarded. They may see longer stays, increased repeat customers, and more positive hotel guest reviews, all of which contribute to stronger positioning in an increasingly competitive space.
Bleisure travelers are looking for the best of both worlds—they need a comfortable, connected workspace and appreciate on-premises perks like fitness centers and entertainment.
However, not every property can expand its premises to include bigger investments like coworking spaces, dining, or spas. On the other hand, most hotels can use technology to enhance and improve their accommodations for a lower entry cost and higher ROI compared to building upgrades.
Guests across the board – especially bleisure travelers – increasingly look for amenities that can be provided virtually or digitally. In an era of widespread staff shortages, these trends may come as a relief to hoteliers, who can offer them without increasing their workforce.
In addition to tech infrastructure like great WiFi, some digital solutions that can enhance the bleisure travel experiences include:
Hotels may already use apps and/or QR codes to provide contactless guest services. Accelerated by the pandemic, many hotels have already adopted these tools to pivot to virtual check-ins and check-outs. What they may not realize is how much guests appreciate making basic service requests without having to speak to a person or stand in line.
In addition to devices and apps, hotels now have one more tool in their belts: artificial intelligence (AI). And it doesn’t require being particularly tech-savvy, either. AI is now baked into many easy-to-implement solutions that benefit hotels and guests alike.
For instance, AI-powered virtual concierge services offer significant advantages for bleisure travelers, as well as the hotels catering to their needs. These services deliver instant, personalized local recommendations, and itinerary suggestions, enabling travelers to maximize their limited time in a destination while keeping overhead costs low for hotels.
Sterling Managed Services offers AI Concierge, an AI-driven solution that delivers personalized recommendations, itineraries, and promotional offers within minutes, right to a guest’s mobile device.
This quick, contactless delivery of recommendations helps a traveler with a packed schedule fit more into their trip with less planning. It doesn’t require a traveler to download yet another one-time-use app. And, it can be especially valuable if a hotel partners with other businesses to offer tailored promotions in the recommendations.
For hotels without preexisting concierge services, AI-powered virtual concierge services represent a significant value-add that doesn’t require a larger workforce. But that doesn’t mean human concierge services are going away.
Travelers still value human connection during their hotel stays, as it provides a sense of trust and comfort that a fully automated experience would surely lack. However, technology offers a practical solution for smaller hotels that may not have the resources for round-the-clock concierge services.
A virtual concierge can take on tedious work, like offering itinerary recommendations for personalized guest experiences. This helps free up time for staff to focus on delivering exceptional customer service. By embracing this approach, hotels can meet the needs of their guests while maintaining a high standard of service.
Sterling Managed Services works with all hotels, including limited-service, full-service, and luxury or boutique properties. Request a demo of AI Concierge to learn how to build your virtual concierge program and explore ways AI can benefit your business.