The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) 2012 Lodging Survey, the most comprehensive industry-wide survey of its kind, polled more than 52,000 U.S. hotel properties regarding in-room amenities, security and technology features, food and beverage options, guest services, sustainability, property offerings, and much more. Funded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) and conducted by STR, the survey is conducted every two years to give hoteliers a detailed analysis of the industry at large.
Among the many findings, the survey revealed the following:
Eco-friendly practices remain important:
- 76 percent have a linen/towel reuse program;
- Water savings programs have been implemented in 75 percent of properties;
Properties are offering more technology resources:
- Although most of the positive responses are from upper-tier hotels, 23 percent of respondents already offer a mobile app for hotel services;
- Showing the prominence of OTAs in the hotel industry, 95 percent of participants admitted to using a third-party Internet source for bookings;
Hotels are health conscious:
- Properties that offer an exercise/health/fitness facility reached a new peak at 84 percent;
- Non-smoking policies at hotels are gaining momentum as 63 percent of participants said they are comprised of 100 percent non-smoking rooms.
The information in the 2012 Lodging Survey provides hoteliers with a snapshot of the key trendsthat impact the industry now and provides insight into future developments,? said AH&LA President/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. ?This year we were fortunate to have a particularly high response rate, so the survey truly provides the largest representative sampling and view of trends in the American lodging industry.?
AH&LA members can download a copy of the 2012 Lodging Survey via the Members Only section of the AH&LA Website, www.ahla.com. Individual data points are available for $300 each from the AH&LA Information Center at (888) 743-2515. Comparisons can be made dating back to the first AH&LA Lodging Survey in 1988.
Source: AH&LA