Traveling and hotels are an important part of the travel industry, as most travelers will require some form of accommodation during their journey. Hotels are establishments that offer overnight stays in private rooms, ranging from simple beds in small rooms to luxury suites with extra facilities. They can be booked directly with the hotel or via third-party intermediaries such as online travel agents, booking consolidators and even airline, train and ferry companies.
The most well-known hotel search and reservation site is probably Expedia, which offers flight, hotel, car and cruise bookings as well as packages that combine all of those. It is easy to use and dependable, with some of the best rates available.
Other sites that offer similar services are TripAdvisor and Orbitz, both of which have a reputation for being reliable, user-friendly and competitively priced. However, both of these sites do not include all hotels in their results and may be missing some of the more obscure and luxurious options.
Airbnb and other platforms such as it have also made it possible for people to stay in homestays or bed and breakfasts during their trips. These are often converted family homes and allow guests to enjoy local living while having the comfort of a hotel-style room. These can be a great option for families or those looking to save money.
A number of hotels have begun catering to the business traveller, offering amenities such as meeting spaces, workstations and free WiFi access. Some are also adjusting their room cleaning schedules, allowing travellers to keep working in their rooms during the day. In addition, many of these properties are introducing concierge services to help their guests plan their trips and arrange for additional amenities such as in-room spa treatments, a city tour or a restaurant reservation.
Despite the increased popularity of these types of accommodations, the traditional hotel remains an essential part of the travel industry. This is particularly true for people who are traveling for work and need to be based in a particular location for extended periods of time, or those that are visiting relatives who live far away from their own homes.
The hospitality industry is a very old one, dating back to the inns and taverns of ancient times. However, tourism as a leisure activity is a more recent invention, with Switzerland being among the first countries to develop hotel and travel services specifically for tourists. These included guided tours of the Swiss Alps, trains and attractions, as well as palace-style hotels and thermal baths. The concept of luxury tourism became popular in the 1800’s, and hotels began establishing their own five-star ratings in an attempt to differentiate themselves from competitors. Some hotels also developed their own star-like rating systems at will, while others are awarded ratings by external organizations such as travel guides and package tour companies.