Hotel owners all over the world should spend some time thinking about the solo women traveller, who is a very important market segment. Taking advantage of and making money from new and growing niches like solo and experience-based travel has become a huge asset for hotel managers. It also helps them find new ways to make money. One of these niches is “female-friendly,” which is now seeing a lot of growth in the hospitality business.
Women make up half of the business travellers, they make 85 percent of the buying decisions in their homes, and more women are asking for a room for one when they travel. So, hotels can make a lot of money by taking advantage of this growing trend toward hospitality geared toward women. This doesn’t mean you should use old stereotypes like putting out flowers or scented candles. Instead, you should offer practical solutions to problems and make sure you also appeal to men.
“A hostel company in Gurgaon, India, recently did a study that showed the rise of women travelling alone in India. Since 2015, the number of female travellers in the country has gone up by 399 percent, and the number of female solo travellers has gone up by 322 percent. The data shows that Gokarna, Bir, Manali, Rishikesh, Panchgani, Pushkar, Dharamshala, and Chikkamagaluru are some of the most popular places for women to visit in India.”
Aside from women travelling alone, women are also travelling in groups more than ever. Women’s group travel has grown by 197 percent, and 61 percent of group reservations are made by women. The study found that the average age of women who book trips is between 18 and 30 years old. Amadeus Asia Pacific’s research shows that by 2030, the number of business women travelling in Asia will have increased by four times.
How to Become a Female-Friendly Hotel
Offer night-time airport pick-up
When your female guests come in a city that is typically foreign to them, you may provide them peace of mind with a direct hotel transfer from the airport at night. This eliminates the possible concern of finding their way after dark with bags. After a long travel, this can be the ideal way to meet your guests and invite them to enjoy your hospitality.
Provide luxurious toiletries geared for women in the rooms
Frequently, it is the attention to minute details that elevates a four-star rating to a five-star rating or inspires a guest to return. While many hotels offer bathroom items with minimal quality differential, you can distinguish yourself from the competition by offering high-quality soap, shampoo, lotions, and other products made exclusively for ladies and/or girls. You can also tailor your product offerings to different age groups. This involves capitalising on the popularity of other niches, such as sustainability, by providing ecologically conscious items.
Provide distinguishing, high-quality add-ons.
Women and girls utilise straighteners, curlers, and dryers. A decent iron, meditation and workout matt, cosmetics, nail polish and remover are all popular. You can focus on their relaxation requirements by include teas, coffees, periodicals, and books. As an add-on, you can avoid forgetting to pack, which 73 percent of women do. Consider offering to replace forgotten goods.
Train your staff to be highly detail-oriented
Conscious employees pay attention to the demands of each female guest and use discretion to deliver the greatest service. Location also matters. Women are more prone to have sleep problems than men, thus your hotel should avoid the ground level or corridor end for female guests. Vegan and gluten-free offerings help your hotel appeal to a wider audience.
Employ personnel who are well-versed on women-friendly local recommendations
On your website, you can give suggestions for activities, entertainment, and other things to do to both single and group female guests. Your staff can also talk to the women guests directly for a more personalised experience. This also gives you the chance to put together and sell activity packages for solo women and groups, as well as work with other local businesses, which can help your business grow in other ways. Having a woman as the general manager is a great way to start.
Designed for women
In a female-friendly hotel, the hallways are always well-lit to give the female guests a sense of safety during the day and at night when walking to their hotel rooms. The room can also be divided in half. This separates the bedroom from the dressing room, bathroom and the entrance hall. The bathrooms in the female-friendly hotels are equipped with larger showers and feature a bench and a make-up table with a large mirror and flattering lighting.