Q: HAS SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE CONNECTIVITY AFFTECTED HOTEL GYMS?
MCCURTIN: Social media is a driving force within the hospitality sector. According to a study by Cornell University, over 50% of guests book their hotel based on an online review as opposed to location, price or loyalty points.
The study also suggested that for every one star swing in a hotel’s TripAdvisor star rating, there was an average 10% gain in RevPAR. With more than 40% of business travellers considered health conscious, the hotel industry needs to get the product offering for fitness just right or it risks alienating this valuable group.
This includes fitness facilities with good opening hours, commercial grade fitness equipment where technology is integrated, good entertainment and the ability to track, record and monitor workouts on the road.
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YOUNG: Some suppliers are providing connectivity, but we see this as very limited. It seems to be a popular request from purchasing departments, but on the gym floor very few guests are actually connecting to online social media. Asset management and managing programming through cloud based programmes is, however, going to drive the demands of purchasing.
KELLY: Yes social media and on-line connectivity has impacted the sector. ‘Connected’ fitness equipment is the future in standalone health clubs and in the major hotel chains.
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