HAVE YOUR SAY …
In the Second of our new discussion series ‘Have Your Say’ we are posing the question ‘Is AirBnB an opportunity or a threat?’
With the rise of companies such as Airbnb and guests looking for more unique spaces that take inspiration from the local environment – What do hotels, manufacturers and suppliers have to do to excel in this marketplace? We would like to hear your opinion!
Please join this discussion by leaving your comment below or by tweeting us at @DesignInsider1
Comments
David Lee Hood, Associate at Goddard Littlefair: ‘Airbnb is only a threat to hotels that aren’t already offering a unique service or are not willing to adapt. The growth of sharing-economy companies such as Airbnb actually gives hotels the opportunity to sell their customer service offer as a differentiating factor, as well as the incentive to become more personal in response to changing expectations. Hotels can also rely of course on the perennial appeal of a beautifully-designed space.’
I think, in many ways, Air Bnb has provided a (perhaps necessary) ‘shake up’ for the hospitality industry, which has encouraged the industry as a whole to reassess what the customer wants. In many cases, this is character and a real insight into how the locals live. We have become more of an ‘experience’ society and so hotel designers have had to respond to this. I think it’s an exciting shift in the industry, although I do wonder when Air BnB will have to step up and meet industry standards and regulations….