We are living in an Experience Economy, and nowhere more so than in our travel planning. In a recent survey, one in every two travelers said they planned their trip around experiences, and as many as 80% said they researched experiences before arriving at their destination.
Hotels are increasingly looking to unique in-house experiences in order to set themselves apart, and appeal to today’s travelers. These experiences not only provide a distinctive edge but also foster a deeper connection, encouraging more loyal guests, who stay longer and spend more.
We picked out some of our favorite in-house experiences at hotels around the world:
Italy's rich artisanal traditions come to life with Craft Experiences by Star Hotels, where guests can learn from local master artisans. Ca’Macana is an authentic mask-making workshop based in Venice, where residents of the hotels can make their very own Venetian paper-mâché mask, ready to wear for the next Carnival ball.
💟 What we love: Star Hotels beautifully marry unique experiences, with promoting the world-renowned fine Italian craftsmanship on their doorstep.
This ritual, deeply rooted in indigenous culture, involves a therapeutic steam bath inside a traditional sweat lodge known as a temazcal. Guests at BlueBay Hotels & Resorts are guided through a ritualistic journey of purification and renewal, led by experienced guides who honor the sacred traditions of the temazcal ceremony.
💟 What we love: Blue Bay brings together an authentic cultural tradition, with a transformative wellness ritual, for the ultimate guest experience.
Guests gain a whole new perspective with the hot air balloon experiences offered by Lungarno Collection. With the option to take flight at a time of their choosing - including new “full moon” experiences that encompass a beautiful sunrise - guests can make this experience their own.
💟 What we love: Lungomare gives guests the opportunity to make the experience their own - whether they want to prioritize adventure, serenity, and intimacy.
Vila Galé celebrates a different form of Portuguese tradition with visits to the local stud farm and falconry center. Guests are encouraged to visit the “Casas Altas” building, complete with Mares' Courtyard, Stallion Stables and coach exhibition building.
💟 What we love: Vila Gale sees local culture as part of the fundamental experience of being in a place, and part of their responsibility to guests is connecting them to the rich cultural surrounds in each of their locations.
Nestled amidst ancient olive groves, guests at Petram Resort have the opportunity to sample a variety of locally-produced olive oils, each with its own distinct flavor profile and character. Guests not only learn about the cultivation and harvesting process but also gain insights into the nuances of olive oil tasting, from aroma to texture.
💟 What we love: Petram celebrates Croatia’s rich agricultural traditions and the art of olive oil production.
At Turneo, we love empowering hotels to promote, sell and manage in-house experiences. We know that hotels often hold back from setting up their own activities because of the operational headache: finding ways to take bookings, manage cancellations, track capacity, and so on. That’s why we offer simple, intuitive software that's easy to set up, and automates all the heavy-lifting. From a centralized hub hotels see and manage bookings in real-time, benefit from live pricing and availability, and can even monitor guest feedback and reviews.
In less than a week you could be selling and managing all your experiences online.
