Faced with the new needs and travel habits of guests, tourism apartments in Europe must offer technologies that guarantee greater security while keeping customer service friendly and developing more creative modes of communication. This was the conclusion of the professionals and companies that gathered this year at the Vitur Summit, the most important trade fair in the European sector. The meeting, held in Málaga on the 28th and 29th of October, was also an opportunity to meet up with colleagues and enjoy face-to-face interactions once again.
More than 80 panelists working at the international level focused their presentations on the paradigm shift in the tourism industry since the pandemic, and discussed the ideal accommodation model for a traveler seeking more than just comfort. Whether for short or long stays, the modern customer seeks a welcoming space where they feel as safe or safer than in their own home, with the peace of mind that comes with being able to contact the property manager at any time. The sustainability of apartments was also a point of focus, for example markedly reducing carbon footprints by using smart appliances, having devices to control the use of water and gas, installing electronic locks that can be opened via mobile devices, and using remote systems for controlling the air conditioning. Smart technology must serve hosting establishments in this growing sector.
According to Carlos Pérez-Lanzac, director of the Vitur Summit and president of the Andalusian Tourism Housing Association, there has been a 50% increase in reservations since the pandemic because rental apartments provide a great sense of security and privacy.
It’s estimated that there are 331,000 tourism properties in Spain, accounting for some 30% of the regulated accommodation market. The sector, according to Pérez-Lanzac, has been able to take advantage of the forced lockdown in 2020 to reinvent itself, providing “new buyer personas including the working tourist and the resident remote worker. This year will be very important in terms of activity, new technology and the normative and regulatory changes that will be implemented at the European level.”
“We defend tourism accommodation, without any hesitation,” stated the delegate from Costa del Sol Tourism, Margarita del Cid, to the more than 900 attendees gathered at the Málaga Trade Fair and Congress Center (FYCMA). This support is fundamental for this legal industry that has grown out of steady demand. At Lodging Apartments, specialists in tourism apartment management, we have seen for ourselves that millions of people from around the world continue to demand the high quality and services that the sector offers.
