Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 41 -Business Travellers:- Newspaper at door- Basic cable TV- In-room coffee maker- Premium TV channels- Pay for view TVLeisure Travellers:- Basic cable TV- Iron and ironing board in room- Premium TV channels- In-room coffee maker- Pay for view TVo Adjusting the temperature in their rooms is the number one priority for Americanschecking into hotels, indicating the importance of individual heat/cooling controls inrooms. This is particularly true for younger markets. Seniors are most concerned aboutsafety/security.o Guest comfort is of paramount importance – the major chains have been introducing avariety of amenities in the past few years to try and differentiate themselves from thecompetition. Examples include:- The Hilton Sleep Tight rooms with enhanced mattress, black out drapes, glowlamp alarm clock; also Health-Fit and Stress-Less rooms including things suchas yoga videos- Sheraton redesigned its guest rooms – sleigh beds, pillow top mattresses, largerdesks, ergonomic chairs, higher quality bed and bath linens, better fabrics andlight fixtures – in an effort to give rooms more of a residential feelo A greater focus on cleanliness is expected in the future - one US franchise is introducingan Evergreen Room with 10 rooms at each property having air purifiers, filtered drinkingwater system, and filtered shower water system.o A survey by Embassy Suites Hotels in 2000 indicated that more than 50% of respondentsbelieve that many hotel rooms today are “the size of a shoebox” – more personal space isneeded for customers to feel comfortable.o The aging customer, and a more mobile disabled segment, suggests that disabled travelcould increase significantly, according to a 2003 study by the Open Doors Organization.However, the travel needs of this segment are not being well addressed by the industry.Bed and Breakfasts/InnsArticles on the US B&B/Inn sector suggest some emerging changes in this sector:THE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study