Female travellers are being targeted more than ever with initiatives and increased accreditation to mark the ‘female friendliness’ of hotels.
A new range of ‘forgotten items’ available at Hyatt hotels and Skene House HotelSuites’ accreditation from Maiden Voyage are amongst the latest developments in the increasing trend to reach the female travelling market.
While Maiden Voyage focuses on finding safe and service-led accommodation for women business travellers, the trend will also work in hand of the family market where women often have the final decision on destination and hotel. Women are also now travelling more in groups, for ‘girly’ weekends or hen dos.
At Hyatt its new ‘Hyatt Has It’ service means guests can borrow or use hair curlers and steamers, yoga mats, make-up remover wipes and razors from the hotel and has also upgraded its amenities to companies such as Le Labo, June Jacobs and Aromapothecary. The new offering follows 18 months of testing and 40 group discussions to identify and provide solutions to the problems women face on the road. Its feedback has also led to a greater selection of healthy menus and drinks at its hotels including fresh juices and smoothies.
In addition, Maiden Voyage’s accreditation scheme took to another country this week after Aberdeen’s Skene House HotelSuites received the official accolade. The property’s double locking doors;27/7 manned reception; kitchens (so women do not eat alone in restaurants); portable hairdryers and glossy magazines were amongst its feminine touches.
“Research shows that the number of lone female corporate travellers is growing each year, driven in particular by the number of women who work in the North East’s oil and gas sector. We also know that the numbers of female leisure travellers, both from UK and Europe, remains a strong market,” said Melissa Gilchrist, director of operations at the independent hotel chain. Skene will offer Maiden Voyage customers a pamper hamper as part of the accreditation and customers can also pay extra for gym or beauty therapy passes.
