MSNBC.com posted an interesting article today about how Hotels will go about surviving the slump the US economy has been experiencing.

They point out 6 ways hotels will try to cut costs and how it will affect travelers. Looking at this list might just be a good idea for the hotels themselves, trying to forsee and prevent the predicted troubles touched on below.

1. Service Suffers: After cutting middle-managers and front line staff, expect longer waits to check-in and get your room cleaned.
2. Outsourcing: Hiring private cleaners and such to take care of the property. Many people complain that this leads to poorer quality as the private companies aren’t part of corporate culture nor do they have an opportunity for upward mobility in the hotel.
3. Facelifts: Hotels can fix up their current properties while they aren’t building new ones. A big plus for visitors, so long as they don’t arrive while the work is going on…
4. Lower Rates? Probably not, but its possible. Here’s hoping!
5. Look for New Segments: Looking for new “groups” of people to market to that still spend money–like foreigners. This could hijack a hotel’s ambience if they alter the hotel to better accommodate the new segments, alienating the previous visitors.
6. Green: Going green to save money on bills and operating costs might become more attractive and lead to some innovation.

Read the MSNBC.com Article Here

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