BERLIN — Much like the U.S., albeit a few months behind on the curve, European hotel operators are seeing a massive jump in leisure travel demand heading into this summer travel season.
But as that travel comes back, hoteliers are realizing the last two years have changed how consumers broadly view the world and how leisure travel fits into it.
To put that into context, Alexander Schneider, president of Nikki Beach Hotels and Resorts, said it’s important to remember that demand never went away during the pandemic.
“I wouldn’t say we saw a dip in demand,” he said, while speaking during the “New Leisure” panel at the 2022 International Hospitality Investment Forum. “We saw a dip in the accessibility of locations.”
Because of that, the last two years have showcased or even heightened the “resilience” of the leisure traveler, particularly in the lifestyle, luxury segments, he said.
“People want to have experiences, and they’re more willing than ever to take hardships to reach their…