New Survey Looks at Demands of Today’s Singaporean Traveller

According to new global research from online accommodation booking service, Hotels.com, Singaporean travellers are looking for a home away from home experience when they stay in a hotel.

Topping the list of must-have hotel amenities for Singaporeans is free Wi-Fi, as well as free food and beverages, with caffeine being a definite must.

- 69% of Singaporean respondents said free Wi-Fi is their number one must-have when travelling for business.
- Similarly, 69% also indicated that free Wi-Fi is their top factor in choosing a hotel, even on leisure stays.
- 81% indicated free Wi-Fi is the amenity they most wish would become standard at all hotels in 2013.

Free Wi-Fi trumps both free parking and complimentary breakfast when it comes to choosing a hotel for both leisure and business travel. With over two-thirds of Singaporean respondents still looking to stay connected whilst on their holidays, it’s clear that access to the online world has now become a necessity for modern-day travellers. In fact, just 21% of Singaporean travellers said they would be willing to pay for Wi-Fi when staying in a hotel.

“With an increase in airlines and airports offering free Wi-Fi, tech-savvy travellers expect the experience to continue upon arrival at their hotel,” said Zoe Chan, Senior PR Manager, Hotels.com Asia Pacific. “They are using their tablets, smart phones and laptops to plan activities, stay connected to family and even order a delivery meal straight to their hotel room, so it’s no surprise they require free and fast Wi-Fi.”

Rooms

The technological creature comforts of home are also high on the priority list for Singaporean travellers, with 31% choosing free Wi-Fi on hotel-provided tablets for guest information, room service and local guides as their top modern in-room hotel amenity.

Massage chairs or foot massagers took 22% of the vote. 13% of guests also indicated that they would like rooms that are wired so that lighting, TV, shades, temperature, room service, etc. can be controlled with one remote.

It’s the Little Things that Count

Keeping hydrated when travelling is important to Singaporean hotel guests, with 26% choosing complimentary bottled water as the most appreciated simple amenity. 20% of local respondents also rated the importance of power adaptors and electrical outlets in their hotel rooms.

Makkan!

- Free breakfast ranked as the favourite (34%) non-tech item Singaporean travellers want to see become standard at all hotels in 2013.

- Happy hours, wine tastings or any other time with free food and drinks is 39% of Singaporean travellers’ favourite newly offered hotel service amenity, with international breakfast options coming in second (19%).

- Singaporean travellers cite unlimited free food and beverages as their most (22%) missed home comfort when travelling.

- Another 16% said they miss their bed and pillow the most.

Five-Star Life

- 41% of Singaporean travellers indicated that their favourite amenity at a luxury hotel is the designer toiletries.

- While the respondents enjoy their time living the high life, the promotion of bath menus/bath butlers (41%) and turn down service (22%) as amenities simply aren’t of interest.

- More than half of the respondents (53%) chose the complimentary use of a Rolls Royce Phantom as an “outrageous” luxury hotel amenity they’d most like to experience.

- The surreal car ride beat out access to a fragrance butler (9%), tea sommelier (6%) and in-room mixologist (6%), among other lesser desired extreme amenities.

The survey was conducted in January 2013, using a weighted average based on a sample size of more than 8,600 respondents across 28 countries/cities: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK, USA.