The Week in Travel Stats: All About Hotels

From the rising popularity of extended stay properties for business travelers to a look at the most annoying hotel guests, this week's travel industry research provided an array of insights into how travelers view hotels.

48 Percent of U.S. Business Travelers Use Extended Stay Accommodations

Nearly half (48 percent) of all U.S. business travelers have used an extended stay accommodation in the past 12 months when traveling internationally for business, according to new research from the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).

The study, Extended Stay Accommodations: Awareness, Supply and Demand, produced in partnership with WWStay, also revealed differences across age groups when it comes to extended stay accommodations. Millennials (18-34) use extended stay accommodations more than any other group, with 72 percent staying at one for international business travel in the past year. Only 48 percent of Gen Xers (35-54) and an even smaller 26 percent of Baby Boomers (55+) used an extended stay accommodation during the same time period.

In addition, 60 percent of business travelers who use extended stay accommodations book it themselves with many of that group booking through an online travel site (41 percent) or directly on the extended stay website (38 percent). Booking outside of a company tool could potentially mean the traveler is not compliant with company travel policy. More importantly, the company may not be able to locate their traveler if an emergency occurs.

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The top reasons business travelers said they prefer extended stay accommodations are fully equipped kitchens (45 percent), amenities (40 percent) and the residential feel (36 percent). However many U.S.-based international business travelers note that they have challenges booking their own extended stay accommodations with minimum stay requirements (29 percent), limited number of accommodations (21 percent) and lack of reviews from previous guests (20 percent) topping the list of woes.

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67 Percent Say Inattentive Parents Are Most Aggravating Hotel Guests

Expedia has released the results of its inaugural Expedia 2015 Hotel Etiquette Study, which asked 1,022 Americans to rank frustrating behavior exhibited by their fellow hotel guests. The study was commissioned by Expedia and conducted by GfK, an independent global market research company.

By a slight margin, "Inattentive Parents" – parents who let their kids run wild – are the most aggravating hotel guests, having been called out by 67 percent of Americans. 64 percent of Americans are frustrated by "Hallway Hellraisers," while 54 percent of Americans complained about "The Complainers," or guests who berate hotel staff over minor inconveniences.

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Americans are divided on hotel tipping habits. A full 27 percent report that they "do not tip" hotel employees at all. 3 percent have attempted to tip a hotel employee to secure a room upgrade. 51 percent of Americans tip their housekeepers (who are tipped more than any other employee). 40 percent tip for room service deliveries. 31 percent tip the valet. 21 percent tip the porter, just 10 percent tip the concierge and 7 percent tip cabana attendants.

Americans may be split on whether to tip the housekeeper in part because of personal organizational habits. 80 percent of Americans profess that they keep their hotel room "tidy," versus 20 percent of guests who rely entirely on housekeeping.

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87 Percent of Travelers Don't Buy Device Protection While Traveling

According to the new Traveling with Tech survey by protection plan provider Protect Your Bubble, 87 percent of smartphone users do not use a more protective case or buy a protection plan for their smartphone prior to traveling for both business and leisure, even though 50 percent of users worry about malfunctions with their devices while traveling.

The online survey, which was presented to more than 780 people across the U.S. during August 2015, examines the lengths travelers do (and don't) go to in order to protect their technology on the road.

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The survey showed that, while 29 percent of people are concerned about water damage to their devices, 58 percent brought devices during activities like jet skiing, deep sea fishing, and snorkeling. 

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70 Percent of Frequent Travelers Have TSA Precheck

70 percent of frequent travelers (those who fly five or more times per year) have TSA Precheck, according to surveys by GO Airport Express and GO Airport Shuttle

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TSA Precheck is an expedited security screening process for those departing the U.S., which allows users to be processed without being subjected to long security lines or the indignity of shoe and clothing removal. The fee starts at $85 and is valid for five years.

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Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for the latest travel industry statistics, trends and research.