travel
Wealthy guests place premium on hotel gyms, says report
Fitness facilities are more important to wealthy hotel guests than other travellers, according to a new report. – AFP/Relaxnews pic, February 9, 2016.The middle-aged man pumping iron at the hotel gym at 6am is likely to be an affluent traveller, suggest the results of a new report which looks at how the top 1% travels.
According to the results of the 2016 Luxury Travel Report prepared by consultancy firm Resonance, fitness centres are twice as important to America’s richest travellers compared to regular travellers (40% versus 20%).
For the survey, 1,667 US travellers in the top 1% and 5% of household income and net worth were interviewed.
Compared to the 60% of regular US travellers who say they use the health and fitness facilities at the gym, the survey found that among the top one percent, that figure jumps to 78%.
Over the years, hotel chains have been responding in kind, helping frequent flyers and business travellers maintain their health on the road.
One of the best examples is the EVEN hotels chain, a brand centred entirely on wellness and health. Every room is designed to include a designated "gym zone", and comes with a yoga mat, exercise ball, foam roller, resistance bands, and library of fitness videos.
Runners who stay at select Westin hotels can also participate in a running program with a resident running concierge who will take guests on 8km runs around the city. Guests who forget their shoes can borrow a pair of New Balance runners for the nominal fee of US$5 (RM21).
Likewise, the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts hosts will lend out workout kits that include fitness apparel, yoga mats, stretch bands and running shoes.
The Trump Hotel Collection also lends out Under Armour-branded gear and offers a low-calorie menu for health buffs.
The luxury hotel brand that gets the stamp of approval for its spa and fitness facilities from the world’s most finicky, 1% guests? The Four Seasons.
Likewise, while 31% of US consumers will travel to participate in an athletic competition, that number spikes to 46% among the wealthy. – AFP/Relaxnews, February 9, 2016.
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