360DigitalInfluence

How many times have you arrived at your hotel to find that you didn’t need to squeeze all those bathroom essentials into your luggage after all as everything that you need is already provided by your hotel.  Or, have you relied on your hotel to provide a good selection of grooming products only to find that something significant is not supplied?

With the rise of cheap flights and the need to keep costs down by just taking carry-on luggage, many of us spend a long time considering which bathroom items we will take to fit within the 10 x 100ml fluid allowance.

What if you knew exactly what you were going to find in your hotel bathroom before you left home?  Problem is, you never can predict what you are going to find; there simply seems to be no logic.  Sometimes the most desirable four star hotel in Italy might not provide body lotion or hair conditioner, whereas a bargain 40 Euros a night Spanish hotel might provide enough items to make you not want to leave your hotel bathroom at all.

What if there was a website which held exactly this kind of information?  Content could be posted by both consumers and hoteliers stating what to expect when you visit.  Comments can be made on the standard of toiletries (Ritz Carlton, Santiago Chile – more top quality Bulgari toiletries than you can imagine) and how often they are replenished (Hotel Scribe, Paris - three times a day). 

This site would be great for hoteliers; they could see how they fare against their competitors and guests would be happier as they’ve enabled them to be more clued up about the facilities before travel.

Maybe this site already exists.  If it does please do let me know!  If not, perhaps I’ve found something to do with my evenings.

It doesn’t make sense.  In a survey last year, 24 per cent of Britons questioned said that they had previously chosen to work instead of taking paid holiday*.  Why on earth, especially in these difficult, stressful and exhausting times would somebody choose to not take up all the available holiday they have?  Most of us only have around 25 days a year – why would you not make the most of them, even if all you do is have a ‘staycation’?

I’ve got a theory.  Despite most of traditional society’s conventions being torn up and stamped on in modern times, going on holiday on your own is still seen by many as a no-go.  A recent poll around my friends confirmed this viewpoint.  Comments such as ‘it’s sad and desperate to go on your own’ were aired and some said that that they would find it a really intimidating experience.  Singletons are on the rise; it’s predicted that by 2026 there will be an estimated 26 million people living in single households worldwide up from 23 million in 2007 **  But it seems that attitudes have to dramatically change before people will embrace the single holiday. 

Is it the fault of the tour operators and hoteliers?  The notorious single supplement is definitely to blame for increasing single holiday prices by hundreds of £s, however there are a number of great options for holidaying along out there which are suited to singletons.  Spa, activity, citybreaks and study holidays are all obvious choices as you can interact with others as much or as little as you want.  But it seems as though it will take a long time for single holiday makers and operators to come up with suitable sun and beach holiday options.

I’ve been on holiday on my own, with a friend, in a group and with a significant other and they all have their merits.  I’m certainly a big fan of the advantages of spending my holiday doing exactly what I want to, when I want to and not having to compromise.  Surely that is what holidays are for – indulging yourself?

Single holidays – they’re not desperate, they’re a lifestyle choice.  I suggest giving them a go.

*TNS Omnibus online survey for 966 people aged 16+ in Great Britain undertaken from 10^th – 14 August 2007

** Euromonitor One person households: Opportunities for consumer goods companies, An Hodgson, 27 September 2007