How Guest Delight Affected Hotel Pricing before and during Covid-19 Pandemic Cover Image

How Guest Delight Affected Hotel Pricing before and during Covid-19 Pandemic
How Guest Delight Affected Hotel Pricing before and during Covid-19 Pandemic

Author(s): Domagoj Nikolić, Andrea Mitrović
Subject(s): Health and medicine and law, Tourism, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Mednarodna fakulteta za družbene in poslovne študije
Keywords: guest delight; hotel pricing; price determinants; experience personalization; Dubrovnik;

Summary/Abstract: Purpose: This study aimed to establish the extent to which Dubrovnik upscale hotels delight their guests and if such "wow effects" affect their rates. Study design/methodology/approach: TripAdvisor pages of 15 Dubrovnik upscale hotels were searched for guest delight attributes and hotel rates and analysed with descriptive statistics, linlog regression, and Spearman correlation. Findings: Dubrovnik's upscale hotels provide reliable services but still lack the "wow effect”. In this context, guest delight has no discernible effect on hotel rates. Hotels should focus more on personalization and guest delight in their search for extractable value, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic characterized by diminished occupancy and rates. Originality: Although guest delight was studied relatively extensively, this is the first time it was done in relation to hotel rates.

  • Issue Year: 10/2021
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 85-96
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: English