FCI Staff Writer Sacramento 
The hotel industry is trending heavily towards Millennials and well, people who act like them.
“Life is the most exciting opportunity we have. But we have one shot. You graduate from college once, and that’s it. You’re going out of that nest. And you have to find that courage that’s deep, deep, deep in there. Every step of the way”.…..Andrew Shue
The fantastic site hotelchatter.com doesn’t engage in idle chatter so we can trust them when they express, “In recent years, we’ve seen major hotel brands rushing to grab the attention of Millennials as the young, design-savvy, and tech-centric crowd enters the workforce and begins to travel, whether for business, leisure or (most likely), bleisure.
Marriott Hotels is ramping up their Moxy and AC Hotels by Marriott brands, while Radisson Hotels have gone and created Radisson Red. Thompson Hotels are queueing up their Tommie brand while Virgin Hotels is getting closer and closer to opening their first hotel. All these brands are offering amenities that are important to Millennials, such as–great design, social spaces, useful tech, free WiFi and reasonable prices. Which, really, any modern traveler will like these days.[adToAppearHere]
But now there’s a new brand of hotels ready to compete with the big boys–Graduate Hotels. Surprisingly, the brand is not aimed at Millennials but we don’t believe them.”
Hmm. A new word to remember; “bleisure”. What will they think of next? So they are a little skeptical about Graduate Hotel’s marketing plan. Let’s allow Graduate Hotels to speak for themselves.
“My best friend is the most important girl, outside of family, to me. I met her when I went to college and we bonded immediately. I’d do anything for her at any time. We phone each other every day”.….Dawn French
At the flagship site graduatehotels.com, college style, they start with a question. What is a graduate they ask?
“Memory making stops, extraordinary rites of passage, and all of the courageous leaps of faith that get you where you’re going. Welcome to Graduate — where the school of life, meets your favorite place to stay.[adToAppearHere]
To be a Graduate, is to be part of a well-curated, well-crafted collection of hotels that reside in the most dynamic University towns across the country. Every site and property celebrates and commemorates the youthful optimism of school days and cultivates the spirit of each community in a bright new way.
Every smart cultural nod in the place winks at the heritage and history of each unique town. Bask in the unexpected, where little moments of surprise and discovery will meet you down every corridor and around each corner. Our warm, friendly and whip smart staff can guide you in and around town so that you feel like a local, at home again — even if it’s your first time in town.
So, expect the unimagined, but know that the luxury of a getaway (or just getting down to business) are all part of the charm and soul that make staying here a smart choice. Sure, we could go on about our comfy beds and five-star touches and all, but rest assured you’ve never had a night quite like this before. In other words, we’ve done our homework.
We’re glad you came to stay after school. Graduate Hotels — where smart never goes out of style.”
“You don’t have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful. You just need a framework and a dream”.……Michael Dell
I have to admit. Their hotels have a cool, youthful, vibrant and fun appeal. They have a number of locations and appear to be a hotel group ready to graduate to the next level.
Why all the fuss about Millennials?
The international news source foxnews.com reports, “They’re luring millennials now, giving a new generation of travelers what they want: a place to work while surrounded by others; activities that teach them about the local area; and a “cool” factor they can share on social media.
Millennials captured 26 percent of the travel volume for 2013, the most recent year for which data is available. That’s up from 23 percent in 2008, according to the U.S. Travel Association.
Baby boomers still had the largest market share with 37 percent, up from 35 percent, but millennials — people born between the early 1980s and early 2000s — are expected to be the “driving force behind the continued recovery of the U.S. travel industry,” according to the MMGY Global 2014 Portrait of American Travelers.”
The destination site travel.usnews.com adds, “”Authentic,” “tech savvy” and “instant gratification” … all phrases commonly used to describe the millennial generation, which is defined as those born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s. Studies show this group is tech-savvy, likes to travel and prefers to spend money on experiences rather than materialistic items.
While millennials may not be the majority of travel consumers at the moment (according to AARP, baby boomers are still spending plenty), they will be soon. “Over the next five to 10 years, millennials will become the biggest customer segment for hotels worldwide, and hotel brands are rushing to meet and exceed the needs of these travelers,” said Signature Travel Network Vice President Ignacio Maza. In fact, by 2025, Gen Y will account for 75 percent of the workforce, according to a 2014 study by Deloitte, a company that provides audit, consulting, tax and advisory services.
Many hotels are now trying figure out what this generation, encompassing 8 million individuals, according to the U.S. Census, is looking for. “Hotels are starting to have to listen to their customers in a different way, and that’s a result of the millennial voice,” said Donna Quadri-Felitti, clinical associate professor of hospitality and tourism at New York University.
From catering to Gen Y’s always connected tendencies to providing anything but cookie cutter experiences, here are some ways hotels are appealing to millennials.”
“The American Dream is one of success, home ownership, college education for one’s children, and have a secure job to provide these and other goals”.…..Leonard Boswell
Female wrestlers?
I know you’re cool since I’ve met many of you but are you also Tech Savvy? I’d give that a yes. How about Authentic? I’d give that a big thumbs up. I’ve walked in many worlds and within the walls of many organizations and I can honestly say that I have never met a group of beautiful, zany group (I always wanted to say Zany! It’s better than Wacky!) of fun, sexy women in one industry in my life.
Okay, so you passed the test.
Graduate Hotels seems to be an ideal fit for you.
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Sources: brainyquote.com, Wikipedia, fciwomenswrestling.com, fciwomenswrestling2.com, FCI Elite Competitor, WB270.com, dwwgalaxy.com, photos thank you Wikimedia Commons.
http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Graduate%20Hotels
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/travel/hotels-for-the-next-generation.html?_r=0
http://travel.usnews.com/features/Millennial-Appeal-5-ways-hotels-are-engaging-Gen-Y/
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2015/03/02/why-hotels-really-only-care-about-millennials/
