Over half of business travellers (90%) feel that the hotel industry does not fully meet their needs. A figure that is far from insignificant for the leaders in the accommodation sector, but which could be improved by paying more attention to the expectations... of female business travellers. Since they are the ones we are talking about, and represent 52 % of mobile professionals. " What we want is that little something that changes nothing, but makes all the difference a room with double security, someone in the hotel to talk to discreetly in the event of harassment, etc.t", comments Eva, an event organiser in London, on the SHe Travel Club website.
With this in mind, Valérie Hoffenberg founded the SHe Travel Club and created the SHe label who " honours hotels that adapt their offer to the needs of their guests. specific expectations of female travellershelping to unleash the wanderlust of women around the world" describes its founder. In fact, this certification focuses on four key pillars for female travellers: safety, comfort, services and catering. There are three levels of certification: Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Nearly 200 hotels around the world can now boast this label. the first hotel label dedicated to the needs of female travellers. These include the luxurious Bristol, the InterContinental in Paris, Lyon and Marseille and the Kimpton Saint Honoré for IHG, the Andaz Amsterdam for Hyatt and the Park Hyatt in Vienna and Dubai, as well as hotels in the Astotel group. Several hotels in the Accor group have also received SHe certification, including the Mövenpick Abidjan, the Novotel Dubai Al Barsha, the Hotel Molitor in Paris and the Sofitel Legend The Grand in Amsterdam.
Accor supports the deployment of the SHe label
To take things a step further, the French group has just announced a partnership with SHe Travel Club to support the roll-out of the label. Several Accor brands, including Sofitel, MGallery, Novotel and Mercure, will take part in a pilot project involving 50 hotels in Europe and the Middle East. "This collaboration represents a further step forward in ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for everyone in our ecosystem." said Maud Bailly, Managing Director for Southern Europe and co-chair of RiiSE, the Accor Group's network for gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
However, the importance of paying attention to travellers' expectations is nothing new for the French group, particularly through the MGallery brand and its programme Inspired by Her. Launched in the middle of the last decade, this programme guarantees that female travellers will find bathrobes and slippers in their size or a large mirror and hairdryer in their rooms, make-up remover wipes and feminine hygiene products available free of charge at reception, as well as balanced meals on the room service menu.
However, more than anything else, safety remains the main expectation of nomadic professionals, as they pass through illuminated corridors, peepholes and double-locking doors in the rooms or 24/24 reception staff. According to a survey of 5,000 women carried out by the SHe Travel Club, 70 % of female business travellers believe that their company should take this issue into consideration first and foremost when making a reservation. Alongside the eco-responsible labels that are springing up here and there, will we soon see the She label appearing in corporate hotel booking tools?
