Yes, there is evidence to support the claim that hotel guests are booking closer to their arrival dates. Recent trends indicate a significant shift in booking behavior, with both leisure and business travelers opting to make reservations much closer to their travel dates than in the past.
Advances in tech, mobile bookings AND(!) lower prices
Several studies and reports highlight this trend. According to research, the booking windows for hotel rooms have been shrinking, with travelers increasingly making last-minute reservations. This change has been attributed to various factors, including advancements in technology, the proliferation of mobile booking apps, and changes in travel behavior due to the COVID-19 pandemic (HotelTechReport) (NerdWallet: Finance smarter).
For instance, a report by HotelTechReport notes that the booking window has shortened considerably, making room rate demand less elastic as travelers now prefer to book rooms closer to their travel dates (HotelTechReport). Additionally, NerdWallet's analysis of hotel room rates from 2019 to 2021 found that it was cheaper to book rooms last-minute 66% of the time, with this figure increasing to 73% in 2021. This indicates a growing trend towards last-minute bookings, driven by both cost savings and the flexibility that modern booking platforms offer (NerdWallet: Finance smarter).
Furthermore, travel booking statistics from 2023 show a significant increase in last-minute travel bookings, a trend accelerated by the pandemic. Around 50% of travelers reported more last-minute bookings due to the uncertainty and changing travel restrictions during the pandemic (The Tech Report).
Conclusion
Overall, the data clearly supports the observation that hotel guests are indeed booking closer to their arrival dates, driven by technological convenience, cost considerations, and evolving travel habits.
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