Results of the 1st Innovation Barometer in the Hotel Sector
Only 25% of Hotel Chains Offer Specialized Innovation Training
November 4, 2024
The majority of hotels view innovation as essential to staying competitive in the market.
Despite this, only 25% of hotel companies offer specialized innovation training programs, according to the 1st Innovation Barometer of the Hotel Sector.
The results of this pioneering study—conducted by ILUNION Hotels and Les Roches Global Hospitality—were presented during the 3rd Global Summit by ILUNION Hotels. The report provides a detailed overview of how more than 40 international hotel companies are embracing innovation to boost their competitiveness and meet future market demands.
Training and synergies as a driver of innovation
Almost 60% of respondents acknowledge that their brand does not have a specific budget for innovation. Among companies that do have these funds, innovation initiatives are primarily led by senior executives rather than by specialists in the field. In fact, only 25% of companies offer specific innovation training programs.
The report reveals that innovation is not limited to technology, but is a comprehensive process that creates value throughout the entire production chain, demonstrating significant room for improvement in many organizations. Innovation is positioned as a strategic tool for hotels to anticipate future trends, respond to the demands of their customers and employees, and discover new technologies.
Although the majority of respondents value the importance of collaboration between companies, around 50% of them do not currently consider working with startups.
Despite this outlook, more than half of respondents say their company proactively applies innovation, aiming to position itself as a leader or pioneer in the hospitality sector. However, less than half of the companies surveyed are able to effectively leverage innovation and intelligence insights from other industries.
Key Conclusions and Upcoming Update
The 1st Hotel Innovation Barometer reveals that innovation in the sector is mainly driven by technology and strategic market alignment. However, the report also highlights a need for stronger leadership, targeted training, and more corporate partnerships to continue advancing.
“This barometer not only assesses the current state of innovation, but also serves as a strategic tool for hotel companies to measure, understand, and improve their innovation capabilities,” says Carlos Bello, Director of Innovation at ILUNION Hotels, who emphasizes that “innovation is key to standing out in such a competitive market.”
From Les Roches, Susana Garrido, Director of Innovation at Spark X Foundation and EdTech at Les Roches, highlights the importance of innovation as a driver of competitiveness: “This study inspires hotel companies to take decisive steps to improve their processes and services, demonstrating that collaboration with startups, as well as with academic and public institutions, and technology companies, is essential.”
Meanwhile, Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches, adds: “This is the ideal moment to foster a culture of innovation. Our companies have everything they need to develop competitive, high-value projects. In this regard, two key factors stand out: training and the creation of an innovation ecosystem that draws from other industries—building synergies and partnerships that generate mutual benefits.”
The Innovation Barometer will be updated periodically to track progress and continue driving improvements. For more information and to take part in the next edition, download the summary report here.
About ILUNION Hotels
ILUNION Hotels currently operates 31 properties located in Spain’s main urban and holiday destinations. Its model is pioneering and serves as a benchmark in universal accessibility, diversity, and the social and labor inclusion of people with disabilities within the tourism sector—guided by a strong belief in true equality of opportunity.It is the first hotel company to earn the Global Certificate in Universal Accessibility (UNE-170001-2) across all its establishments, as well as the prestigious EFQM 600+ Seal.ILUNION Hotels offers guests unique experiences, backed by an exceptional team of more than 1,800 professionals—around 700 of whom have some form of disability, and over 200 belong to groups at risk of labor exclusion. In its 15 Special Employment Centers, people from these groups make up more than 70% of the workforce.
About Les Roches
Les Roches is a prestigious Swiss institution dedicated to educating the future innovators and entrepreneurial leaders of the hospitality industry. Founded in 1954 in Switzerland, Les Roches offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive programs in luxury management, hospitality, tourism, and sports.
With campuses in Switzerland, Spain, the UAE, and China, as well as an affiliated campus near New Delhi, Les Roches is part of Sommet Education, the world’s leading hospitality education group.
Les Roches ranks among the top 5 hospitality management institutions worldwide, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
Les Roches has received official recognition from the Swiss Accreditation Council (SAC) as a Swiss University Institute of Applied Sciences. In addition to this recognition, Les Roches is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
