Beyond Traditional Offerings: 5 Experiential Ideas to Delight Today's Leisure Travellers [Part 2]

In the post-pandemic world, UK hospitality and tourism businesses are facing a new challenge - catering to the evolved preferences of today's leisure travellers. Gone are the days when standard hotel stays and generic sightseeing tours were enough to attract and retain guests. The modern traveller craves immersive, memorable experiences that go beyond the traditional.

This is part 2 of our blog series "Adapting To Changing Customer Behaviour In The Hospitality Industry" Here's PART 1

Continue reading for the rest of the article.

To stay competitive, savvy operators must think outside the box and incorporate innovative, experiential elements into their offerings. By delivering unique, engaging activities and attractions, you can delight your guests and encourage them to choose your brand over the competition.

Here are 5 experiential ideas that UK hospitality and tourism businesses can implement to captivate today's leisure travellers:

Curated Culinary Experiences
Food and drink have become a central focus for many travellers. Offer exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to your kitchen, with hands-on cooking classes, wine tastings led by expert sommeliers, or multi-course dining experiences featuring locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. If you don't have a food offering, try and strike up relationships with local restaurants, bakers or butchers to create engaging food related experiences for your guests. Let's be real, everyone is a foodie at heart.
Immersive Cultural Interactions
Tap into your local community to deliver immersive cultural activities. This could include guided walking tours led by knowledgeable historians, music and dance performances showcasing traditional folk arts, or interactive workshops where guests learn crafts like pottery-making or weaving. There will be certain crafts and skills that are local to your business, tap into this.

For example; in the Lake District, we are known globally for Herdwick lamb/wool. So find a local expert to put on a class about butchery, or weaving their wool into fine items of clothing. I can recommend an extremely good butcher, more than happy to do butchery classes - Rob at Roast Mutton In Kendal
Wellness-Focused Retreats
With an increased emphasis on self-care, many travellers are seeking out restorative, wellness-centred getaways. Transform your property into a tranquil oasis, offering sunrise yoga sessions, guided meditation, forest walks, and treatments at an on-site spa. If you don't have the space, team up with an offsite spa and offer spa-cations or similar. In the wellness sphere, there is an unlimited amount of possibilities, it is all down to just how far do you want to go.
Adrenaline Fuelled Adventures
For the thrill-seeking crowd, incorporate high-octane, adventure-based experiences into your leisure offerings. This could include anything from coasteering expeditions and wilderness survival courses to hot air balloon rides and high-ropes challenges. We're based in the Lake District and there are plentiful options, with bike hire being one of the most popular options.
Technologically-Enhanced Experiences
Leverage the latest digital tools and innovations to enhance your guests' experiences. This could involve augmented reality treasure hunts, virtual reality exhibits, or interactive storytelling experiences that bring your location's history and culture to life. If that is a little "farfetched" for you, something as simple as a downloadable audiobook for a visitor attraction, or downloadable interactive maps will enhance your guest experiences. Maybe even go the opposite way of technology and offer "tech detox experiences" where guests have to forfeit their phone for the weekend.

By implementing these types of immersive, experiential elements, UK hospitality and tourism businesses can differentiate themselves, captivate today's leisure travellers, and encourage longer stays and higher guest spending. The key is to understand your target audience's evolving preferences and passions, then creatively deliver unforgettable experiences that exceed their expectations.

Essentially, all you have to do is think outside of the box

We would love the opportunity to work with you and bring your vision to life. Whether you're looking for creative solutions, expert guidance, or a partner who truly understands your goals, we're here to make it happen. Let's collaborate and create something amazing together! Send us an email at hello@ammonitehospitality.com or fill out this form.