Experiential gifting is an increasingly popular form of gifting among consumers – and especially among shoppers looking to step away from the materialist mindset – whereby the giver offers the recipient a gift that’s too intangible to wrap.
NB: This is an article from Travelboom
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These gifts focus on providing the recipient with an experience rather than stuff.
For its part, research has shown that followers of this trend may well be on to something. Studies have revealed that, when it comes to creating satisfaction and in-the-moment happiness, spending on experiences and activities is more effective than purchasing material possessions.
Experiential Gifting: A Win for Hoteliers and Guests
For hoteliers looking to boost their brands, the experiential gifting trend presents an excellent opportunity to fill more rooms – and when the gift recipients complete their stays, to impress new guests. After all, few things capture the essence and spirit of experiential gifting as well as travel. It’s the ultimate experience for many consumers, especially those who fall squarely in the hospitality industry’s target audience. And in most cases, the hotel stay is an integral part of the travel experience, making it a great gift for travel lovers.
For the recipient who cherishes new travel experiences, a hotel or resort stay given as a gift is typically a welcome surprise. Such a present can inspire a trip to discover new places and experience new things. And as multiple studies have shown, there’s a strong connection between travel experiences and increased happiness. Among them:
- A 2020 study by researchers at New York University, Columbia University and the University of Miami found that new and diverse experiences and exploration lead to increased happiness and well-being.
- A Washington State University study published in 2021 found that regular travelers of distances of 75 miles or farther exhibited 7% higher levels of happiness than infrequent travelers.
- Another 2020 study conducted by the Institute for Applied Positive Research found that, for 97% of survey participants, simply having a trip planned makes them happier.
Tapping Into Experiential Gifting: Highlighting Extraordinary Experiences
To effectively attract the attention (and ultimately the bookings) of experiential gift givers, hospitality brands can stage and market events and experiences that add extra appeal to a stay at their properties – effectively transforming typical hotel stays into truly enjoyable, gift-worthy experiences. For example, a hotel with a bar, restaurant or event facilities could host a themed night, weekend or even full week as part of a stay package that includes events and activities aligning with the chosen theme. And with target consumers’ varied interests running the gamut from music and movies to collectibles, hobbies and much more, the possibilities for theme choices are nearly endless.
