The hospitality industry is at a pivotal juncture with the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), as highlighted by a recent survey conducted by Virta, a leading smart charging service provider. The survey reveals a significant trend: eight out of ten hotel guests now consider the availability of EV charge points as a crucial factor in their accommodation choices, placing it on par with traditional amenities like comfortable lodging and quality breakfast options.

This shift towards prioritising EV charging availability indicates a changing landscape in guest preferences and underscores a potential revenue stream that many hotels are currently overlooking. With the majority of consumers placing high importance on quality EV charging points, hotels lacking in this area — whether due to outdated infrastructure, insufficient charging bays, or a complete absence of chargers — might be missing out on significant revenue opportunities.

As 2024 approaches, Virta's Suki Sangha emphasises the urgency for hotels to recognize and seize the revenue possibilities associated with catering to the EV-driving guest, particularly business day-trippers who seek to combine meetings with efficient car charging. Sangha points out the direct correlation between a positive charging experience and increased guest stay durations, ultimately leading to higher revenue for hotels. He suggests that to future-proof their operations, hotels should aim to make at least 10% of their parking spaces EV charge-enabled.

Ownership of the charging infrastructure is recommended to fully capitalise on the commercial opportunities it presents, ranging from accommodation and events to weddings and food and beverage services. This approach positions EV charging as an integral part of hotel operations, poised to drive significant business growth.

Leading the charge, some hoteliers, such as Novotel Hyderabad Airport Hotel, have already embraced EV charging stations, recognizing their value in attracting and retaining guests. Voco Hotels' general manager, James Bell, echoes the sentiment, stressing the importance of hotels adapting to meet today's demand for EV charging to secure their revenue and customer base in the long term.

The insights from Virta's survey serve as a clarion call for the hospitality industry to embrace electrification as a critical component of their service offerings. As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow, hotels equipped with modern, sufficient EV charging facilities are not only positioning themselves as forward-thinking but are also tapping into an emerging market segment with substantial revenue potential.