According to an article by Travolution1, 84% of travellers in 2025 prioritise unforgettable experiences over cheap deals, and 77% value personalisation more than price. This shift in mindset, driven primarily by Generation Z and millennials, marks a turning point in how we understand travel: it's no longer just about where to sleep, but how to experience the stay.
For independent accommodations, this change represents a golden opportunity. Unlike large chains, which often offer standardised experiences, boutique hotels, rural houses and tourist apartments can connect emotionally with their guests, reflecting their values, interests and identity. From treehouses with breakfast served by pulley to apartments with saunas and glacier views, travellers are seeking authenticity, surprise and a story to tell.
Personalisation has become the secret ingredient of modern hospitality. Guests no longer want a generic experience; they want to feel heard, recognised, and unique. Flexibility is key. 70 % of travellers claim they want to tailor treatments, activities, or services to their preferences, and 49 % wish to book experiences alongside their accommodation. This opens the door to more human, more experiential, and more profitable tourism, where every detail counts.
However, for customisation to be sustainable and efficient, technology plays a fundamental role. Independent accommodations require connected and intuitive solutions that centralise all aspects of the business: bookings, payments, extras, guest communication, and channel management. Having an all-in-one platform allows for task automation, error avoidance, and, above all, dedicating more time to what truly matters: creating memorable experiences that foster loyalty and generate value.
Ultimately, the trend is clear: travellers of the future are seeking experiences, not rooms. And those accommodations that know how to combine authenticity, personalised service, and smart technology will be the ones to lead the new era of independent tourism.
Eviivo Technology: Beyond Accommodation
One of the latest articles published on the eviivo blog highlights how technology not only improves the guest experience, but also the financial performance of accommodations:
Smart communication
- The use of AI-assisted, centralised messaging (such as eviivo Concierge) enables the management of 24/7 queries at scale, increasing online requests without overwhelming staff.
- Automating emails before, during, and after the stay (confirmations, check-in, reminders, upsells) improves the guest experience and frees up the team's time.
Upsells and personalisation
- Sending personalised offers at key moments of a guest's stay allows for the generation of additional revenue by anticipating their preferences.
Automated payments and check-ins
- Automating payments and sending access instructions reduces errors, speeds up the check-in process, and facilitates check-out.
- The generated invoices clearly show the amount paid by the guest, not the OTA price, which encourages future direct bookings.
Reputation management
- Automatically requesting reviews after check-out and centralising all communications in a single inbox makes managing online reputation easier.
Impact: happier guests and better results
When combining
- They offer memorable stays that connect emotionally with travellers.
- They guarantee a smooth experience thanks to automated communications, payments, and processes.
- They increase revenues through strategic upsells and reduce operating costs.
- They reinforce their image and increase direct bookings, reducing their dependence on OTAs.
In summary
| Element | Benefit for accommodation |
| Personalised experiences | They attract travellers who value identity and values |
| AI and automated messaging | They allow for 24/7 responses and reduce workload. |
| Timely upsells | Increase turnover per stay |
| Payment/check-in automation | Avoid errors and optimise operational processes |
| Integrated reputation management | Reinforce online presence and generate greater trust |
Conclusion
To stand out in an increasingly experience-focused market, independent accommodations need the right technology to integrate all these functions effectively. eviivo offers a comprehensive solutionfrom booking management to communications, payments and online reputation, all backed by artificial intelligence and automation.
This allows hosts to focus on what really matters: create memorable, authentic and profitable stays.
Guest Post: Experience-based travel puts independent stays in the spotlight, Travolution, 22nd April 2025
