It’s been a cold, wet, and snowy start to the year but, when it comes to offering excellent guest experiences, the fires are burning bright within the hospitality industry. After all, providing comfort is what we do best!
VisitEngland has released its January Domestic Sentiment Tracker report, and despite the current issues facing the industry there are encouraging signs ahead. Looking to the next three months, there’s an increase in respondents planning a night away in a hotel, motel, or inn, alongside a growing interest in trying local cuisine and visiting heritage sites. These trends present valuable opportunities when marketing your property or enhancing the guest experience. Could your guest information folders do more to showcase local food spots or nearby attractions?
Although occupancy has been down the past year, there’s also a promising decline in the number of people citing the cost of accommodation or food and drink as a barrier to taking a UK trip. While cost-of-living concerns haven’t disappeared entirely, perceptions have improved slightly which is a positive step when encouraging guests to book a night away. That said, most UK adults are still proceeding with caution, so it’s worth considering how you can help guests stretch their budgets a little further.
Free activities and hiking trails are popular choices for those planning a getaway. Make sure you’re well prepared with local recommendations and practical touches for muddy boots and weather-worn guests, such as boot trays, cleansing toiletries, and comforting pick-me-ups. Sadly, UK holiday providers continue to compete with the almost guaranteed good weather offered by overseas travel, with commitment to trips abroad remaining high for 2026. However, UK breaks are often viewed as easier to plan which boosts their appeal so ensuring a smooth, seamless booking process is more important than ever.
There’s also a lot of conversation around AI and its impact on hospitality. While the pace of change can feel overwhelming, hospitalitynet.org makes an important point: “AI should enhance – not replace – interaction, giving staff more time to improve the guest experience”. AI-powered software can certainly support seamless guest communication and efficient business management, but it must always be underpinned by genuine human care. Guests should feel that every decision has been made with their comfort in mind and curating that experience is effortless with products from Out of Eden. From thoughtful complimentary refreshment trays to beautifully scented bathroom toiletries, the right details help guests truly connect with your property.
Elsewhere, you may have spotted our adverts in Hotel Magazine and Boutique Hotelier, or in Hotel Owner’s email newsletters. We’re also proud to feature in Boutique Hotelier’s Buying Guide for 2026, which you can read in full here. As the guide notes, we’re a “hotelier’s one-stop shop for everything needed to kit out the very best hotel rooms” and our team has hit the ground running this year, with exciting new products in development and launching soon so check back on our new products page here.
Our team are also now preparing ahead for our first trade show of the year, the Lakes Hospitality Show in Cumbria on 26th February. Trade shows are a great way for our Sales Team to connect with existing customers and showcase what Out of Eden can offer accommodation businesses. We're planning to attend a range of them across the UK later in the year - take a look at our calendar here.
So, while it may have been a grey start to the year, the future is looking brighter!
