Hotel Service Innovation to meet the needs of the Thai elderly tourists in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan

Abstract

This research aims to study about 1) to study the service innovation of hotel to meet the needs of Thai elderly tourists 2) to study the service innovation for the elderly in the hotel and 3) to provide advice to develop the service innovation of hotel to meet the needs of the Thai elderly in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan. This research paper is qualitative research, with in-depth interviews. Key informants are 10 Thai elderly tourists, and 4 hotel managers by using field notes to record general information and using telephone interview to help and support information analysis. The results show that the needs for hotel service innovation of Thai elderly tourists have 2 parts; 1) the facilities and2) living space. And the hotel has innovative services to meet the needs of Thai elderly travelers, such as the bathroom must separate dry areas and wet areas. Rail in the bathroom Ramp for senior customers, wheelchair trolley and a good security system and staff training to provide proper knowledge about care for older customers. So these information can guide to develop hotel service innovation to meet the needs of Thai elderly tourists in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan. Which are 1) the development of hotel services innovation in the facilities of the elderly should be an innovative way to help older people stay comfortable and safe throughout their stay at the hotel. Which are the area within the hotel, space in the room and space in the bathroom. That must be responsive and suitable for the elderly. 2) The development of hotel services innovation in the area of living space of the elderly should be an innovation that let the elderly to have the space to do activities that the elderly want. Most of the activity areas, that older people want, are apart from the hotel activities that are provided to the general customer.