Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate: 1) personal factors affecting the decision to book a hotel in Bangkok after the COVID-19 crisis, 2) marketing strategies affecting the decision to book a hotel in Bangkok after the COVID-19 crisis, 3) consumer behaviors in booking Bangkok hotels after the COVID-19 crisis and 4) the marketing strategies implemented by Bangkok hotel business entrepreneurs after the COVID-19 crisis.
This study used mixed research methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative method was applied to a sample group that comprised 400 customers who stayed at three-star hotels in Bangkok. The research instrument used to collect data was a questionnaire. The statistics used to analyze data were percentage, mean, standard deviation, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. The qualitative method used an in-depth interview to collect data from the 2 hotel business entrepreneurs in Bangkok concerning their marketing strategy after the COVID-19 crisis.
The study results showed that differences in the personal factors of age and monthly income influenced the decision to book a hotel in Bangkok after the COVID-19 crisis. Marketing strategy after COVID-19 crisis in terms of price, place, promotion, process, and physical evidence affected the decision to book a hotel in Bangkok after the COVID-19 crisis. The following consumer behaviors were demonstrated in booking a Bangkok hotel after COVID-19 crisis: preference for hotels suitable for families; preference for double or twin rooms; purpose of travel; availability of a self-booking service; hotel as a venue for special occasions; ability to book the hotel through social media such as Facebook and Line; availability of information about the hotel from reviews on social media channels such as Facebook and YouTube; and room rates between 1,001 Baht and 2,000 Baht. Furthermore, the result of the in-depth interview revealed that hotel operators have adjusted their marketing strategies to accommodate more Thai tourists. Their strategies now focus on occupancy rate and organizing special events, such as banquets and seminars to cater for guests from Thai business, public and private sectors.