Hotel industry, divided into large luxury international chains, three stars units and small luxury hotels, 80% of the occupancy being covered by corporate clients, will under go a sharp growth on small-hotels segment, according to the latter analysis in the field. Three Romanian managers of lifestyle and small luxury hotels in Bucharest speak about this market and the new trends in hotel industry in the following years.

“By late 2009, at least 2,830 new rooms will be delivered, especially in boutique hotel - like lodging units that started to gain ground on the local market” reads an analysis made by Jones Lang LaSalle advisor for September, Bucharest City Report 2008, on real estate investments in regional market.

At this point, hotel market covers approximately 9,000 rooms, divided into 3 and 5 stars, being dominated by four-star hotels, as a response to business tourism demand. They absorb 80% of number of tourists accommodated in hotels, Bucharest being the industry’s flagship example.

What is the next move on the hotel industry and how many hotels in construction will be managed by international hotel chains? Is this a proper climate for boutique hotels and three-star middle class units development?

“I don’t know if there is a market four boutique hotels, but there is certainly one for hotels. We are certainly experiencing a deficit in lodging units. The next breakthrough is likely to be the hotels with few rooms but with personality. This will be the next trend: small hotels, but not necessarily boutiques or luxury hotels. This types of hotels require bigger investments,” said Toni Tatar, marketing director at Rembrandt Hotel in Bucharest.

If there is making room for 4-5 –star hotels (opening of Radisson SAS in Bucharest has brought 400 new luxury rooms), the number of “three-star units with four-star services” will make progresses