African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure (Aug 2018)
Confirmatory analysis of the preference in Boutique Hotels in the city of Oporto, Portugal.
Abstract
The goal of this paper was to analyse the preferences of boutique hotels’ clients in the city of Oporto, Portugal. A survey questionnaire was used and answered by 423 guests of the selected hotels. Boutique hotels are inserted in a segment where refinement, charm and luxury are its key support base. The guests of this kind of hotel value the aesthetic qualities including decoration and design, the cleanliness of the properties, range of amenities, service’s quality excellence, efficient and cosy service, as well as reliability and ease of making reservations. The confirmatory factor analysis which has been performed presents seven determinant factors in the guests’ choice: hospitality, safety, convenience for meetings, marketing, design, concierge service and premium quality service. The presented study makes an important contribution to the area of study. It thus deserves the attention of investors and more importantly, boutique hotels’ managers and employees