A small hotel market in Slovenia: a point of view from both sides of the counter

Abstract

Introduction – The purpose of this paper is to investigate a small hotel market in Slovenia. The goal of the research is to present key attributes of small hotels in the country, reasons why guests choose small rather than big hotels, and the attributes of small hotels that the guests are most satisfied with. Design/Methodology – Empirical research was conducted in Slovenia from May 2014 to June 2015. The qualitative methods were used to collect and analyse data about the key attributes of small hotels (supply side), and the quantitative methods to collect and analyse data from small hotel guests (demand side). Findings – The results of the study indicate that Slovenian investors design their small hotels similarly to small hotels’ entrepreneurs in other countries. The major reasons why guests choose small hotels are their wish to establish closer contact with the local people and the local area, friendlier staff, and reasonable prices. Staff friendliness, their professionalism, and service quality are those attributes that small hotels guests appreciate the most. Originality of research – This is the first empirical research on small hotels’ market in Slovenia that offers an overview on its current situation in the country.

Keywords

• small and medium sized enterprises in tourism (smtes)
• small hotels (shs)
• sh attributes
• guest satisfaction