Digital Nomads Are Flocking to Malaysia: How Can Hotels Attract them?

Malaysia is becoming a popular destination for digital nomads, and it’s easy to see why. With its low cost of living, well-developed infrastructure, cultural diversity, natural beauty, and proximity to other countries, Malaysia offers nomadic individuals a wide range of benefits.

Now, these individuals who can work from anywhere, are looking for the perfect place to park their laptops. And what better place to set up shop than a cozy hotel room?

That’s right, hotels have the chance to bet on this trend by attracting these tech-savvy wanderers who are flocking to Malaysia in droves. 

But is your hotel prepared to cater to them? Don’t fret, if not!

In this article, we’ll show you how to make your hotel the ultimate destination for digital nomads. I have got all the tips you need to turn your hotel into a nomad-friendly oasis.

So put down that fruity cocktail, step away from the pool, and get ready to milk the benefits of hosting digital nomads at your hotel.

How Can Hotels Benefit from Hosting Digital Nomads?

If you have been thinking of targeting this group of travelers, then here are some of the benefits you would love to learn about:

1. Generate a steady stream of revenue

Unlike traditional tourists who often prefer shorter stays, digital nomads tend to stay in one location for extended periods, ranging from a few weeks to several months.

This extended stay can provide a reliable source of revenue for hotels, as the hotel is able to count on a certain number of occupied rooms for a longer period of time.

Additionally, the extended stays of digital nomads can lead to a sense of community and familiarity within the hotel, creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere for the guests and the staff.

2. Have a higher average daily rate

Usually, many digital nomads are successful professionals who have chosen to embrace the nomadic lifestyle and work remotely, allowing them to earn a good income while traveling.

This financial stability often translates to a higher willingness to pay for quality accommodations and amenities.

In addition to their higher level of disposable income, digital nomads also tend to prioritize certain amenities when choosing a place to stay. Fast and reliable internet, co-working spaces, and technology-friendly rooms are all important considerations for digital nomads. 

By offering such amenities, hotels can appeal to the needs of digital nomads and potentially charge a little higher daily rates.

But then, again, don’t make it all about the cash. Set rates that are practical and reasonable.

You can also turn to revenue management experts to create pricing strategies that bring in better profit.

3. Explore new markets

Many digital nomads are young professionals who have chosen to embrace a unique lifestyle. By catering to the needs of these travelers, hotels can attract a new segment of guests who may not have considered the hotel in the past.

If hotels can rework or tweak the look and feel, and services, they can differentiate themselves and stand out in the market. This can significantly help hotels attract a younger, more adventurous, tech-savvy guest base.

In addition to exploring a new segment, hosting digital nomads can also help accommodation providers diversify their investments, potentially increasing the overall revenue.

How to Attract Digital Nomads To Your Property?

Attracting digital nomads to your hotel can be a little trickier than attracting traditional tourists, but it is not impossible. With the right strategies, hotels can successfully tap into this lucrative segment.

1. Offer flexible booking and payment options

Digital nomads often have unpredictable schedules and may need to extend or shorten their stays. Which is why it is imperative to offer flexible booking options, such as the ability to easily change or cancel reservations.

No doubt, it is going to be a major selling point.

Additionally, digital nomads may not want to pay for their stays upfront. In that case, you can offer them flexible payment options, such as the ability to pay on a weekly or monthly basis.

This might not be a huge change, but it is likely to make it easier for digital nomads to pay for their stays and remain at the property for longer periods of time.

For example, Hotel Elegan in Langkawi has recognized the growing trend of digital nomads. While all their strategies to attract these travelers did perform well, what outperformed everything was their policies.

Elegan offers flexible booking options that allow guests to change or cancel their reservations up to 24 hours before their arrival date without any penalties. Not just that, it also offers flexible payment options, allowing guests to pay on a weekly basis rather than upfront.

2. Provide amenities that cater to their needs

Digital nomads are often driven individuals who are looking for a space that inspires productivity and creativity.

Hotels can create this type of environment by offering amenities and services that foster a sense of community and support the needs of digital nomads.

Some ideas for amenities that can help create this type of environment include:

• Fast and reliable internet that is capable of handling multiple devices and is available throughout the property.
• Dedicated space to work alongside other like-minded individuals to foster a sense of community, and encourage collaboration.
• Host meetups or workshops to provide digital nomads with the opportunity to network.
• Create quiet areas such as a library or a lounge to help them stay focused and productive.
• Provide wellness amenities such as a gym or yoga studio to help them recharge.

3. Partner with local businesses and communities

Digital nomads often appreciate the opportunity to involve themselves in local culture and connect with the community.

Now, what you as a hotelier can do is, try to create an authentic and immersive experience by partnering with local businesses and communities. This can include things like offering discounts to local attractions, partnering with local restaurants to offer special deals or menus, or hosting events that highlight local culture and traditions.

By creating such an experience, you allow your guests to feel welcomed and drive a sense of good feeling. This in turn increases your chances of retaining them and drives repeat bookings.

4. Use social media marketing  

Most Malaysian hotels have an intriguing ambiance and surrounding. So, how about flexing the beauty online?

Social media and online marketing are essential tools for any hotel that is preparing to enter into new markets and guest segments.

Hotels can use all the relevant social media platforms to showcase their property, amenities, and offerings, as well as highlight the local area and community. By creating engaging content and using targeted marketing strategies, accommodation providers can reach and attract the digital nomads markets who are looking for a place to stay and work remotely.

For example, you can showcase your digital nomad guests on your social media channels by posting photos of them working and enjoying their stays at the hotel. You can also encourage your digital nomad guests to tag the hotel in their own social media posts, which can help to further promote your property and reach a wider audience of potential guests.

5. Leverage the power of OTAs

For any hotel to gain mileage and drive bookings, online travel agencies (OTAs) and metasearch engines play a significant role. These are often the first places that travelers go to when searching for a place to stay.

So, when you’re trying to attract digital nomads, make sure your hotel has a strong presence on OTAs and meta search websites.

By listing your hotel on popular (and relevant) OTAs and meta search websites, you can make it easier for digital nomads to find and book your property.

Not to mention, you also need to regularly update your listings on these platforms and make sure that your hotel’s amenities and offerings are accurately represented.

We have dedicated blogs on this topic. Be sure to give them a read to learn more.

• How to Select the Right OTAs for your Hotel?
• Metasearch Engine Tips to Increase Direct Bookings

6. Offer special deals and discounts

It’s true that while many digital nomads have a good level of disposable income, not all of them are necessarily looking to spend more money on their accommodations.

This is where discounts come in.

Offering special deals and discounts can be appealing to digital nomads who are on a budget and looking to save money while traveling and working remotely.

Here are some ideas for special deals and discounts that you can go for:

• Extended stay discounts: Digital nomads often stay for longer periods of time, so offering discounts for extended stays can be a great way to retain them, enhance their experience, and generate revenue. For example, you can offer a 10% discount for guests who stay for a month or longer.
• Advance or last-minute discounts: By offering discounts for bookings made in advance or at the last minute, you can fill any gaps in occupancy and attract digital nomads who may have more flexible travel plans.
• Seasonal discounts: During slower periods (which typically fall from April to September in Malaysia) or during certain seasons, hotels experience lower occupancy rates. In that case, accommodation providers can offer special discounts to attract these travelers and increase occupancy.

#ProTip: Be sure to clearly communicate your special deals and discounts on your website and through your marketing efforts so that digital nomads are aware of them.

7. Invest in the latest hospitality technologies

Digital nomads value technology and convenience, so investing in the latest hospitality technologies can be a great way to welcome those tech-savvy nomads to your property.

Here are some ideas for technologies that can consider:

• Self-check-in kiosks: By offering self-check-in kiosks, hotels can make it easier and more convenient for digital nomads to check in and out of the property. This can help to create a seamless and hassle-free experience for your guests, which can be particularly appealing to this market.

• Mobile app: A mobile app can provide digital nomads with easy access to important information about the hotel and the surrounding area, as well as allow them to make reservations and manage their stay.
  
  For hoteliers like you, a mobile app PMS can be your pocket-friendly property management system. You can always keep a tap on your hotel irrespective of your location. Not to mention, you can also pull critical reports and see how your property is performing.

• Property management system (PMS): A property management system can help you streamline your hotel operations and improve efficiency. By implementing a PMS, you can better manage reservations, guest data, and other important information.
  
  This can help you in creating a more efficient and seamless experience for digital nomad guests, which can be a major selling point for this market.

• Contactless solutions: Contactless solutions have become increasingly important lately. Digital nomads, who may be particularly concerned about minimizing physical contact during their travels, may be more likely to choose hotels that offer contactless solutions.
  
  Some options for contactless solutions that you can implement at your property include contactless check-in and check-out, contactless payments, contactless amenities, etc. By offering these types of solutions, hotels can create a safer and more convenient experience for digital nomads.