TRENDS IN THE CATERING AND ACCOMMODATION BUSINESS IN THE MORAVIAN SILESIAN REGION

Abstract

The development of tourism trends significantly influences the tourist attractiveness of the destination ad increases tourist attendance. The paper presents the results of the research Tourist Trends in the Moravian Silesian Region (MSR), which focused on examining trends in accommodation and catering facilities, as a significant part of tourism services. The research area included trends and innovations in the field of services and the reaction of the offer of these services due to the change in the preferences of customers and visitors to these facilities. The main goal of the paper was to identify new trends in the offer of accommodation and catering services and to determine factors affecting repeat visit or purchase. Quantitative research using a questionnaire survey and qualitative research using structured interviews with business representatives in 2017 and 2020 was used and the results were compared. The opinions of visitors and representatives of the business on service quality indicators were compared. The dependence of service quality indicators related to repeat visits or service purchases was examined using the chi-squared test of independence. Evaluations of some service quality indicators did not confirm their dependence on repeat visits/purchases. Representatives of accommodation and catering services have a common opinion on the importance of specific indicators of service quality for repeat guest visits. The survey showed changes in the offer and quality of services of accommodation and catering companies in the Moravian Silesian Region due to changing preferences of the customers. The formulation of new trends in this part of the offer of tourism can serve as an inspiration for local entrepreneurs in the region and lead them to develop new products and introduce new services, to increase their business success and also to increase tourist attendance in the region.