Spoons, beds, pillows, small shampoos. Every accommodation has to have them.
In a professional acronym, they are all called under the umbrella term “HoReCa”.
We are not involved with HoReCa products, we make tech solutions. But we are determined to help you navigate all your hospitality challenges.
How do you choose the right one for your hotel? Which ones do you need, and which ones can you skip?
Let’s dive right in and find out!
What Are Horeca Products?
HORECA products represent all the equipment that meets the needs of hotels, restaurants, and cafés. The HoReCa industry is a giant one, with an estimated worth of around 260 billion USD before the COVID-19 crisis. In Europe, this industry employs around 8 million people.
It is an English acronym comprising the first syllables of these three words: hotel/restourant/catering. HoReCa products are everything you need to operate at the highest level, from kitchen appliances and tableware to furniture, bedding, towels, and more.
The hospitality industry is very demanding, so the text below covers everything you need to know about quality hotel service.
Know Your Numbers, Know Your Business
Choosing the right equipment isn’t easy, but some good advice can help you.
You need to know some specific characteristics of your needs.
Each part of the hospitality industry — hotels, restaurants, and cafés—must cater to their guests’ specific needs and expectations, ensuring a high level of best hotel service and customer satisfaction. So, you must consider what you want to offer to your guests.
What is the volume of your guests? How much time do they spend in your acomodation? Which menu do they prefer? What kind of products are needed to prepare the food?
It’s necessary to determine your strategy and make a plan according to it. If you have a small budget, you should consider buying multipurpose equipment.
Let’s talk about data gathering. You can gather data about your guests in a few ways. All of them, however, demand good technology to support you on your journey.
A Good Booking Engine
With a good booking engine, you can gather and analyze data about guests booking through your website. Not only will this tech feature give you the opportunity to keep all the revenue without sharing it with a booking platform, but it will also give you some good info.
Is your accommodation usually visited by families or young couples? This will also let you know what HoReCa products your guests might prefeer.
If you want to know how to attract more direct bookings, click here.
💡Shining The Spotlight
We are shining the spotlight on OTA Sync’s Booking Engine. With secure transactions and fast integration that will seamlessly blend into your website, you can’t go wrong with this feature.
A Powerful PMS
Choosing the right hotel management software can be tricky. You can’t be running a hotel through an Excel sheet anymore, so that’s out of the question.
If you have a good property management system, you can also gather information about your guests while having most tasks automatized.
PMS is all about removing human error from your business. It also gives your employees more time to focus on the guests.
With this in mind, you can talk to your staff about their observations. They can notice more than you think and give you valuable insights.
💡Shining The Spotlight
We have to shine the spotlight on OTA Sync’s PMS. With a powerful cloud system, it solves all your hotel management problems. Less headaches, fewer mistakes. More happy guests, more info about them.
Competitor Analysis Is More Important Than You Think
If you are not sure what you need, competition can help you. You have to know who your biggest competition is and realize who their suppliers are.
A hotel competitor analysis report is a powerful tool for identifying areas where your hotel can improve and uncovering opportunities to enhance its performance.
In the past, competition in the hotel industry was primarily localized, with hotel analysis limited to comparing to nearby competitors. However, with the rise of the internet, hotels from all over the world now pose a challenge, significantly increasing the level of competition. Understanding this broader competitive landscape is crucial for staying ahead.
It’s essential to filter the data and insights you gather, ensuring they align with a clear, consistent purpose. This process should ultimately support the creation of a strong, unified brand identity that resonates with your guests.
Going to hospitality fairs and networking events can also help you find top suppliers for your hotel.
3 Essential HoReCa Products
Hotel suppliers are crucial for running a hotel smoothly. Statistics show that the demand for different HORECA products is changing, but regardless of your preferences, these products remain essential for you:
- Food and Beverages
- Packaging and Accessories
- Equipment and Hygiene
1. Food and Beverages
When we talk about food, we need to follow some basic standards. Every kitchen must have:
- Basic ingredients
Sugar, Flour, Oil…
- Fresh ingredients
Meat, Vegetables, Dairy…
- Ready-made and semi-prepared products
Frozen food, Pre-cooked meals…
- Beverages
Non-alcoholic and alcoholic, Coffee, and Tea.
A big trend in the hospitality industry has been sourcing ingredients locally. Tourists are looking for an authentic experience and want a taste of the local cuisine.
If you do source your ingredients locally, make sure to have it represented on your menu!
2. Packaging and Accessories
Packaging refers to the various containers and materials used in hotels and restaurants, as well as in delivering food and beverages.
We distinguish several types of packaging:
- Takeaway packaging and delivery packaging
Paper bags, plastic or biodegradable containers, aluminum foil.
- Beverage packaging
Paper straws, coffee cups…
- Hotel packaging
- Eco-friendly packaging
Whatever you choose, you need to know that in the HORECA sector, packaging has a crucial role in preserving product quality, enhancing customer experience, and supporting branding efforts.
If you are unsure which of the above you need, restaurant and hotel suppliers personnel could inform you what you need for your hotel.
Accessories in the hotel industry include all additional products that improve the guest experience and facilitate business. Also, they can represent hotel amenities, products, and services.
Types of accessories:
- Dining accessories
Cutlery, napkins, trays, portioned condiments, and coasters.
- Hotel accessories
Mini soaps, shampoos, bathrobes, guest slippers, and hairdryers.
- Serving accessories
Ice buckets, breadbaskets, sauce dishes.
- Tech accessories
Digital menus, POS systems, and QR code scanners for ordering.
We, of course, recommend the OTA Sync all-in-one hotel system, which transforms your hotel and property management operations, improves employee productivity, and increases sales performance.
OTA Sync is far from just an accessory, it is a powerful hotel management system. We gladly recommend it as it comes with all necessary tech add-ons. This way, you don’t have to commission 5 different companies for one service each.
Although it may not seem that way, accessories are very important. The comfort they provide will attract guests with refined tastes who appreciate luxury and are willing to invest in it.
High-quality accessories will also help employees be more efficient, while branding them will contribute to strengthening the brand.
3. Equipment and Hygiene
Hygiene and equipment include all devices and tools necessary for successful and safe operations. These products are:
- Kitchen equipment
Ovens, grills, deep fryers, mixers, refrigeration units, dishwashers.
- Bar and restaurant equipment
Coffee machines, blenders, beverage refrigerators, tableware, and cutlery.
- Hotel equipment
Beds, mattresses, safes, minibars, hairdryers, and water dispensers.
- Technical equipment
POS systems, cash registers, digital menus, lighting, and sound systems.
Linen
Linen plays an important role in guest comfort and overall hygiene in the hospitality industry. We distinguish the following: Bedsheets, pillowcases, blankets, duvets, towels, bathrobes, guest slippers,
tablecloths, napkins, chair covers, etc…
Depending on your preferences and budget, you can choose sustainable linen options made of organic cotton, bamboo fabrics, or eco-friendly alternatives.
Hygiene
Hygiene is imperative for every hotel to run smoothly, as it directly affects guest safety and health.
- Personal hygiene: Uniforms, gloves, caps, face masks for staff.
- Kitchen and facility hygiene: Cleaning agents, antibacterial soaps, disinfectants.
- Guest hygiene: Soaps, shampoos, wipes, hand sanitizers.
- Hygiene maintenance equipment: Vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners, disinfection devices, waste bins.
A key part of hotel hygiene is the staff.
It is essential to provide them with proper training and strictly enforce all rules to avoid guest complaints or any serious health consequences. Therefore, choose staff who are skilled and professional, and if you hire a cleaning and maintenance agency, make sure to check its reputation and reviews.
How Can OTA Sync Help?
OTA Sync is an all-in-one cloud-based software solution for managing hotels and apartments. Because of cloud-based technology, costs are drastically reduced, daily tasks are automated, and the overall efficiency and revenues of the property are increased.
OTA Sync software is suitable for medium and small hotels, boutique hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and apartments. The company has over 2.000 satisfied users in 17 countries around the world.
There are four complete solutions for managing hotels and apartments:
For a free trial, click here.
🚨Special Offer
Want to stay on top of things and receive special offers and discounts? We’ve got you!
OTA Sync rewards smart hoteliers by giving out special discounts. To receive yours, click HERE!
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