Exploring the Role of Hotel Facilities on Tourists Star Category Hotel Selection in the State of Uttar Pradesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/pjhas.2025.11.1.4Keywords:
Hotel facilities, star-category hotels, tourist selection, Uttar Pradesh, customer satisfactionAbstract
Background: The role of hotel facilities in tourists’ selection of star-category hotels is an essential area of focus, as it aims to understand guests’ preferences and improve service offerings. This research study explores the influence of hotel facilities on tourist decision-making with regard to visiting heritage arc cities, such as Agra, Lucknow and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Objective: The primary objectives of this research was to examine the influence of hotel facilities on tourists’ selection of star-category hotels in the state of Uttar Pradesh and to recommend strategies for hotel professionals to upgrade amenities and services that align with customer preferences. Methodology: A descriptive research design was followed to conduct this research. Data was obtained in December 2024 through a questionnaire based survey conducted from 273 tourists who had experienced the star category hotels in Agra, Lucknow and Varanasi. Data was analyzed through weighted means and standard deviations. Results: The findings suggest that room service/ in-room dining (Weighted Mean = 4.12), restaurants/coffee shops (Weighted Mean = 3.91) and business facilities like business centers (Weighted Mean = 3.85) and Wi-Fi (Weighted Mean = 3.67) are primary determinants of hotel choice. They emphasize convenience, comfort and connectivity as important. By comparison, places such as shopping arcades (Weighted Mean = 2.93), fitness centers (Weighted Mean = 2.76) and babysitters (Weighted Mean = 2.59) exert a less significant influence on tourists’ choice. Hotels need to concentrate on priority services while upgrading secondary amenities to accommodate varied guest expectations. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of core facilities such as room service, food and business services in bringing in tourists to star-category hotels. The hoteliers must make developing these services a top priority while enhancing less significant ones such as fitness clubs and babysitting to attract more customers. The synchronization of services with customer requirements enhances satisfaction and loyalty.References
Abdulkader, M. (2023). Why do people use public Wi-Fi? : An investigation of risk-taking behaviour and factors lead to decisions (Dissertation). Retrieved from https:// urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:his:diva-22830
Anderson, P., & Cooper, L. (2023). Concierge services: Enhancing guest experiences in luxury hotels. Hospitality Journal, 15(3), 211-225.
Barile, S., Ciasullo, M. V., Troisi, O., & Sarno, D. (2017). The role of technology and institutions in tourism service ecosystems: Findings from a case study. The TQM Journal, 29(6), 811-833.
Chaudhary, A. (2020). The impact of hotel amenities on guest satisfaction and loyalty. Journal of Hospitality Management, 35(2), 105-118.
Chen, K. H., Liu, H. H., & Chang, F. H. (2013). Essential customer service factors and the segmentation of older visitors within wellness tourism based on hot springs hotels. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 35, 122-132.
Chibili, M. N. (2019). Rating Systems and the Structure of the Hospitality Industry. In Modern Hotel Operations Management (pp. 48-91). Routledge.
Chun Wang, J., Wang, Y. C., & Tai, Y. F. (2016). Systematic review of the elements and service standards of delightful service. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 28(7), 1310-1337.
Clark, J. (2022). The role of security in enhancing guest confidence in hospitality. Safety & Security Review, 10(1), 67-81.
Cohen, S. A., Prayag, G., & Moital, M. (2014). Consumer behaviour in tourism: Concepts, influences and opportunities. Current issues in Tourism, 17(10), 872- 909.
Curtin, E. (2021). Fitness Culture: Making New Persons in Quasi-Socialist Belarus (Doctoral dissertation, City University of New York).
Das, M. P. (2023). Technology and Guest experience: innovations reshaping hotel management. International Journal for Multidimensional Research Perspectives, 1(3), 76-95.
Devi, A., & Gandwane, M. K. (2024). Sustainable Sojourns: Navigating the World with Care. 10.5772/ intechopen.113770.
PUSA Journal of Hospitality and Applied Sciences, 2025; 11(1) : 32-39 ISSN 2395-020X (P); e-ISSN 2583-2700 (O)
NAAS Score: 3.49
| 37 |
Doe, A. (2020). Conference facilities in luxury hotels: Meeting the needs of business travelers. Corporate Tourism Quarterly, 8(4), 98-113.
Evans, M. (2021). Personalization in luxury hospitality: The rise of exclusive services. Global Hospitality Trends, 19(2), 77-90.
Fredrick, O. J., & Authority, T. R. (2019). Hotel standardization and classification system in Kenya: A quality assurance approach. African J Hosp Tour Leis, 8, 1-22.
Green, R., & Taylor, S. (2021). Sustainability practices in the hotel industry: Trends and implications. Eco-Tourism Review, 14(3), 44-58.
Gumaste, R., & Bhosle, P. (2019). Business guests accommodation selection: A gender-based study on factors affecting the selection of star category business hotels in Mumbai City. Atithya: A Journal of Hospitality, 5(2), 18-24.
Gupta, R., Sharma, M., & Verma, P. (2022). Traditional hospitality meets modernity: Tourist expectations from Indian hotels. International Journal of Tourism Research, 24(1), 56-68.
Hamarneh, I., Košlíková, P. C., Klímová, M., Henzlerová, E., & Soboleva, O. (2024). Enhancing inclusive tourism: mapping accessibility and recommending strategies for the liberec region. Journal of Entrepreneurship & Sustainability Issues, 11(4).
Hsieh, Y. H., & Chuang, I. C. (2020). Evaluation of key factors for service experience: A comparison of tourism factories and international tourism hotels. Tourism Economics, 26(3), 404-436.
Johnson, B., Carter, D., & Miles, F. (2022). Dining experiences in star-rated hotels: A customer perspective. International Journal of Hospitality Research, 20(4), 205-221.
Johnson, R., Brown, T., & Taylor, K. (2021). Luxury tourism: The role of star-rated hotels in enhancing guest satisfaction. Tourism Journal, 45(3), 210-225.
Jones, L., Smith, T., & Roberts, K. (2020). Hotel facility preferences among leisure and business travelers. Tourism and Hospitality Studies, 29(4), 243-260.
Kalgi, D., & Hire, J. (2024). Effectiveness of Hotel Amenities and Facilities in Enriching Guest Experience. Current Scenario in Science and Technology, Environment, Agriculture, Health, Water Resources, Social Science, Literature & Industrial, 47.
Khan, M. J. (2022). The Winnipeg Boutique Business Hotel–a high tech facility fostering collaborative business networking. mspace.lib.umanitoba.ca
Kivuva, A. K., Kihima, B. O., & Nzioka, A. M. (2014). Selecting non-classified hotels in Kenya: what really matters for business guests. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 3(2), 1-12.
Kumar, A., & Sharma, V. (2019). Hospitality benchmarks: Analyzing the star-rating system. Journal of Hospitality Studies, 38(2), 78-92.
Mehta, S. (2022). Tourism policies and hotel classifications in India. Indian Tourism Quarterly, 10(4), 15-29.
Mohsin, A., & Lengler, J. (2015). Service experience through the eyes of budget hotel guests: do factors of importance influence performance dimensions? Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 23, 23-34.
Page, S. J., & Connell, J. (2020). Tourism accommodation and hospitality services. In Tourism (pp. 216-241). Routledge.
Pandey, S. (2023). The Dynamics of Food and Beverage Service: A Contemporary Analysis.International Journal for Multidimensional Research Perspectives, 1(3), 59- 75.
Parker, L., Jones, T., & Singh, R. (2020). Accessibility in hospitality: Analyzing facilities for guests with disabilities. Inclusive Tourism Studies, 7(3), 88-102.
Patel, S., Reddy, V., & Kapoor, S. (2021). Redefining hotel hygiene standards post-COVID-19. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing, 38(7), 615-630.
Rana, S., Singh, J., & Mehta, A. (2023). The economic impact of luxury tourism infrastructure in India. South Asian Journal of Tourism and Heritage, 18(1), 92-107.
Sainaghi, R. (2010). Hotel performance: state of the art. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 22(7), 920-952.
Sepula, M. B., & Bello, F. G. (2019). Guests’ Perceptions of Official Hotel Rating System Dimensions in Star Rated Hotels in Malawi. Global Review of Research in Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure Management, 5(1).
Singh, P., & Gupta, R. (2023). Tourism growth in Uttar Pradesh: The role of star-rated accommodations. Journal of Indian Hospitality Research, 12(1), 34-49.
Siwek, M., Kolasińska, A., Wrześniewski, K., & Zmuda Palka, M. (2022). Services and amenities offered by
| 38 |
PUSA Journal of Hospitality and Applied Sciences, 2025; 11(1) : 32-39 ISSN 2395-020X (P); e-ISSN 2583-2700 (O)
NAAS Score: 3.49
city hotels within family tourism as one of the factors guaranteeing satisfactory leisure time. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(14), 8321.
Smith, J., & Brown, E. (2021). The influence of amenities on hotel selection: A case study of urban hotels. Hospitality Insights, 17(2), 132-147.
Smith, K., & Jones, R. (2021). Guestroom innovations in luxury hotels: Technological advancements and comfort. Hospitality Technology Today, 11(1), 15-28.
Smith, L., & Jones, D. (2020). Global standards in hospitality: Understanding the star-rating system. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 40(5), 100-112.
Sohrabi, B., Vanani, I. R., Tahmasebipur, K., & Fazli, S. (2012). An exploratory analysis of hotel selection factors: A comprehensive survey of Tehran hotels. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 31(1), 96-106.
Talukder, M. B., Rahman, M. Z., & Khan, M. R. (2025). Enhancing Guest Experience Through Smart Hotel Technologies. In Adapting to Evolving Consumer Experiences in Hospitality and Tourism (pp. 301-324). IGI Global.
Williams, H. (2019). Smart technologies and their role in the hospitality industry. Technology in Tourism, 26(3), 89- 101.
Williams, H. (2019). Wellness amenities in star-category hotels: Meeting guest expectations. Journal of Wellness Tourism, 9(2), 101-117.
Yang, Y., Mao, Z., & Tang, J. (2018). Understanding guest satisfaction with urban hotel location. Journal of Travel Research, 57(2), 243-259.