In conversations with Alex Barros, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer at BEONx, he warns that “the advent of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) taxis could disrupt the hospitality industry, potentially making traditional hotels obsolete.
“eVTOLs offer a more compact and eco-friendly alternative to traditional airports, making them a feasible option for shorter travel distances.”
Over centuries, the world’s biggest and most influential cities have sprung up around ports and then more recently airports. However, this may all be about to change with the emergence of eVTOLs.
Unlike conventional airports, eVTOL airports require a minimal amount of space and have low noise impact, which makes them a more practical option for urban travel. With this innovation, a major city could have dozens or more departure and arrival points.
Barros stated: “In the long term, it’s possible that fixed routes, similar to airplanes and trains, will become common, with pre-scheduled departures. This makes it vital for hoteliers to get involved early on, to secure an airport close to their properties.”
“The planned eVTOLs can carry one pilot and four passengers, with the eventual goal of becoming autonomous, which would increase total capacity to five. Initially, pricing is expected to be twice that of a high-speed train, but this is expected to decrease as demand grows.”
“Additionally, eVTOLs may make it less relevant to have a hotel “walking distance” from popular sites, since travelers can get to the city center more quickly via air taxi than by navigating stop-and-start traffic.
“This could drive down prices, as hotels far from the center begin competing for the same guests.”
In response to this potential disruption, Alex suggested that hotels should consider securing their own vertical airports or premises near eVTOL airports, which could attract guests and generate additional revenue from charging for access to non-guests.
Alex concludes with the following observation: “The hospitality industry needs to take note of the potential for eVTOLs to disrupt traditional travel and accommodation arrangements.
“To stay ahead of the curve, hotels should consider securing their own vertical airports or premises near eVTOL airports and adapting their marketing and sales strategies to appeal to a broader range of travelers.”
