Latest News from Hospitality Industry – W4, August 2022

Here is your weekly industry news round-up. Check out the short snippets here and follow below for more details.

  • RateTiger’s Channel Connectivity has helped Bel Air Hospitality improve revenue and occupancy – find out how.
  • Excellence in hotel operations means happier guests, better staff, and more profits for your investors – check out why Operations should be your No. 1 focus area.
  • Metasearch is playing a bigger role in hotel bookings – read on to know how you can make it work for your property.
  • Expedia published top insights that hotels can leverage for a successful end of 2022.
  • Offline reservations still make up a quarter of total European hotel bookings. Know what you should be doing to attract more direct and walk-ins.
  • Reviews have never been more important in travelers’ decision-making process. Keep a close eye on guest reviews to generate more bookings.

Reach out to us for discussions regarding connectivitydirect bookingrate intelligencewebsite design and digital marketing requirements – we are happy to explore new possibilities with you for your property  – contact us today.

Enjoy the read!

RateTiger- newshound

Bel Air Hospitality Gets Back to Business Recovery with RateTiger Channel Manager

Read the full story – https://ratetiger.com/bel-air-hospitality-gets-back-to-business-recovery-with-ratetiger-channel-manager/

Why operations should be your #1 priority now

To succeed in hospitality today, you need to focus on operations above all else: sales, marketing, design, technology, or revenue management.

https://hoteloperations.com/why-operations/

How does Hotel Metasearch Work?

A metasearch engine works by taking a traveler’s query and generating the related search. For instance, if a traveler is looking for hotels in a particular place for so and so dates, then these metasearch websites will generate search results showcasing the property name, location, room type, room rates and so on. Read this article to know the best ways to work with metasearch – https://lnkd.in/gqJSBsgT

Five trends hotels can leverage for a successful end of 2022

Expedia data suggests many positive trends for the travel industry, including an increase in long-haul travel, higher hotel average daily rates, and lower cancellation rates.

https://advertising.expedia.com/blog/travel-trends/top-5-trends-hotels-2022/

More than half of guests book their European accommodations directly with hotels

All in all, direct online bookings, booking through online travel platforms, and social media made up 64.6 percent of all European hotel bookings in 2022, according to new data from Statista.

https://www.statista.com/chart/28051/european-hotel-bookings-by-channel/

Social proof becomes make-or-break point for vacation booking

According to a new study, 82 percent of travelers won’t book their stay at a property without having first consulted consumer reviews – making them the make-or-break points for a vacation booking.

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/features/leisure-travel-trends-are-changing-rapidly.html

 

Latest News and Top Tech Trends from Hospitality Industry – W2, March 2022

Here is your weekly industry news round-up. Check out the short snippets here and follow below for more details.

RateTiger has earned 2022 Elite status with Expedia Group! Learn more about our high-quality connection and how we can empower your business growth. Check out this in the first news piece below.

Travel is seeing the biggest revolution ever. “This revolution really is about flexibility. Suddenly you can live anywhere, you can work anywhere,” said Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb at Skift Global Forum on Travel.

UNESCO and Expedia Group will support the EU Ecolabel by offering the existing certified Tourist Accommodations the signatories’ status to UNESCO Pledge. This aims to promote sustainable travel, community resilience and heritage conservation globally.

Today’s digitally savvy travellers are doing more research, on more online booking platforms before booking hotel rooms and  hoteliers carefully managing a guest’s stay to enhance its digital reputation.

Tripadvisor released its seasonal Spring Travel Index, using a combination of search and sentiment data to reveal what – and where – is hot this spring. After a slower winter with new variants curbing many vacation plans, travel is in full bloom this spring and the strength of leisure travel demand during warm weather months has driven a rebound in U.S. hotel industry performance the past two years.

Reach out to us for your hotel channel manager, rate shopper, booking engine, or website development requirements. We are happy to have a discussion to see how we can help you achieve your property’s occupancy and revenue goals – contact us today.

Enjoy the read!

RateTiger Recognized as Top Connectivity Provider

RateTiger has earned Elite Connectivity Partner status with Expedia Group, the highest designation available in their Connectivity Partner Program. The Expedia Group Connectivity Partner Program recognizes and rewards top connectivity providers.

https://ratetiger.com/ratetiger-recognized-as-top-connectivity-provider/

Travel seeing biggest revolution in a century

As the world undergoes a revolution in how we live and work, more people are blending everyday life with travel. The ability and desire to live and work from anywhere was once considered a short-lived opportunity at the beginning of the pandemic or something for young backpackers.

https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/X-16972502.php

More hotels sign up to Expedia’s UNESCO sustainable travel pledge

Global initiative additions include Melia Hotels International, THB Hotels, Universal Hotels, and more.

https://hospitalitytech.com/momentum-grows-expedia-group-and-unesco-sustainable-travel-pledge-new-signatories

What is your hotel doing to stand-out?

Today’s digitally savvy travelers are doing more research, on more online booking platforms before booking hotel rooms.

https://www.traveldailymedia.com/todays-hotel-guest-is-online-and-digitally-savvy-what-is-your-hotel-doing-to-stand-out/amp/

Tripadvisor’s Spring Travel Index shows Americans are spending big

Over half of Americans are planning on traveling this spring, with over a third planning on taking two or more trips – and travelers are also planning to splash more cash.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tripadvisors-spring-travel-index-shows-americans-are-spending-big-prioritizing-rr-this-season-301498451.html

Spring forward: US hoteliers hope for another demand boom

Hoteliers believe that demand for leisure travel is setting the stage for another strong spring and summer, but visibility remains short, and questions remain about group and business travel.

https://www.costar.com/article/1494723711/us-hoteliers-hope-for-another-demand-boom-with-mother-of-all-spring-breaks

 

 

 

 

Top Travel Trends in 2022 – Back to Travel

You wake up in a luxury bedroom. You get up from your bed and remove the curtains of your room and there is the line of mountains before you, half-covered in snow, the others in green. The doorbell rings and there is someone outside waiting with freshly brewed coffee.

The last time travellers felt that kind of peace was almost two years ago when they could actually travel freely without any restrictions or even without the minimum fear of health. The pandemic in 2020 had a massive impact on the hotel industry that has brought everlasting changes. However, times are changing and travel is evolving into something new and better than before.

travel-trends-2022-ratetiger-erevmax

Let’s find out how travellers are planning their trips this year and preparing for rebound:

Travel Therapy – Recovery

Travel is no more just going out for fun; rather it has become a way to escape from the reality of the pandemic. When the pandemic arrived, everyone feared the unknown. As travellers learned more about the outcry, they grew cautious following the appropriate protocols in places. Researchers have found that people are growing tired of being cautious and 2022 is the year that the travel industry will see upward trend from travellers across the globe. With travellers taking more time to de-stress and recharge after great travel pause, wellness tourism is going to see a major uptick in the post pandemic era in 2022. GWI forecasts a 20.9% average annual growth rate for wellness tourism in 2020 -2025. So, prepare for some travel therapy demands which will help travellers to rejuvenate themselves from such a phase.

Flight Costs Are Set to Fly

Along with the hotel sector, the aviation industry has also been hit by the pandemic, massively. With demands rising in 2022 for travel, airline ticket prices might stay buoyant to encourage more travellers and generate much-needed income. In recent times, we have witnessed a spike in the fuel prices – air carriers might need to raise their fares accordingly but that will not let travel falter. With small as well as large-cap businesses trying to regain their positions in the market, business travel may boost the premium economy. After being able to save all that money in the pandemic by being locked at home, travellers may also want to spend big on their much-awaited trips this year.

Young and Exotic – Luxury Travel Redefined

With the restrictions being slowly removed, travellers are planning to go big and plan on their bucket list vacations. Travel is no more about just going to the beach or just going to the hill stations to enjoy the weather. What modern-day travellers are looking for is an adventure, something out of the ordinary life. Young travellers are rooting on exotic places, as per study popular destination includes Thailand, Ireland, Egypt, South Africa, Maldives, London, Paris, and more! Places which can give more than just popular buildings in a city to visit has been added to many travellers’ wish list.

Last-Minute Bookings

What’s more thrilling and compelling than a trip that’s planned last minute? And that’s exactly the kind of thrill young travellers are excited about. In recent times, booking windows has witnessed a shrink and saw a trend of flexible booking with last-minute planning. The uncertainty of different Covid-19 variants has left travellers hesitant when planning or booking a trip. Travellers are mostly drawn towards last-minute bookings as changing restrictions are released with dynamic situations as per the travel guidelines. After days of not being able to meet their loved ones or engaging in their travel bucket-list, travellers are planning on last-minute trip bookings as per the availability of their travel partners. The impact resonates with the custom itinerary plans and choice of hotel availability.

Workcations – Beyond Business

When preventive guidelines for Covid-19 to resume travel were released, the travellers who were exhausted working from home and needed some kind of refreshment chose to merge work with travel which would allow them to work from remote destinations. With the increase in hybrid and flexible work models, 40% of Gen-Z employees plan to take a “workcation” in 2022. Work from home could sound exciting but it comes with its own disadvantages. Travellers hence chose the best way that would eliminate distractions. Working at one’s favourite travel destination gives one mental as well as emotional satisfaction. Where else could you get the best office-window view?

Trip-Stacking

Trip stacking is the practice of booking multiple trips over the same period of time. Travellers are booking numerous trips to different travel destinations to avoid getting stuck with one cancelled vacation due to new pandemic restrictions. With modern travellers seeking more flexibility in their trip plans, trip stacking is the best way that ensures their adaptability through unsure times. With trip stacking, travellers have options from where they get to choose a trip according to their comfort level. Having a plan C along with a plan A and plan B for trips really took off during the summer of 2021 and it is only going to emerge in 2022 and beyond.

Decoding Travel Trends & more!

Uncertainty is still not in the rear-view mirror of travels in 2022. However, unlike in 2020 when people were afraid of the unknown, in 2022, people will be travelling more freely and frequently. Technology has taken a big leap in recent times helping not only in work but also travellers to find the trip that best suits them making contactless transactions and online bookings a trend that is here to stay.

Lastly, hotel business will be able to recover from the pandemic with these travel trends, which will eventually boost and build confidence in terms of generating hotel bookings. Thus, buckle up, as travellers are in the mood to make their travel choices and seeking for an exotic experience be it from locations or hotel guest experience. 2022 will witness an upshift in the hotel & travel industry.

Top Online Travel Trends to Watch in United Kingdom this year

United Kingdom is the eighth popular country in the word in terms of international tourism destinations. The country has attracted 34.4 million travelers in 2015, a 5.6 percent growth compared to the last year.

eRevMax, the leading hotel technology provider, has released an infographic showcasing online travel trends in the United Kingdom. The infographic has projected a positive outlook for UK hoteliers, who can expect to see a lot of bookings coming their way not only from international travelers but from Britons too, as a good 64% of them will take at least one domestic holiday.

Hotels using eRevMax solutions generated an average of GBP 199 per booking with average length of stay being 1.4 across properties. As per eRevMax production statistics, just like rest of Europe, Booking.com has a clear dominance over online hotel bookings followed by Laterooms, Expedia, Agoda and hotelbeds.

UK Online Travel Trends 2016

Source: eRevMax


Further, this infographic focuses on traveler buying behavior to give hoteliers a deeper insight. It is interesting to note that travellers visit around 17 OTAs during their travel planning phase and over 59% travelers are influenced by online reviews, especially for hotel bookings. Over 65% travellers use metasearch to compare prices thereby making it vital for hotels to manage online reviews effectively and engage actively with metasearch channels.

See full story on eRevMax website here.

Top Three Travel Trends in Mexico

The 41st edition of Tianguis Turistico was held towards the end of April at Expo Guadalajara, the largest exhibition centre in Mexico. The event was an important platform for hoteliers and the travel industry to come together. Thousands of exhibitors and visitors from across the globe gathered under one roof for promoting their brand and network with peers.

Like previous years, I was at the event and got a chance to interact with the revenue management & travel technology professionals.


Julian Lindt (extreme right) at a partner stand

Here are some of the key trends that were discussed during the show.

Surge in Luxury Inbound Tourism

Mexico is one of the finest luxury travel destinations and ranks among the top five favorite places for luxury tourism. Various exotic destinations, warm weather and a wide range of holiday activities attract a significant number of travellers to Mexico. Accordingto a Euromonitor International report in 2014, the country saw a double-digit growth in inbound travel which is much higher than overall Latin American and global growth rates. In the same year, Mexico welcomed around 19.3 million international tourists and the most surprising part is business travel amounted 9.9% of all travel expenditure and is expected to grow by another 6.5% in 2016. The tourism industry contributes 8.4% to Mexico’s GDP and as the economy of the country is growing strong compared to other developing countries travel expenditure is also growing rapidly.
Strong growth of online intermediaries

In 2015, Mexico hadaround 65.1 million internet users and by the end of this year the figure is projected to grow to 70.7 million users. An eMarketer report suggests that the country holds number 2 position when it comes to smartphone audience size – 47.4% of all mobile phone users in Mexico have smartphones. Due to high internet penetration and increase use of smartphones, online travel has grown rapidly. At the same time, online travel agents have also gained popularity among Mexican travellers who are adapting quickly to the global trends of using the internet and mobile devices to plan and pay for business or leisure trips. As the technology has been constantly evolving, online intermediaries are also looking for new ways to offer new products and services in order to attract more consumers.


Rise of alternate lodging options

Driven by the increase in use of internet and smartphone users, peer-to-peer alternative accommodation options are growing fast in Mexico. Travellers have been exploring new online platforms like Airbnb. In Mexico City alone, Airbnb has 2773 listings – two-thirds of which are comprised of homes and apartments. Hotels have already started feeling the effect of Airbnb’s approach to room rentals and its continued growth has forced hotels to reduce room rates.

The advancement in technology has changed the online travel scenario in Mexico – the way travellers research and select their preferred accommodations. As modern travellers are more price sensitive and are looking for alternate methods of experiential stays, hoteliers need to have a well-defined value proposition coupled with strong online presence. Not only should they participate in global OTAs, hotels should tap the potential of regional channels as well as meta search engines to drive direct bookings while at the same time have a strong marketing strategy to offer their guests with personalised experience.

Julian Lindt is the Latin America Sales Director at eRevMax. He can be reached at julianl@erevmax.com.