Posts by author

Automatic

2825 posts

Travel marketers on the future of Google

📰 On Jan 16, 2025, at The Phocuswright Conference, industry leaders discussed Google's future in technology disrupting retail and search. Kristen Dalton of Tripadvisor believes Google can play a compelling role in generative search, while acknowledging competition. Noreen Henry from Sojern views Google as a constant formidable player, yet sees opportunities for others. Pablo Delgado, Mirai's CEO, notes Google faces unprecedented threats in two decades. The focus was on travel tech and Google's adaptability amidst challenges. Full story on PhocusWire.
View Post
Share

Spain to tackle housing crisis with 100% property tax for non-Europeans

🏠 On Jan 15, 2025, Spain announced a plan to impose a 100% tax on property purchases by non-EU residents. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez introduced the measure alongside other policies like tax exemptions for affordable housing landlords and higher taxes on tourist apartments. In 2023, non-EU residents bought around 27,000 homes in Spain, often for speculative purposes. The tax aims to increase housing availability for Spaniards, with details on implementation yet to be disclosed.
View Post
Share

India’s travel industry is thriving with its rapidly growing economy

🏆 India's travel industry is set for significant expansion over the next five years, with the online travel market expected to grow faster than the overall industry—approximately 9% overall versus 12-13% online, and an even faster 18% for B2C online travel agencies. This surge mirrors China's travel growth a decade ago. With nearly half of India's population under 25 and increasing purchasing power, travel is becoming essential. Phocuswright emphasizes the trend towards more travel opportunities for those previously with limited access. Date: Jan 15, 2025.
View Post
Share

Phocuswright predicts steady growth for travel in 2025

🏆 Global travel market, valued at $1.61 trillion, expects 6-9% annual growth through 2026; online bookings to surge 8-12% yearly. Gross bookings to rise from $1.6 trillion in 2024 to $1.72 trillion in 2025. Online bookings predicted to hit $1.0 trillion in 2024 and $1.2 trillion in 2026, with 65% of travel bookings online by 2026. Airline revenue growth may slow to 10% in 2024, hotels to see 55% online booking market share in 2024, rising to 58% in 2026. North America to lead gross bookings with $543.8 billion in 2024, reaching $568.5 billion in 2025. UK to overtake France in gross bookings by 2025. Travelers show higher confidence in booking accommodations than transportation for the next 12 months. European leisure travel to stay robust, with many planning international trips.
View Post
Share

A break from the accommodation mega-sites

🏡 On January 15, 2025, travelers seeking alternatives to Airbnb and Booking.com have new options. Fairbnb, launched in Venice, lists local accommodations and donates 50% of booking commissions to community projects. Socialbnb from Cologne, Germany, connects travelers with rooms offered by social and environmental initiatives. Ecobnb showcases around 3,000 sustainable accommodations across 55 countries, requiring adherence to 10 eco-friendly criteria. These platforms aim to benefit local communities and promote sustainability in tourism.
View Post
Share

2024 in business travel

💲 Corporate Traveler's 2024 Year in Review reported a 9% increase in business travel for small and midsize businesses in 2023, with 625,000 trips analyzed. Domestic flights made up 80% of bookings, totaling 1 billion miles, alongside a 4% reduction in costs. Delta introduced a frequent flyer program in August. Hyatt saw record revenue in October due to a surge in business travel. The WTTC forecasts business travel to contribute $1.5 trillion in 2023, a 6.2% rise from pre-pandemic levels.
View Post
Share

Chinese travel agents see full outbound recovery by 2025

🌍 China's outbound tourism is set to fully recover by 2025, with optimism driven by new sales channels and evolving traveler expectations. Over half of the industry expects recovery by end-2025. "Silver travelers" seek comfort and personalized experiences. Social media like Douyin and Xiaohongshu impact travel marketing. East and South China are top outbound markets, with expected increased spend in the next three years. Full details at Dragon Trail's Chinese Outbound Travel Trade Survey.
View Post
Share

HBX Group poised to launch €1bn IPO

🏦 HBX Group, a Spanish travel technology company, is set to launch a €1 billion IPO soon. They've been preparing for over a year and may file their IPO application as early as this week, potentially listing on the Madrid Stock Exchange with backing from Cinven, EQT, and CPP Investments. HBX's brands include Hotelbeds, and the IPO preparations were reported by Reuters on Jan 14, 2025.
View Post
Share

The new customer loyalty

🏖 On Jan 14, 2025, at The Phocuswright Conference, AirAsia MOVE, Capital One, and Hilton executives highlighted the shift in traveler expectations towards more emotional and experiential connections, surpassing mere transactions. Hilton's Vice President, Oral Muir, advocated for "emotional currency" through personalized services to foster loyalty and encourage family repeats. The panel collectively recognized the importance of understanding customer behavior to deliver lasting value.
View Post
Share

OTAs caught overcharging travelers from Bay Area

🏨 On Jan 14, 2025, SFGATE reported an investigation revealing booking sites like Expedia and Booking.com charging San Franciscans up to $500 more for hotel rooms. A room at Manhattan's Public Hotel was $829 for San Francisco users while Phoenix and Kansas City travelers saw $318. The price disparity is based on IP addresses, with a VPN potentially saving hundreds. Legal yet hidden price discrimination depends on location, not incognito mode.
View Post
Share