Michal Christine Escobar - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

2 min

Key Findings from the 2024 HOTREC European Hotel Distribution Study – 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

🏨 The 2024 HOTREC European Hotel Distribution Study, analyzing 3,000 hotels in 2023, finds direct bookings at 50.9%, a decline from pre-pandemic levels. OTAs now hold 45.1% market share, with Booking Holdings leading at 71%, followed by Expedia Group at 14.4%, and HRS at 4.6%. OTA reliance is higher for hotels with fewer than 20 rooms. Unauthorized rate undercutting impacts 40% of hotels. Channel manager use rose to 62%, and direct bookings via hotel websites' IBEs increased to 12.3% from 7.4% in 2013.

4 min

Leverage Tech to Prepare for Summer Surge

🏆 France is preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, expecting 15 million attendees from July 26 to August 11. Paris hotels were 50% booked by February, and 16 million Americans traveled abroad from January through March—a record high. Deloitte reports travel plans after Labor Day rose from 12% in 2022 to 17% in 2024, with travel budgets increasing by 13%. Digital frontline workplace apps in the hospitality industry enhance operational efficiency, employee engagement, and service delivery during high-demand periods, including the Olympics.

3 min

Connecting the Dots: How Integrating Technology Transforms Hotel Operations and Employee Engagement

🌻 During HITEC 2024, Beekeeper, Resorts World Las Vegas, and Pomeroy Lodging showcased mobile app technology for improving hotel operations and employee engagement. Resorts World Las Vegas, with over 5,500 team members, emphasized the importance of digital communication for operational efficiency. Pomeroy Lodging highlighted their HR system integration with employee platforms, noting 30% of staff engage with their reward system immediately on their work anniversaries. Both entities stress the significance of digital records for accountability and team member appreciation for business streamlining.

3 min

Maximizing Hotel Revenue: The Case for Automated OTA Reconciliation

📌 Hotels face challenges with manual OTA reconciliation, risking revenue loss through billing discrepancies, which are tedious to correct and could impact profitability. Automation offers cost savings by minimizing errors, enhancing revenue with accurate commission tracking, and improving productivity by streamlining processes. The shift to automated reconciliation can save hotels thousands of dollars, increasing operational efficiency and financial performance. Vimal Patel, the article's author, is a hospitality industry expert and founder of INNRLY.

1 min

CASE STUDY: Hotel and Spa Raises Direct Bookings 70%, Sells 68% More Gift Vouchers with e-Commerce Tech

🏨 The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa, a family-run business for over 50 years located in Skipton, North Yorkshire, partnered with Journey to enhance its commercial strategy and increase direct revenue. The hotel offers 70 bedrooms, a 1,400-acre estate with amenities like a private lake and the Nàdarra Spa, and activities including fishing and off-road driving. Director Louise Bolton, with 25 years at the hotel, emphasized the need for digital expertise to attract a wider customer base.

3 min

Navigating Cyber Threats in Hospitality: Key Takeaways from HITEC 2024

💻 At HITEC 2020, cybersecurity threats in the hospitality industry were showcased, highlighting the psychological tactics and AI used by cybercriminals. Daniel Johnson and Lyle Worthington emphasized the human vulnerability, citing employee apathy and lack of cybersecurity knowledge as key risk factors. Executives often underestimate risks, with common industry excuses leading to inadequate protection measures. Cyberattacks average a 22-day downtime with costs of $5,000 per minute. Cybersecurity insurance policies are now stricter, and claims are more frequently denied without proof of proactive security efforts. Artificial Intelligence is a double-edged sword, used by criminals for social engineering attacks but also offering potential defensive benefits for hoteliers through continuous monitoring and pattern recognition.

4 min

Maximizing Data: How Hospitality Brands Can Drive Summer Sales

🏡 Hospitality industry innovators seek hyper-personalization to meet elevated consumer expectations and navigate data challenges. Hotels and restaurants are leveraging first-party data and identity solutions for personalized experiences to boost summer sales. Marriott's co-branding with United Airlines highlights the potential of partnerships and privacy-enhancing technologies for growth, with only 12% of leaders capable of delivering on these strategies using current resources. Data collaboration technologies enable brands to build richer customer profiles, using events like National French Fries Day on July 12 to tailor offerings. The industry aims to intertwine various data sources for comprehensive customer insights, ensuring success in the busy season and beyond.

3 min

Elevating Hotel Loyalty Programs: Insights to Capture and Retain Customer Loyalty

💰 Only 28% of Americans strongly agree that they receive relevant communications from hotel loyalty programs. In contrast, 46% of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts guests feel specially recognized by brand representatives, despite the chain not having a formal loyalty program. Human connection remains critical, with 22% of hotel program members feeling recognized by program representatives in 2024, a 1% increase from 2023. Personalization and human-centered experiences are key to fostering loyalty and retaining guests.

4 min

The Green Revolution: Leveraging Sustainable Tech for Hospitality Excellence

🌊 Costa Rica's Marina Bahia Golfito, powered 99% by hydroelectricity, demonstrates luxury and environmental stewardship coexisting, reducing carbon footprint with renewables. Guests contribute to sustainability, using fewer towels and reef-friendly sunscreen. It offers regenerative experiences like catch and release fishing, supporting local conservation. The Enjoy Group and SeaKeepers signed an MOU for sustainability efforts. An Autograph Collection hotel development will create 300 jobs, boosting Golfito's economy and promoting conservation. A Booking.com survey shows 80% of travelers value sustainability, potentially increasing RevPAR by 4%.

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