Marketing

🏨 On May 10, 2025, Ben Wolff, co-founder of Onera and CEO of Oasi, discusses the shortcomings of most hotels in social media engagement and how to effectively drive results. The episode features on the Hospitality Daily Podcast and emphasizes the proper use of social media to achieve traditional business goals.

💸 Small hotels prioritize rate parity in 2025 to prevent rate leaks, minimize OTA (Online Travel Agency) conflicts, and retain control over pricing. This strategy emphasizes the importance of maintaining consistent hotel rates across all distribution channels.

🔍 SOCi's 2025 Consumer Behavior Index reveals that while 83% of consumers still use traditional search engines, other platforms like social media (73%), navigation apps (58%), review sites (19%), and AI tools (19%) are diversifying consumer discovery. The data shows a 10% year-over-year decline in search impressions, with Gen Z consumers using an average of 3.6 platforms before making purchase decisions. Gartner predicts a 25% drop in search demand by 2026, aligning with SOCi's findings indicating a similar decline trajectory. Marketers are urged to adapt strategies to remain visible in an increasingly fragmented digital landscape.

🏨 Stayntouch updated its partnership with MacNaughton Hospitality for three Oahu properties: Waikiki Malia, Lotus Honolulu, and Hotel Renew. The Stayntouch PMS platform enhances personalized service, guest experiences, and operational efficiency. MacNaughton Hospitality offers three distinct Hawaiian experiences, prioritizing service and local values. Their VP, Carmine Iommazzo, highlights the platform's role in operational modernization and guest engagement, while Priya Rajamani of Stayntouch endorses their contribution to MacNaughton's authentic hospitality.

🏨 Written by Debiprasad Sarangi on Sep 8, 2017, the article discusses the complexities of hotel management, emphasizing the diverse expectations of guests and the multifaceted decisions hoteliers must make to meet those needs.

🏡 Extended Stay America Premier Suites – Charlottesville, developed and managed by KARA Hospitality, opened a new four-story, 92-room property in Virginia. The hotel offers free wi-fi, complimentary breakfast, premium cable, a 24-hour fitness room, onsite laundry, and fully equipped kitchens in all suites. Located near the University of Virginia and other attractions, it caters to extended stay travelers. KARA Hospitality has other properties in Virginia and plans to expand to Roanoke.

💸 Marketing strategies can boost business revenue by up to 25%, while companies with strong brand loyalty see a 3-7% revenue increase over competitors. A luxury hotel with no visibility fails to attract guests, highlighting the importance of marketing for direct bookings and customer retention. Effective marketing includes a mobile-optimized website, high-quality visuals, and genuine reviews. Multi-channel communication can lead to 9x more conversions, and selling to an existing customer has a 60-70% success rate compared to 5-20% for new prospects. Retention strategies are cost-effective, potentially 7 times less expensive than acquiring new guests.

🍕 Personalized hospitality for hotel and lodging operators has become crucial, with strategic procurement being a key solution. Cross-utilization of ingredients allows for a diverse menu without resource waste. Sourcing ingredients and supplies from regional and local vendors adds local charm while saving money and time. These strategies enable operators to offer personalized experiences efficiently, meeting today's traveler's expectations for personalization as a standard. Sponsored by Foodbuy Hospitality.

🏨 Sonesta International Hotels Corporation will finalize a strategic alliance with AKEN Hotels & Resorts LLC by mid-year, enhancing Sonesta’s international growth in South America and the Caribbean. Their collaboration aims to integrate AKEN’s properties into Sonesta's loyalty ecosystem, tapping into Latin America’s cultural richness and ecotourism, and providing guests with immersive local experiences. The alliance is expected to create a broader global audience for South American hospitality and contribute to Sonesta's expansion strategy, leveraging AKEN’s local insight and operational excellence.