Marketing

💰 European OTA eDreams Odigeo projects attracting one million new subscribers by March 2026, reaching 7.35 million Prime members. Aiming for €215-€220 million in profits by March 2026, a 20% increase from the current €180 million. Anticipates at least 10% annual Prime membership growth in 2027-2028. With Prime available in just 10 of 44 markets, expansion potential is significant. The update was shared during a capital markets day in Barcelona with CEO Dana Dunne emphasizing the established success of Prime.

🏨 Identifying hotel guest personas is crucial for tailoring marketing efforts and enhancing service quality. The blog post from Hotelogix, dated January 30, 2025, emphasizes the simplicity of segmenting hotel guests to create detailed personas, thereby increasing engagement and driving more bookings. The article, written by Debiprasad Sarangi and published on Hotelogix's blog, offers insights into effective guest persona creation for hotel marketing strategies.

🍴 Uga, a Sri Lankan hotel group, offers Kamatha at Uga Ulagalla, a year-round traditional dining experience on a 58-acre estate near Anuradhapura. The event, serving 25 local dishes, is held at a traditional Kamatha pavilion and costs $55 per person for half-board guests, $110 for bed and breakfast guests, with a 15-diner capacity. Uga Ulagalla is a 25-villa five-star resort, where rates start from $481 per night for two adults in an Ulagalla Pool Villa on a bed and breakfast basis.

📡 With STAAH’s Get Google, properties can connect directly to Google Hotel Search for global visibility and drive direct bookings. The platform allows for easy Google connectivity, optimization of listings with high-quality photos, competitive pricing, and compelling descriptions. Analytics tools enable tracking of performance metrics like clicks, impressions, and bookings for ROI analysis. Everything can be managed from the STAAH dashboard, streamlining processes and providing actionable insights.

🍴 Michiel Bakker, President and CEO of the Culinary Institute of America, discussed the vital role of food and beverage (F&B) in guest satisfaction and branding at Starwood hotels on Jan. 28, 2025. The episode emphasized the importance of F&B in improving guest experiences and brand distinction, as well as leadership in F&B operations. The podcast was supported by Shiji Group, a global hospitality technology provider known for their effective solutions and services.

📝 Mark Ritson, a brand consultant with a PhD in marketing, discusses the effectiveness of combining long-term brand awareness campaigns with short-term performance campaigns. Boots UK, a health and beauty retailer, utilized this strategy with a 15-second pre-roll ad offering a 10% discount for Advantage loyalty card holders, alongside a brand-building commercial titled "Take a Hike." The performance ad achieved £5 for every pound spent on YouTube. In 2013, Les Binet and Peter Field published "The Long and the Short of It," emphasizing these dual advertising strategies. Mistakes such as trying to create 'double duty' ads that serve both purposes or neglecting brand building can diminish effectiveness. Successful brands balance both, with YouTube as a prime platform for this approach.

🍴 Grupo RosaNegra, renowned for its dynamic dining locations in Mexico, opened RosaNegra Miami on December 4, marking its first U.S. venture at Dua Miami, Autograph Collection Hotel. CEO Eduardo Beaven envisions Miami's cultural and culinary diversity as a perfect match for the group's bold Latin flavors and high-energy dining experiences. RosaNegra Miami spans 13,600 square feet, combining indoor space and a patio, offering a speakeasy-style bar and live entertainment aligned with Miami's nightlife. Executive Chef Emiliano Galindo presents a Latin American menu, with USDA Prime and Australian wagyu steaks and exclusive Miami dishes. Beverages include spirits from across Latin America and an extensive Mexican wine selection. Plans for expanding Grupo RosaNegra's presence in Miami and other markets are underway.

🏡 Saraca Hotels & Resorts manages nearly 100 keys across India, with properties in Lucknow and Jim Corbett, and forthcoming locations in Jim Corbett & Sri Lanka. Faced with channel manager limitations and inventory push issues, Saraca switched to STAAH's channel management technology. STAAH's Max channel manager offers seamless integration, connects to 500+ OTAs, features dynamic pricing, and enhances revenue management with capabilities like MLOS, CTA, and CTD restrictions. This partnership has led to improved bookings and guest experiences.