TOP NEWS

🏗 Servantrip, a B2B platform, partners with Germany's Schmetterling International, benefiting 14,000 travel agents in 30 countries. This alliance provides access to 700,000+ activities across 16,500 destinations in 194 countries. The collaboration enhances cross-selling and real-time bookings for supplier partners in hard-to-reach markets. CEOs Ömer Karaca and Manuel Núñez express commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, aiming to transform travel experiences.

📝 In an interview, Danica emphasizes the true essence of guest experience in hospitality, critiquing overused industry buzzwords. She argues that a guest's experience begins the moment they arrive and that everything prior is irrelevant if the room is not up to standard. She stresses the importance of guest feedback and its impact on recommendations and online ratings on platforms like TripAdvisor or Booking.com. Danica also discusses the role of hotel technology, personalization, and AI in managing guest expectations. The conversation touches on post-COVID hotel strategies, the gap between operations and commercial functions, and the importance of culture in guest experience excellence. Companies like Belmond Hotels are highlighted for their cross-departmental focus on guest data and high Global Review Index (GRI) scores. The interview also covers the evolving landscape of guest feedback, with the rise of fraudulent reviews and changing dynamics among review platforms. Danica concludes that understanding and improving guest experience must be a collaborative effort driven by culture, with leaders open to team feedback and committed to empowering employees to enhance guest satisfaction.

🏨 Hotel branding encourages direct bookings, bypassing OTA fees and raising occupancy rates. Cornell Hospitality research shows hotels with strong branding enjoy up to 23% higher revenue per available room (RevPAR) compared to those without. Effective branding fosters pride in guests, making them advocates for the hotel. Standing out in a competitive market, trust, and recognition are crucial for guest retention. Advancing a hotel brand involves storytelling, consistency in visual identity, leveraging technology for personalization, and embracing sustainability to align with guest values. A well-executed brand strategy distinguishes hotels, creating a memorable experience that cultivates loyalty and preference.

🏨 Hostaway, all-in-one vacation rental software, received a strategic growth investment of $365 million led by General Atlantic, with PSG Equity participating, becoming significant minority shareholders. Founded in 2015, Hostaway has over 230 employees in 44 countries, serving customers with properties in over 90 countries. With 200+ marketplace partners, it offers property management, channel management, AI, automation, analytics, communication, marketing, and operations tools. The short-term rental sector is valued at $133 billion, growing at 12% CAGR. Hostaway is expanding, especially in France, Spain, and Italy.

🌌 Based on over 27,000 travelers from 33 countries, Booking.com's 2025 travel predictions include: 62% eyeing low light pollution destinations, 60% seeking longevity retreats, and 78% of baby boomers willing to fund grandchildren's holidays. With 67% opting for sustainable travel and 34% influenced by airport amenities, properties can enhance appeal by updating facilities and offering services like stargazing opportunities, wellness amenities, sustainable practices, multigenerational-friendly settings, and airport shuttles.

📣 Over 70% of consumers expect personalized experiences as a basic expectation. Guest profiles improve operational efficiency and guest satisfaction by providing a comprehensive view of guests. Key components of guest profiles include stay history, spending habits, booking source, communication preferences, payment and contact information, personalization, and notes. Technology like PMS, POS, CRM, and guest engagement platforms collect, integrate, and unify guest data for targeted marketing, enhanced guest experiences, and increased revenue. Robust guest profiles are essential in the hotel industry for creating personalized experiences and driving long-term success.

🏖️ Global tourism is set to hit 1.5 billion international arrivals and exceed $2 trillion in revenue by the end of 2024, with 74% of global travelers committed to reducing their environmental footprint. AI-driven sustainability, quality of life getaways, and the bleisure trend, which blends work with leisure, are shaping the industry. Over half of tourists want vacations that improve well-being, with 2 out of 3 traveling for experiences like live events. Les Roches, a top hospitality management school, is adapting with specialized programs, such as a BSc in Sports Business Management and a diploma in Cruise Line Management, in response to industry demands, including sports tourism which represents 10% of global tourism.