Industry News Articles

Hospitalitynet – As International Tourism Returns, Travel Patterns Resemble Pre-Pandemic Norms

January 2, 2023

Travel patterns normalized somewhat in 2022 as many countries across the globe loosened COVID-19 restrictions. However, a lack of international travel, particularly from Asian countries

Skift – Hotels Are Still Too Slow to Adopt Tech Post-Pandemic

December 22, 2022

Even after the pandemic decimated the hotel industry, operators are still shy about adopting new technologies — and they’re inevitably losing precious dollars because of it.

Hospitalitynet – Growing reservations volume shows the value of Google Hotel Ads for small accommodation 

December 18, 2022

As hoteliers continue to battle economic challenges and build out strategies to successfully recover from the impacts of the pandemic, Google Hotel Ads is providing a way for small properties to maximise bookings.

Hospitality Net – Top 10 Hospitality Trends To Watch for in 2023

December 2, 2022

By cultivating innovative responses to this ever-changing landscape, hoteliers can continue to reinvent themselves in the face of various disruptors expected over the coming year. 

Travel Agent Central – Tech to Play Big Role in Travel in 2023, Hotelbeds Predicts

December 1, 2022

The more we hear, the more optimistic we are for the travel industry in 2023. Recently, Hotelbeds predicted its top trends for next year, stating “the appetite for travel shows no signs of slowing down.

Skift – The Fragmented Travel Tech Industry Probably Won’t Consolidate Anytime Soon

December 1, 2022

The trick for a travel tech platform to do business with a big company is to start small, prove the service works, and then upsell. Verint provides customer service software to roughly 40 airline clients.

Phocus Wire – Shr Acquires Hotel Tech Provider Avvio (Booking Engine, Digital Marketing etc…)

November 18, 2022

Houston-based SHR (Sceptre Hospitality Resources) has acquired Avvio, an Ireland-based provider of hotel technology. Financial terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed.

Hospitality Net- 7 Hospitality Industry Predictions for 2023

November 17, 2022

One of the most exciting intimidating aspects of the hospitality industry is how fluid it is, how it responds to what’s happening in both local and global markets and to the shifting consumer expectations that influence them.

Phocus Wire – New Tripadvisor Ceo On The Future Of Travel

November 16, 2022

Matt Goldberg recently completed his first 100 days as president and CEO of Tripadvisor, but he says “people should be writing a book about the second 100 days because that’s where the action is.”

Skift – Guest-Facing Hotel Tech Could Be $6 Billion Industry: New Skift Research

November 15, 2022

Guest-facing tech has gained popularity over the last few years, especially due to its contactless capabilities. While there is a lot of investment in this landscape and growing interest from hoteliers and guests.

Hospitality Net – European Court of Justice to clarify competition law questions for online travel agencies

November 11, 2022

Do online travel platforms constitute a market of their own? That’s the question for the courts to tackle and it has the potential to become a landmark competition law ruling on digital platforms.

Euronews – Air travel has reached 74% of pre-pandemic levels. Which region has the biggest rebound?

November 9, 2022

Global air travel has reached nearly three-quarters of pre-pandemic levels, new figures have shown.Passenger traffic reached 74 per cent of 2019 heights in September, according to data from the IATA.

BBC – Qatar: FIFA World Cup fans will not need Covid tests

October 27, 2022

A Wales fan said he is glad Qatar scrapped mandatory Covid-19 tests ahead of the FIFA World Cup next month. Visitors to the Gulf state will still have to follow local restrictions, including proof of vaccination.

Eurostat – One third of EU tourist beds are in Italy and France

October 27, 2022

n 2021, the EU had an estimated total of 28.1 million bed places available across 597 000 tourist establishments. Italy and France accounted for more than one third of the total available capacity, with 5.1 million bed places each. 

Phocus Wire – What Mobility Booking Data Reveals About Traveler Behavior

October 26, 2022

Despite flight cancellations, train delays and increased fuel prices, travelers are continuing to book and take trips – but where and how they travel looks different now compared to before the pandemic.

Skift – Accor Aims to Combat Inflation With Pricing Power

October 26, 2022

Europe’s biggest hotel group believes it will be able to overcome inflation through strong pricing power as guests are still showing they are willing travel at any cost. So far, so plausible, at least in the short term.

World Travel Tech Awards – Winners 2022 (PMS, Booking Engine, etc)

October 25, 2022

The World Travel Tech Awards is the sister event to the World Travel Awards, currently celebrating its 29th year reviewing the best in hospitality and tourism.  The World Travel Tech Awards are voted on by travel professionals

Skift – Booking.com to Add Emissions Info to Bookings Through New Partnership

October 24, 2022

Booking.com said last week that it is working to help travelers choose more environmentally sustainable travel options through a new partnership with climate tech company CHOOOSE.

 

Hospitality Net – Booking.com Travel Predictions for 2023

October 20, 2022

Excited about the year ahead, Booking.com has conducted extensive research to reveal the travel trends of 2023, including where travelers want to go, their inspirations for traveling, and how budget plays a big role.

Skift – Expedia and Google Disagree on Best Day to Book Flights

October 20, 2022

I’ll show you my airfare data if you show me yours. Finding the best flight deals remains dark arts. In the battle for the hearts and wallets of travelers intent on booking cheap flights, Expedia and Google disagree.

Skift – Hotels Raise Rates and Meeting Planners Scramble

October 19, 2022

Hotel pricing is going through a very volatile period, and the future is very unclear. A new American Express report suggests hotel rates worldwide will increase again in 2023 thanks to pent-up demand for in-person meetings.

Hospitality Net – Online Booking Trends and Stats Every Hotelier Should Know

October 19, 2022

In less than 85 days, 2022 will come to a close as we usher in 2023. It’s hard to believe the speed at which this year seemed to pass, a stark contrast to the two years spent in relative stillness due to the pandemic.

Phocus Wire – Why Airlines Need To Understand Anonymous Users

October 17, 2022

From our experience, up to two-thirds of visitors to airline websites are unknown – and this number is likely to rise as cookies are phased out and more people place a premium on their online privacy.

The Times of India – Six hospitality industry trends for 2023 and beyond

October 14, 2022

In past decades we’ve seen the hotel distribution model upended by the OTAs; a major competitor arrive, Airbnb, and then a global pandemic which forced hotels in many key markets to cease trading overnight.

Hospitality Net – Social Bookings, The Next Frontier in Direct Revenue

October 14, 2022

A new trend in China is turning the “Direct Bookings” paradigm on its head. A hybrid model between third-party distribution and direct bookings is taking the market by storm.

Phocus Wire – Can Tech Help Travel Brands Meet Growing Expectations?

October 13, 2022

With the world opening up for travel again and Asia rebounding, the travel and hospitality industries are gearing up with new technologies that promise to deliver ease of use, convenience and personalized experiences.

Phocus Wire – Dehumanizing Hospitality: The Automation Paradox in Our Industry

October 13, 2022

A recent American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation survey found that 97% of hotels are experiencing staffing shortages. What if the industry was never understaffed but rather undermanaged?

BTN Europe – European hotel bookings approaching pre-Covid levels

October 12, 2022

The hotel booking specialist said that international business bookings in Europe in the third quarter of 2022 accounted for 43 per cent of all hotel sales, which compared with a 44 per cent share of the market in 2019.

Forbes – £2 Bus, €1 Train Tickets, Free Travel In Spain—Budget Europe Travel Now

October 12, 2022

For anyone with the time and inclination to slow travel around Europe as governments across the region try to help curb public transport prices in the cost of living crisis and encourage green travel to meet CO2 targets.

Skift – Europe to Overtake Asia Pacific as World’s Largest Travel Region

October 10, 2022

The Asia Pacific region will no longer be the world’s largest travel region by the end of 2022, ceding the title to Europe. That’s according to a new report from international travel industry.

Hospitality Net – Where Should Hotels Start When Budgeting Tech for 2023?

October 6, 2022

Why Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is one of the most important metrics when it comes to hotel technology and how to lower it without sacrificing best-in-class system capabilities or service

Eurostat – Platform tourism: so far, 2022 levels exceed 2019

October 4, 2022

During the first half of 2022, guests spent around 199 million nights in short-term rental accommodation booked via Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia Group or Tripadvisor in the EU, an increase of around 138%.

Phocus Wire – The New Ways Cybercriminals Are Attacking Travel Companies

October 3, 2022

Cyber breaches seem to make headlines every day, with Uber, InterContinental Hotels Group and Marriott International among the major travel brands to have recently fallen victim to attackers. 

Phocus Wire – Travelers Call For Tech-enabled Solutions At International Borders

October 3, 2022

Three-quarters of travelers expect international border processes to look dramatically different by the end of this decade, according to a global study by strategy and consulting firm Accenture.

Skift – Google Maps to Debut Predictive Views of Attractions for Upcoming Visits

September 30, 2022

When it comes to running mainstream tours to popular attractions, booking sites can’t hope to compete with the online user experience that Google provides. Off-the-beaten track activities, though, may be more fruitful.

Analytics Insight – 6 Tech Trends In The Hospitality Industry In 2022

September 27, 2022

What do you look for in a venue that offers accommodation? It’s no longer just a bed for the night and Wi-Fi, is it? When many of us make bookings, we look at what is offered in terms of convenience, safety.

Triptease- What’s your strategy for tackling rogue wholesalers?

September 27, 2022

Wholesalers play an important part in hotel distribution, especially if you have large inventories to fill. But they’re also a major sore spot for the industry, with problems like rate leakage

Forbes -Some Marriott Hotels Offer Points For Early Checkout

September 21, 2022

Guests at some Marriott hotels have occasionally been offered Rewards points or a monetary credit for early checkout.The offer “was an individual hotel decision not in the Rewards program.

Phocuswire Google launches sustainibility initiatives, Confirms „things to Do“ Changes

September 22, 2022

Beginning this week, hotels that have met sustainability standards from certain organizations, such as Green Key or EarthCheck, will have an eco-certified badge next to their name in searches on google.com/travel.

Skift- Barry Diller Disparages Work From Home as ‘a Crock’

September 20, 2022

When it comes to work from home, Expedia Group Chairman Barry Diller doesn’t „get it,“ but he’s not shy telling you about it. but has apparently been overruled on by leaders at this companies — as well as employees.

Skift -New Ways of Thinking About Today’s Loyalty for Independent Hotel Brands

September 19, 2022

With corporate travel continuing to lag behind as the leisure market rebounds, hospitality loyalty programs have shifted focus from business travelers to leisure customers who are looking for more flexibility. 

Skift- Remote Work May Win New Advocates Over Rising Energy Costs for Offices

September 16, 2022

Coronavirus threw traditional work and travel patterns into disarray last winter, forcing people to stay at home. But this time around concerns over sky-high energy bills could push people into co-working spaces.

HubSpot- If Gen Z Changed the Game for Marketers, What Will Gen Alpha Be Like?

September 12, 2022

There’s a new generation that is expected to change the marketing landscape even more: Gen Alpha.This generation is the first to be born entirely in the 21st century — in a fully digital world.

HotelNewsResource – STR Reports European Key Hotel Markets Surpassed 2019 Profitability Levels in July

September 8, 2022

Several of Europe’s largest hotel markets, led by Berlin, surpassed their 2019 levels in gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR), according to STR‘s July 2022 P&L data release.

EuroNews- Energy tourists are flying south for winter rather than heating their homes

September 7, 2022

A UK company is encouraging travellers to book a winter holiday to avoid high energy bills. TravelTime World launched a campaign  ‘The Heat Is On’ highlighting the low cost per day of long-stay holidays.

 

Skift- Calling Booking.com a Gatekeeper Wouldn’t Have the Impact European Regulators Expect

September 7, 2022

The European Commission found that banning certain rate parity provisions impacted competition minimally. Therefore, perhaps designating Booking.com a „gatekeeper,“ wouldn’t be the end of online travel.

WTTC -U.S. retains its position as the world’s biggest Travel & Tourism market 

September 6, 2022

UK sees biggest drop in the global rankings
China and Germany hold onto second and third position.By 2032, China could overtake the U.S. to become the world’s biggest Travel & Tourism market.

Skift- Europe’s Hotels Risk Lights Out in Energy Crisis Spawned by Ukraine War

September 6, 2022

European natural gas prices are roughly ten times higher than a year ago. Hotel owners may struggle to pass on to guests added costs for heat and lights, given that they’ve already been charging higher than average rates.

Skift- Calling Booking.com a Gatekeeper Wouldn’t Have the Impact European Regulators Expect

September 7, 2022

The European Commission found that banning certain rate parity provisions impacted competition minimally. Therefore, perhaps designating Booking.com a „gatekeeper,“ wouldn’t be the end of online travel.

WTTC -U.S. retains its position as the world’s biggest Travel & Tourism market 

September 6, 2022

UK sees biggest drop in the global rankings
China and Germany hold onto second and third position.By 2032, China could overtake the U.S. to become the world’s biggest Travel & Tourism market.

Skift- Europe’s Hotels Risk Lights Out in Energy Crisis Spawned by Ukraine War

September 6, 2022

European natural gas prices are roughly ten times higher than a year ago. Hotel owners may struggle to pass on to guests added costs for heat and lights, given that they’ve already been charging higher than average rates.

Phocuswire- Why the travel industry should care about  SSI and DID

September 2, 2022

Executive Interview – Control Yourself. The most consequential technology of a generation.Technology that is enabling decentralized and self-sovereign identity, commonly referred to as DID and SSI.

Skift – Google will no longer be a place to book travel as fewer travelers were using it

September 1, 2022

Google announced it will shut Book on Google for flights for users outside the U.S. at the end of September.Google ended Book on Google for hotels earlier in 2022.

BBC- Meta’s new prototype chatbot has told the BBC that Mark Zuckerberg exploits its users for money.

August 11, 2022

Asked what the chatbot thought of the company’s CEO and founder, it replied „our country is divided and he didn’t help that at all“.Meta said the chatbot was a prototype and might produce rude or offensive answers.

Skift -More Hotels Opt for Fake Grass to Save Water for the Sake of Sustainability

August 2, 2022

With technical advances in synthetic grass hotels are increasingly turning to artificial grass to save water and money — as well as simplify work for staff and expand the number of events they can host. 

Skift- How Travel Brands Can Build for the Metaverse Now to Drive Travel Discovery

August 1, 2022

Travel brands are exploring how they can unlock the potential of emerging applications for these virtual worlds to create innovative ways for travelers to discover new destinations, meeting venues, and lodging options.

Phocuswire- Travel is back to full swing and so are the hackers 

July 29, 2022

As the travel season continues in full swing and people are busy booking their  summer getaways and business trips, be aware that not everyone visiting your site or using your app are legitimate traveler29

BusinessTravelNews- International demand driving European air traffic rebound

July 28, 2022

The recovery of air connectivity in Europe made further gains in June, with passenger traffic closing at -17.4 per cent of 2019 levels – the strongest monthly performance since the pandemic, according to ACI Europe.

Phocuswire- Digital regulation gets the go ahead in Europe

July 28, 2022

The green light from European regulators for the Digital Markets Act (DMA) earlier this month is welcome news. The DMA sets out to ensure a level playing field for all and to tackle the might of the “digital gatekeepers.”

CNBC- Google delays cookie-cutting to 2024

July 27, 2022

Google says it will again delay its replacement of third-party cookies— a practice long used by advertisers.The company said feedback has shown that advertisers need more time to transition to Google’s cookie replacement.

Phocuswire- Difficulty making payments sours guests‘ hotel experience 

July 12, 2022

Guests are twice as likely to experience anxiety and uncertainty when making hotel payments than in making everyday payments at home, according to a new amadeus report.

Skift- Booking Outperforms Airbnb and Expedia according to data intelligence firm Similarweb

July 11, 2022

Booking.com, with its hotels, vacation rentals, flights and wider array of brands, is a larger and more well-rounded company than Airbnb. Booking seems to be making gains at the expense of both Airbnb and Expedia.

Hotelmanagement.com- Accor to roll out over 400 smart tech hotels in China

July 12, 2022

Top European hotel chains are hiring workers without experience or even a resume as executives admit years of underpaying staff have come back to bite, leaving them unable to meet post-pandemic travel demand.

CoStar.com- Hotel Guests Continue To Blend Business and Leisure Trips

July 12, 2022

With summer leisure travel booming and little signs that traditional business transient demand will approach 2019 levels for hotels, hoteliers say there are signs that business travel is alive and well, just in a different form.

Phocuswire- Marriott hit by another data breach affecting up to 400 customers

July 7, 2022

Marriott International has suffered a security breach potentially affecting up to 400 customers. This follows an earlier significant data breach in 2020 that affected up to 5.2 million guests. 

ETC-corporate.org- Strong outlook for European tourism but staff and cost of living crisis looms

July 7, 2022

Europe must do everything  to ensure that travel does not become inaccessible for the average European. Bringing back talent, and making careers in the sector more enticing, is the top priority for European tourism recovery 

Skift- Employees Already Unhappy With Pace of Returning Corporate Travel: New Survey –

July 6, 2022

The nightmare that flying has become is starting to weigh on employees. Perhaps company travel managers now need to deflect any pressure from the top as bosses rush to get things back to normal.

Phocuswire- Fires on all fronts as airlines fight to recover

July 5, 2022

In recent weeks, airlines across Europe including British Airways, easyJet, KLM and Lufthansa have been forced to cancel thousands of flights. The airline industry has lurched from the pandemic to the return to travel crisis.

ehotelier- Saving the planet, one hotel at a time – PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management

July 1, 2022

Despite the urgent need to reduce global carbon emissions, the hotel industry faces numerous barriers to implementing carbon reduction programmes. Why is it so difficult for hotels to reduce their carbon footprint?

Reuters- No experience, no resume, you’re hired! Hotels fight for staff

July 4, 2022

Top European hotel chains are hiring workers without experience or even a resume as executives admit years of underpaying staff have come back to bite, leaving them unable to meet post-pandemic travel demand.

TravelMarketReport-  What You Need to Know About LGBTQ+ Travelerss

June 29, 2022

If the LGBTQ+ travel market was a country, it would be the fourth largest economy on earth. Eight-five percent of LGBTQ+ travelers have passports. Prior to the pandemic, LGBTQ+ travelers spent over $218 billion. 

Phocuswire- Return of direct bookings leads to greater ownership

June 24, 2022

Of the myriad changes to the travel industry brought on by the pandemic, the return of direct bookings may be one of the most overlooked and the most lasting. So, what’s leading to this dramatic rise in direct bookings?

ehotelier -Rising travel costs the leading concern across Europe – ETC

June 20, 2022

Travel sentiment among Europeans remains strong, with 73% planning to embark on a holiday between June and November 2022 despite various concerns, including high inflation, the Russo-Ukrainian crisis and pandemic.

Phocuswire – WTTC offers guidelines to boost resilience against future shocks 

June 16, 2022

The WTTC provides guidelines and case studies about how to handle future crises and notes that while resilience is a “shorter-term concept than sustainability… the two are intrinsically linked.”

Phocuswire – The evolution of digital advertising for travel

June 17, 2022

After a dramatic reduction in marketing spending in 2020 and 2021, the money is flowing again.The digital advertising landscape is in the midst of major shifts

Skift- Half of the Biggest Tourism Economies Close to Full Travel Recovery

June 16, 2022

Eleven countries performed at 95 percent or over in May, according to the latest Skift Travel Health Index update – only 5 percentage points off May 2019 levels.

HOTREC –   Distribution study shows  how pandemic altered hotel booking  habits

June 14, 2022

New insights on the evolution of distribution channels used to reserve hotel rooms, with a specific focus on the role of online travel agencies (OTAs). 3 900 European hoteliers from across Europe responded.

CNN – Inundated with American travelers -End of testing opens summer floodgates

June 13, 2022

2022 is three seasons in one. The news brings both a collective sigh of relief and a likely flood of new international travelers to an already chaotic summer season

Skift- Half of the Biggest Tourism Economies Close to Full Travel Recovery

June 16, 2022

Eleven countries performed at 95 percent or over in May, according to the latest Skift Travel Health Index update – only 5 percentage points off May 2019 levels.

HOTREC –   Distribution study shows  how pandemic altered hotel booking  habits

June 14, 2022

New insights on the evolution of distribution channels used to reserve hotel rooms, with a specific focus on the role of online travel agencies (OTAs). 3 900 European hoteliers from across Europe responded.

CNN – Inundated with American travelers -End of testing opens summer floodgates

June 13, 2022

2022 is three seasons in one. The news brings both a collective sigh of relief and a likely flood of new international travelers to an already chaotic summer season

Hotelmarketing – Accommodation preferences after COVID-19: Back to normal or a new normal?

June 10, 2022

STR’s latest consumer research conducted in May 2022, which polled nearly 1,300 global travelers, uncovered attitudes towards hotels and other forms of accommodation.

Forbes – Bleisure Travel Rapidly Increasing At Hotels And Resorts

June 9, 2022

Bleisure” travel combines business trips with leisure travel and is a trend that is taking the travel industry by storm. Read on for some examples from Marriott and Hilton.

Phocuswire – Cyberattacks up for travel comapnies and consumers

June 9, 2022

As more consumers return to travel, cyber criminals are upping their activity, taking aim at travelers and travel companies. According to a new report travel-themed phishing campaigns are landing in increasing numbers.

Skift- How Loyalty Innovation Is Fueling Travel’s Recovery

June 7, 2022

Travel brands have a unique opportunity to realize greater potential from their loyalty programs. Through creative merchandising they can grow revenue, build more meaningful relationships, and increase lifetime value.

Unwto.org – Tourism recovery gains momentum as restrictions ease and confidence returns

June 3, 2022

Globally, destinations welcomed almost three times as many international arrivals in the first quarter of 2022 as in the same period of 2021, with Europe leading the sector’s rebound.

Phocuswire.com – A DMOs guide to NFTs. For starters: What is an NFT?

June 3, 2022

How can NFTs be used in the travel and tourism industry? Be part of the conversation Companies like Marriott have already partnered with artists to create NFTs that were then given awa

ehotelier – Italy’s tourism could reach pre-pandemic levels next year

May 31, 2022

The report  reveals that the Travel & Tourism sector will grow at an annual average rate of 2.5% for the next 10 years, five times the 0.5% growth rate of the overall Italian economy. It will be worth over €226 billion by 2032

Hotstats – Europe’s Luxury Hotels Bounce Back from the Bottom

May 30, 2022

Luxury hotels across Europe are back to producing profit at the almost same rate as 2019, according to data from HotStats. Now, March 2022 GOPPAR of €66 is only €4 off its March 2019 number

BusinessTravelNewsEurope – Global air searches hit 2019 levels

May 30, 2022

Global air search volumes in the first four months of 2022 reached almost 2019 levels according to data from Amadeus. A number of markets reported double digit increases across the whole of April

Travelweekly – Travel firms ‘need to lead customers on sustainable change’

May 25th, 2022

Travel companies need to take the lead on sustainability and explain to customers why they are making changes to reduce their carbon footprint, delegates at Travel Weekly’s Future of Travel Spring Forum were told

Phocuswire- AI, CRM and Online booking tipped to boost travel recovery

May 27, 2022

Travel technology professionals view tech as the way to help travel come back stronger, according to research. Rounding out the top five were self-service portals and innovative payment options.

McKinsey – Marketing in the metaverse: An opportunity for innovation and experimentation

May 24, 2022

Although widespread adoption of the metaverse may take some time, leading brands are already rewriting the rules of marketing.Now is the right time to adopt a test-and-learn mindset

Phocuswire – A hoteliers guide to Google Analytics 4 (or GA4)

May 23rd, 2022

Google recently announced that it will be sunsetting (no longer tracking, no longer supporting) Universal Analytics as of July, 1 2023. Enter the successor: Google Analytics 4.

Phocuswire – Hotels develop VR twins as  first step into Metaverse

May 20, 2022

The Madrid Marriott’s virtual spaces debuted at the M&I Spring Forum in Seville, Spain, earlier this month, where attendees donned Oculus headsets to “walk through” the rooms built on RendezVerse’s RV360 platform

Phocuswire- WTTC calls on governments to introduce a Digital Travel Portal

May 20, 2022

The World Travel and Tourism Council is asking governments to introduce a “digital travel portal” that would apply not only to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to any future health crises.

Phocuswire – Marriott International is launching a media network 

May 17, 2022

In partnership with Yahoo, it lets brand advertisers target the hotel chain’s guests. as marketers prepare to move away from third-party cookies and embrace strategies tied to first-party data.

Phocuswire – Google Maps gets a boost with immersive view

May 16, 2022

The company says the artificial intelligence-driven functionality helps users explore and get a feel for neighborhoods, landmarks and other sites and attractions without having to be there.

BusinessTravelNewsEurope-  – European hotel prices exceed pre-pandemic levels

May 13, 2022

The European hotel sector is set to become the “poster child” of recovery for the next six months, according to the latest data from  STR. Average daily rates (ADR) are now, on average, six per cent higher than pre-Covid rates.

ehotelier – The first anticipated net-zero hotel and first passive house-certified hotel in the US 

April 27, 2022

The revolutionary hotel will utilize renewable solar power sources on site to generate the electricity needed for its common areas, restaurant, laundry, meeting rooms and 165 guest rooms and suites.

Hospitalitynet – US Market Research Reveals Why People Prefer to Book on OTAs

April 25, 2022

The over 2,000-response survey revealed interesting insights about what factors make people stop scrolling OTAs and start liking particular hotels. Rate Parity is not enough

Phocuswire – WTTC highlights need to prioritise  cyber security

April 22, 2022

Mitigating risk must be a priority with the industry. The report reveals that 72% of SMBs across all sectors in the U.K., U.S. and Europe have experienced at least one cyberattack.

TravelBoomMarketing- Why Meta Matters For Direct Hotel Bookings

April 11, 2022

Why does meta matter for independent hoteliers? If you’re not owning your space in meta, you’re giving guaranteed bookings to the OTAs, costing you money, guest relationships, and future revenue opportunities

Skift – Europeans Plan to Vacation and Fly at Record Levels This Summer

April 12, 2022

Three out of four Europeans now say they are gearing up to travel  regionally or domestically between the spring and summer seasons this year — undeterred by the war in Ukraine, Covid surges or increased cost of living

BusinessTravelNewsEurope – European airlines step up recovery as summer season begins

April 5, 2022

Airline capacity across Europe is increasing rapidly in April as Covid-19 restrictions are dropped and carriers launch their summer schedules. Airline capacity in Western Europe is now at around 88% of 2019 levels. 

ehotelier – What can hotels do to take back market share from the  growing short-term rentals sector?

April 5, 2022

With travel recovery getting underway, hoteliers would be wise to closely follow the performance of home sharing platform bookings relative to traditional hotels and the total accommodations market

Reuters – Spain expects Easter bounce to lift tourism to 80% of pre-COVID levels

April 1, 2022

Spain expects international tourist arrivals to reach 80% of pre-pandemic volumes in the second quarter as northern Europeans shrug off concerns over the Ukraine conflict and return en masse for Easter

eHotelier – Online travel giants ramped up marketing spend in 2021 

March 30, 2022

Marketing spend by the leading online travel companies rocketed in 2021, to coincide with the relaxation of travel restrictions in their core markets. The tried and trusted methods are back in vogue

eHotelier – The sleeping giant awakens: how to make the most of the surge in RFPs for meeting and events space

March 30, 2022

Forty-four percent of respondents will hold their next in-person meeting this quarter, and another 34 percent will meet in Q2. Only 4 percent will hold off until 2023 or later. Corporate travel is making it’s return.

HospitalityNet – The Fast and Slow Top Hotel Trends for 2022

March 24, 2022

Larry Mogelonsky, Managing Director Hotel Mogel Consulting Limited goes through some of the top hotel trends he’s been noticing come to fruition throughout the covid years.

PhocusWire – Consumer Interest in Travel High, But Booking Frustrations Linger

March 22, 2022

A survey commissioned by Travelport and conducted by Toluna Research explores consumer interest in travel versus other luxuries such as clothes, restaurants, concerts.  

Boston University  – What Is the Future of Travel in 2022?

March 14, 2022

Podcast with Makarand Mody, a School of Hospitality Administration associate professor of hospitality marketing, discussing the future of travel in 2022. A written transcript is included.

The Points Guy – In a post-pandemic world, will working from home be a boon for business travel?

March 14, 2022

Starting to see workers travelling to headquarters and booking rooms. The trend toward staying in a destination for an extended period beyond a face-to-face meeting is something that will continue to expand throughout 2022. 

eHotelier – The subtle evolution from bleisure to workations

March 9, 2022

BCD Travel’s research recently found that 85% of workers in the US are looking for a mix of remote and office work in the future. Workations are more about adding a working component to a planned leisure trip.

Skift.com – Russia Travel: Who’s In, Who’s Out

March 7, 2022

How is the war on Ukraine impacting travel? Here’s the latest on which non-Russian online travel companies, airlines, tour firms, and car rental agencies are still operating there, and which ones bowed out.

Hospitalitynet.org – Hotel Reviews are Everything and How to Get Them

March 7th, 2022

With the pandemic continuing to echo through the news cycle,  travelers need reassurance before booking, and curating great reviews is something wholly within the hotelier’s control

HSMAI Research: 10 Talent-Related Trends Hospitality Leaders Should Know About

March 7, 2022

The devastating COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the talent crisis that has been slowly brewing in the hospitality industry. What has changed over the past two years? How should companies be moving forward?

GlobalData – Travel brands need to use social media to directly engage with younger cohorts

March 3, 2022

30% of Gen Z and 32% of Millennials state that direct engagement with a brand is a key driver of a purchase. These percentages are significantly higher when compared to Boomers and the Silent Generation.

ABC News – 6 ways technology is evolving travel in 2022

March 2, 2022

Driven in part by pressure for contactless interactions during the pandemic, technology is rapidly evolving in the travel industry. Technology is seeping into travel in a way that most travelers are finding enormously beneficial.

Skift  – Bookings Still Far Below Pre-Pandemic Levels: New Travel Health Index

February 23, 2022

Data from Skift’s Travel Health Index shows that the industry is far from this equilibrium as it continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Searches for hotel stays are at only 31 percent of January 2019 levels.

Travolution – The tricks of the trade OTAs must use to maintain margins

February 23, 2022

Travel does not have Magic Circle rules banning its members from revealing its yield tricks, so here some top-ten favourites -Steve Endacott CEO Travel Solution Network.

Phocuswire – Book on Google for hotels to shut after low take up 

February 25, 2022

Google launched the option in 2015 to facilitate transactions for hotels and online travel agencies whose sites were not optimized for mobile web.

Phocuswire – Booking holdings closes 2021 with better than expected revenue profit

February 23, 2022

Despite the impact of the Omicron variant late in the year, Booking Holdings says its revenue and profit in Q4 came in higher than expected, at $3 billion for revenue.

Skift – Tripadvisor Plus Is Case Study in Online Travel Hype

February 23, 2022

Despite the company expressing confidence in Plus when it scrapped its business model in September, Tripadvisor admitted last week „we haven’t found the product-market fit that we’re looking for.“

HospitalityNet – Global standards vs. local realities – how to make it work in hospitality?

February 22, 2022

Industry experts discussion on finding the sweet spot between standardized frameworks for sustainable hospitality and individualized, local sustainability action plans. 

Databox – 10 Digital Marketing Metrics Your Business Pays Too Much Attention To

February 21, 2022

19 experts share top digital marketing metrics that you shouldn’t obsess over along with explaining what you should track instead.

ehotelier.com  – European travel demand expected to be 20% below pre-COVID levels in 2022

February 17, 2022

Whereas domestic travel is expected to exceed pre-pandemic peaks in 2022, international travel will be slower on the uptake and is not likely to fully recover until 2024.

Phocuswire – Marriott Direct Booking share up Vs OTA channels

February 16, 2022

Marriott International says it has grown its direct channels “more meaningfully” than the online travel agency channel. The growth in the direct share was partly down to the “movement off of voice to digital.”

Travel Weekly- Hoteliers grappling with labor shortage have robots in their toolbox

February 14, 2022

Hoteliers have struggled to maintain standard operations, much less meet new demands that the pandemic has produced. The AC Hotel Sunnyvale Moffett Park which opened on Feb. 11, had a solution in place.

 

ehotelier.com- Travelling in the EU is complex

February 7, 2022

The European Commission has agreed on new recommendations to limit the validity period of the EU Digital Covid Certificate to 270 days for those who haven’t yet received a COVID-19 booster jab.

Hospitalitynet.org- What can the hospitality industry expect from metaverse?

February 2, 2022

Opinion Piece – Can the metaverse bring significant changes, solve some of the pressing issues and become the way forward for the hospitality industry?

Phocuswire.com – European travelers plan to spend significantly more in 2022

February 2, 2022

According to a new report, European travelers plan to spend 39% more on travel in 2022 and are actively planning and booking.

PhocusWire – Customer-Centricity, Digitization Top Priorities For Execs

February 3, 2022

73% of travellers are willing to spend more for flight insurance now than they would have pre-pandemic, and 36% indicating the risk of canceled flights and bookings is a top concern when thinking about travel.

Travel Weekly – Accor report suggests 80% of Brits plan to travel this year

February 2, 2022

Almost four in five UK residents intend to travel in 2022, according to research from hospitality group Accor. The survey polled 2,000 individuals in the UK in late 2021 and again in mid-January 2022.

SearchEngineJournal – How Google Maps Reviews Are Moderated

February 2, 2022

Google published an explainer that offers insights into how Google handles reviews left for local businesses on Google Maps. Google shared five steps it takes to ensure that Google Maps reviews are useful and authentic.

HotelMarketing – What does responsible tourism mean in 2022?

January 31, 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic grounded planes and shut down tourist destinations across the world. Now, as the tourism industry recovers, the time is ripe to reconsider how we travel, and for a new kind of tourism to emerge.

TravelWeekly – European air traffic ‘to reach 70%-90% of 2019 levels in 2022’

January 31, 2022

Europe’s air traffic is “on track to recover to 70%-90% of 2019 levels” by the end of this year “even if the evolving pandemic is pushing traffic much closer to our baseline forecast”, Eurocontrol reports.

Business Travel News – International travel recovering in late 2021 says IATA chief

January 31, 2022

Already in January there have been signs of improvement especially in Europe. Figures from Eurocontrol for the third week of this month revealed average daily flights flown to be at 63 per cent of 2019 levels.

4Hoteliers – Could robots breathe new ‚life‘ into the tourism industry?

January 28, 2022

The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University researchers conducted a timely online study comparing human- and robot-staffed hotels.

Hospitalitynet.org – 10 Hotel Trends to Watch in 2022

January 11, 2022

Hospitalitynet predict their top 10 Hotel Trends to Watch in 2022. They anticipate that a number of the trends that emerged during the recession will continue in 2022, including hotels’ direct interaction with guests.

Phocuswire – Sounding Off: A Major – And Overdue – Power Shift Is Coming To Travel

January 14, 2022

Using a verifiable credential stored in a digital wallet, the traveler has complete and sole control over when his or her personal data is shared, what parts of it are shared, for what purpose and for how long.

Hospitalitynet.org – The Hoteliers‘ Roundup of 2021

December 22, 2021

At the start of this year, hospitalitynet predicted their top 10 Hotel Trends to Watch in 2021. After 12 months of unexpected twists and turns, they analyse which of those trends actually held strong this year.

eHotelier – 2022 predictions for business events


December 22, 2021

2022 will be a year of rebuilding and recovery for the business events, accommodation, and meetings industry, according to the HBAA (UK). In-person and virtual events will lead the way.

Phocuswire – Better Tech And Decision-making Are Hotel Trends To Watch For In 2022

December 20, 2021

This article covers two of the big shifts that have catalyzed within the hospitality sector during the pandemic and are likely to have an impact on how hotels run in 2022.

eHotelier – Does AI have a place in the travel industry?

December 16, 2021

In 2021, customers value a personal connection, but the convenience of a voice bot is hard to beat for some businesses that just don’t have the manpower to handle their current call volume. Is there a better solution? 

Hospitalitynet.org – Must-Have Contactless Self-Service Technologies for Outstanding Guest Experience

December 13, 2021

According to a survey by Metova, today around 86% of guests are more willing to choose hotels that provide contactless self-service features, such as mobile check-in, concierge, and facility reservation services.

Phocuswire – The New Reality of Travel Bubbles


December 8, 2021

Though travel bubbles are a temporary fix to the challenges brought on by the pandemic, the industry has had to adapt. Provided is a list of the top ten strategies for making the most of the travel bubble reality.

breakingtravelnews.com- United States reopens borders to fully vaccinated travellers

November 8, 2021

The United States has opened its borders to travellers from a host of new countries following nearly two years of closures in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Phocuswire – Metaverse is nonsense to some  but the future for many

November 5, 2021

Scary or otherwise, Metaverse-like products and worlds will be a feature of our lives (or our kids‘ lives) for decades to come. Brands need to remember that, rather than dismiss them outright.

hospitalitynet.org- What Business Strategies should Hoteliers implement in 2022?

October 29, 2021

5 Hotel Business Strategies to Implement in 2022. The industry appears to be cautiously optimistic about business performance. But what does that mean for your hotel business strategies in 2022