🛎️ Hotelier’s Hub 22nd August 2023

Industry Insights and Expert Advice for Hotels & Resorts

In this week's Hotelier's Hub Newsletter

• GBTA Hails ‘Accelerated Rebound’ in Business Travel

• TikTok Publishes New Playbook for Travel Marketers

• Travel Scams for Sporting Events on the Rise

• Why Healthier Hotel Breakfast Options Have Become Staples

• The DO’s and DON’Ts of Hotel Robots

• Tourism Australia Creates Working Holiday Social Media Competition

• Airbnb’s Ulti-Mutt Travel Guide for Pets This Summer

• Achieving the Warmth of True Hospitality

• Hospitality Growth Opportunities

• Recommended Resources

☕ Grab a Coffee, and Let's Check-In

---

🧳 GBTA Hails ‘Accelerated Rebound’ in Business Travel

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) projects a rapid rebound in corporate travel, stating that most leading economies are expected to avoid recession this year. 

The latest Business Travel Index (BTI) Outlook report predicts that global corporate travel spending will exceed pre-pandemic levels, reaching $1.4 trillion in 2024 and $1.8 trillion by 2027. 

GBTA's CEO, Suzanne Neufang, expressed optimism about a faster return to pre-pandemic spending and growth in the coming years. The report notes varying recovery rates by region and industry. By year-end, China is expected to reclaim its leading business travel market position. 

http://askdawn.link/1Wp4YK 

📕 TikTok Publishes New Playbook for Travel Marketers

TikTok has released a travel marketing playbook aimed at helping travel-related businesses tap into the platform's growing interest in holidays. 

The playbook provides valuable insights and tips for travel marketers, including overall engagement trends on TikTok, key travel trends, types of travel content consumed by users, campaign inspiration points aligned with business offerings, case studies, ad type tips, and guidance on when and how to use each element effectively. 

With a significant percentage of TikTok users actively seeking travel experiences, the playbook offers valuable resources to maximise marketing efforts in the travel sector.  

If your venue doesn’t have a presence on TikTok, you will miss out on relevant digital traffic.

Download the report http://askdawn.link/BhBsb5 

⚽ Travel Scams for Sporting Events on the Rise

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has warned about the rise in travel scams targeting major sporting events, including the upcoming Rugby World Cup Finals, Cricket World Cup, and European football matches. Sports fans risk losing money through fraudulent practices such as clone comparison websites, fake airline websites, and booking with unlicensed companies. 

The authority advises fans to take precautions such as checking for ATOL financial protection, booking with a licensed company, taking out travel insurance, and avoiding unsolicited offers. Sports fans are urged to be vigilant and take appropriate steps to protect themselves from travel scams surrounding upcoming sporting events.  

Hoteliers should be aware of these scams to reassure customers; I advise adding information to your website to help calm anxious customers and to help them from falling victim.

http://askdawn.link/iOQdwV 

🍳 Why Healthier Hotel Breakfast Options Have Become Staples

Hotels have responded to the growing demand for healthier breakfast options by offering menu choices that cater to guests' wellness goals. Avocado toast, grain bowls, and smoothies are now staples across many hotel brands, with lighter and healthier options becoming an expectation among guests. 

Hotel chains like Hilton have introduced a variety of nut- and plant-based milk, as well as gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian items, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy. Luxury and resort properties have embraced this trend, incorporating made-to-order dishes, smoothie stations, and healthy bowls into their breakfast offerings. 

Recognising the importance of customisable experiences, hotels should focus on fresher ingredients and enhancing the quality of their breakfast items to meet the needs of health-conscious travellers. These efforts reflect the shift towards a lifestyle-oriented approach to travel experiences.

Ensure your healthy options are promoted on your digital and social media channels.

http://askdawn.link/5tWAsz 

🦾 The DO’s and DON’Ts of Hotel Robots

Hotel robots are becoming increasingly popular, offering round-the-clock assistance and enhancing guest experiences. These machines can handle tasks like cleaning, room service, and providing information to guests, allowing hotel staff to concentrate on more important matters. 

To ensure successful implementation, hotels should consider mapping the robots' tasks, testing them thoroughly, training staff, prioritising guest interaction, performing regular maintenance, having a backup plan, and updating software regularly. 

Hotels should prioritise security, use data effectively, consider aesthetics and integration with existing systems, assign a staff member to oversee the project, prioritise reliability, consider safety features, and evaluate the total cost of ownership.

It is essential, however, to respect guest privacy and maintain human interaction, consider noise levels and long-term viability, seek feedback, avoid overcomplicating tasks, prioritise accessibility, and comply with local laws and regulations.  

Learn more http://askdawn.link/lYmIdR 

🌏  Tourism Australia Creates Working Holiday Social Media Competition

Tourism Australia has launched a social media campaign called #HumblestBrag to promote working holiday visas to Australia for young Britons. The campaign encourages participants to share their favourite memories on Instagram to win one of three working holiday packages. 

The prize includes:

• Flights from London to Sydney.

• Working holiday packages in the city.

• A five-week east coast tour to Cairns.

• Two working holiday visas.

The campaign aims to showcase the opportunities and lifestyle that Australia offers.  

I love this idea and could see this being applied successfully to venues that want to attract digital nomads and drive a PR buzz.

http://askdawn.link/cumQA6 

🐶 Airbnb Reveals Pet-Friendly Travel Insights

Airbnb has observed a significant increase in the number of nights booked with pets, with a surge of nearly 50%. Pet-friendly listings on Airbnb now make up almost one in three accommodations, a figure that has been growing consistently. 

About 46% of the pet-friendly stays booked this summer are in rural areas, indicating a strong preference for nature-centric holidays with pets.

Colombia and Brazil take the lead in countries with the most pet-friendly stays, with Italy, India, and Chile following close behind. The United Kingdom and the United States are among the top destinations for pet travel, while Portland (Oregon), North Myrtle Beach, and Saint-Raphael are among the cities attracting the highest percentages of pet-owning guests this summer.

With the rise of customers in this segment, have you made provisions for pets at your hotel?

See the full report http://askdawn.link/fpbjPt 

📈 Hospitality Growth Opportunities

The hospitality sector is on the path to recovery, with hotels projected to book 1.3 billion rooms by 2023 and business travel expected to reach 98% of pre-pandemic levels by year-end. 

Travellers' expenditure patterns are evolving, with a significant percentage planning to indulge in holiday spending habits and spend more on their trips compared to previous years. The rise of digital nomadism presents a unique opportunity for the hospitality industry, with more people working remotely and seeking hotels that cater to their technological needs. The resurgence of business travel and the increasing desire for local experiences drive growth in the industry. 

Hotels are adopting digital solutions such as mobile apps, chatbots, virtual reality tours, and artificial intelligence to enhance the guest experience and improve operational efficiency to stay competitive. Integrating technology and digital solutions is expected to drive revenue growth in the hospitality sector, with global smart hospitality revenue projected to surge by 28% to $58 billion by 2028. More insights at http://askdawn.link/S1DVWY 

---

Recommended Resources

• The Psychology of Social Proof

• Why Your Hotel Needs to be Pet Friendly

• Hotel Marketing Services

---

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you for Checking Out the Hotelier’s Hub - We hope to see you again soon

Please don't hesitate to contact me with any feedback or suggestions for future topics.

Here's to Your Success 🥂