APAC Travel Trends and the Digital Transformation in Hospitality

From Recovery to Innovation: Asia Pacific's Travel Trends and the Digital Transformation in Hospitality In 2024, the Asia Pacific travel industry is experiencing a significant recovery, with tourism figures drawing close to pre-pandemic levels, as reported by Reuters and TTG Asia. The region is positioned as the primary engine for travel growth, with a Skift report projecting a robust 20% increase in travel revenue over the previous year, significantly outstripping Europe's modest 5% gain. Destinations within the region are strategically emphasizing sustainable tourism and high-quality experiences to effectively manage the surge in travel demand. As the year progresses, the tourism landscape exhibits a blend of cautious optimism and a clear evolution in traveler behavior, signaling a nuanced and promising outlook for the Asia-Pacific travel sector. 2024 Asia-Pacific Regional Performance and Trend: Across Asia-Pacific, RevPAR grew about 40 per cent year-on-year, with the whole region outperforming 2019 by 10 per cent. Leisure demand drives occupancy, with sustained corporate and group travel increases. Tokyo, Bali, and Shanghai are top performing destinations. Anticipation of increased travel demand due to Asian travelers’ interest in cultural and ancestral heritage. In Southeast Asia, countries like Malaysia and Thailand are among the top destinations that are benefiting from...

5 Place Based Marketing Strategies for Hotels

Davis Keeter, CHDM, Leisure Groups Team, BWH Hotels, Rising Marketing Leader Council Member  At Best Western we have properties all over the globe. Domestically, there are a few key locations that we heavily market to make sure our customers know about. The biggest being our National Park hotels. You can find a Best Western location near almost all national parks in the US. This led me to spark the conversation with the Rising Marketing Leaders on how we are utilizing strategic hotel placement. Here are our top tips.   Utilize Strategic Locations: The success of a hotel often depends on its location. Whether it’s nestled in a national park or centered in a bustling city, location plays a pivotal role in attracting guests. Targeted Marketing Campaigns: Understanding guest interests is crucial. Hotels in sports-centric locations, for example, tailor their marketing to attract sports fans, creating a stronger personal connection. Emphasize Luxury and Exclusivity: For luxury hotels, highlighting the exclusivity and unique aspects of their location can add an extra layer of appeal and intrigue for guests. Capitalize on Niche Markets: Hotels like those along Route 66 exploit unique opportunities by being the sole option in some regions. This strategy creates a unique selling point that...

Effective Communication in the Hotel Industry: Key Takeaways

Effective Communication in the Hotel Industry: Key Takeaways Heather Harmeyer, Director of Sales and Marketing, Embassy Suites, HSMAI Rising Sales Leader Council Member  From meeting planners to your team to guests, it is essential to change your communication strategies aligning with the changing landscape and technological advances. Drawing from a recent discussion with HSMAI Rising Sales Leaders, I have identified four actionable insights that can lead to improved communication throughout hotels, spanning across departments, and extending to clients.  Adapt to Change and Technological Advancements During the pandemic there was often tension between meeting planners and hotel representatives, often fueled by cancellations and alterations to terms. Navigating these challenges demanded a shift in communication strategies. The emphasis has since moved towards being adaptable, acknowledging the changing landscape, and harnessing technological advancements to stay connected.  Ensure Sales Team Alignment Ensuring that the sales team remains on the same page, especially when managing multiple properties, is essential for effective operations. Regular and consistent communication came out of our discussion as the core of achieving this alignment. One member recommended holding weekly meetings with general managers to establish common goals and maintain synergy across teams.  Embrace Heart-Centered Leadership Heart-centered leadership, characterized by empathy and understanding, was highlighted as an...