Four Trends for Beyond Revenge Travel 2.0
Larry and Adam Mogelonsky | March 2, 2022
Although Pre-Pandemic Profitability Will Remain Elusive, the Industry Will Make Strides Toward Recovery in 2022
Fran Worrall | January 5, 2022
Coronavirus
How Hotel F&B Pivoted in Response to COVID-19, and What the Future Holds
Court Williams | August 12, 2020
By Court Williams Global tourism has been expanding rapidly over the past few decades, and this was a primary factor driving the hospitality industry before the coronavirus outbreak. Growth projected by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), set the expected number of tourist arrivals across the globe at more than 1.5 billion by 2020. Covid-19 had other ideas, however, and 2020 has turned out to be the year everything changed. Hotel food and beverage (F&B) operations are among some of the most-affected industries. Key Hotel F&B Trends Before Covid-19 Change is inevitable, and the whirlwind arrival of Covid-19 proved once agai...
Baby Boomers Deserve Big Attention From Businesses Too
Linchi Kwok | August 12, 2020
By Linchi Kwok Jill Filipovic argued in her new book - OK Boomer, Let’s Talk: How My Generation Got Left Behind - that millennials have been going through tougher economic circumstances than any other generations since the Great Depression. I am neither a millennial nor a Boomer, but the media coverage about Jill’s arguments got my attention. The fact is no matter if we are in the position of supporting or challenging Jill’s propositions, we cannot deny that we need Boomers to boost post-pandemic consumption. Besides millennials and Gen Zers, Baby Boomers also deserve big attention from businesses. Boomers have time and money ...
Contactless Linen Inventory Management and Stay Safe Using the InvoTech UHF-RFID System
InvoTech | August 12, 2020
Safely manage the daily tasks related to your linen and laundry activity and work in the current situation, respecting social distancing and hygiene norms. InvoTech provides a completely contactless, safe experience for everyone in your property dealing with linens and laundry activity. The ideal solution to help housekeeping operations enable full productivity and safety for your staff. Track your entire linen inventory, maintain proper inventory levels in storerooms and manage laundry activity without physical contact. Using the UHF-RFID Linen System allows you to manage the entire inventory from initial purchase, daily usage, aging and lau...
Ten Ways to Boost Guest Confidence and Increase Loyalty Amid COVID-19
Amadeus Hospitality | August 12, 2020
Rethinking the guest experience, creating new standards, and committing to those standards will be vital in building future loyalists. COVID-19 has caused many to reflect upon the fundamental operations of our global society and our day-to-day lives, including the way we travel. In hospitality, many are wondering how an industry that is so reliant on personal interactions can recover from the crisis and earn back guest confidence. Moving forward, hotels that integrate the newest stringent standards into their operations – while also rethinking the guest experience – will be the first to see a positive revenue impact. Further emb...
Minibar Systems Introduces SmartHands Elevator Hand Sanitizer Dispenser
Minibar Systems | August 12, 2020
[video width="600" height="338"" mp4="https://www.hotel-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SmartHands_Elevator_Dispenser.mp4"][/video] Rockville, MD - Minibar Systems is pleased to announce our new SmartHands Elevator dispensers are now available for hotels and can soon be purchased online at SmartHands.MinibarSystems.com. The SmartHands™ elevator hand sanitizer works with the dispenser and contains 80% Ethanol Alcohol which exceeds the CDC standard and kills 99.99% of harmful germs and bacteria. Aloe vera leaf extract is added to help aid and moisturize skin after application. Please visit the website for add...
Knowland Announces 3-Part Webinar Series Entitled Gearing Up for the Road Ahead
Knowland | August 11, 2020
Aug. 11, 2020 - Knowland’s vice president of product, Kristi White will speak with special guests about strategies to help hotels plan for the future and grow group business during these difficult times. With guests from management companies and training executives to technology partners and meeting planners, Kristi will dive into real conversations dealing with the re-calibration of the industry and brainstorm on potential new strategies for hoteliers as we move through the one of the greatest business disruptions in history. Seats are limited and filling up fast for this important series and attendance is complimentary. The first ...
Hospitality’s Role in Driving Sustainability and Community Projects
August 11, 2020
As one of the world’s largest industries, it’s up to travel and tourism to lead the way toward a carbon-smart, sustainable future that contributes to the well-being of people and the planet. This means giving back to local communities, particularly now, since so many places around the world that depend on visitors are struggling as a consequence of COVID-19. Even before the virus took its devastating toll on the industry, visitors have been looking for ways to create deeper and more meaningful connections with the places they care about - a trend known as voluntourism. Voluntourism, when done right, is a win-win situation for everyone:...
IHG Releases Interim Results to June 30, 2020
IHG | August 11, 2020
Key metrics $6.6bn total gross revenue (down (52)%; (51)% at CER) (51.7)% global H1 RevPAR (74.7)% global Q2 RevPAR 1 Excludes System Fund results, hotel cost reimbursements and exceptional items. 2 Comprises the Group’s fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels. 3 Excludes owned, leased and managed lease hotels, significant liquidated damages and the results of the Group’s captive insurance company, with 2019 restated accordingly. 4 Calculated using results from Reportable Segments and Adjusted Interest, and excluding changes in fair value of contingent consideration. 5 Reportable segment ...
AHLA Applauds President Donald Trump for Signing Executive Orders Extending Unemployment Benefits
AHLA | August 10, 2020
WASHINGTON (August 10, 2020) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today applauded President Donald Trump for supporting Americans by signing Executive Orders that extend unemployment benefits and support those impacted by COVID 19, while urging Congress to come together swiftly and pass meaningful, bipartisan legislation that helps support the hotel industry and the millions of employees we support. The following statement is attributable to Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA: “Millions of America’s hotel workers remain out of work as our industry struggles to survive the pandemic. We applaud the actions take...
Hotel Demand and GDP Have a Strong Correlation and That’s a Problem
HotStats | August 10, 2020
Among the many delicious scenes from the movie “Goodfellas” is one where the characters of Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci burn down a restaurant because its credit has run out, putting an end to their graft. “And then finally, when there’s nothing left, when you can’t borrow another buck from the bank, you bust the joint out. You light a match.” What does this have to do with a hospitality-focused blog? It serves two functions. 1) Whenever you can introduce a “Goodfellas” quote into an article, you do it. 2) Substitute a hotel in for a restaurant, and a lot of owners right now might have the same inclination—figuratively, of co...
Hyatt Announces Face Coverings Requirement for Guests at Hotels in the Americas
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | August 10, 2020
CHICAGO (August 10, 2020) -- At Hyatt, the safety and security of our colleagues and guests is always a top priority. Guided by our purpose – to care for people so they can be their best – and following medical expert guidance to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, all Hyatt hotels in the Americas will require face coverings within indoor public areas, which include meetings and events spaces, restaurants and bars, and fitness centers. Guests are also required to wear face coverings while moving around in outdoor areas. Some guests may be exempt from this mandate, including but not limited to people with medical conditions, consuming f...
Travel Community Reacts to Breakdown of Coronavirus Relief Talks
The U.S. Travel Association | August 10, 2020
WASHINGTON (August 10, 2020)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on reports that congressional and administration leaders are suspending negotiations on the next phase of pandemic-related legislative relief: “It is critical that leaders in Washington resume talks and move forward on much-needed coronavirus-related economic relief. The travel and tourism industry accounts for 38% of all U.S. jobs lost so far, and travel companies—83% of which are small businesses—remain particularly vulnerable to the economic impact of the health crisis. ...
Reactivating the Caribbean During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Kristina D’Amico | August 6, 2020
By Kristina D'Amico The top priority for all islands in the region has been a focus on residents and the public health issues at hand. Upon knowledge of the COVID-19 pandemic, each island immediately closed its borders, which allowed for a very low number of cases in the region so that the islands could focus on containing the virus transmission without any additional entrants. Given that the Caribbean is the most tourism-dependent region in the world, it was essential to develop new protocols for entry, which had never been implemented before, once the virus spread was under control in each country. Per Honorable Dominic Fedee, Chair o...
Revenue Management Strategies During an Economic Downturn or Global Financial Crisis
Patrick Landman | August 5, 2020
By Patrick Landman The unofficial definition of Revenue Management used by insiders is ‘the art of turning away business’. This certainly does not apply during the current Covid-19 (coronavirus) global healthcare crisis, and the economic downturn the hotel industry is facing in its aftermath. All the standard strategies and playbooks are out of the window right now. So what to do? Hotel revenue management has now turned into a more commercial role, one that is focussed on generating demand, and getting eyeballs to your shop’s window. Not the typical role a revenue manager is used to. And I am sure many revenue management profess...
Four Technologies That Can Help Hotels Augment COVID-19 Safety Procedures
Tom Riccio | August 5, 2020
By Tom Riccio While America slowly but cautiously reopens amidst the pandemic, businesses – including hotels – can expect to see an increase in guest traffic. With this uptick, it is imperative for hotels to keep infectious disease control and prevention strategies in place. Establishments with a clear and effective COVID-19 prevention plan will be in a stronger position to differentiate their brands, rising to the top as industry leaders. Even as vaccines and more treatments become available, the hotel industry – and many other sectors – will need to maintain safety measures to meet customers’ expectations, cultivate ongoing tru...
UNWTO, ONCE Foundation and ENAT Call for the Reopening of Tourism Destinations to Cater For The Needs of People With Disabilities
UNWTO | August 4, 2020
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is calling on destinations to recognize the needs of travellers with disabilities or specific access requirements as they open up to visitors again. In partnership with the ONCE Foundation of Spain and the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), the United Nations specialized agency has released new guideline to ensure accessibility and inclusivity as the responsible restart of tourism gets underway. According to the newest data from UNWTO, 40% of global destinations have now eased restrictions on travel introduced in response to COVID0-19. Now, with tourism steadily returning, UNWTO has joined ...
WTTC Says UK Is Heading to ‘Worst Case Scenario’ Threatening Nearly Three Million Travel & Tourism Jobs
| August 4, 2020
London, UK: Nearly three million jobs in the UK - and 197 million worldwide in the Travel & Tourism sector globally - look set to be lost due to the collapse of travel, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). WTTC economic modelling conducted less than two months ago predicted this ‘worst case scenario’ would occur if barriers to global travel, such as quarantine measures and blanket travel restrictions were to remain in place. While some travel bans have been removed, many others remain, with new restrictions likely to come into force to tackle the continuing threat posed by COVID-19 and possible second spik...
A Tale of Two Occupancies: Total Room Inventory vs. STR Standard
STR | August 4, 2020
Occupancy has long been one of the key hotel performance metrics measured by STR. Reported on both a monthly and weekly basis, occupancy is easily calculated by dividing rooms sold (demand) by rooms available (supply), providing a straightforward representation of the percentage of rooms occupied during a given time period. However, even this traditional metric has not escaped the impacts of COVID-19. Voluntary and mandated hotel closures have caused a fundamental shift in the way we record and report supply, and thus, a new occupancy metric has been born. The status quo In normal times, and in alignment with USALI guidelin...
Thinking for Yourself May Be the Only Regimen for a Full Recovery – Part II
Steven Ferry | August 4, 2020
By Steven Ferry “Withholding information is the essence of tyranny. Control of the flow of information is the tool of the dictatorship.” Bruce Coville Last week, we looked at how the official response to the pandemic morphed from great concern about the danger; to numbness at the economic devastation (the UN World Tourism Organization estimated earnings down 80% on 2019 and the loss of 120 million jobs); to increasing rejection of the absurd. In this article, we review how a draconian censorship of the medical community is being enforced not just in China, as one might expect, but also in the Western world; we examine the...
GBTA Calls on Congress to Take Action on Expanded Relief for Distressed Business Travel Industry
The Global Business Travel Association | August 4, 2020
Alexandria, VA – As the U.S. Congress negotiates a new coronavirus relief package for individuals and businesses, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the leading voice of business travel worldwide – has called on Congressional leadership to enact measures to renew business travelers’ confidence and to curb the devastating impact of the pandemic on this vital sector of the global economy. The August 3 letter to Congressional Leadership calls for increased funding for rapid COVID-19 testing across the U.S. and for additional financial relief for stricken travel businesses that continue to face the near-cessation of all work-...
Tourism Tidbits: Travel Rage in a Time of Pandemics
Peter E. Tarlow | August 3, 2020
By Dr. Peter Tarlow During the last decade, tourism officials have noted the evolution of various types of angers among those in the general public and especially among those in the traveling public. These angers first became apparent in the form of road rage then became air-rage, morphed into full-blown travel rage, with verbal anger at times turning into physical violence. Now in a time of pandemic, with the public never sure about what is and will be open or closed, we face the newest form of rage: “Travel Pandemic Rage”. Due to an ever-increasing tourism bureaucracy and often poor levels of customer service som...
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. Reports Results For Second Quarter 2020
Host Hotels & Resorts | July 31, 2020
BETHESDA, Md., July 31, 2020 -- Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST) (the “Company”), the nation’s largest lodging real estate investment trust (“REIT”), today announced results for the second quarter of 2020. James F. Risoleo, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “I am incredibly proud of Host’s swift and decisive response to the challenging operating environment we faced in the second quarter. We significantly reduced our monthly hotel-level loss from April to June by working with our operators to reopen 19 hotels in a socially and financially responsible manner while continuing to carefully control expenses. O...
Southern Lodging Summit Conference Postpones Physical Event to Host Southern Lodging Summit Virtual Update
The Southern Lodging Summit | July 31, 2020
MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 31, 2020—Officials of the Southern Lodging Summit (SLS), an annual hotel conference focusing on development and operations throughout the southern United States, today announced it will postpone this year’s physical gathering due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the organization will host a “virtual update,” providing pre-recorded sessions to interested parties. “While there is nothing more we wanted than to host this year’s event in person, Memphis and Shelby County remain in Phase Two of its recovery, meaning we are limited in terms of the number of people who can gather,” said Wayne Tab...
The Impact of Cleaning Protocols on the Hospitality Industry
Pierre Verbeke | July 30, 2020
By Pierre Verbeke Big hotel names such as Hilton, Marriott, Accor and Kempinsky have issued new initiatives concerning hotel cleaning and hygiene. While they are bringing safety and peace of mind to customers and staff alike, they also are also giving the impression of putting forward short-term answers to the COVID-19 problem. How will Covid-19 measures affect your hotel experience? Be ready to perform a lot more pre-arrival and arrival activities on your own devises. Contactless will be favored and the use of apps intensified. App functions already in use today include: Opening your room door Replacing the TV remote control ...
