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
COVID-19 Testing Is Critical to Restart Travel Safely
the Global Business Travel Association | July 30, 2020
GBTA Urges the EU to Boost Testing Capabilities Brussels, Belgium (30 July 2020) – As the travel industry braces for a second Covid-19 wave, GBTA, the Global Business Travel Association, calls for widening testing capabilities and requirements across the EU as a better alternative to blanket travel restrictions. “Sudden and unilateral shifts in government response, such as imposition of quarantines or border closures, take a heavy toll on the travel industry, further impeding economic recovery and causing chaos for travellers”, says Dave Hilfman, new Executive Director of GBTA and airline industry veteran. “Increased testing is w...
Tourism Restarts: 40% of Destinations Have Now Eased Travel Restrictions
July 30, 2020
The responsible restart of tourism is underway around the world as growing numbers of destinations ease COVID-19 related travel restrictions and adapt to the new reality. According to the latest analysis from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 40% of all destinations worldwide have now eased the restrictions they placed on international tourism in response to COVID-19. The United Nations specialized agency for tourism has been monitoring global responses to the pandemic from the start of the crisis. This latest outlook, recorded on 19 July, is up from 22% of destinations that had eased restrictions on travel by 15 June and the 3% prev...
HTNG to Offer Free Membership to Employees in Transition
Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) | July 30, 2020
CHICAGO (July 30, 2020) – Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) extends free memberships through the end of the year to individuals who have recently been laid off by HTNG member companies. HTNG recognizes many valuable individuals previously employed with a member company are now in the unfortunate position of being in a job transition. As an important community for education, networking and career development, HTNG is offering complimentary memberships as a resource to help these individuals maintain and improve their skills to ultimately find their next professional opportunity. Free memberships to any former employee of an...
Ripe for Rebound: The Future of Hospitality
David Millili | July 30, 2020
By David Millili They say that smooth seas do not make for skillful sailors, and indeed, over the past several months, that belief has been put to the test. As global communities continue to work tirelessly to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the hospitality industry has been placed in an incredibly vulnerable position. But, within that sobering reality, it’s important to remember that the hospitality sector is no stranger to crisis. Our industry has survived countless challenges and periods of economic downturn, and COVID-19 is no exception. Now, as our economy braces for revival, hospitality leaders have their focus trained o...
AHLA’s National Day of Action—Save Hotel Jobs – Wednesday July 29, 2020
Danny Hudson | July 29, 2020
By Danny Hudson It comes as no surprise that the hotel industry is hurting. The drop in travel and occupancy was quickly reflected in the supplier community, group and event locations, technology companies and the wide array of companies that service the hotels that welcome the world’s travelers. We need your help! By adding your name to www.HotelsAct.org now you directly help raise the visibility of the message that the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is advocating for on our behalf. On an HFTP Hangout around three months ago, Rich Siegel of Hospitality Upgrade identified a gap in support for the technology sector. ...
STEP Act Would Provide Needed Relief for Travel Employers
U.S. Travel Association | July 29, 2020
WASHINGTON (July 29, 2020)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on introduction of the Sustaining Tourism Enterprises During the COVID-19 Pandemic (STEP) Act (S. 4299): “Protection, relief and stimulus for travel-related businesses needs to be a significant priority in order for the broader economy to recover, and the bipartisan STEP Act introduced in the Senate includes a number of crucial measures for employers to hold on until they can rehire and help fuel an economic turnaround. “The grants the bill would provide through the Economic D...
Impact of COVID-19 on Global Tourism Made Clear as UNWTO Counts the Cost of Standstill
July 28, 2020
The enormous toll of COVID-19 on international tourism has now become clear, with World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) data showing the cost up to May was already three times that of the 2009 Global Economic Crisis. As the situation continues to evolve, the United Nations specialized agency has provided the first comprehensive insight into the impact of the pandemic, both in tourist numbers and lost revenues, ahead of the upcoming release of up-to-date information on travel restrictions worldwide. The latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer shows that the near-complete lockdown imposed in response to the pandemic led to a 98 per ...
Hotel Industry Applauds Release of Senate Covid Relief Package, Calls for Swift Passage
AHLA | July 28, 2020
WASHINGTON (July 28, 2020) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) applauded Senate Republicans for including several hotel industry priorities in the coronavirus relief package released today and urged Congress to move quickly to pass the legislation. Among the provisions in the Senate package are additional funds for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and limited liability protection for businesses as they reopen, both of which will support the hotel industry and our employees during this unprecedented crisis. “Hotels and hotel employees have been severely impacted by the pandemic,” said Chip Rogers, president and...
Travel Community Praises PPP Eligibility Change in Senate Relief Package
The U.S. Travel Association | July 28, 2020
WASHINGTON (July 28, 2020)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on Senate introduction of the next phase of coronavirus relief, which includes a measure to extend Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) eligibility to non-profit or quasi-governmental tourism marketing organizations: "The Senate bill wisely expands coronavirus relief to destination marketing organizations (DMOs), which are economic development agencies that perform vital work to drive visitors to local and regional businesses, large and small. "This is a welcome update to previous aid packages, and will increase the chances of a ...
For the Fourth Consecutive Quarter, Los Angeles Leads the U.S. Hotel Construction Pipeline at the Close of Q2’ 20*
Lodging Econometrics | July 28, 2020
July 28, 2020 – PORTSMOUTH, NH - In the recent report released by Lodging Econometrics (LE), at the close of the second quarter of 2020, the top five U.S. markets with the largest total hotel construction pipelines are Los Angeles, leading for the fourth consecutive quarter, with 163 projects/27,415 rooms; followed by Dallas with 158 projects/19,314 rooms; New York City with 151 projects/26,302 rooms; Atlanta with 135 projects/18,634 rooms; and Houston with 122 projects/12,486 rooms. Despite these top five markets being located in states that have been heavily impacted by COVID-19, combined, they still account for 15% of the rooms in the ...
React Mobile Talks With Miami Beach GM About ‘Employee Safety in the Epicenter of COVID-19’
React Mobile | July 28, 2020
In Episode 3 of its ‘Employee Safety Culture’ Webcast Series, Robb Monkman and The Gale South Beach General Manager Kevin Waldstein discuss what the hotel is doing while closed to ensure the safest possible environment for employees when they return Seattle, July 28, 2020 — Hoteliers in Miami Beach are riding a roller coaster of uncertainty thanks to recent spikes in COVID-19. A planned June reopening was pushed back to July 31, but now that the city is being called the “Epicenter of the Epicenter,” reopening is delayed even further, this time to October 1. How is all this indecision impacting employee morale? Robb Monkman, CEO...
From Cleanliness to Communication, Digitalization Is Elevating Service Standards for a Better Hotel Experience
Andrada Paraschiv | July 28, 2020
Post pandemic, guests will find their stay experiences to be better, safer, and more streamlined thanks to integrated technologies that connect people to work and co-workers to each other By Andrada Paraschiv According to findings from the J.D. Power 2020 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index (NAGSI) StudySMreleased last week, meeting guest expectations for cleanliness and proactively communicating with guests prior to arrival continue to be critical drivers of guest satisfaction. But before we can expect to have happy guests, we need to have happy employees who are willing to go back to work … learn all new operating procedure...
Travel CEOs Urge Federal Action on COVID-19 Testing
The U.S. Travel Association | July 27, 2020
WASHINGTON (July 27, 2020)—Fourteen CEOs of America’s most recognizable travel-related companies sent a letter to the president and congressional leaders Monday stating that more and better COVID-19 testing is an indispensable component of pursuing an economic recovery, and urging a stepped-up federal role in making effective testing more widely available. The letter stresses that a sustained recovery will depend on a comprehensive set of measures to provide relief, protection and stimulus for U.S. employers, but says that testing should be incorporated in the next legislative package—specifically the TEST Act that has been introduce...
Welcome Back Guests With Certainty
Vizergy® Digital Marketing | July 27, 2020
By Kristen Sullivan With travel resuming after the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, travelers are looking for newly implemented safety procedures when determining which hotels to patron. More companies are taking the approach of digitalizing certain aspects of their business to create a contact-less experience that guests will appreciate. Having an interactive, user-friendly website serves as the foundation of your online presence. However, there is more you can do relatively quickly to assure guests you have safety and positive experiences in mind. Here are 6 ideas to start: 1. Contactless Check-in/Check-out Providing an online check...
COVID-19 Causes Modest Shifts in 2020-21 School Break Calendars
STR | July 27, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—While questions remain regarding the return of in-person learning in schools throughout the U.S., STR’s annual School Break Report shows only modest shifts in academic calendars for the upcoming year. The report summarizes vacation break dates in 2020-21 for a robust sample of U.S. public K-12 school districts, colleges and universities. As a result of COVID-19 shifts in previously approved calendars, STR implemented extra measures to ensure the accuracy of 2020-21 calendar data with additional information included regarding e-learning (remote) scheduling and other specialized data points. “Aside from the...
From Lockdown Staycation to Sustainable Tourism: Accelerating Change
July 27, 2020
During the current public health crisis, we have grown perhaps a little too familiar with our own four walls. COVID-19 and the widespread lockdown has forced upon us a period of reflection, removing the possibility of travel altogether in the interim. What with closed borders, cancelled flights and several ports having suspended their operations, we are increasingly looking for ways to get that holiday feeling from the comfort (or discomfort, as the case may be) of our homes. When we consider the prospect of resuming travel, some of us may be all the more eager thanks to pent-up demand, while others may be tentative about braving the big w...
Africa Traveler & Hotel Guest Sentiment Survey
Tim Smith | July 27, 2020
By Tim Smith COVID-19 has, and continues to, dramatically impact every aspect of our lives. At the time of writing globally there have been approximately 13.5M cases and 580,000 deaths. Almost every country has had restrictions placed on their daily lives. However, perhaps the most challenging aspect of the pandemic is the uncertainty. No-one knows how long it will go on for or when we will be able to start a meaningful recovery. The tourism and hospitality industry has been hit the hardest, airlines not flying, hotels not open, conferences postponed and no customers for restaurants and bars. It doesn’t matter the size or stre...
The U.S. Hotel Construction Pipeline Remains Robust Through the First Half of 2020, Despite Pandemic.*
Lodging Econometrics | July 27, 2020
July 27, 2020 – PORTSMOUTH, NH - Analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE) report that at the close of the second quarter of 2020, the total U.S. hotel construction pipeline stands at 5,582 projects/687,801 rooms, down a mere 1% by projects and rooms, Year-Over-Year (YOY). Remarkably, despite some project cancelations, postponements, and delays, there has been minimal impact on the U.S. construction pipeline. Contrary to what is being experienced with hotel operations, the pipeline remains robust as interest rates are at all-time lows. Projects currently under construction stand at 1,771 projects/235,467 rooms, up 3% and 1% respectively, Y...
Humanizing Hotel Brands During COVID-19 Could Encourage Tourists to Return
| July 23, 2020
Hotels should build an emotional attachment with tourists when communicating during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic if they are to encourage them to return, according to new research. The study finds that crisis communication emphasizing shared emotional responses to risks enables tourists to humanize the hotel, which can subsequently create an emotional attachment. This attachment can then increase tourists’ intentions to visit once the crisis ends, which is crucial if the industry is to recover. Researchers from the Universities of East Anglia (UEA), Bath and West of England say their findings challenge the approach that domina...
WTTC Warns Country-Wide Border Closures Could Seriously Stall Global Economic Recovery
July 23, 2020
Advises regional and local measures only to combat COVID-19 spikes Travel & Tourism sector will help power the global economic recovery London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has warned governments around the world that further country-wide border closures could seriously jeopardise global economic recovery. WTTC is urging authorities to take a more carefully calibrated approach and introduce localised measures, and only when necessary. This would avoid blanket restrictions, prevent stalling the fragile economic recovery and not cripple the already bruised and battered Travel & Tourism sector. WTTC would su...
Cleanliness and Communication Continue to Drive Hotel Guest Satisfaction, J.D. Power Finds
J.D. Power | July 22, 2020
A year ago, hotel summer marketing and advertising efforts were in full swing with images of epic pools, zen-like spas and cozy bed linens. Today, hotel ads are filled with images of electrostatic sprayers, updates on new cleaning protocols and offers for free last-minute cancellations. These are smart moves, according to the J.D. Power 2020 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index (NAGSI) Study,SM released today, which finds that meeting guest expectations for cleanliness and proactively communicating with guests prior to arrival continue to be critical drivers of guest satisfaction. “While the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly ampli...
COVID-19’s Potential Lasting Impact on Fixed vs Variable Hotel Expense Ratios
CBRE authors | July 22, 2020
By Mark VanStekelenburg, Kannan Sankaran, Andy Hartley and Vanessa Gonzalez As a result of COVID-19, hotel operators have been forced to make tough decisions, including the most basic one on whether to keep the lights on. Many were required to close their doors after municipal mandates were put in place and some decided to remain open, despite record-low occupancy levels, to house pandemic-related first responders and other essential personnel related to the fallout from the spread of coronavirus, largely in place of more traditional sources of demand during “normal times”. Depending on the type of hotel and its service level, the deci...
Thinking for Yourself May Be the Only Regimen for a Full Recovery Part I
Steven Ferry | July 22, 2020
By Steven Ferry “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.” Groucho Marx Do you personally accept the "New Normal" for the hospitality industry and society as a whole—which is based on the premise that Covid-19 is a singularly dangerous threat that requires a complete change in our lives, when (as it turns out) it is actually on a par with the common flu and (as it turns out) every other incorrectly declared pandemic? Or do you want to understand what has happened and do whatever is in your power, big or small, to return to the old, fun and life-f...
How to Enhance Customer Experience During COVID-19 to Differentiate Your Brand
Tom Riccio | July 22, 2020
By Tom Riccio Earning consumer confidence during the pandemic with a well-executed safety strategy is vital if hotels are to win back customers as the nation tries to reopen. With Covid-19 a major ongoing hurdle for the hospitality industry and consumers alike, the biggest opportunity for hotels is to protect and enhance their brand by implementing broad public health measures and communicating them effectively. A hotel’s health strategy will either put customers at ease and build trust or signal the establishment is disorganized and perhaps unsafe. Brands that provide comprehensive safeguards – plus variety and flair – will posit...
