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
All Hyatt Hotels in U.S. and Canada to Require Face Coverings for Guests
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | July 21, 2020
CHICAGO (July 21, 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, beginning Monday, July 27, for the foreseeable future, all Hyatt hotels in the U.S. and Canada will require face coverings within indoor public areas, which include meetings and events spaces, restaurants and bars, and fitness centers. Some guests may be exempt from this mandate, including but not limited to people with medical conditions, consuming food or beverages in restaura...
Hospitality Industry Urged to Embrace the New Customer Journey and Re-Think Processes in the Post-Pandemic Business Recovery
HSMAI Europe | July 21, 2020
In order to overcome the challenges and capitalise on opportunities in the post-pandemic business recovery, the hospitality industry will need to re-think former working processes and be prepared to adapt to meet the changing customer requirements. This was the clear and inspiring message from the recent HSMAI Region Europe webinar entitled ‘The All New Customer Journey’ which took place last week. Research findings According to the latest research from HSMAI Europe unveiled at the webinar, more than three quarters of the membership surveyed believe firmly that customer experience rather than profitability will be a core focus for...
Hotel Industry, Reeling From Covid-19 Economic Fallout, Lays Out Priorities for Covid 4.0
AHLA | July 21, 2020
Hotels Still Below 50% of Pre-COVID Staffing; Industry Calls for Increased Liquidity Measures & Targeted Tax Provisions Click here to download the letter WASHINGTON (July 21, 2020) – As lawmakers consider additional legislation to address the ongoing health crisis and economic fallout from COVID-19, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) sent a letter to Congress calling for additional help in several areas, including extending the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for severely impacted businesses and their employees, creating targeted lending facilities and liquidity measures to help hoteliers meet debt service, ...
Survey Finds Americans’ Overall Perceptions of Travel Safety Hold Steady Despite Rise in U.S. COVID-19 Cases
MMGY Travel Intelligence | July 21, 2020
KANSAS CITY, MO (July 21, 2020) – According to the latest results of MMGY Global’s Travel Safety Barometer (Wave VI), which measures the impact of COVID-19 on traveler perceptions of safety, the current surge in cases of the virus across the U.S. has not made Americans more fearful of becoming ill. It has also not impacted the number of respondents who plan to take a leisure trip within the next six months, which has held steady at 40% since early June. While the travel industry still has a long road to recovery ahead, there are two areas where perceptions of safety are in fact rising. Americans’ confidence in the safety of domestic fl...
Reopening Delays Giving Hawaii Hotels Added Time to Ensure Employees, Guests Are Safe
React Mobile | July 21, 2020
React Mobile continues its ‘Employee Safety Culture’ Webcast Series with a deep look at what’s happening in Hawaii; Ryan Doi of Prince Resorts shares several technology-based best practices, including remote medical diagnostics for staff and guests if they feel ill Seattle, July 21, 2020 — As hotels coast to coast prepare for reopening, Hawaii braces for more delays. Although there was talk of travelers returning August 1, the recent surge of COVID-19 cases on the U.S. mainland has postponed the effort once again, this time until September. In Episode 2 of the “New World, New Employee Safety Culture” webcast series, React Mobil...
COVID-19: Impact on the Hospitality Workforce
Sukrit Dogra | July 20, 2020
By Sukrit Dogra The ruthless march of COVID-19 throughout the globe is first and foremost a human tragedy, affecting the health of hundreds of thousands of people. The consequences of measures taken worldwide to curb the pandemic are having a growing impact on the global economy. This article aims to offer key highlights on the impact being felt by the industry due to factors including, but not limited to, the migratory nature of the hospitality work force and the pause on global travel, tourism and restaurant services. Business impact on travel and tourism Accounting for the unprecedented travel restrictions, the United Nations ...
Travel Industry Outlines Relief Needs as Reopenings Falter
U.S. Travel Association | July 17, 2020
Recent News Has Hurt Americans’ Views on Traveling, Polling Shows WASHINGTON (July 17, 2020) - Amid a new round of coronavirus-related economic closures and fresh data that Americans are as wary as ever of traveling, the devastated U.S. travel industry on Friday submitted to Congress and the administration its policy requests for the next coronavirus relief package. The slate of proposals includes measures to help travel employers survive the worst of the downturn; assistance with health-related necessities such as robust sanitation and personal protective equipment; and, eventually, incentives to get Americans safely traveling again...
Hotel Industry Releases Top 5 Requirements to Travel Safely
AHLA | July 17, 2020
Face Coverings, Physical Distancing to be Standardized at Hotels; Download the Guest Checklist WASHINGTON (July 16, 2020) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today released the “Safe Stay Guest Checklist” for guests on how to travel safely while also creating a standardized safety experience nationwide. This checklist is part of AHLA’s Safe Stay guidelines, an industry-wide, enhanced set of health and safety protocols designed to provide a safe and clean environment for all hotel guests and employees. The Safe Stay Guest Checklist includes: Require face coverings in all indoor public spaces and pract...
The Impact of Social Distancing on Hotel F&B Operations
HotStats | July 17, 2020
When 2020 is over and done with (could not come sooner, right?), “social distancing” will be the frontrunner for buzz term of the year. It doesn’t even matter that the World Health Organization has lobbied vigorously for the phrase to be dropped in favor of “physical distancing.” Poppycock ... hogwash ... piffle ... social distancing shall proceed as the preferred patois of the pandemic. Social distancing will play a key role in hospitality operations going forward, and in no place will this be more pronounced than food and beverage operations (F&B), which include restaurants, bars and conference and banqueting. F&...
How Hotels Should Adapt Meetings and Events
Bob Rauch | July 16, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic will change how hotels host meetings and events, and if done correctly, they can help the industry in both the short and long term. By Bob Rauch, President of RAR Hospitality and Sarah Andersen, Business Development Manager at RAR Hospitality In this time of great uncertainty, how can we best prepare for a new landscape in the hospitality and events industry post-COVID-19? The timing for recovery in 2020 is going to be dependent on consumers and businesses having confidence that our cities and venues are safe again. We won't be seeing any events in June or July but expect Q4 events in the fall to start up a...
56% Travel Buyers Have Revised Their Travel Policy in Light of COVID-19
the Global Business Travel Association | July 16, 2020
As recovery continues companies look to safeguard employee health and safety Alexandria, VA – As signs of recovery continue in the business travel sector, travel procurement professionals are prioritizing the health and safety of employees according to a new poll released today by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). Over half of travel buyers report their company has changed its travel policy and 70% characterize the policy changes as being ‘somewhat’ or ‘a lot’. When asked what travel program changes have been made due to the pandemic, instituting new rules about pre-trip approval (53%), having more frequent or detailed...
Hotels Plan For a COVID-19-Informed Future
JLL | July 16, 2020
The next normal will include safety ratings and cleanliness councils July 16, 2020 - The coronavirus pandemic has roiled the hospitality industry, closing more than 5,000 hotels in the U.S. alone in March and April. By the start of June, nearly half were still shuttered, according to STR, a hotel data provider. Now, after months of lockdowns and travel restrictions, some parts of the world are slowly starting to reopen to international travelers. In other areas, regional travel is beginning in earnest. But in a world still grappling with the pandemic, it’s far from business as usual. Hotels are transforming their cleaning protocols...
Hotels and Casinos Cannot Afford to Gamble With Employee Safety
Shannon McCallum | July 16, 2020
Travelers with COVID fatigue are flocking to Las Vegas in search of normalcy, but their tendency to ignore safety protocols is putting workers at risk; Employee safety devices and contactless technologies are helping hoteliers protect their people By Shannon McCallum Imagine being able to ride a bike down the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard without fear of oncoming traffic. That was the scene mid June … before visitors from nearby states began driving to the entertainment capital of the world in search of a respite from COVID-19. Las Vegas is open, but it is far from business as usual, and it will take some time for large convention bu...
Beekeeper to Host ‘Communicating for Agility’ Webinar Featuring Insights From MOHG
Beekeeper | July 16, 2020
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s Director Rooms and Quality will share how the iconic hotel chain is engaging and motivating its employees on the long road to recovery Oakland, Calif. And Zurich, July 16, 2020 — With the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in many parts of the world, hoteliers need to be more agile today than ever before. As newly crafted safety and operating protocols continue to evolve, hoteliers must react quickly to ensure that changes are carried out effectively by their frontline employees. Next week Anja Luthje, group director rooms and quality for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, will join Beekeeper in discussing ...
Returning to Hospitality Operations
Adam Knight | July 14, 2020
By Adam Knight Unless a property is seasonal, most hotels aren't built to be closed. Ask around and you'll find that many hospitality professionals have never gone through the process of closing or opening a hotel. The first half of 2020 has changed that and we find ourselves at the start of the second half of the year with closed hotels still trying to decide if they should reopen and recently-opened hotels either struggling to operate on very minimal staffing or being overwhelmingly busy (with very minimal staffing). In any of these scenarios, trying to figure out what to do to safely reopen or to reassess plans that were put in pl...
COVID 19: Making Your Hotel Business Future-Ready
| July 14, 2020
Travel and hotel trade professionals are just beginning to find their feet after the unprecedented effects of almost zero global demand due to COVID-19. One thing is certain: an altered lifestyle will emerge as a result of this crisis. Businesses will either be sold, shut, hived off and in some cases thrive exponentially. The key to survive and subsequently thrive depends on many factors such as cash in bank, demand, debt ratio, liabilities both external and internal, flexibility and a robust plan to see through this period. Whilst some factors are beyond a hotel's control and not all issues can be rectified now, there are however key cor...
A Model for Hotels to Hospitals (H2H ©) During an Unprecedented Era
Fred DeMicco | July 14, 2020
By Frederick DeMicco and Jackie Guzman During the early months of 2020, once it was apparent that the novel coronavirus (COVID19) was a global pandemic, people everywhere started to think of creative solutions to help ease the problems of the virus. One solution was to convert hotels into hospitals (H2H ©) and into housing for healthcare workers. With the virus halting travel, many hotels were left close to vacant. On top of that, many healthcare professionals were worried about traveling back and forth between work and home, at the risk of infecting their household. Therefore, hotel managers came up with the idea of opening their doors t...
Bending Without Breaking: How Labor Flexibility Can Help Hotels Survive the COVID-19 Pandemic
Mark Heymann | July 14, 2020
By Mark Heymann The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t going away anytime soon, and the widespread resurgence of cases across the U.S. throughout June and July is a prime example of that. From a hospitality perspective, the unfortunate reality is clear: hotels will continue to face an uphill battle until a vaccine or effective treatment becomes available. There’s no way around it -- point blank, period. The only way forward is by adapting to the circumstances in front of us. How? Well, a good way to start is by implementing flexibility within labor management processes. Unforeseen obstacles are arising every day amid the pandemic, which furthe...
‘Employee Safety’ Webcast Series Is LIVE!
React Mobile | July 14, 2020
Seattle, July 14, 2020 — The “New World, New Employee Safety Culture” webcast series is LIVE! Hosted by React Mobile CEO Rob Monkman, the fast-paced online resource provides answers to some of hoteliers’ most pressing questions about employee safety post pandemic and amidst civil unrest. Questions posed include: What does the new employee safety culture look like today as we roll into recovery? How is technology helping to define hospitality’s new normal post pandemic? Which contactless technologies are being implemented to protect front-line workers? What can technologists do to help hoteliers implement new operating procedures? Wh...
HFTP Pivots In-Person Events to Cyber HITEC
HFTP | July 13, 2020
Attendee safety concerns, global travel restrictions and uncertain guidance drive decision to transition from in-person to virtual event. The online event, which will offer education and vendor interaction, will become available on October 27, 2020 and run for one month. AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (July 13, 2020) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) announced today that October’s “Best of HFTP” in-person events will pivot to a virtual “Cyber HITEC.” The in-person event, which included HITEC San Antonio, HFTP Annual Convention, Entrepreneur 20X and Club Forum, was scheduled for October 26–29, 2020 in San Anto...
Travellers Should ‘Wear to Care’ in the New Normal Says WTTC
July 13, 2020
London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called upon all travellers to don protective face masks to show they ‘wear to care’ in the new normal of travelling. As countries transition from lockdowns to reopening their borders, the wearing of face masks helps signal the return of safer travels, while also providing personal protection for users as well as those around them. The advice from WTTC in favour of mandatory mask wearing comes from evidence that countries which are recovering faster and avoid second COVID-19 spikes are those where the use of face masks have been widely enforced and encouraged. Following...
How Big Hotel Brands Have Stepped Up Their Hygiene Game
July 13, 2020
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have rattled the tourism and hospitality industry. The cancellation of flights, conferences, events and hotel reservations have left the industry in sharp decline, with planned travel down 80-90% and global losses estimated at $300-450 billion. So how can hotels prepare, and step up their hygiene protocols to make their establishment safe and trustworthy? What can smaller hotels and lodging providers learn from the best practices of other hotels who are leading the way? 1. Set clear protocols The first step is to be very clear about the safety guidelines and protocols for your establishment – incl...
Economic Theories on COVID-19’s Impact on Hospitality and Tourism
July 13, 2020
Fever, dry cough, and tiredness. These are the COVID-19 symptoms according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Yet those are also the textbook symptoms that the world economy is experiencing today. What is missing is a small footnote that says, “By the way, watch out for the return of the Say’s Law”. If we were at the doctor’s, we would then ask: “Is it serious?” The answer would be: “It depends, we don’t know much about it!” Well, why not? COVID-19's negative impact on the aggregate demand and aggregate supply The COVID-19 crisis, like the 2008 crisis, led to a substantial drop in demand: customers don’t consume, gu...
Hilton Introduces Hilton EventReady With CleanStay, Setting New Standards for Event Cleanliness and Customer Service
Hilton | July 13, 2020
SINGAPORE - For more than 100 years, Hilton hotels around the world have set the stage for the world’s most coveted and important meetings, events and entertainment gatherings – from star-laden award shows and movie sets to energetic political conventions, global conferences and wow-worthy weddings. Today, that tradition continues – even at a safe distance. To address safe group travel practices and evolve today’s event experience, Hilton today announced a global, industry-leading cleanliness and customer service program specific to meetings and events. Hilton EventReady with CleanStay is the next phase of the company’s recently ...
