Guest Loyalty Is Not Dead – It’s Just Really Boring
Ellis Connolly | May 19, 2022
Loyalty
U.S. News Reveals the 2023-2024 Best Travel Rewards Programs
U.S. News & World Report | July 25, 2023
WASHINGTON, July 25, 2023 -- U.S. News & World Report, publisher of Best Hotels, Best Cruise Lines and Best Vacations, today revealed the 2023-2024 Best Travel Rewards Programs for everyday travelers deciding on the best loyalty program to suit their travel needs. With inflation causing higher airfare and hotel rates, rewards programs can make travel more affordable and accessible. U.S. News analyzed travel rewards programs in two categories: Best Hotel Rewards Programs and Best Airline Rewards Programs. The rankings consider highly coveted factors by travelers, including the ease of earning free flights or stays, property and ...
Marriott International and MGM Resorts International Announce Long-Term License Agreement and Creation of “MGM Collection With Marriott Bonvoy”
MGM Resorts International | July 17, 2023
Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) announced today an exclusive long-term strategic licensing agreement and the creation of MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, which will launch in October 2023, and encompass 17 of MGM’s unrivaled resorts, representing more than 40,000 rooms in Las Vegas and other cities across the U.S. Beginning in October, several MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy resorts will be available for booking on Marriott’s robust digital platforms, including Marriott.com and the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app, with all properties expected to be available by the end of the yea...
Luxury Hospitality: What Makes a Luxury Hotel Today
Dr Suzanne Godfrey | July 5, 2023
By Dr. Suzanne Godfrey Luxury hospitality: what makes a luxury hotel? A palace or a 5-star hotel? Hotels around the world are often referred to as palaces or ‘grand dames’ – vestiges of a bygone era when grand hotels were associated with luxury and glamour. But the concept in its true sense is quintessentially French and in 2010 the French Tourism Office bestowed the title on establishments that met certain specific criteria. So what makes a palace different from a 5-star hotel today – or, for that matter, a 6- or 7-star establishment, although there is no official category as such? Luxury can be defined rationally based on hi...
Diet Water, Melted Ice Cream, Blowfish Among Top 10 Most Unusual Room Service Requests, Hotels.com Reports
Hotels.com | June 7, 2023
Study also reveals hotels are expanding in-room offerings to include private concerts and $300 ice cream sundaes DALLAS, June 7, 2023 -- Today Hotels.com® reveals its inaugural Room Service Report which finds that demand for the popular amenity is on the rise according to 45% of U.S. hotels1. The report surveyed hotel partners around the world to reveal what's "in" when dining in from the trendiest to the most eccentric orders, as well as hotels with over-the-top room service options like a $1600 burger and a $300 ice cream sundae. Top findings from the study include: The weird side of room service • Hotels revealed their mo...
Nostalgia-Motivated Tourism Through Virtual Trips
PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management | May 17, 2023
Virtual trips are destination “teasers” and a valuable way to attract new tourists. But what about returning tourists? Timely new research by Dr Hyejo Hailey Shin of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a co-author offers an in-depth look at which elements of virtual trips are the most essential, and how these can be used to encourage returning tourists’ behavioural intentions via immersion and nostalgia. Intriguingly, stirring the emotions and nostalgia of returning tourists can boost their intention to revisit a destination, visit a similar destination and speak positively about...
Loyalty Programs Should Help Soften Impact of Any Economic Downturn on Hotel Sector
CBRE Hotels | April 11, 2023
A record number of loyalty program members should help hotel brands lower their customer acquisition costs, increase direct-to-consumer engagement and offset any occupancy shortfalls during an economic downturn. Direct access to a base of loyal customers is a benefit to owning and operating a branded hotel. Loyalty members can help drive occupancy during off-peak periods or weaker economic conditions. Loyalty members redeemed a record number of points in 2022 that were earned and saved during the pandemic. Publicly available loyalty program metrics of five major U.S. hotel brands suggest that it may take may take more points than in the...
Tripadvisor Report Reveals Strong Growth in Review Submissions and Improvement in Fraud Detection Rates
Tripadvisor | April 11, 2023
NEEDHAM, Mass., April 11, 2023 -- Tripadvisor®, the world's largest travel guidance platform, released the third edition of its Review Transparency Report, revealing detailed trends around review contributions and the steps taken to ensure the integrity of user-submitted content. The report, which is published biennially, analyzed a full year's worth of community contributions - over 73 million reviews and opinions in total - to give readers a deep dive into global submissions. The report also reveals how review trends have shifted since 2020, when the previous edition of the report was published. Key trends include: Strong growth ...
Hotels That Go Above and Beyond Will Keep Guests Talking, Spending and Loyal
Ryan Hamilton | February 21, 2023
By Ryan Hamilton Transforming ordinary transactions into extraordinary experiences gives guests memorable stories worth sharing and keeps them coming back for more In the best-selling book ‘Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More than they Expect, author Will Guidara proposes a simple but impactful sentiment – the magic of great service can (and should) be brought to life in any transaction. A restaurateur himself Guidara took the helm of Eleven Madison Park at the age of 26. Under his guidance, EMP skyrocketed up the ranks from a struggling two-star brasserie to the #1 spot on the famed World’s 50 Bes...
New Research On American LGBTQ+ Travelers Reveals Important Insights for Travel Marketers
MMGY Travel Intelligence | January 19, 2023
AMONG THE KEY FINDINGS, PERSONAL SAFETY AND STATE POLITICS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT LGBTQ+ TRAVELERS’ DECISIONS ABOUT WHERE TO TRAVEL, BUT COST OF TRAVEL IS THE TOP DECIDING FACTOR MMGY Global has released a new research report, Portrait of LGBTQ+ Travelers in America™ – a comprehensive study into this group’s travel behaviors, sentiments and attitudes. The research sampled more than 3,000 American LGBTQ+ travelers and was devised with input from a steering committee of professionals from LGBTQ+ organizations focused on travel, tourism and empowerment of the LGBTQ+ community. One of the key takeaways from the study is that representat...
Hilton Unveils New Brand, Spark by Hilton
Hilton | January 11, 2023
MCLEAN, Va. – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the launch of Spark by Hilton, the newest addition to its portfolio of world-class brands. Following extensive research, the introduction of Spark by Hilton fills an open space in the industry by creating a new premium economy lodging option to meet the needs of even more guests and owners seeking value, quality and consistency. Spark by Hilton provides a simple, reliable and comfortable stay for every guest, all at an accessible price. For developers, Spark by Hilton leverages an innovative conversion model to offer a compelling investment option for owners. Spar...
The Top 5 Guest Loyalty Trends and Predictions to Watch for 2023
Ellis Connolly | November 30, 2022
Redefined Personalization, Instant Rewards and Technology are the New Pillars For Guest Engagement By Ellis Connolly We are officially on the eve of a new year, already moving through the holiday season at the signature blink-and-you-might-miss-it pace that is seemingly synonymous with this time of year. From Thanksgiving celebrations to Christmas festivities, end-of-year reflections, and year-ahead preparations, our personal and professional calendars are likely brimming with activity and commitments. But this year, perhaps more than any other, feels especially monumental, as 2022 was not only the year the world returned to relative no...
Cendyn to Power TIME Hotels’ CRM & Guest Loyalty Programs
Cendyn | October 26, 2022
Cendyn’s eInsight CRM and eLoyalty Premium solutions to drive guest loyalty and provide personalized one-to-one communications for UAE-headquartered hospitality company Dubai, UAE 26 October 2022: Cendyn, a catalyst for digital transformation in the hospitality industry, has announced that it has been selected by TIME Hotels to power their CRM and guest loyalty programs, across their portfolio of properties in the UAE and beyond. Having already used Cendyn’s award-winning content management system (CMS), TIME Hotels chose Cendyn to help them achieve greater guest personalization, through enterprise marketing automation and gues...
Brand Building and The Guest Journey – An Unbreakable Bond
Róisín O'Keeffe | October 12, 2022
By Róisín O'Keeffe How hotels can turbocharge their reputation with a seamless and personalized digital experience Hotel organizations have always invested heavily in their brands. For that reason, both hotel groups and independent properties are highly protective of their brand identities, which is understandable since the brand embodies their reputation in the market. As Warren Buffet said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” Thankfully, following the disruption of the hotel and travel industry over the past few years, it’s clear that the value of the world’s top hotel brands is on the ...
How Next-Gen Tech Is Leveling the Playing Field for Independents in the Race for Guest Loyalty
Ellis Connolly | September 13, 2022
By Ellis Connolly At a dinner last year, I overheard a conversation unfolding between two other guests, one of whom worked at a PR agency. “Believe it or not, micro-influencers are often more impactful from a social media marketing standpoint than the big players,” she shared, at which point my ears pricked up to listen closely. “Campaigns with someone at a high level of fame, like Kim Kardashian, will cost a company incomprehensible sums of money – which may be fine if the ROI justifies it, but if the engagement is predominantly views and general sponsored exposure rather than tangible actions, it’s not necessarily a smart busin...
Accommodation Preferences: Where Do Travelers’ Loyalties Lie?
STR | September 9, 2022
A sense of normality has returned for much of the hospitality industry since the second quarter of 2022 began. Bookings in many leisure destinations are at their highest levels since 2019, and business travel is also making a steady return. While there has been a subsequent and clear lift in hotel demand, it is interesting to see how consumers have viewed hotels vs. alternative forms of accommodation over the last several months. In previous accommodation preference research conducted by STR, consumers showed improved sentiment toward hotels, identified the importance of flexible cancellation rates, and displayed higher tend...
Accor Announces Partnership With SHe Travel Club, the 1st Hotel Label Focused on Women’s Traveling Needs
Accor | September 7, 2022
Accor, a world-leading hospitality Group, and SHe Travel Club, the only independent hotel label designed by women for women, today announce a partnership that aims to reimagine the female travel and hospitality experience. SHe Travel Club is the first and only hotel label that leverages technology and women’s individual feedback to create a label specifically designed around meeting their expectations and requirements. Key Accor brands including Sofitel, MGallery, Novotel and Mercure will be part of a 50-hotel pilot in Europe and in the Middle East to encourage the deployment and growth of the She Label. Its ambition is to work hand in h...
U.S. News Announces the 2022-2023 Best Travel Rewards Programs
U.S. News & World Report | August 17, 2022
Washington, D.C. – U.S. News & World Report, publisher of Best Hotels, Best Cruise Lines and Best Vacations, today revealed the 2022-2023 Best Travel Rewards Programs to assist everyday travelers with finding the best loyalty program for their travel needs. The 2022-2023 rankings highlight nine airline and 15 hotel loyalty programs that offer the best rewards and perks for everyday travelers. For the second consecutive year, U.S. News took into account each program’s flexibility with members, awarding additional points to programs that have paused point or mile expiration, extended elite status and made it easier ...
Are Guest Instant Rewards Programs the New ‘Free Same-Day Shipping’?
Ellis Connolly | August 16, 2022
By Ellis Connolly The exchange of goods and services is a critical cog in the wheel of how our world works. As we skim through the pages of history books, we are met with countless, comparatively archaic examples of what we know now to be retail commerce. But even just a few decades ago, many of the digitally-empowered conveniences that define our retail experiences today might have seemed, at that time, far-fetched. Let’s take, for example, the evolution of retail shipping. At one time, consumers expected to wait weeks – maybe even months – for their orders to arrive. Today, however, express shipping has become the new norm, wi...
Hospitality & Theme Parks Ranks 16th Out of 19 Industries Studied in MBLM’s Brand Intimacy 2022 Study
MBLM | August 3, 2022
NEW YORK, August 3, 2022 – Hospitality & theme parks ranks 16th out of 19 industries studied in MBLM’s Brand Intimacy 2022 Study, the largest study of brands based on emotions, now in its 12th year. The enhanced 2022 study combines MBLM’s proven Brand Intimacy model with the power of AI and big data to analyze over 600 brands, assessing how consumers bond with the brands they use and love. Disney Parks tops hospitality & theme parks, followed by Warner Bros. World and Marriott. MBLM found that the top keyword for Disney Parks was “Love.” Warner Bros. World’s top keyword was “Fun” and Marriott’s was “Endorse.”...
How Labor Shortages Can Impact Hotel Reviews and Long-Term Growth
Larry and Adam Mogelonsky | June 15, 2022
By Larry and Adam Mogelonsky Think broadly about the post-pandemic ‘revenge travel’ surge we hoteliers find ourselves in the midst of right now. After being cooped up for two years, people want to travel again. And not just plan a trip, but due to COVID-19 (read: mortality salience or #YOLO) many place a greater value on travel as a meaningful contribution to their lives. In stark opposition to this prospect of high occupancy is the lack of new staffers, which likely won’t end any time soon given a slew of forces beyond any hotel’s direct control. Together, this amounts to overworked teams and the possibility for service errors. ...
How to Win Guest Loyalty for an Eco-Conscious World
Ellis Connolly, Chief Revenue Officer, Lassie | June 15, 2022
How independent hotels can deliver highly personalized and eco-conscious rewards that delight guests and demonstrate shared values By Ellis Connolly Chief Revenue Officer, Laasie The topic of climate change and sustainability has reached a fever pitch. The WHO predicts a $2-4 billion USD cost to public health, and it’s viewed as a national responsibility. From battery-powered cars to eliminating single-use plastic and embracing a more climate-friendly lifestyle, a worldwide commitment to sustainability is taking shape. As green initiatives continue to take the world by storm, we quickly realize that no industry is exempt from it...
Guest Loyalty Is Not Dead – It’s Just Really Boring
Ellis Connolly | May 19, 2022
Hey Siri… play Loyalty by Kendrick Lamar By Ellis Connolly Let’s talk about loyalty. We write songs about it; we study it; we try to identify it in friends, potential suitors, colleagues, and customers – loyalty is an omnipresent force in our lives, whether it exists in abundance or, in some cases, is perceivably lacking. Specifically, loyalty has gleaned no shortage of attention over the last few years in the business world. Across industries, marketers and business owners find themselves ruminating over the same question – is loyalty dead? Are modern customers incapable of exhibiting loyalty to the brands they purchase from? I...
The Return of Incentive Travel: Using the Hotel PMS to Manage and Grow Guest Loyalty in Independent Hotels
Warren Dehan | May 3, 2022
How independent hoteliers can use an integrated PMS to offer a robust loyalty program and compete with big brands By Warren Dehan Loyalty programs provide a bounty of opportunities for hotels to grow their customer base and better engage with travelers. A recent study shows 77 percent of hoteliers value driving guest loyalty as their No. 1 tech initiative for 2022. Unfortunately, independent hotels often struggle with implementing an effective loyalty program of their own. These programs can be complicated to launch and difficult to maintain, which can be challenging for independent operators to justify despite their potential to cement...
Which Loyalty Program Is Best for Your Hotel?
Joel Huffman | April 28, 2022
By Joel Huffman The hospitality industry has always faced a unique challenge that most other industries don’t have: Repeat customers are hard to come by. Studies show that around 90% of all hotel guests never return for a second stay. Some of the reasoning for this is understandable — many guests are visiting from far away, and people often like seeing new places when they travel. However, times are changing. In the post-pandemic world, many people are opting to return to familiar places that they trust. And as marketing evolves, customers are becoming more loyal to brands they like. Furthermore, recent technology is making it possible...
