Four Trends for Beyond Revenge Travel 2.0
Larry and Adam Mogelonsky | March 2nd, 2022
Although Pre-Pandemic Profitability Will Remain Elusive, the Industry Will Make Strides Toward Recovery in 2022
Fran Worrall | January 5th, 2022
STR: Europe Hotel Performance for April 2020
STR | May 28, 2020
LONDON—Reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Europe’s hotel industry reported unprecedented performance lows during April 2020, according to data from STR. Euro constant currency, April 2020 vs. April 2019 Occupancy: -84.6% to 11.1% Average daily rate (ADR): -30.1% to EUR77.52 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -89.2% to EUR8.58 The absolute occupancy and RevPAR levels were the lowest for any month on record in Europe. Local currency, April 2020 vs. April 2019 Russia Occupancy: -89.0% to 7.2% ADR: -25.3% to RUB3,712.65 RevPAR: -91.8% to RUB267.20 The absolute levels in each of the three me...
UNWTO Launches Global Guidelines to Reopen Tourism
the Global Tourism Crisis Committee | May 28, 2020
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released a set of guidelines to help tourism sector emerge stronger and more sustainably from COVID-19. The guidelines highlight the need to act decisively, to restore confidence and, as UNWTO strengthens its partnership with Google, to embrace innovation and the digital transformation of global tourism. The guidelines were produced in consultation with the Global Tourism Crisis Committee and aim to support governments and private sector to recover from an unparalleled crisis. Depending on when travel restrictions are lifted, the United Nations specialized agency warns that international tourist arr...
U.S. Hotel Performance—Unsurprisingly—Hits New Lows in April
HotStats | May 28, 2020
The adage “March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers” appropriately captures current U.S. hotel performance, which satisfied the features of the first two months and can only hope May turns up rosier. April’s showers were, indeed, forecasted. COVID-19 tightened its grip around U.S. states and cities where lockdowns were omnipresent, stay-at-home orders abounded and travel was at a near standstill. The result was a month’s worth of grim hotel data. With occupancy rates off 73 percentage points from a year prior, and a steep drop in average room rate, RevPAR fell 95.2% year-over-year to a single-digit number, on a p...
COVID-19: Learning Lessons From Holiday Hideaways and Luxury Escapes
EHL Hospitality Insights | May 28, 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge around the world, the tourism industry has been sent into a downward spiral. Airlines have cancelled flights, hotels have shut down their services and governments are closing borders and placing their citizens in lockdown. The tourism industry, which accounts for 10% of the world’s GDP, has fallen far and fast. And while countless hospitality & tourism businesses have been forced to close their doors for good, others have never been more sought after – either because they offer exclusive services or have adapted their offering to cater to a more germ-conscious audience. Luxury escapes and r...
Utility Players as a Way to Save Hotels on Staffing
Larry Mogelonsky | May 27, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) The post-Covid recovery will not mirror the initial reactions to the global lockdown for the hospitality industry. Namely, with hotels shutting down and laying employees off in droves, most properties will be reluctant to rehire all those previously let go because occupancies will take a long time to get to their pre-pandemic levels, thus not necessitating full staffing and recruitment. This can have a harmful impact on service delivery where much more is required from a leaner team, especially with the upgraded cleaning and sanitization protocols mandated by the new normal to make ...
WTTC Launches World’S First Ever Global Safety Stamp to Recognize ‘Safe Travels’ Protocols Around the World
May 27, 2020
London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp. The specially designed stamp will allow travellers to recognise governments and businesses around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’. The landmark move by WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, has also received the backing of the influential United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Eligible businesses such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, res...
AHLA Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Per Diem Bill
AHLA | May 27, 2020
WASHINGTON (May 27, 2020) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today expressed support for H.R. 6995, bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Bill Posey (R-FL) and Charlie Crist (D-FL) to preserve federal per diem-reimbursements rates from being set below a certain level. General Services Administration (GSA) rates will be adversely impacted through 2022 and beyond due to the severe drop in hotel room rates and occupancy resulting from the COVID-19 crisis which brought travel to a virtual halt. The following statement is attributable to Chip Rogers, President and CEO of AHLA: “Government travel is incredib...
Hospitality With Heart: Successfully Branching Out Into the Pandemic Relief Effort
Beatrice Venturini | May 27, 2020
By Beatrice Venturini Since the worldwide safety measures to combat COVID-19 were announced two months ago, much has been written about the disastrous impact of lockdown on industry, none more sensitive than the sector of F&B, hotels, airlines and travel. The litany of nosediving businesses faced with immediate crisis was diametrically opposed to the spread of the virus in full ascent. While we wait to see if the worst is over and what the new security measures entail, it’s inspiring to read of how certain hospitality establishments have made a success in reminding us that empathy, community and inventiveness are as much at the heart...
Beekeeper COVID-19 Global Webinar to Tackle ‘The Hotelier’s Guide to Mastering the Next Normal’
Beekeeper | May 27, 2020
Hospitality experts will discuss policy and procedure changes and their implications in the days ahead as hoteliers globally prepare for reopening San Francisco and Zurich, May 27, 2020 — As the global hospitality industry prepares for reopening, hotel employees will be required to follow new policies and procedures and assume expanded roles that will necessitate significant communication and training. To help prepare these valued workers for what lies ahead, Beekeeper is hosting the fourth event in its COVID-19 Webinar Series titled "The Hotelier’s Guide to Mastering the Next Normal." During this 60-minute on-line forum, a panel of wo...
Statement on Marriott International’s COVID-19 Update to Associates
Marriott International | May 27, 2020
Marriott International today provided an update to the company’s global workforce on the continuing impact of COVID-19 on its business. The COVID-19 pandemic is having a more severe and sustained financial impact on Marriott’s business than 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis, combined. From the first warning signs of this unprecedented event, the company took a number of steps to adapt and strengthen its business including reducing costs significantly and improving its liquidity. Today, Marriott informed its associates that the company will need to implement additional measures in light of the increasing likelihood that it will be some...
Greater Bangkok’s Fifteen Million Residents Set Tone in Thailand’s Domestic Tourism Reopening
C9 Hotelworks | May 27, 2020
BANGKOK: Thailand’s domestic tourism reopening is shaping up to see Bangkok as the hub for an early return of daytrips, staycations and inter-provincial road trips. With over eight million residents coupled with a sprawling megacity catchment with a population base in excess of 15 million, the recovery of the country’s tourist economy is set to be staged from the capital city. Focusing on Bangkok’s closest inter-provincial destinations, last year over 59 million domestic visitors were recorded in data collected from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Given Thailand’s total international visitor metric for 2...
Best Practices for Messaging Your Hotel’s Reopening During COVID-19
GCommerce | May 27, 2020
By Lisa McCreary and Amy McNeill When people are ready to travel again they are going to return to brands and hotels they trust. The question is, how can your hotel instill trust in loyal guests and new guests in a post-COVID-19 world? The answer is consistent communication and thoughtful messaging. Your team has been working hard to develop a plan for reopening that follows local guidelines to maintain guest and employee safety. You should share this information and messaging across different channels to help re-establish trust with your customers. This trust will make them feel secure in booking at your hotel to drive the revenue your bu...
Signs of a Hotel Rally Emerge as COVID-19 Persists
HotStats | May 26, 2020
By David Eisen The vertiginous drop in global hotel revenue and profit performance depicted in March data, continued its free fall in April, marked by dramatic year-over-year decreases across the operating spectrum, according to data from HotStats. The growing chasm in YOY comparison suggests that month-to-month performance measurement may be more reliable in tracking a rebound during the COVID-19 era, signs of which are slowly emerging out of China and suggestive that other global pockets are a month out from an eventual upswing. As world cases of COVID-19 continue to mount, the travel industry is bearing a large brunt of the pain, esp...
Impact of COVID-19 on Greek Tourism: Industry Experts’ Opinion
Gelina Kordoni | May 26, 2020
By Gelina Kordoni, Themis Trakas The Greek hotel industry is bruising, as it has been forced to a grinding halt. However, even on a dauntless note during such times, the hospitality industry is characterized by its resilience to perform and navigate itself through enhanced novel strategies. Finding itself in an advantageous position compared to other European destinations, Greece has gained positive momentum considering the proactiveness it showed in keeping the virus spread under control. Now this might give a sense of gloom and doom, but it all depends on the spectrum of external factors influencing travel down the road. After the fi...
BLLA Debuts #BoutiqueStrong Campaign To Empower Boutique Community
the Boutique & Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA) | May 26, 2020
The association selects industry experts to form a #BoutiqueStrong Council to guide hotels as they reopen. The launch also includes the first-of-its-kind members-only social network, a comprehensive reopening guide, and new hotel programs. LOS ANGELES (MAY 26, 2020) - Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA) and sister organization travel discovery platform StayBoutique™ have launched their #BoutiqueStrong campaign to arm boutique hotels and businesses with the unique tools to reopen and succeed in this new landscape, including an official reopening guide, private social network and a new membership option. The #...
CBRE Hotels Research Forecasts Full Demand Recovery by Late 2022
CBRE Group, Inc. | May 21, 2020
Revenue per Available Room Recovery Expected to Push Into 2023 Atlanta – May 21, 2020 – After suffering the greatest performance declines in the history of the U.S. lodging industry during 2020, the nation’s hotels will benefit from what is expected to be a relatively rapid economic turnaround in 2021 and 2022, according to the June 2020 edition of CBRE’s Hotel Horizons forecast report. CBRE foresees demand for U.S. lodging accommodations returning to precrisis levels in the third quarter of 2022. However, a lag in ADR (average daily rate) growth will stall the recovery in RevPAR (revenue per available room) until 2023. “Th...
Hotel Industry Across U.S. & Canada Unite Around Enhanced Safety, Cleaning Standards
AHLA | May 21, 2020
WASHINGTON (May 21, 2020) – As states across the country navigate reopening and hotels begin to safely welcome back guests, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced that hospitality leaders across North America have endorsed Safe Stay, AHLA’s enhanced industry-wide cleaning guidelines. AHLA’s Partner State Associations, who represent the hotel industry in each state across the country, as well as leading hospitality organizations in the U.S. and Canada representing the depth and breadth of the hotel industry endorsed the new cleanliness guidelines which were developed by industry leaders and public health off...
Three Ways Independent Hoteliers Can Survive the Downturn
Pritesh Patel | May 21, 2020
Although hoteliers are used to managing the ups and downs of economic cycles, the COVID-19 era provides altogether unique and daunting challenges. As unemployment figures in the U.S. continue to grow to staggering proportions and travel has come to a complete standstill, much of the industry’s focus has understandably shifted to how large corporations and hotel brands are faring in an environment that eliminates travel in the name of safety and social isolation. Chainwide occupancy and RePAR forecasts have been cut by previously unimaginable numbers. However, according to STR independent hotels represent nearly 40% of all hotels in th...
U.S. Travel’s Roger Dow on VP’s Tourism Panel
The U.S. Travel Association | May 21, 2020
ORLANDO (May 21, 2020)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow and other industry leaders met with Vice President Mike Pence Wednesday at a roundtable on the hard-hit travel and tourism sector, afterward expressing appreciation for the vice president's attentiveness to the industry's concerns and needs. The latest data shows that travel-related unemployment in the U.S. is now at 51%—more than double the worst national unemployment rate recorded during the Great Depression (25%). "It's a difficult time in every corner of the country, but the pandemic has been particularly dire for the American travel industry, which befor...
Coronavirus Restrictions Are Easing, but Cautionary Measures Should Not
Linchi Kwok | May 21, 2020
By Linchi Kwok People are eager to get back to their normal routines. Businesses are preparing for post-pandemic travel. Governments begin easing coronavirus restrictions. Do you see the light at the end of the tunnel already? Possibly, but the pandemic is not over yet. So, please remain cautious even though the stay-at-home restrictions are lifted. U.S. states are easing coronavirus restrictions Travel restrictions and stay-at-home order were imposed to fight against the coronavirus outbreak, where non-essential businesses were paused, and residents were urged not to go out. There is a price for such measures, however. The wee...
Hotel Industry, Google Team Up to Help House First Responders
AHLA | May 21, 2020
WASHINGTON (May 21, 2020) – AHLA today announced a new collaboration with Google to expand the industry’s efforts to meet the continued demand from first responders and healthcare workers for available hotel rooms. This joint effort comes two months after the launch of American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA) “Hospitality for Hope,” an initiative designed to match emergency and healthcare workers who require temporary housing with hotels during this unprecedented health crisis. More than 17,000 properties across the country volunteered to serve their communities and participate in the program. “Hospitality for Hope...
The Growth of Golf and Other Socially Distanced Activities
Larry Mogelonsky | May 20, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Prior to the coming of Covid, I had predicted a long, slow demise for golf. However, now that social distancing is a leading trend in the new normal, this sport as well as many other activities where human contact is scant may see a strong resurgence once travel resumes. And therein lies a lucrative opportunity for hotels. Let me know with some background on my previous forecast because many of the underlying motivations will carry forward into the post-coronavirus world. Compared to boomers and other older demographics, the younger generations – millennials and centennials, that ...
Interview with Felix Laboy, Executive Chairman of NextGuest, on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Hospitality Industry
NextGuest | May 20, 2020
The hospitality industry is being hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak. We’re currently looking at a projection from STR and Tourism Economics that shows significant declines across demand, occupancy, ADR, and revenue per available room (RevPar) through the end of 2020 and beyond. Additional research from CBRE predicts that it will take approximately 6-10 months for US hotel demand to recover and 12-16 months for ADR and RevPar to return to normal levels. A major concern is the impact on business from groups, meetings, and events, which makes up about 30-40% of business for many hotels. Post COVID-19, many people will continue to meet virtu...
American Gaming Group and Saratoga Harness Racing Terminate Wildwood Casino Acquisition Due to COVID-19
Wildwood Casino | May 20, 2020
CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo., May 20, 2020 - With the coronavirus pandemic shutting down casinos across the U.S., Saratoga Harness Racing, Inc. and American Gaming Group, LLC, the owner of Wildwood Casino, decided to terminate the previously announced acquisition of Wildwood Casino. Both parties deemed the termination necessary because of the current economic impacts of the COVID-19 health crisis. "At this time, we believe it's in the best interest of both companies, and our respective casinos, to cancel the deal so we can focus on doing what's best for our casinos and our players," Joe Canfora, the owner of Wildwood Casino, said. "At Wildwood, w...
