??? Hotelier’s Hub 15th August 2023
Dawn Gribble
?? Marketing Audit Expert ????? | MIH | MCIM | Strategy & Market Intelligence for Growth
? Grab a Coffee, and Let's Check-In
?? Four Seasons Maldives Resort Offers a Dry “Underwater” Hologram Experience
Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru in the Maldives has introduced a groundbreaking Hologram Room experience that allows guests to immerse themselves in a virtual "underwater" world filled with manta rays, humpback whales, seahorses, and the mimic octopus.?
Guests of all ages can embark on a virtual "dive" alongside marine creatures without needing water in sessions lasting 30 to 45 minutes. https://askdawn.link/J80n2Z?
?? Ritz-Carlton Brand Launches New Websites
Ritz-Carlton has launched new websites to provide guests with an enhanced digital experience. The redesigned website features typography and diamond patterns inspired by the brand's iconic elements. Senior Vice President, Chris Gabaldon, expressed excitement about the new digital experience and how it enhances the guest experience from the initial booking to planning future holidays.
Dynamic video components transport guests to stunning destinations globally, while the Ritz-Carlton Reserve website complements the main brand, highlighting its ultra-luxury positioning. The new websites serve as the first touchpoints for guests, representing the brand's future vision and commitment to a sophisticated and seamless experience.???https://askdawn.link/SWK3P0?
?? Travellers Prioritise Wanderlust Over Wallets Despite Economic Headwinds
Despite economic uncertainty and declining household savings, travel remains a top priority for consumers rather than a luxury. International travel has reached around 90% of pre-pandemic levels this year, driven by visitors to Southern Europe from c
A recent travel tech firm Amadeus survey indicated that 47% of respondents considered international travel a high-priority discretionary spending category for 2023 and
Quarterly earnings of travel companies, such as Royal Caribbean, Booking Holdings, Airbnb, Delta, and Marriott International, have been positively impacted. Moody's investor service predicts global passenger demand to grow by 22% in 2023 and 6% in 2024. https://askdawn.link/lIUu3r?
?? Weekly Global Hotel Performance Trends: 23-29 July 2023
On July 23-29, global hotel occupancy (excluding the U.S.) increased by 0.3 to 72.8%, marking another post-pandemic high and a year-on-year gain of 5.2 percentage points. ADR stayed above $150 at $154, reflecting a 10.5% YoY increase, while RevPAR rose by 19% YoY to $111.?
Among the top 10 countries based on total supply, occupancy grew by 6.4 % YoY, reaching 75.2%. The U.K. led the pack with an 83.2% occupancy rate, while Italy saw notable YoY ADR gains. Curacao, Singapore, Ireland, and Egypt stood out amongst countries outside the top 10 in terms of occupancy performance in their respective continents.
In the U.S., hotel occupancy reached 72.2% in the final week of July, slightly dropping from the previous week's post-pandemic high. RevPAR increased by 2.9% YoY, driven by a YoY ADR increase of 2.3%. The top 25 markets in the country recorded stronger occupancy growth than the rest, achieving a 2.2 percentage point YoY increase to 76.4%.?
Looking ahead, U.S. occupancy levels are expected to trend down as the summer season concludes, while global occupancy is likely to peak in the coming weeks before gradually declining as school resumes in many parts of the world.? https://askdawn.link/sL0L8D
?? GBTA Report Looks at Challenges, Successes Facing Travel Buyers
According to a recent report from the Global Business Travel Association and HRS, corporate travel is expected to reach 80% of its pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year. However, travel procurement leaders face challenges obtaining discounts from air and hotel suppliers. Only 23% of buyers found it easy to obtain favourable hotel rates in the past year, and just 18% could secure favourable air discounts.?
European-based buyers faced more difficulty obtaining favourable rates than their North American counterparts. Despite the challenges, 84% of travel managers plan to conduct hotel Requests for Proposals within the next year, reflecting confidence in the evolving procurement landscape. https://askdawn.link/5ikL52?
????? Saudi Arabia Dominates GCC Hospitality Market
The GCC Hospitality Market Report 2023 highlights the dominance of Saudi Arabia in the GCC hospitality market and the high growth rate of serviced apartments. The market was valued at US$25.61 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach US$37.62 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 6.62% during the forecast period.?
Mid-scale brands and serviced apartments are gaining traction. The market is driven by factors such as rising travel spending, increased tourism, GDP growth in GCC countries, and upgrading transport infrastructure.? https://askdawn.link/ov9o0g?
???? Marriott Introduces StudioRes as Its New Extended-Stay Brand
Marriott International has officially unveiled StudioRes, their new affordable extended-stay brand for the midscale market. Targeting long-term guests such as those in the construction field and travelling nurses, the brand aims to provide value while maintaining budget-friendliness.?
Marriott already has several hundred development agreements in progress, with plans to finalise the first agreement by the end of the year. Leeny Oberg, Marriott's CFO and Executive VP of Development, expressed excitement about the brand, highlighting its alignment with the company's expansion strategy and their commitment to collaboration with owners and franchisees to deliver innovative solutions for long-term stays.??https://askdawn.link/rm9bmP?
?? Hotels in the 2030s: Perspectives from Accor’s C-suite
Acco envisions the future of hotel stays in the 2030s as "augmented hospitality," where hotels are more than just places to stay.? They foresee a hybrid model where hotels become locations catering to travellers and locals, offering dining, wellness, spa, and gym facilities. This concept may even lead people to live in hotels instead of apartments.?
Accor executives highlight trends such as the rise of "bleisure" travel, the growing focus on mental health and well-being, the importance of sustainability in hotel design, and the use of technology to personalise guest experiences - where technology enables micro personalisation, booking directly from mobile apps, and AI-powered marketplaces for hotel bookings.? https://askdawn.link/OjDtTb?
??? Six Stunning Stays with Open-Air Cinemas
Booking has curated a selection of six stunning stays with open-air cinemas, perfect for travellers looking to unwind and enjoy a movie after a day of exploration. These unique accommodations offer memorable experiences in breathtaking settings.?
Highlights include Soneva Jani in the Maldives, which features a private overwater silent cinema and sustainable villas with open-air bathrooms. Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman offers a personal cinema experience on the beach, while Zannier Hotels Sonop in Namibia provides an open-air cinema under the African night sky. Vineyard Estate in Greece offers a cosy movie night surrounded by nature. Soneva Kiri in Thailand has a jungle auditorium in the centre of a tropical lagoon. Lastly, The Miami Beach EDITION in the United States offers an open-air cinema experience during special hotel events.?
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Here's to Your Success ???