Tim Alpe’s Post

From just 14% in 2023, the number of hotels/hospitality groups that offer loyalty-integrated #sustainability initiatives has risen to 27%. This growth is a signal that the industry is listening to traveler’s consciousness of their ecological impact when they travel. When you offer ways for guests to make an impact conveniently, it’s clear that a significant segment of them are willing to take it. However, this doesn’t have to be isolated to sustainability. When you offer redemption opportunities for local dining, wellness, and event experiences, their engagement rises as well. By enabling your guests to try what your #community has to offer, you enrich their stay and weave yourself deeper into the fabric of your local businesses. #Hospitality #BusinessStrategy #CustomerExperience

Every 3 in 4 consumers feel overwhelmed by their buying options and likely to abandon their purchases, according to Accenture’s 2024 Consumer Pulse Survey. Emily Weiss, Senior Managing Director and global lead of Travel Industry Practice shares with Hotel Dive on how this impacts #travel businesses and how #GenAI technology can help. #hotel #customer #experience

In an era dominated by digital transformation, the hospitality industry is undergoing a significant paradigm shift in its sales model. Traditional methods of relying on third-party Online Travel Agents (OTAs) are being reevaluated as hotels seek to maximise revenue and reduce costs. For years, hotels have heavily depended on OTAs to fill their rooms and reach a global audience. While these platforms provide a broad exposure, they come at a cost – both in terms of commission fees and potential loss of control over the guest experience. As technology advances and consumer behaviour evolves, hotels are recognising the need to establish a more direct and personalised relationship with their guests. Maximising Revenue Opportunities: - Direct Bookings: By doing so, hotels can avoid hefty commission fees associated with OTAs, enabling them to retain a larger share of their earnings. Implementing user-friendly booking interfaces and offering exclusive perks for direct bookings can incentivise guests to choose this route. - Dynamic Pricing: Embracing dynamic pricing strategies allows hotels to adjust room rates based on various factors such as demand, seasonality, and local events. - Upselling and Personalised Packages: This could include spa treatments, dining experiences, or exclusive amenities. Communicating these offerings effectively through various channels, including the hotel's website and marketing materials, is crucial for enticing guests to enhance their stay. Cost-Effective Measures for Hotels: - Reducing Dependence on OTAs: Hotels can strategically allocate marketing budgets to focus on building their brand and driving traffic directly to their websites. - Investing in Technology: Streamlines operations and enhances guest service by automating tasks with efficient property management systems and CRM tools, reducing costs and enabling staff to prioritise personalised service. As the industry continues to evolve, hotels that adapt to these changes and prioritise direct relationships with their guests are poised for long-term success. #technology #hospitality #hospitalityindustry #guestexperience

Digital Transformation in the Hospitality Industry - Did you feel, see or experience anything different this time, whilst on your recent holiday or during the festive break? I, generally don’t travel or do vacations during the holiday season. I prefer to do it when everyone returns from their holidays and get back to work. Instead, this was my favourite spot, in my home 🏡, during the holiday period. The Hospitality Industry in South Africa is estimated at USD 1.30 billion in 2024/25, and is expected to reach USD 1.61 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 4.43% during the forecast period (2023-2028). South Africa has been of the top tourist destinations in the African continent. Digital Transformation in the Hospitality Industry refers to the ways organizations are restructuring themselves to adapt and alter corporate culture to empower innovations that are leveraging technology and take their businesses to new levels of growth, especially after the COVID pandemic. For instance, hotels are using digital check-in and check-out processes, as well as online reservations and guest self-service portals. Additionally, hotels are using big data and analytics to glean insights about guest preferences and behavior. Also, using these insights to improve marketing and operations. Finally, they are using mobile apps to provide a seamless and convenient experience for guests from booking to check-out. It’s time for embracing the new reality: businesses are leading the way in digital transformation and they’re doing it in a more mobile, less expensive way. I’ll be leading and moderating with subject matter experts and executives of leading hospitality businesses, discussing, sharing notes and unpacking this thought-provoking topic. Be on the lookout, be there or be square.

Today's travelers including myself crave more than just a room, People are now seeking experiences. That's why we see so many new brands popping up now. Check out these 36 actionable ideas from Cloudbeds to help your hotel transform guest experience. From personalized touches to leveraging technology, discover how to: ⭐ Increase guest satisfaction ⭐ Drive repeat business ⭐ Boost your bottom line #revenueoptimization #creativity #hospitality

Need a bit of inspiration? 💡 We got you – here's a hotelier deep dive into how Mews is helping The Social Hub and Locke Hotels monetize their spaces: https://lnkd.in/e77GkxWi "Whilst hotels are adept at upselling room upgrades, opportunity lies in retailing the whole on-property experience online. Guests demand the highly digital, one-basket experience they get in other parts of their lives." 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

#HospitalityGrowth #increaseworkforce #analyseportfolio Hotel brands are often proactive in their expansion efforts for several reasons: 1. Growing Travel Industry: The travel and tourism industry is continually growing, with an increasing number of people traveling for business and leisure. This presents a significant market opportunity for hotels. 2. Diversification: Expanding into new markets diversifies a hotel brand's portfolio, reducing the risk associated with economic downturns or regional fluctuations in tourism. 3. Market Saturation: In some established markets, there may be saturation or intense competition among existing hotel brands, prompting them to seek expansion opportunities in less competitive areas. 4. Brand Recognition: Expanding into new regions or countries can enhance a hotel brand's global recognition and reputation, which can attract more guests. 5. Economic Growth: Hotel brands often target regions with strong economic growth, as this is indicative of increased business travel and higher consumer spending on travel and accommodations. 6. Franchise and Management Agreements: Many hotel brands use franchise and management agreements to expand, allowing them to leverage the expertise and resources of local partners. 7. Demand for Unique Experiences: Guests are increasingly looking for unique and immersive experiences when they travel. Proactive expansion can allow hotels to offer novel experiences in different locations. 8. Technology and Innovation: Staying ahead in technology and innovation is crucial for the hotel industry. New locations offer opportunities to implement the latest hospitality tech and design trends. 9. Loyalty Programs: Expanding to new areas can attract and retain customers by offering more options for loyalty program members to earn and redeem rewards. In summary, the proactive expansion of hotel brands is driven by market growth, the desire to diversify, competition, economic factors, and the pursuit of global recognition, all of which can lead to increased revenue and customer satisfaction.

What does the future hold for the hospitality industry? In McKinsey & Company's report, "The View to 2030 and Beyond: Hospitality that benefits people and the planet”, they cover several ways hospitality companies can evolve to meet the changing needs of guests, employees, and the environment. Below are two trends I believe are very relevant for resorts as they consider the future of the guest journey. 🏨 Trend 1 - Convenience and Personalization: Eliminating friction points with more flexible options will be critical to the future guest experience for resorts. These can include flexible options such as allowing guests to check in before 4pm, being able to tailor details of the room to the customer's preferences, or being able to book unique experiences that are enjoyed during their stay. The guest of 2030 is looking for easy, personal, and genuine experiences. Trend 2 - Technology: This will be central to the resort's ability to deliver upon the future guest journey. Apps will be critical for resorts to move from transactional staff interactions to proactively serving guests needs. Guests will be able to skip the front desk by checking in, accessing their digital key, booking experiences and restaurants, and finding all the information needed from their mobile devices. We know younger generations, in particular, expect tech-based interactions. A Gartner survey found that these generations operate with a ‘self-service or no service ’ mindset. 📱 The two trends highlighted are relevant for resorts as they shape the future of the guest journey. As we adapt and innovate in response to evolving guest expectations, one thing remains clear: the future of hospitality will be defined by embracing change, leveraging technology, and prioritizing the guest experience above all else. To learn more, check out the link in the comments 👇 #FutureofHospitality #GuestExperience #ResortApps

HOSPITALITY NEWS #804 Investing in Innovation: Hoteliers’ Tech-Forward Approach to Enhancing the Guest Experience Guests' needs are evolving, and in 2024 they center around a desire for more personalized experiences, an interest in sustainable practices, and an expectation for a higher level of service that caters to their individual preferences. Although the industry faces many challenges from skilled labor shortages to technological fragmentation and escalating operations expenses, hoteliers must continuously innovate to meet travelers’ evolving needs by offering a wider range of amenities and experiences, faster service, and more personalized offerings based on each guest’s unique preferences. For hoteliers, the ability to use technology to analyze consumer behavior, create effective marketing strategies and provide the most exceptional consumer experiences is critical. Recently, Amadeus conducted the Travel Technology Investment Trends 2024 study of global senior hospitality leaders to identify industry challenges and explore how hospitality leaders are planning for technology investment in 2024 to tackle these issues. Technology-driven investment trends in hospitality As 2024 progresses, the hospitality industry is adapting to guests' growing expectations for personalized, sustainable, and high-quality service by prioritizing technology investments as a strategic response to these evolving needs. A remarkable 94% of IT decision-makers within the hospitality industry are planning for some sort of investment in technology over the following year. Hoteliers plan on a 16% increase in technology investment, with one out of five survey respondents planning to allocate over 20% more over the next 12 months than what they’d budgeted for 2023. Sources: HN