Travel Weekly Group Ltd - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 119

2 min

SIHOT upgrades SIHOT.KIOSK with new…

📱 SIHOT updated SIHOT.KIOSK for hotels with new features to support upselling and enhance user experience. Now, guests can pay for early check-in depending on availability, and walk-ins can book rooms via SIHOT.WEB. Late check-outs are managed by directing guests to reception if they overstay. SIHOT.GO! pre-check-in users can collect key cards from kiosks. The update includes compliance data collection, QR code recognition for group bookings, and aims to reduce Front Desk and Reservations teams' pressure. Carsten Wernet, CEO of SIHOT, highlights revenue generation and better guest experiences through these enhancements.

3 min

91% of hoteliers say budget will cause…

🏨 A new survey indicates that 91% of hoteliers report increased costs post-Autumn Budget, with 60% seeing a rise over 20%. More than a third of BWH Hotels' members anticipate costs climbing by £100,000+, some fear £750,000 hikes. Cost drivers include employer's National Insurance and the National Living and Minimum Wage, leading 83% to cut staff hours, 77% to raise prices, and many to delay maintenance. The industry calls for VAT reduction and business reform, with 79% of hoteliers supporting a VAT cut in hospitality.

4 min

Guest Post: Navigating 2025 – What’s next…

🌍 Solo travel constituted 30% of all 2024 bookings, while couples' travel led with 53%. Top destinations included New York, Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, with Europe and Asia, particularly Tokyo, as international hotspots. Gen Z's all-inclusive resort bookings surged, with a 60% increase in Hotels.com searches. JOMO travel's appeal grew, with 62% citing stress reduction, and Detour Destinations saw a rise in interest. Agents favor all-in-one booking platforms, with 18% emphasizing ease of use. AI and live chat transformed customer service, handling thousands of inquiries. Anticipating further growth in 2025, efficiency and technology are pivotal for travel agents' success.

2 min

Inspire Europe launches dedicated cruise…

🎢 Cheshire-based Inspire Europe reported a 400% growth in its cruise business over the past year. To capitalize, they launched a new website featuring 44 cruise lines, dynamic itinerary searches, and real-time availability. The site, developed with Travel Marketing Systems (TMS), includes amenities, deck plans, ports of call, and regional offers. With the peak booking season near, Inspire aims to streamline their cruise services and has renewed its CLIA membership for 2025.

3 min

ATM 2025 themes revealed

🏠 Arabian Travel Market's 32nd edition will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April-1 May 2025, focusing on innovation, connectivity, and customisation. The theme 'Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity' addresses technology's role in tourism. Nostalgia travel gains popularity, with an emphasis on 1990s and 2000s experiences. By 2032, sports tourism is projected to hit $1.33 trillion, and music tourism $13.8 billion. Saudi Arabia hosted 2.5 million tourists for sports events in four years. Asia-Pacific and Middle East travel is set to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 2026. IATA forecasts APAC’s middle class will drive 50% of global air passenger growth until 2043. Solo travel and digital nomadism are on the rise, with 42% of travel insurance clients planning solo trips in 2025. The ecotourism market is predicted to reach $429 billion by 2028. ATM 2025 will unite travel professionals for networking and business opportunities.

2 min

Ice Travel Group announces Cruise Critic…

🚢 Ice Travel Group has launched a dedicated cruise hub in collaboration with Cruise Critic, aiming to enhance cruise holiday search for its TravelSupermarket and icelolly.com customers. The hub will feature millions of cruise deals, informative content, and tailored advice. Stuart Barrett, Ice Travel Group's commercial director, anticipates the hub to boost UK cruise passenger numbers in 2025. In 2024, Ice Travel Group expects to deliver over 42 million package holiday searches to its partners. The partnership between Cruise Critic and Ice Travel Group is designed to redefine cruise search experiences and expand cruising's presence in the UK market.

2 min

Spanish Tourist Office hears calls for…

🏖️ The Spanish government enacted a rule on December 2 requiring hotels to collect extensive personal data from guests over 14, including passport details and payment information. UK visitors to Spain rose by 7.1% in the first 10 months over 2023, reaching 16.5 million, with a forecast of 18.8 million by year's end. Spending by UK travelers is expected to be €23 million by year's end, a 30% increase over 2019. The winter season may see UK visitors to Spain increase by 25% over the 2019/20 season. Spain's Tourist Office plans to promote longer stays and lesser-known destinations for 2025, with events like 'Spain Talks' on April 30 and an accessible travel campaign meeting in Seville from May 19-22. After October floods, Valencia has recovered, with attractions and businesses fully operational.

2 min

IATA expands UAE presence

✈ The International Air Transport Association (IATA) inaugurated a new office and training centre in Abu Dhabi to address the increasing need for skilled aviation professionals. The facility, officially opened by Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, will offer over 60 courses in areas like safety and cargo management starting in 2025. IATA's Abu Dhabi team has expanded by 140% in 18 months, emphasizing the UAE's role as a global aviation hub.

2 min

Holiday Extras founders exit after 42 years

💰 Holiday Extras, founded 42 years ago by Gerry and Carol Pack, has shifted majority shares to an employee benefit trust following a buyback of the founders' 12% stake out of six million shares. Control remains with management under CEO Matthew Pack, the founders' son. The company has secured a £10 million increase in its NatWest borrowing facility, now totaling £30 million, to fund European expansion and AI investment. Earlier acquisitions include Quick Parking and a new Airparks car park in Munich. Further acquisitions are anticipated.

3 min

‘Severe’ supply chain issues holding back…

🛫 IATA warns "severe" supply chain issues affecting airlines will persist into 2025, impacting costs and growth. From a peak of 1,813 aircraft deliveries in 2018, 2024 saw only 1,254, a 30% shortfall. Deliveries are expected to increase to 1,802 in 2025, short of the 2,293 predicted. The backlog has reached 17,000 new aircraft, taking an estimated 14 years to fulfill at current rates, doubling the 2013-2019 average. The global fleet's average age has hit 14.8 years, with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) making up only 0.3% of jet fuel production and 11% of renewable fuel in 2024. Airlines' net margin stands at 3.6%.

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