Revenue Management

💰 A survey by HT for the 2023 Customer Engagement Technology Study revealed customer preferences for loyalty programs: 78% favor discounts, 62% appreciate complimentary products/services, 36% desire exclusive experiences, and 25% prefer personalized communications/offers. Restaurants are integrating experiences to enhance loyalty, like Taco Bell's "The Cantinas" and Marriott Bonvoy and Starbucks' loyalty link. CC's Coffee House launched a new app for over 40 locations in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, enhancing personalization and guest engagement.

💸 In June 2024, inflation stood at 3.6% with a significant month-on-month rise of 1.3%, the largest increase in 12 months. The foodservice sector sees this as a return to levels seen five months prior. Shaun Allen of Prestige Purchasing and Reuben Pullan of CGA by NIQ acknowledge the volatility of the market, urging vigilance. Vegetables, particularly potatoes due to poor weather conditions impacting 2023 crops, face double-digit inflation, while two other categories show year-on-year deflation, bringing some relief amidst ongoing cost challenges.

📱 Breezeway's study found property managers using 'Gap Night Messaging' book an extra 6.6 nights monthly, earning $3,682.43 more in revenue. The platform surveyed 350 clients worldwide, addressing the issue of unbooked 'gap nights' to optimize occupancy and revenue. Jeremy Gall, Breezeway's CEO, highlights the synergy of technology and hospitality in reducing operational burdens and increasing bookings.

```html 📰 Setting effective room rates in the hotel industry involves targeting key metrics such as RevPAR, occupancy, and ADR. Utilizing historical data from a property management system (PMS) helps hotels understand booking patterns and optimize distribution. Monitoring booking windows and market segments informs strategic discounting and promotions. RMS tools automate tracking of demand, pricing fluctuations, and market positioning. Regular reviews of pricing strategies are recommended, with frequency depending on property size and resources; larger hotels may require more frequent reviews, while smaller properties can rely on RMS for 3-4 strategic checks per month. Implementing RMS reduces manual workload and helps hotels stay competitive by adjusting prices in line with market demand. ```

🍺 Chidensee Watthanawongwat, Kitiya Mokkarat, and Supatta Banklouy formed Sawasdee Hospitality Management in April to introduce less familiar Thai dishes to the U.S. They operate Soothr in East Village and Sappe in West Village, New York City. Sawasdee plans to expand across the country, including Los Angeles and Miami. They aim for an upscale Thai dining experience, diverging from typical takeout menus. Sappe offers skewers from $20, dook fu salad at $29, and Crying Tiger for $22, while Soothr features dishes from $14 to $28, including dry Sukhothai noodles for $18 and massaman curry at $28. Sawasdee's next venture is introducing Thai barbecue hot pot in Manhattan.

🏨 SalesAndCatering.com partnered with LodgIQ to integrate AI revenue management technology into STS Cloud, aiming to enhance group revenue management for hotels. The collaboration focuses on intelligent pricing strategies utilizing advanced machine-learning algorithms to process data like demand forecasts and competitor rates, with the goal of driving profitable growth and preventing revenue erosion from discounting. This update was reported by Hotel Technology News.

📖 Dan Frommer collaborates with Coefficient Capital to release a 75-slide Consumer Trends Report, covering Gen. Z beauty, cannabis, nicotine habits, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, and YouTube’s entertainment future. Surveying over 3,000 US consumers with Toluna, the report is freely accessible for New Consumer members, with deeper analysis in newsletters and podcasts. Membership options include an annual subscription for $200/year or a monthly subscription for $20/month.