Daria Varfolomeeva

💰 On March 4, 2025, in Berlin, SiteMinder identified five key factors for the growing demand for user-friendly revenue management solutions in the global accommodations industry. International travelers are expected to increase by up to 70 million in 2025, a 5% rise from the previous year. Events influence 65% of travelers' likelihood to travel for an event, up from last year. Europe sees 113,000 new rooms under construction, with 26,000 in Germany. Operational inefficiencies continue, and there is a critical talent gap in revenue management. SiteMinder's Dynamic Revenue Plus solution, featuring IDeaS dynamic pricing recommendations, launched in selected Northern Hemisphere markets, including Germany, as announced at ITB Berlin. In 2024, Germany's Friday night room rates were €45 higher on average than Sunday nights, and June rates were €48 higher than in January. SiteMinder's expansion is set for global launch by the end of 2025.

🏨 After 25 years of self-managing her 29-room Parisian hotel near the Louvre, a manager doubled her revenue by outsourcing commercialization, which involved a full audit, optimizing yield management, revising distribution, and reducing operational costs. This strategic approach allowed for real-time pricing adjustments, reducing last-minute discounts, and stabilizing occupancy rates, ultimately leading to improved revenue and reduced mental load for the manager.

🏨 Successful hotels go beyond just providing rooms; they offer an array of services aimed at enhancing guest experiences, leading to repeat visits and referrals. Essential hotel services include 24/7 reception, cleaning, dining, wellness facilities like spa and gym, as well as business and pet-friendly amenities. Leveraging AI, such as chatbots and personalized WhatsApp campaigns, hotels like the La Butte in Brittany can promote services effectively, resulting in high engagement rates (93% open rate on WhatsApp) and increased revenue. With tools like HiJiffy's Campaigns Manager, hotels can streamline their marketing efforts, driving more bookings without overburdening staff.

🏨 Les programmes de fidélité gratuits dans l'hôtellerie offrent des avantages dès la première réservation, incitant à réserver en direct et à être recontacté par l'hôtel. Exemples incluent Genius de Booking.com avec des réductions de 10% à 20% et le statut Genius acquis à vie, et SLH Club de Small Luxury Hotels of the World offrant tarifs exclusifs et surclassements dès le premier séjour. Les programmes d'accumulation de points tels que ALL d'Accor et Best Western Rewards permettent d’utiliser les points pour des nuits gratuites et autres services. Marriott Bonvoy offre des points utilisables dans 30 enseignes hôtelières. Les programmes payants, comme ALL Plus d'Accor à 199 €/an, donnent accès à des réductions et un statut privilégié. TabletPlus propose un abonnement annuel de 99$ avec des privilèges VIP. Ces programmes visent à reconnaitre les clients et à offrir une expérience personnalisée et simplifiée, étant particulièrement attrayants pour les voyageurs d'affaires, la clientèle de luxe et les clients loisirs.

🏨 Over half (52%) of travellers require the ability to cancel their hotel stay for free within 24 to 48 hours of arrival. Hotels must offer flexible pricing to meet the new traveller expectations post-pandemic. Flexible rates can improve conversion, increase direct bookings, and optimize RevPAR. Strategies include exclusive website offers, multiple cancellation options, and clear communication. AI can further enhance flexible pricing strategies, as seen with the Elysée Val d’Europe hotel tripling its direct bookings. Balancing flexibility and profitability is crucial to mitigate risks such as last-minute cancellations.

📝 PMS is the foundational tool for operational client communications (reservations, confirmations, payments). Communication solutions allow for programmed messaging (SMS, email) and free up staff time by automating client contact. A CRM goes further by managing detailed client databases for personalized experiences and marketing strategies. It's advised to choose a CRM and communication solutions that are connected to your PMS, and while non-hotel-specific software exists, they may not integrate as seamlessly with hotel systems. Thaïs PMS offers client communication modules and connects with other communication solutions and CRMs like Experience or LoungeUp.

📈 Food Hotel Tech, a leading event for eco-friendly and technological innovations in the hospitality and catering sector, will be held on March 19-20, 2025, at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles Hall 7.1. The event will feature over 200 exhibitors and 50 startups. Key trends include AI-driven waste reduction with a reliability rate of 94% by Fullsoon, dynamic pricing with Shiji Group and IDeaS, personalized customer experience with HiJiffy and LoungeUp, operational automation with Clock PMS+ and Mews Systems, and energy cost reduction with Voltalis, Passman (up to 30% energy savings), and Luniwave. Visit www.foodhoteltech.com for more details.

💾 80% of hoteliers believe technology improves efficiency, yet only 40% see it as a competitive advantage. Despite 57% of hotels investing in at least three new technologies, many struggle to derive real value. The challenges include connectivity issues, the risk of reliance on a single provider, and increased costs – some up to 200% in a year. Effective tech ecosystems require prioritizing operational needs, ensuring tool interconnectivity, and testing before adopting. The process can take six to eight months, emphasizing the need for structured approaches and team training.

💾 A 2021 study analyzing over 1.5 million data points from 14,000 German hotels indicated digital adoption in Germany's hospitality industry is below average. Digital trends such as automation, direct bookings, and artificial intelligence can streamline operations and increase efficiency. HiJiffy's platform automates routine tasks, leading to over 90% guest satisfaction at Hotel Sacher. The hospitality industry's future includes balancing automation with personal service and driving sustainability through digital processes. Implementing digital solutions is crucial for hotels to meet modern traveler expectations and remain competitive.