Tag Archives: hotels

The share of hotels sold via the direct channel in Spain increased by an average of 18% during the summer of 2024 over other channels thanks to the determination of the hoteliers to improve the profitability of the hotels again, according to data from Mirai. Although during the initial weeks of the UEFA Euro Cup 2024 sales growth slowed down, probably also due to the bad weather in Spain, in the last few days the company has observed that growth is picking up again. This rebound suggests a potentially very positive last-minute booking trend in most tourist destinations. At a global level Mirai – which provides hotels with technology and operations support to sell in the direct channel – has experienced an 11% increase of direct hotel roomnights sales worldwide, with Spain surpassing this figure with a 12% rise and ADR increasing by around 7%. Spain’s primary inbound source markets, excluding the domestic market, have shown remarkable growth in nights booked compared to 2023. Specifically, the United Kingdom source market has seen a 12% increase, with source markets such as the United States at 18% and Germany at 14%. “2024 is proving to be a landmark year for Spain’s tourism sector, especially for hotels’ direct bookings and the increase in direct hotel sales share this summer” said Javier Delgado Muerza, CEO EMEA at Mirai. “This remarkable growth in direct hotel bookings is thanks to the hard work of hoteliers and our team’s commitment to boosting their profitability”. “To continue this positive trend, we advise hoteliers to focus on a few key areas. First, maintain a clean and organised distribution strategy to ensure seamless booking experiences for guests by offering the …

SiteMinder and Cloudbeds have established a strategic partnership to expand connectivity between platforms and create new revenue capabilities for more than 60,000 hoteliers globally. This collaboration will provide Cloudbeds customers with direct access to SiteMinder’s powerful revenue platform, while SiteMinder customers can explore the industry-leading PMS platform offered by Cloudbeds. As a result, this partnership means expanded distribution capabilities and deep actionable insights for hoteliers, enabling them to make better commercial decisions. This partnership aims to set a new benchmark in platform connectivity, delivering an improved onboarding experience and exceptional operational accuracy for mutual hotel users. “In late 2023, we announced our mission of making sophisticated revenue management accessible to every hotel in the world. We are excited to partner with an industry leader like Cloudbeds to propel this mission, by removing the friction that comes with having critical data hidden away in isolated systems,” says Sankar Narayan, CEO and Managing Director at SiteMinder. “This partnership is a testament to the US$50 billion hotel revenue that is processed by SiteMinder’s platform each year as well as the unique position that we hold to completely transform revenue management for the global hotel industry. It continues SiteMinder’s long history of breaking down silos in a highly-fragmented industry.” Adam Harris, CEO at Cloudbeds, explains: “Our partnership with SiteMinder is about two of the hotel industry’s biggest names coming together with a mutual commitment to drive forward deeper connectivity between hotel platforms and create new standards that benefit hoteliers everywhere. This partnership empowers hoteliers worldwide by providing unified visibility and control across our platforms. This is just the beginning. We are excited to deliver incremental revenue opportunities for hoteliers while optimizing and streamlining the …

The growth in the hospitality sector revenue of individual GCC countries is expected to range from a CAGR of 6.9% to 11.0% between 2023 and 2028. Saudi Arabia is projected to grow in line with the GCC average of 7.5%, supported by numerous government-led initiatives as part of its Vision 2030, whereas the UAE is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9%, backed by the government’s focus on modernizing infrastructure and easing tourist visa rules. Smaller markets are expected to witness high growth rates during the forecast period, with Qatar at 11.0%, Kuwait at 10.5% and, Oman and Bahrain at 9.0% CAGR. According to Alpen Capital, the GCC hospitality sector revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2023 to 2028, reaching approximately US$ 48.1 billion by 2028. This robust growth is fueled by the unified efforts of the GCC countries in prioritizing hospitality as a key element of their long-term diversification strategies. Furthermore, steady economic growth, increasing tourist arrivals and a multitude of mega MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and sporting events to be hosted in the region will support the projected growth. “A rising trend towards sustainable tourism and responsible travel is gaining ground across the GCC’s hospitality sector due to increasing ecological awareness among consumers worldwide. The tourism industry is experiencing a surge in the popularity of new segments, such as cultural tourism and health & wellness tourism, reflecting evolving consumer likings and lifestyles. Despite market competition and geopolitical uncertainties, the industry continues to strategically enhance visitor experiences and stimulate demand through innovation and consolidation. We expect to witness healthy domestic and cross-border M&A activity, as the sector advances to respond to the …

Rotana announced the opening of Al Manakha Rotana in Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Each of the hotel’s 512 rooms and suites is thoughtfully designed and equipped with modern fittings and furnishings. Many of the rooms also offer uplifting views of Madinah’s most sacred site, the Prophet’s Mosque, adding a touch of serenity to every stay. For guests looking to maintain their fitness, a fully equipped gym with sweeping vistas over the holy city’s landmarks is located on the 12th floor. To ensure a comfortable and inclusive environment, specific timings are allocated for male and female guests. With a landmark location in the centre of the holy city of Madinah, Al Manakha Rotana aims to serve travellers seeking a unique cultural experience, as well as the millions of pilgrims who partake in the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Madinah, home to Islam’s second holiest shrine, the Prophet’s Mosque. Commenting on the announcement, Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana, said: “We’re thrilled to inaugurate the new Al Manakha Rotana in the historic city of Madinah. Religious tourism remains a key pillar of Saudi’s economy and plays a vital role in supporting the Kingdom’s growth strategy. Marking our tenth property opening in Saudi Arabia is a proud milestone for Rotana, reinforcing our commitment to the country and serving all travellers to the holy city.” Situated in front of Islam’s second-holiest shrine, the Prophet’s Mosque, and surrounded by vibrant shops and cafes, as well as iconic historical sites such as Omar bin Khattab Mosque and Al Ghamamah, the four-star Al Manakha Rotana offers a haven of comfort and convenience for pilgrims and travellers alike. In addition, the property offers four distinctive dining venues, including two …

Speaking with TravTalkME on the sidelines of ITB China, Abdelkhalek Mostafa – Regional ecommerce Director Pickalbatros Hotels and Resorts shared that Chinese travellers have become one of the main source markets for their hotels and resorts across Egypt over the past few years. The main attraction of the Chinese is their world renown theme park, the largest by the name of ‘Neverland City’ in Hurghada. Ensuring that the source markets are provided all facilities is a key factor for destinations, hence Pickalbatros Hotels and Resorts too have  introduced many facilities to cater to this important clientele. Ranging from family oriented resorts to adult only resorts, Pickalbatros Hotels and Resorts have established a formidable name with their clientele from across the world.

SIHOT launched SIHOT.PAYENGINE, a payment aggregator, to simplify payment processing for hotels and hospitality companies. SIHOT.PAYENGINE can manage multiple Payment Services Providers (PSPs) offering accommodation providers choice rather than being restricted to a single provider. By offering hoteliers a centrally managed payment system seamlessly connected to all SIHOT products and Services through which all data runs, businesses can achieve greater operational efficiencies, cost savings and improved security for finance and account departments. With SIHOT.PAYENGINE, hotels can facilitate the omnichannel payment experience to their customers across physical terminals or through ecommerce and payment apps, with the option to choose from a wide range of PSPs that match their preferences and cater to guests needs. Said Carsten Wernet, Chief Executive, SIHOT: “We created SIHOT.PAYENGINE to enable hoteliers to choose which PSPs they want to work with for their business model. We are one of few PMS on the market to be agnostic to payment providers. By providing this level of connectivity, now PSPs are reaching out to integrate with our payment engine to provide our mutual customers with an elevated level of service and experience that improves business operations. There is an increasing need for hotels to work with a wide range of PSPs today, taking into account a multitude of digital payment channels and regional payment platforms. With our Cloud Native API, PSPs can quickly connect to our payment aggregator to integrate into our complete product suite.” For hotels, the integration of PSPs in the PMS in this way means they can facilitate quicker checkout and billing processes using digital invoices and receipts, and ensure that customer payment data remains secure. SIHOT.PAYENGINE uses tokenistation to disguise credit card details on file …

Praveen Shetty Chairman and Managing Director Fortune Group of Hotels shared with TravelTV Middle East that the focus for 2024 are Far East which includes China, Asia, Apart from the source markets the next big announcement made at the Arabian Travel Market is the addition of a new 4 star property in the heart of Bur Dubai. Shetty reiterated, “This reflects our commitment to growth and long-term plans, extending even to our food and beverage offerings. Thanks to our dedicated team, Fortune continues to thrive, and we look forward to the journey ahead. Arabian Travel Market is very instrumental for us as a group, helping us to expand our reach, foster partnerships, drive business growth, and stay informed about industry trends and market dynamics. One of the events we look forward to attending, as it showcases a very diverse audience not only from the middle east, but also other emerging markets like North Africa and beyond. The event also offers us with networking opportunities with industry peers, potential partners, and suppliers.”  

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts announced its participation in the Arabian Travel Market, set to take place in Dubai between May 6th and 9th. The company will highlight its latest achievements in the industry, which span recent and upcoming property openings, elevated culinary and wellbeing experiences, new summer offerings, and more. The Arabian Travel Market has been a pivotal gateway to global travel and tourism growth for over three decades, bringing together industry leaders and innovators from around the world. With a focus on unlocking business potential across all travel sectors, including MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and luxury travel, Arabian Travel Market stands as the premier event that unites the entire industry. During the event, Adrian Messerli, Four Seasons’ President of Hotel Operations, EMEA, will take part in the “Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality in the Middle East” session, having an in-depth discussion with other executives in the industry. Hotel Openings Four Seasons participation at the event shines a spotlight on its newest hotel openings, marking the brand’s strategic expansions into iconic destinations in the MENA region and beyond. This includes the launch of Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar, which is now welcoming international travellers and local guests with an all-new luxury lifestyle offering. The brand has also announced new destinations set to open in 2024, such as Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr and Mumbai Private Residences, in addition to Ocean Club Private Residences in the Bahamas, which will start welcoming guests in 2027. Upgrades and Renovations Committed to elevating the standards of luxury hospitality, the company has also been upgrading its rooms and amenities across various properties. At Four Seasons adria, …

In 2023, Dubai hotels occupied room nights soared to a record high of 41.70 million, marking a 11% increase compared to 2022 (37.43 million). This growth also represents a substantial 30% rise from the pre-pandemic figures of 2019, which saw 32.11 million occupied room nights. Reflecting the commitment of the city and hospitality sector to offer competitive pricing, the 2023 ADR of AED536 matched the ADR in 2022. The hotel sector’s robust performance is also evident in its RevPAR growth – an increase of 6% compared to 2022 (AED415 vs. AED391) and a growth of 33% over the pre-pandemic period of 2019 (RevPAR of AED312). Guests’ Length of Stay was 3.8 nights in 2023, a 10% increase from 3.4 nights in 2019. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “As Dubai continues its exponential growth in alignment with the D33 Agenda set forth by our forward-thinking leadership, we remain committed to further elevating our standards and to advancing with innovative and distinctive world-class infrastructure, experiences and attractions. The extensive range of offerings and Dubai’s reputation as a secure, inclusive and accessible destination have been consistently recognised across multiple global indices, culminating in the city being crowned the No.1 global destination for an unprecedented third year in a row in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024.   Hotels outperform pre-pandemic levels across all metrics Dubai’s hospitality sector, which is integral to the emirate’s destination promise and overall growth of the tourism industry, continued to perform strongly, surpassing pre-pandemic levels across all hospitality metrics – Occupancy, Occupied Room Nights, Guests’ Length of Stay, Average Daily Rate (ADR), and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR). Occupancy remains …

Shamal Holding started the construction of Baccarat Hotel and Residences Dubai. Set to open in 2026, the new Downtown lifestyle development will include two crystal-inspired towers cutting a new feature into Dubai’s skyline, containing Baccarat hotel suites and bespoke residences boasting the brand’s signature design. The luxury offering will be complemented by exceptional dining experiences and the highest quality amenities and services. An exclusive lifestyle development, Baccarat Hotel and Residences Dubai will blend Baccarat’s heritage of craftsmanship, the experience and energy of Dubai and a meticulous attention to finer detail, providing authentic elegance, refined comfort, exquisite living and iconic design. The hotel project will be managed by SH Hotels & Resorts. Abdulla Binhabtoor, Chief Portfolio Management Officer, Shamal Holding – the diversified investment arm that owns Baccarat Hotel and Residences, Dubai said; “For over two centuries Baccarat has defined luxury, translating its essence into contemporary lifestyle offerings including Baccarat Hotel New York, the first hospitality flagship for the brand. Inspired by this, Baccarat Hotel and Residences Dubai introduces a glimmering new masterpiece with an otherworldly lifestyle experience for those who choose to see life in a new light. We are working alongside a team of extraordinary partners led by H&H Development to deliver an industry-defining project, setting a new standard of elevated living in Dubai”. “We remain committed to bringing the extraordinary to the communities we invest in, as we play our role alongside our partners and stakeholders in supporting Dubai’s growth and ambitions to be the number one city to live and work in,” continued Binhabtoor. Award-winning architects Studio Libeskind and interior design studio 1508 London led by renowned Dubai developer H&H Development and owner Shamal Holding will deliver an industry-defining …