TODAY: Hyatt on the lookout to acquire, Are Loyalty Programs the Most Effective Way to Drive Bookings in 2018? and Cannabis & The Hospitality Industry.

Hyatt on the lookout to acquire
Tuesday, 9th October 2018

Two well-placed sources tell me that Hyatt is a finalist to acquire Two Roads Hospitality which manages and operates Alila Hotels & Resorts, Destination Hotels, Joie de Vivre Hotels, Thompson Hotels, and tommie Hotels. That’s nearly 100 hotels, acquiring the group would grow Hyatt’s footprint by about 15% >>

UAE notches up 19% rise in nation brand value
9 Oct 2018 : USA’s nation brand strengthens, with brand rating improving to AAA and brand value up 23% to almost US$26n, China continues growth, with brand value up 25% to close to US$13tn, despite trade war fears, Germany solidifies third position with fastest-growing brand value in top 50, up 28% to US$5tn >>

MO to manage new hotel and residences in Moscow
9 Oct 2018 : Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has signed a management contract for a new hotel and branded residences in Moscow, which are expected to open in 2021 >>

Hilton launches 'Big Five' for Sustainable Travel and Tourism across Africa
9 Oct 2018 : Hilton announces an initial investment of USD$1 million to drive sustainable travel and tourism in Africa, following the recent launch of Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 goals to double its investment in social impact and cut its environmental footprint in half across the globe >>

HIGHLIGHT ARTICLE

Are Loyalty Programs the Most Effective Way to Drive Bookings in 2018?
Tuesday, 9th October 2018

Do you remember, back in the day, when customers booked with certain hotels because they were loyal to the brand or because they just wanted to earn points?

Most hotels do too, which is why loyalty programs have been such a priority for hotel marketers - who have been relying on these programs to increase customer loyalty, boost direct bookings and create long-standing relationships with guests. Unfortunately, those days are LONG gone >>

Cannabis & The Hospitality Industry
As more states ease laws on cannabis usage, hotels are finding new ways to incorporate the drug into their product offering, either catering to new demographics or offering new services for those eager to try something different and exciting >>

The Evolution of the Booking Journey
We’ve all done it, we’ve all stayed at a beautiful hotel, visited an amazing destination, or eaten delicious food at a first-class restaurant and we’ve also taken great pleasure in telling our friends and family about our experiences. That is to say, we have become influencers or trusted brand ambassadors >>

The Rise in Solo Travel: How and Why You Should Encourage It
We no longer need to rely on those who can read maps, speak the language or know the best spots.Google maps, Google translate, and Google search suffice.

People are more informed and more independent, so they are more confident about exploring the world on their own. Take advantage of this travel trend, and entice the solo traveler to your hotel today! >>