Travel Market Life

We look back on our crystal ball gazing from January and reflect on how the year has evolved for our predictions before then look at the trends that will shape 2025. With Ryan Haynes, James Clarke, Claire Steiner and Will Plummer.

We explore AI’s lasting impact on staffing, pricing, and hospitality management, plus shifting consumer behaviours particularly a look at Will’s prediction on the rise of staycations. James reveals why he’s betting on multi-gen travel as a key trend for 2025, while Claire discusses the booming demand for wellness experiences.

With economic uncertainty and new Labour regulations in the mix, we discuss how these challenges could reshape the industry. Plus, we each highlight a trend to watch in 2025, from all-inclusive packages to transparent pricing and small-ship cruising.

In this episode of Travel Market Life, I bring together top hospitality experts to explore the crucial role of technology in modern hotel operations.

We explore how guest expectations are shifting, with 40% of travellers now expecting seamless, contactless experiences. Yet, as a recent ResDiary report reveals, many hospitality venues are still behind the curve. Nick Pilbeam shares how Queensway Hotels navigates the crowded tech landscape with a strategic approach, balancing guest experience and brand needs.

Niels Mekenkamp dives into the power of data, showing how centralised systems can transform guest information into personalised services that drive loyalty. Jo Cook addresses payment tech, highlighting secure, integrated solutions that smooth the guest journey while keeping compliance in check. Finally, Jenna Oakenfall explains the importance of ongoing staff training to maximise the impact of these tech tools.

With an interactive Q&A with hoteliers to wrap things up, we share actionable insights on tech adoption, integration, and personalisation in hospitality.

Travel Market Life is created by Urban Podcasts.

Is the focus on average daily rate (ADR) helping or hurting hotel profitability? In this episode of Travel Market Life, we unpack the financial realities of today’s hotel industry, recorded live at the Independent Hotel Show 2024.

How much financial leakage are hotels experiencing? Is a focus on ADR detrimental to overall profitability? 

In this episode of Travel Market Life, we unpack the financial realities of today’s hotel industry, look at financial performance throughout the business and how to improve revenue opportunities – including making growth in F&B and ancillaries

Recorded live at the Independent Hotel Show 2024 with

• Scott Turner, MD, Auden Hospitality reveals challenges in hotel food and beverage profitability, suggesting operational changes like outsourcing to combat high costs. 
• Jonny Siberry, Group Revenue Officer, Sarova Hotels addresses evolving guest expectations, emphasising the need for hotels to adapt their marketing and pricing to attract cost-conscious travelers, especially post-Brexit.
• Nathan Pick , Director of Finance, Zetter Hotels, promotes in-house financial managementusing data-driven strategies to enhance profitability and create unique guest experiences.
• Vineeth Purushothaman, Consultant, White Sky Hospitality, highlights the impact of hidden costs from OTAs and loyalty programs on brand health, recommending data analytics to improve distribution strategies.
• Jutta Moore, MD, Moore Hotel Consulting advocates for dynamic pricing to optimiseoccupancy and revenue based on real-time demand.

Profitability in food and beverage (F&B) dropped by over 30% in the last five years. Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) is up by 17% in Europe compared to January 2020, F&B revenue increased just 5%. In 2018, hotels’ F&B profit margin stood at an average of 32%, but fast-forward five years and this fell 10 percentage points to 22%.

Discover more https://www.audenhospitality.com/fb-report-h1-2024

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode, we explore the upcoming HOSPACE 2024, HOSPA’s flagship conference, happening on 14th November at the Royal Lancaster, London. This annual event promises to be a powerhouse of insights, networking, and cutting-edge discussions, bringing together leaders and experts to tackle the industry’s biggest challenges.

Expect fascinating panels and workshops covering hospitality trends and challenges, including:

• 2024 Performance Metrics from BDO, Hot Stats and Venue Performance
• People Priorities with leaders from the Dorchester and Be Inclusive Hospitality
• Innovation through Design with Nicola Rohn of SHR Group discussing the synergy between design and tech in boosting guest experiences
• Collaboration and consultation - with Ruckus Networks’ Steve Johnson on making successful technology buying decisions 

Nicola Rohn and Steve Johnson join me in this episode to share why HOSPACE is a must for hoteliers. Nicola talks about adapting to the rise of OTAs and the need for direct booking strategies, while Steve delves into the growing demand for personalised digital experiences and sustainability.

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

In the words of Mustafa Gokcen from Cheval Collection “tech is not a cost saving exercise, tech is a tool that allows us to focus on other priorities.” As software and systems drive automation for greater operational and commercial efficiency, where do you draw the line at being effective? 

Maggie Bazemore provides insight into the relationship between an OTA and technology companies and the challenges involved with developing and maintaining integrations and how hoteliers seek product recommendations. We also look at the trends that are shaping hotel technology.  

Mustafa shares his thoughts and perspectives on integrations within the hospitality tech stack and Jon Siberry from Sarova Hotels explains the journey they went through for a successful payment tech implementation. 

Among the Hospitality Discussions with 20 hoteliers and experts, we explored the following questions:

1. How do you identify if you need a new system and/or tech partner? 
2. How do you assess and secure the budget required?
3. What is the research and decision-making phase? Who is involved and why?
4. What is your opinion on market access to the right type of vendors? How easy is it to find suppliers?
5. What are your top frustrations with the vendor market and sales process?
6. What systems and tech are you looking to procure?

Key factors of consideration from hoteliers included:

• Challenges of integrating various technology systems in hospitality.
• Importance of seamless system integration for managing rates and availability.
• Evaluation criteria for selecting technology vendors.
• Challenges faced during technology implementation and vendor coordination.
• The significance of local support in technology solutions.
• The impact of technology on enhancing the guest experience in hotels.

 Thanks to our facilitators; Catt Mcleod (Elegant Hotel Collection), Jon Siberry (SarovaHotels).

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

With so many changes in digital marketing, but the importance of a direct booking strategy - hotels are having to develop a marketing programme that constitutes multiple guest touch points working with an increasing number of third parties.

David Ohanjanian details the changes on Google and the impact this is having on marketing spend and activity with the development of Performance Max and EU regulation updates with the Digital Marketing Act that affects the visibility of hotels while making big brands like Booking.com gatekeepers.

Nick Hurley provides booking trends from Travelzoo as leisure travellers look for the perfect deal and how hotels can leverage more bookings with half board offerings or experience led stays packages which led to one Cornish hotel improving bookings by 516% without compromising revenue. We also discuss the importance of the local market as the willingness to travel reduces to 2 - 3-hour drive in 2024. 

Vineeth Purushothaman shares the opportunities for effective distribution and why it’s important to look at cost of acquisition and team alignment.

 Key factors of consideration from hoteliers included:

• Changes in digital marketing strategies due to evolving technologies
• The impact of AI on search engines and hotel visibility
• Implications of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) on hotel marketing
• Booking trends among leisure travelers and the shift towards experience-led stays
• Importance of local markets and price sensitivity in consumer decision-making
• Effective distribution strategies for business and leisure bookings
• Defining the cost of acquistion
• The role of guest data in shaping marketing strategies
• Necessity for seamless booking processes and technology integration
• Strategies for incentivizing direct bookings to enhance revenue retention

Thanks to our facilitators; Catt Mcleod (Elegant Hotel Collection), David Ohandjanian (UPhotel Agency), Jon Siberry (Sarova Hotels).

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode we tackle the major challenges that are reshaping the industry with expert insights from Camilla Woods, Head of Services at Hospitality Action, and Esmat Faiz, Associate Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell.

We look at the impending changes in employment regulation that will impact the hospitality industry and the policies that matter for recruitment and retention. Esmat covers the six key pieces of legislature due to come in place under the new Government including Splitting Tips with staff, National Living Wage for 18-year-olds, Day one right to Unfair Dismissal, Change to Zero Hour contracts, right to request Flexible Working from day one, and protecting staff from Sexual Harassment. 

Camilla discusses mental health and the importance of having a framework in place and training to support employees, sharing some insightful data from its latest Take the Temperature Report.

Hotelier key considerations included: 

• The need for work-life balance and mental health training programs.
• Balance team cohesion from frontline onsite staff and back office flexible team
• Strategies for improving employee retention, such as flexible work schedules and mentorship programs.
• The necessity for robust HR frameworks to comply with new employment laws.
• The need for career ladder transparency in the sector to encourage and support new joiners.

Thanks to our facilitators; Catt Mcleod (Elegant Hotel Collection), David Ohandjanian (UPhotel Agency), Jon Siberry (Sarova Hotels).

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode, we look at where there is potential to drive more revenue in hospitality and accommodation businesses when the ADR has been maximised, other than occupancy - how can hotels increase spend per guest? Speaking to Scot Turner, Director at Auden Hospitality,we look at F&B, exploring where profit margins have seeped to an all-time low - and how businesses can improve opportunities. Scott explains the importance of looking at authenticity and sustainability, the role of technology and the evolving demand for healthy eating. 

Hotelier key considerations included:

• Skills management among team leadership and management
• Challenges in data utilisation for identifying lost opportunities in F&B
• Outsourcing F&B or embracing food delivery services (like JustEat/Deliveroo)
• Need for hotels to adapt offerings to changing consumer behaviours
• How to leverage revenue from EV Charging, Parking and Security/Deposit Lockers

Thanks to our facilitators; Catt Mcleod (Elegant Hotel Collection), David Ohandjanian(UPhotel Agency), Jon Siberry (Sarova Hotels).

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

What's really in store for the hospitality sector in 2025?

In this live episode of Travel Market Life, recorded at the Rembrandt Hotel, we tackle the industry's biggest challenges and forecast what's next. Joined by industry experts Jane Pendlebury from HOSPA, Catt McLeod from the Elegant Hotel Collection, and JonnySiberry from Sarova Hotels, we dig into the forces shaping hotel performance right now.

From the impact of weather patterns to the power of data-driven decisions, we explore how the industry is adapting to an ever-evolving landscape.

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

What’s driving the surge in luxury travel post-pandemic?

In this episode of Travel Market Life, we sit down with Robin Lawther, Vice President of Expedia TAAP, to uncover the fascinating shifts shaping the future of luxury travel. With nearly 2,900 high-end agencies under his belt, Robin gives us an insider’s perspective on how affluent travellers are redefining luxury in a post-COVID world.

From the rise of "revenge travel" to the growing desire for personalised, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, we explore why high-net-worth individuals are more eager than ever to invest in extraordinary journeys. Robin explains how luxury travellers are turning away from cookie-cutter packages in favour of bespoke itineraries that reflect their unique preferences, making the role of travel agents more critical than ever.

We also explore how luxury hotels are stepping up their game—offering everything from exclusive dining experiences to tailored resort credits that go beyond the typical five-star treatment. Robin shares how these partnerships between agents and hoteliers create seamless, unforgettable trips for clients who demand nothing less than perfection.

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.