Start your free trial

There’s no risk. Try our software for free for 30 days and with our integrated A/B testing, you will be able to observe a clear increase in your direct booking conversions.

The reality of the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on travel inevitably poses issues for all players in the tourism industry. As restrictions begin to loosen around the world, hotel brands may be starting to see some glimmers of hope.

 

The introduction of reopening plans and relaxed travel restrictions are clearly impacting hotel booking patterns and trends. The situation is different in each market and evolving rapidly. In this unprecedented situation, there is a clear need for relevant industry and market information to be able to make the best decisions for your hotel brand. This page includes more than 12 months of data and trends, last updated on 17th July 2021. 

 

REPORTS

Providing context around the COVID-19 situation, we have put together a series of reports illustrating hotel booking trends around the world to help you better understand the impact on the industry and plan appropriate strategies.

 

Direct Bookings by User Origin 

Graphs showing evolution of website visitors, bookings & conversion rate (by guest nationality)

 

Know more

Direct Bookings by Hotel Location

Graphs showing evolution of website visitors, bookings & conversion rate  (by hotel location)

 

Know more

Impact Map by User Origin

Color-coded world map showing the impact on number of direct bookings (by guest nationality)

 

Know more

Impact Map by Hotel Location

Color-coded world map showing the impact on number of direct bookings (by hotel location)

 

Know more

HOTEL REOPENING ONLINE STRATEGIES

As restrictions have begun to loosen around the world, hotel brands may be starting to see some glimmers of hope. Managers of properties which were forced to close during the series of COVID-19 closures have now opened their doors or are planning to do so soon.

 

Hospitality as we know it has been transformed and so we have to look for ways to reinvent the experiences we offer and the way we engage with guests. Let's have a look at the most effective hotel strategies to optimize direct booking conversions prior to and during reopening:

 

1. Reassure visitors. Notify guests of your hotel reopening plans

When the time comes, make sure guests know that you’re back in the game. This welcome Layer is a great way to keep guests informed. It clearly delivers the property’s message about reopening as well as important updates on hotel operations.

 welcome-opening
Welcome layer communicating hotel reopening
 

2. Focus on the domestic market. Advocate the concept of Staycations

As predicted within the industry, it looks like the domestic market may be the first to recover. With many international borders still closed as restrictions within countries start to loosen, people are first gaining mobility to move around within their own country. This makes it the perfect time to promote staycation offers.

staycation-package

Welcome layer showcasing Staycation packages to local visitors 
 

Use geo-targeting rules to show personalized messages to website visitors searching from your local market and spark interest for domestic travelers. Let them know what special benefits they can get from booking a staycation with you!

 

3. Think local. Showcase take out or curbside services

It may still be a while before restaurants can return to operating at full capacity. It would be a shame to not keep your kitchens going, so why not promote curbside pickup or delivery so customers can enjoy gourmet five-star meals in the comfort of their homes? Again, only show these messages to users located in your city to have a greater impact.

 

take-away

Hotels offering take away menus

 

4. Get creative in marketing! Become a source of inspiration

Unprecedented times call for creative solutions. Try to think outside the box to offer services and experiences that will seduce visitors.

hotel-vouchers-library

 

In this example, the property is selling Hotel Vouchers to thank Healthcare workers for their efforts during the COVID-19 outbreak. Redeemable within the next 5 years, 50% of the proceeds will be donated as room nights for Healthcare workers to use as vacation post-crisis. What a fantastic way to have your guests show their love and support for the community as well!

 

Unprecedented times call for new solutions. Now more than ever is the time to take charge and define a mindful direct booking strategy to adapt to the shifting market patterns and trends. We’ve prepared a hotel strategies guide with a whole series of examples from our hotel clients. We hope you find the ideas useful to help you adapt and shape your recovery plan.

STAY UP TO DATE WITH THN

At The Hotels Network we have focused our efforts on providing valuable content to support and inspire hoteliers like you. Check out our latest articles and webinars to discover clever strategies to help you weather this storm.

hotel 63

Hotel reopening strategies to engage with guests online

Read more >

Swedem_buildings

6 learnings from hotels in Sweden who are open

Read more >

Lightbulb_Image7 hotel brands who are thinking outside the box

Read more >

Los Cocos Email

A steppingstone into optimizing email capture

Read more >

WHAT INITIATIVES CAN HOTELIERS TAKE

1. Remove uncertainty around dates with Hotel Vouchers

As current demand may still be low, it’s important to take advantage of any available opportunity to recover revenue today. Showcasing attractive hotel voucher offers could be a good option to encourage impulse purchases. Vouchers help to remove any hesitations guests may have due to uncertainty around booking dates.

 

We offer a fully integrated Voucher tool - also available for non-THN customers - to manage the entire process, from the creation of vouchers and promotion on your website to redeeming vouchers after purchase.

 

2. Grow your marketing database

Actual bookings may still be relatively low, but visitors are still looking and exploring for future stays, an indication of growing and pent-up demand for travel once restrictions are loosened. Now’s the perfect time to shift your attention to building and nurturing a strong community of potential guests for your future marketing actions. With our latest Email Capture tool, you can use eye-catching Layers with an integrated form as an effective way to grow your marketing database. Engage your website users and encourage them to subscribe to your newsletter so you can keep them updated about the current situation as well as upcoming special offers.

WHAT TRUSTED SOURCES HAVE TO SAY

For additional news updates on the COVID-19 situation and changes in the hospitality industry, follow these reliable sources:

LET'S HAVE A CHAT

Today, it's more important than ever to communicate with guests and strengthen your direct channel. Schedule a meeting with one of our experts to discuss how we can help you capture revenue in the short term and be ready to capitalize on increased demand as soon as the markets start to recover.