Latest news with #hotelgroup
Skift
30-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
Events Industry Recovery Hits Geopolitical Headwinds
The industry is facing its first non-pandemic resilience test. The numbers aren't terrible, but they're a wake-up call for an industry that's gotten too comfortable with its comeback narrative. The global events industry cooled in the first quarter of 2025 but still outperformed the same period last year, according to a new Events Industry Council (EIC) report. Hotel group bookings and RFP activity dipped to 90% of 2019 levels — down from 96% and 98% in the prior quarter, but up from 87% in Q1 of 2024. North America had the strongest hotel group demand, hitting 96% of 2019 levels. The Middle East followed at 95%. Central and Eastern Europe was the worst performing region at 74% of pre-pandemic levels. Regional RFP activity varied widely. Mexico led at 177% of 2019 levels, followed by Turkey at 171%. The U.S. maintained strong performance at 112%, while China and Germany struggled at 56% and 50% of pre-pandemic activity respectively. Global room rates averaged 129% of 2019 levels, a modest increase given a global inflation rate of 23.7%. This pricing pressure comes at a challenging time, as organizations grapple with tightening budgets and scrutiny of business travel and event expenditures. Large and medium-sized events (200+ peak room nights) show greater price sensitivity. Rates for larger events average 123% of 2019 levels compared to 129% for smaller ones. Events booked within 12 months command higher premiums than long-term bookings, suggesting organizers are paying more for flexibility. Industry headwinds include Middle East tensions, tariff uncertainties, and shifting travel policies. The latest business sentiment index from Oxford Economics — which partners with the EIC on this series of reports — is 1.1% below the historical average, with 74% of respondents citing trade war concerns as their top risk. While the industry's recovery foundation remains solid, geopolitical pressures and policy shifts raise questions about potential slowdowns ahead.
Skift
26-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
'Climate Is Our Number One Risk': Iberostar Pushes for Tourism Sector Action
Iberostar's warning that climate change a the top risk to the tourism sector reflects a growing concerns that beachfront hotels may face mounting physical threats and financial exposure in the future. The Spanish international hotel group Iberostar has said that climate change is the number one risk to its business and is calling for greater investment in the tourism sector to counter the impact. Iberostar, with more than 100 hotels in 15 countries, says it is intensifying efforts to protect its properties, especially in vulnerable coastal areas like the Caribbean. 'For us, climate is our number 1 risk,' said Gloria Fluxà Thienemann, Vice-Chairman and Chief Sustainability Officer at Iberostar Group, speaking Wednesday at London Climate Week. "We operate more than 80% of our portfolio in exposed areas like beach front regions. And we are not alone – this is a problem for the whole tourism sector.' Mangroves, Corals and Sand Dunes Thienemann also outlined some of the actions Iberostar is taking. Mangroves: Iberostar is using ma
Hospitality Net
12-06-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Hotel Sales Tech: Are You Getting What You're Paying For?
Across the hospitality industry, technology budgets continue to grow — and hotel sales is no exception. But there's a troubling pattern I keep seeing: decisions are being made based on long feature lists instead of a simple question — 'Will this actually help us sell better?' Some assume rising tech spend is just part of operating in today's digital world. But that spend should come with results. If your sales effectiveness isn't improving in step with your investment, it's time to take a closer look. The Hidden Cost of Misaligned Tech I recently sat down with a senior sales leader from a major hotel group. She had just wrapped up a tech audit and was floored by the numbers. We're spending more than ever on our sales and event system — but my team's still bogged down in admin, and conversions haven't improved. Unfortunately, she's not alone. I hear similar stories all the time. The issue isn't just finding technology — it's finding the right technology for your business model, your team, and your goals. What Matters More Than Features Through hundreds of conversations with hotel leaders, a few themes consistently separate successful tech investments from the rest: User Adoption Is Critical Even the most powerful system is useless if your team doesn't use it. Choose tools that work with your processes, not against them. Transparency Over Surprise Look for pricing models that include everything — implementation, training, support — without hidden fees or unpredictable user charges. Scalable Without Penalty As your business grows, your tech should scale easily — without punishing you for adding users or properties. Built to Integrate Your sales system should connect smoothly with your PMS, CRM, RMS, and beyond. Silos cost time and money. Time for a Reality Check on ROI More hotels are shifting the conversation from features to value — and the results speak for themselves. I've seen properties reduce tech spend by over 40% while improving performance. The difference? Choosing platforms that actually match their needs, not just the flashiest pitch. What works: Transparent, all-in pricing models Unlimited user access to encourage collaboration Real product improvements based on customer input Ongoing support that solves problems, not just closes tickets No One-Size-Fits-All Solution A boutique hotel and a large convention property require a different set of tools. The right solution is the one that: Fits your operation's complexity Aligns with your workflows Enables team collaboration without adding costs Supports long-term growth with continuous improvements Comes with references you can trust Look for partners who are in it for the long haul — who build for customers, not investors. Smarter, Not Just More Tight budgets and shifting expectations have created an opening: an opportunity to reset how we think about technology. Hotels that are taking a strategic approach — reassessing partnerships, rightsizing spend, and focusing on ROI — are getting better results with fewer headaches. The goal isn't to have more technology. It's to have the right hotel event management technology — tools that truly support your sales team and improve the guest experience. Let's Keep the Conversation Going I'd love to hear your experiences with hotel sales tech. What's working? What's falling short? If you're reevaluating your tools or just trying to get more from what you already have, let's connect. Mike Pavicich Vice President of Global Sales LLC
