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Getting your rooms booked is more demanding than ever. Hotels spend valuable time compiling reports, struggle to track real-time demand, and face growing pressure to align rates across multiple platforms.&nbsp;Larger chains deal with fragmented data and complex vendor networks, while mid-sized and independent hotels often lack the tools or internal resources to respond swiftly.&nbsp;That’s why a trusted B2B distribution partner is more than helpful—it’s essential. With streamlined access to global markets, reliable placement strategies, and time-saving tools, you can stay competitive without overstretching your team.&nbsp;Our Partner Accelerator Programme is built to support hotels that have completed their onboarding, have at least one direct contract with Hotelbeds, and are already distributing with us — connecting you to high-value hotel guests and providing hands-on guidance to set you up for long-term success.&nbsp;The Partner Accelerator Programme is designed to support connecting you with high-value guests. In this article, we’ll explore how the Partner Accelerator Programme can strengthen your hotel distribution strategy and help you grow.&nbsp;&nbsp;What is the Partner Accelerator Programme?We call it a ‘partner accelerator’ for a reason—because we work with you like a true partner would. With honesty, clarity, and a focus on your growth, this free programme is built to help you grow your bookings and optimise performance from day one.&nbsp;Once your hotel is set up in our portal, we continue to support you actively. Using market insights, competitor data, and AI-powered analytics, our system identifies personalised opportunities for your property that could generate additional room nights over the next 12 months. These insights are actionable and designed for you to implement independently.&nbsp;Your rooms will be showcased to over 60,000 global travel distributors (agencies, tour operators, OTAs, and airlines, among others). We segment these into 11 distinct types and monitor their distribution to ensure smart rate management and tailored exposure.&nbsp;You’ll also be backed by 1,000+ market-based experts who act as an extension of your sales team. Our aim is simple: to accelerate your performance and bring your full booking potential to life.&nbsp;How does the Partner Accelerator Programme work?The Partner Accelerator Programme is available to hotels that are already distributing through Hotelbeds. Once you're up and running, this programme kicks in to help you grow further — combining smart tools, personalised insights, and expert guidance to ensure you get the most out of your partnership with us:&nbsp;Real-time recommendations in your Partner Portal with guided walkthroughs.Weekly emails featuring fresh insights and tailored advice.Monthly reports tracking your progress and spotlighting key opportunities.&nbsp;Each month, you’ll see both what you’ve achieved and what’s still possible, giving you a clear roadmap to maximise your performance.&nbsp;Who can benefit from this programme?The Partner Accelerator Programme is designed for all Hotelbeds partners –free of charge. If your goal is to expand your reach, boost visibility, or tap into international markets, this programme is for you. Besides, no matter the size or type of your property — whether you're an independent hotel or part of a chain — the Partner Accelerator is designed to support your growth every step of the way.&nbsp;Why is this relevant for your property?Open to all properties: This programme is built for all types and sizes of accommodation.&nbsp;Tailored growth insights: We analyse your destination, competition, and property data to uncover where their demand is coming from — enabling you to apply these insights to strengthen your own strategy.&nbsp;Strategic opportunity alerts: You’ll discover high-demand opportunities you haven’t activated yet so you move closer to your full booking potential.&nbsp;Ongoing communication: Receive timely updates and recommendations through email and in-platform messages, so you never miss an opportunity to grow.&nbsp;7 main features that will help boost your bookingsKey date availability alerts: Get timely notifications when your rooms or meal plans are missing availability for high-demand dates so you don’t miss potential bookings.&nbsp;Opportunities to match market demand: Get data-driven suggestions from our analysis of competition, location to add services or rates that align with current traveller preferences in your area.&nbsp;Unlock your full market potential: If you have availability but are not getting bookings, we suggest strategies to improve your conversion rate.&nbsp;Active offer optimisation: Get support in enhancing the performance of your promotions, ensuring they stay competitive and appealing.&nbsp;Stronger market positioning tips: Get guidance on how to improve your commercial conditions and stand out against competing properties in your destination.&nbsp;Profile content upgrades: We review your profile information to ensure it reflects your hotel’s full potential and provide tips to enhance it.&nbsp;Demand unblockers: Get help identifying and fixing issues like market exclusions, booking restrictions, or stay rules that may be limiting your visibility or sales.&nbsp;The real impact of having a strategic partner for your hotelThis isn’t just about being visible or increasing bookings. In today’s market, simply having rooms available online is no longer enough. What truly makes the difference is having a partner—one that understands your goals and works alongside you to achieve them.&nbsp;That’s exactly what the Partner Accelerator Programme is built for.&nbsp;With decades of experience in B2B distribution, we at Hotelbeds have fine-tuned a model that does more than just drive volume. It delivers value. We help you attract the customers who stay longer, spend more, and book in advance without undercutting your rates or compromising your brand.&nbsp;Today, over 250,000 hotels worldwide trust us to help them reach 190+ source markets with efficiency and confidence.&nbsp;When you partner with Hotelbeds, you’re not just getting listed—you’re being guided, supported, and seen. The Partner Accelerator is our newest programme, but we’re glad to already support our hotel partners with a wide range of tools, products, and services designed to maximise their bookings, streamline their processes, and increase their revenue.&nbsp;One clear example is the Hotel Onboarding Programme, which guides hotels through each step of the onboarding process and offers practical advice to streamline it and optimise their profile. This ensures hotels are ready to receive bookings as quickly as possible.&nbsp;For instance, Atlantis Alger Air de France, a four-star hotel located in Algeria, benefited from receiving its first international booking within 7 days from Europe, a key target market they’d struggled to access before.&nbsp;Sammy Andaloussi, their Director of Strategy and Operations, said, ‘The support from your agent and the onboarding process were excellent. Receiving weekly emails with clear steps made it easy for me to progress quickly.’&nbsp;Register your property today with HotelbedsWith over 60,000 global travel distributors, our network connects you with airlines, tour operators, travel agencies, and OTAs that work for your business goals—while we handle the complexity behind the scenes.&nbsp;Whether your goal is to break into international markets, grow your off-season occupancy, or tap into new segments, our exclusive programmes like the Partner Accelerator helps you get there faster.&nbsp;Ready to accelerate your growth? Become our partner today and discover how we can boost your property’s success!&nbsp;Register your property

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How Hotelbeds’ Partner Accelerator Programme Helps Hotels Succeed from Day One 

When we first partnered with Minor Hotels over a decade ago, we recognised we weren’t just supporting another hospitality group, we were becoming part of a long-term vision. As Minor grew from a flagship property in Thailand to a global portfolio across six continents, they consistently redefined what modern hospitality looks like.&nbsp;Recently, Minor Hotels set their sights on something even bigger: a bold expansion into markets like Australia and New Zealand. But even the leading brands face challenges along the way. They encountered familiar distribution challenges like fragmented systems, inconsistent reach, and the growing complexity across channels. That’s where Hotelbeds stepped in (again).&nbsp;As Fernando Vives, Head of Commercial at Minor Hotels Europe &amp; Americas, explains:'Minor Hotels realised that the partnership that we had built in Europe and Americas with Hotelbeds was something that could be expanded as it was giving and bringing a lot of benefit to the way we were distributing and how we were able to generate incremental revenues in our hotels. So the first thing that we did was we announced this year the addition to our partnership of our hotels in Australia and New Zealand.' And a few weeks later, they extended the partnership with hotels in Asia.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is the story of how Hotelbeds helped Minor Hotels continue scaling their operations, without compromising control, pricing, or guest experience.&nbsp;About Minor HotelsMinor Hotels is one of the most dynamic hospitality groups in the world, with a strong foundation in sustainability, innovation, and guest-centric service. Since opening their first hotel in 1979 and launching the luxury flagship brand Anantara in 2001, Minor has expanded to 560+ properties across 55 countries. And they're not slowing down.&nbsp;With close to 300 new hotels planned by 2027, they’re set to cross the 850-property mark, which includes branded residences, wellness-focused offerings, and culturally immersive experiences.&nbsp;As they entered the Australasia region and beyond, the need for a reliable distribution partner became more urgent. That’s where our longstanding relationship took on a new purpose.&nbsp;The challenge: From diversification to precisionMinor’s original approach to distribution was rooted in diversification: working with a wide range of channels to ensure maximum reach. But as their revenue management strategies grew more sophisticated, so did the operational demands.&nbsp;They were pushing more than two million rates a day, planning pricing by the hour up to 18 months in advance. Managing that volume across fragmented systems quickly became unsustainable. 'In the end, the complexities that we have in terms of pricing, the complexities that we have in terms of distribution, massively increased,' Vives explains. 'Most of the different channels or partners that we had, had the capability to distribute not only our prices and inventory, but at the same time the right content.'Choosing HotelbedsWhat followed was a deliberate shift. They decided to move from a diversified model to a concentrated distribution strategy, where fewer but stronger partnerships would provide scalability without compromising control.&nbsp;'With this partnership, one of the objectives that we wanted to achieve was first to reduce our maintenance in terms of distribution partners, and to secure our improvement on brand awareness and price consistency,' Vives states.&nbsp;Beyond this, by leveraging Hotelbeds’ wide B2B channels, their focus was to acquire new clients and drive regional demand with high-value guests. 'Our goal of this agreement is obviously to expand into new markets that we haven’t specifically worked in before,' adds Dan Csortan, Head of Commercial at Minor Pacific. 'Being quite a resource-light organisation, we saw Hotelbeds as an extension to our sales team and it allowed us to focus on new clients and new markets inbound to the Australasian region.'&nbsp;In 2022, Minor formalised what Vives called a 'concentration of distribution through Hotelbeds.' This allowed them to simplify operations while gaining autonomy and efficiency.&nbsp;'What we have seen since we signed the strategic agreement with Hotelbeds has been an improvement on our distribution health score. We have more control over what we distribute, where we are present, and our pricing has gained consistency through the different markets and channels. And this is something that’s benefiting not only us, but the consumer too', shares Vives.&nbsp;&nbsp;The growth was measurable.&nbsp;The outcomes: Measurable, market-driven growthThe impact was immediate and significant. Within just a few months of expanding the partnership:&nbsp;New market penetration: Minor began receiving bookings from previously untapped markets.&nbsp;Distribution consistency: Across all properties, especially those included in Hotelbeds' preferred partner agreements, pricing became more consistent, and visibility improved.&nbsp;Operational efficiency: With Hotelbeds acting as an extension of their internal team, Minor could redirect focus to strategy, innovation, and growth.&nbsp;Collaborative innovation: Regular meetings and emails between teams sparked new ideas and market-specific campaigns.&nbsp;Stronger collaboration and innovation: What began as a tactical collaboration evolved into a strategic partnership, fostering idea-sharing and co-creation.&nbsp;Csortan adds, 'Our strategies are certainly coming together, and I'm looking forward to seeing that growth even further.'&nbsp;Two organisations. One team.In a world increasingly driven by automation and AI, the value of real human connection has only grown. 'And for sure, the team at Hotelbeds is a team that we can say we have a human-to-human connection', states Vives.&nbsp;It’s this collaborative spirit that turns strategy into success. Csortan adds, 'The sourcing team is great, and I see that as an extension to our sales team. We have regular catch-ups every week, and we bounce ideas off each other. But at the end of the day, our goal is the same. To provide further growth for both organisations. It's definitely not a one-way partnership.'&nbsp;Why should you choose Hotelbeds?Dan summed it up best: 'As a technology partner for us, they’re the obvious choice moving forward for our organisation.'&nbsp;This level of trust and shared purpose is what makes our partnership with Minor Hotels thrive. It’s the kind of relationship we strive to build with every hotel we support.&nbsp;At Hotelbeds, our mission is to simplify global hotel distribution while empowering hotels to reach their full potential. Over the past five years, we’ve invested heavily in rate intelligence technology, cutting rate leakages by 75% and achieving a rate discrepancy ratio of just 0.005%.&nbsp;Additionally, what you gain when partnering with us:&nbsp;Access to over 60,000 travel distributors worldwide&nbsp;Visibility in 190+ source markets, including long-haul and regional travellers&nbsp;Zero conflict with your direct channels as we sell through trusted B2B partners&nbsp;A dedicated onboarding and support team from day one&nbsp;Just like Minor, once you partner with us, you're never in it alone. If you are ready to grow your hotel with purpose, become our partner today!

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A Future of Possibility: How Hotelbeds is Powering Minor Hotels' Global Expansion 

Traditionally associated with couples and groups, travel habits are shifting. Solo travel has emerged as one of 2025’s most influential trends, as confirmed by our Travel Trends Report for hoteliers, as well as those from Forbes and Hilton.&nbsp;Post-pandemic, more travellers are choosing to go solo—seeking independence, self-reflection, and trips aligned with personal values and well-being.&nbsp;The solo travel market is projected to reach USD 1.07 trillion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 14.3% between 2025 and 2030. For hoteliers, this presents a strategic opportunity to engage a rapidly expanding audience and boost occupancy by delivering meaningful experiences.&nbsp;This guide outlines key aspects of the trend while offering actionable steps and hotel marketing strategies to help you stand out.&nbsp;What solo travel means today&nbsp;Solo travel has evolved beyond the stereotype of backpacking or travelling due to single status. It’s now an intentional decision made by people of all ages and backgrounds, driven by the desire for freedom, growth, and social connection. Advances in digital tools—from navigation apps to AI-driven planning—have made it easier and safer to travel alone.&nbsp;Solo Traveler World reports 58% of travellers prefer going alone because it lets them do what they want, when they want. Whether travelling independently or as part of a flexible group tour, solo guests value spontaneity, privacy, and purpose. For many, it’s a chance to reconnect with themselves and the world around them.&nbsp;According to Solo Traveler World, 75% of solo travellers prioritise personal benefits such as self-care and mental wellness. This reflects wider lifestyle shifts and hotels that understand this mindset and tailor services accordingly can unlock deeper guest loyalty and long-term growth.&nbsp;Who are today’s solo travellers?Solo travellers are far from a niche group. They range from young explorers to seasoned professionals. Understanding their motivations and travel styles is key for hoteliers to attract and serve this segment.Gen Z solo travellersThe ASA Travel Trend Report states that this movement is particularly strong among millennials and Gen Z, with 76% planning solo trips in 2025. For Gen Z, solo travel is about adventure, self-expression, and caring deeply about sustainability, culture, and purpose.&nbsp;According to Solo Travel Statistics 2025 by Condor Ferries, 58% of millennials travel solo, versus just 47% of older age groups, showing a generational shift towards independent travel.Memooners: The solo honeymoon trend&nbsp;Coined by Hilton, 'MeMooners' are travellers celebrating self-love and me-time. They travel for reflection, freedom, and personal joy without compromise. According to Hilton, 64% of MeMooners say their favourite travel companion is a good book, and 25% travel with pets.Female solo travellersWomen are leading the solo travel movement, accounting for 84% of all solo travellers globally, according to Skyscanner. This includes not just single women but also those in relationships who want independent getaways. Freedom, flexibility, and self-care top their travel motivations.Remote workers and digital nomadsThe rise of remote work has transformed solo travel. Many now combine work and leisure, choosing to explore while staying connected. These travellers value reliable networks, co-working facilities, and proximity to cultural attractions or nature.&nbsp;What hoteliers can do to attract solo travellersBy creating a welcoming atmosphere, you bring more travellers to your property. But here’s even more you can do to connect with the independent explorers:Design solo hotel packagesSolo travellers often pay more due to single-occupancy rates. With solo bookings rising 300% since 2021, this segment is actively looking for affordable, value-driven options. Include single rooms, flexible check-in, inclusive meals, or off-season deals.Add to your location’s unique strengthsLocation remains one of your most powerful marketing assets. According to CNBC, nearly 50% of travellers say their next trip is to fulfil a dream or tick off a bucket list destination. If your property is situated near a national park, along a popular coastline, or within a UNESCO destination, highlight these significant assets. Offer guided small-group walks or heritage tours to highlight the local specialities.Curate purpose-driven experiencesSolo tourism is inspired by the JOMO travel where travellers are drawn to activities that inspire self-reflection, spark creativity, and reduce stress. Develop programmes that support these needs, like oceanside painting classes, heritage cooking workshops, or journaling retreats.&nbsp;Embrace wellness and mental wellbeing: Mental wellness can be a differentiator. Create wellness offerings like digital detox retreats, silent yoga sessions, tailored outdoor experiences, or spa days for one. Even a single-day wellness escape, gyms or meditation rooms, can appeal to solo travellers who want to stay productive and balanced on the road.&nbsp;Foster community (without forcing it): Solo travellers often seek connection on their terms. Build community by offering shared workspaces, virtual meetups, film nights, or theme-based tours designed. Partner with solo travel brands and communities to reach this audience.&nbsp;Reimagine space and designThe rise of remote work, sabbaticals, and digital nomadism has shifted the expectations of solo travellers. No more king-size rooms, guests are now open to minimalist spaces, such as compact Japanese-style rooms that offer functionality like smart beds, in-room desks, and high-speed Wi-Fi.&nbsp;Design restaurant areas with bar seating, communal tables, or hosted dinners for solo diners to feel at ease. Make your hotel lobbies as social hubs, prioritising connection and flexibility.Prioritise safety and autonomySafety remains the number one concern, especially for women travelling alone. Address this with features like well-lit spaces, 24/7 staff presence, or key card-only access. Also consider solo essentials like pet-friendly rooms, digital check-ins, grab-and-go meals, and concierge services.Use technology to personalise the journeySearches for 'solo travel deals' and 'best solo destinations' rose by 30% in 2024. As solo travellers are planners, researchers, and decision-makers, invest in tech and AI tools to offer custom itineraries and personalise recommendations across mobile-first platforms.Align your brand with solo valuesAccording to Deloitte’s 2025 report, 64% of Gen Z and millennials prefer brands that support personal growth and values. Use your social media and website to showcase solo travel stories and your custom packages. Let solo travellers know how your hotel brand resonates with their journey.Boost bookings with Hotelbeds’ B2B channelsSolo travel bookings through online travel marketplaces are expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.0% from 2025 to 2030. In 2024, OTAs held 53.45% of global booking share, reflecting that solo travellers love their convenience of all-in-one guidance. That’s where Hotelbeds can help:&nbsp;Pre-defined Campaigns: You get ready-to-launch, zero-setup campaigns timed with seasonal trends and traveller behaviour. These offer targeted visibility in key source markets, which are ideal for promoting solo-friendly packages.&nbsp;Bespoke solutions: Need a more hands-on and tailored approach? The HBX Group Marketing Suite gives your hotel access to high-performing B2B and B2C channels, helping you reach solo travellers with curated messaging and measurable results.&nbsp;Join the movementSolo travel is transforming how people explore the world, and it is moving fast. Don’t miss the chance to be part of it. If you're already a Hotelbeds partner, connect with your Account Manager to tap into our latest campaigns.&nbsp;Not yet onboard? Register your property to access over 60,000 travel distributors worldwide, including 50,000 agencies, 3,500 tour operators, and key airline and affiliate partners. Let’s craft strategies that attract, inspire, and convert the solo guest.&nbsp;Register your property

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How Hotels Can Capitalise on the Solo Travel Boom in 2025 

&nbsp;In today’s dynamic travel landscape, the importance of inclusivity and accessibility is paramount for travel distributors aiming to maintain profitability, relevance, and long-term success.&nbsp;As the demographic of travellers continues to evolve, so does the demand for travel experiences that cater to diverse needs, preferences, and abilities. Meeting this demand is no longer just a matter of corporate responsibility; it is becoming essential for business viability. Not only this, but with the recent implementation of the EU Accessibility Act (EAA) in June 2025, the accessibility of both physical and digital products sold by businesses in the EU are under increasingly regulated legislation.&nbsp;It’s demonstrably proven that prioritising accessible travel - making the entire journey, from booking to in-destination experiences and post-booking inclusive and enjoyable for all - has a significant impact on customer loyalty and positive brand reputation for businesses authentically engaging in these inclusive practices. Businesses can also benefit from unlocked growth opportunities and an increasingly diverse travel ecosystem.&nbsp;What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?The EAA, originally codified into law in 2019, aims to 'resolve discrepancies' in accessibility requirements and accommodations concerning the sale of products both online and in-person.&nbsp;&nbsp;In relation to travel, a few examples of the impacted products and services include:Consumer-facing websites and apps.Point of sale devices and self-service kiosks.Delivery of transport service information, including real-time travel information.Electronic tickets and electronic ticketing services.&nbsp;In many nations, organisations covered by the EAA must also publish an accessibility statement which contains, amongst other facts, information about the functionality of a product or service, proof of this product or service's technical accessibility, and how the product or service meets the EAA's requirements.&nbsp;The benefits that regulated accessibility will bring to businesses can vary, but are proposed by the EAA website to include:&nbsp;Cost reductions as a result of common rules around accessibility in the EU.Easier cross-border trading.More market opportunities for their accessible products and services.&nbsp;For travellers, increasingly regulated accessibility for products and services means:&nbsp;More accessible products and services in the market.Accessible products and services at more competitive prices.Fewer barriers when accessing transport, education and the open labour market.More jobs where accessibility expertise is needed.&nbsp;While this legislation is for business conducted in the EU, the increasing measures to prioritise and regulate accessibility is a clear indicator that this should, and will, be a key consideration for the travel industry going forward - and a critical purchasing factor for customers, too.&nbsp;So, why is it beneficial to accommodate accessibility demands across the entire travel industry - from initial searches, to booking, and in-destination experiences?&nbsp;&nbsp;Cater to an untapped segment of the travel industryThe financial implications of adopting inclusive practices are compelling and far-reaching.&nbsp;&nbsp;The demand for accessible travel options is growing rapidly, with an estimated market worth of over $58 billion in the United States alone, and according to the World Health Organisation, over a billion people worldwide experience some form of disability, representing a potentially underserved segment with a huge spending power.&nbsp;The accessible travel market - comprised of people with disabilities, their families, and friends - is a significant and often under-tapped segment, as shown in these thought-provoking findings in a recent accessibility and inclusivity-focused report from Expedia Group:&nbsp;71% of underserved travellers state a preference for brands that support diversity and inclusion, compared to 62% of the general population.73% are more likely to book again with brands that promote inclusive practices, compared to 62% of the general population.76% believe it is important to see themselves reflected in travel ads and promotions, compared to 69% of the general population.&nbsp;Businesses catering to the needs of this demographic can substantially boost their revenues by accommodating a larger audience. Ignoring this potential customer base equates to leaving money on the table.&nbsp;For example, our growing portfolio of accessible hotels are easily identifiable in our Booking Platform as a result of a tailored filtering system, which allows our web-based partners to quickly refine for accommodation options that cater to specific accessibility needs. Currently, we offer over 135,000 accessible hotels, a number which is consistently expanding as a result of dedicated acquisition campaigns to increase our offering, and the importance of serving accessible experiences for all travellers.&nbsp;Sign up today to scale your accessible hotel offering&nbsp;&nbsp;Contribute to a more equitable approach to travel sellingOf course, the wide-ranging nature of inclusivity means that considering how to equitably accommodate such a complex multitude of lived experiences, requirements, and considerations is a significant undertaking.&nbsp;However, the following stastistics highlight just how important it is for travel distributors, sellers and providers to consciously become more equitable, to ensure that accessibility and inclusivity is a priority:73% of luxury travellers from diverse backgrounds don’t feel that the travel industry is inclusive, according to Uwern Jong, editor-in-chief of OutThere magazine, speaking at World Travel Market 2024.Only 0.9% of ads feature people with disabilities, according to Dom Hyams, CEO of Purple Goat Agency at World Travel Market 2024.42% of underserved travellers feel limited by their identities when planning travel.An average of 5+ hours of extra time is spent researching inclusive trips – including to ensure services and destinations are safe, welcoming and accessible.Only 16% of travellers feel that travel advertising and promotions represent them authentically.71% of underserved travellers say it is important that travel company staff be well-trained on diversity and inclusion issues and topics.Nearly 3 out of 4 underserved travellers are more likely to book with companies demonstrating a commitment to diversity and inclusion.&nbsp;This becomes even more apparent when you consider that, as just one segment of the vast traveller base, research shows that the disabled traveller base could be as much as 1.5 billion people globally, representing a total spend of over $10 billion per year.&nbsp;&nbsp;As just one part of the vast audience of underserved travellers, this highlights the significant power and opportunity that the entire market of underserved travellers presents, and the scale of the opportunity for travel distributors to help create a more equitable travel industry but consciously serving these travellers with accessible, inclusive travel experiences as a part of your business strategy. And especially for European travel profesionals, accommodating accessible travel as a key segment is a necessity, as a result of the European Accessibility Act.&nbsp;Key considerations for travel distributors for inclusive travel:Promote travel packages that celebrate local cultures and provide authentic experiences for all travellers, as this encourages a more equitable approach to tourism.Broaden your market reach and customer base by catering to a wider spectrum of audiences and underserved communities – cultural heritage is a key selling point for traveller experiences, and presents a significant opportunity for sellers and local communities.While underserved, diverse traveller segments make up the core customer base, not the minority. This is an important factor to remember when considering why inclusive travel experiences need to be the norm when it comes to core travel offerings, how travel is marketed, and the type of experiences travellers can book.&nbsp;Accommodating shifting traveller expectationsToday’s consumers are not just seeking picturesque destinations; they are looking for experiences that resonate with their values of inclusivity and social responsibility.Within the context of inclusive travel, some key traveller demands and shifting demands include:Meaningful travel – from local immersion, whether that’s the local culture and community, to slow travel and purpose-driven travel.From aesthetics to authenticity – no longer satisfied with ‘surface-level tourism’, travellers want to support businesses and destinations that reflect their values of inclusivity and social responsibility.Sustainability – from seeking out plastic-free travel, to a focus on nature tourism, to an overall reduction in the negative impact of tourism for both the environment and on local communities/infrastructure.Diverse experiences and destinations – today's traveller wants to head ‘off the beaten path’ in ‘detour destinations’ and immerse themselves in the local culture while they’re there.&nbsp;With this in mind, when travel companies prioritise accessibility and inclusivity, they send a powerful message that they value all customers, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances.&nbsp;Not only this, but the travel and tourism sector as a whole has a unique opportunity to promote tourism offerings that are available and accessible for all. This links to the more equitable approach to tourism, wherein key players focus on creating, promoting and selling experiences that cater to diverse needs. Doing so also increases the likelihood of tapping into new market segments and new streams of revenue by expanding the appeal to more customers.&nbsp;For example, with the increased demands for authenticity within the travel experiences from today’s traveller, there lies a significant opportunity for travel distributors who are willing to promote experiences which celebrate cultural understanding.&nbsp;But from an economic perspective, other key opportunities include creating employment roles for local communities around the world, especially for marginalised groups. In fact, successfully launched accessibility initiatives have been shown to increase local income in destinations by over $5,500 per capita per annum, according to a recent report by Trip.com Group.&nbsp;This, in turn, cultivates a perception of trust and loyalty, making customers more likely to choose a brand that aligns with their ideals over competitors. Which leads into our next point...&nbsp;&nbsp;Building brand loyalty and reputation at the point of bookingWhen travellers feel seen, heard, and respected, they are more likely to become loyal customers and recommend the business to others.&nbsp;Of course, accessibility is critical at all points of the travel experience, but the booking journey remains one of the most essential when it comes to making a positive impression on potential customers and creating a more loyal, engaged customer base.&nbsp;When considering the booking journey and how accessibility plays such a large part of this, the recent launch of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) becomes so prevalent.&nbsp;This law has been put in place to ensure products and services, including digital products, websites and apps, are accessible for all, within member states of the EU.Why is accessibility relevant to the booking journey?This decision-making journey is also impacted by several key factors in relation to the display of travel products.&nbsp;&nbsp;Around 72% travellers indicated that high-quality photos depicting accessibility facilities significantly influenced their booking choices. While limited information on the accessibility of hotels, transportation and attractions caused frustration, and dissuaded a booking.&nbsp;This highlights the importance of ensuring that all products and services, including websites and apps, are accessible for all, and promoted in a way that prioritises equal access. Not only for an equitable approach to travel selling, but for the benefit of these travel businesses as well, considering the weight that these factors have on the booking journey.&nbsp;In addition, as awareness of the importance of accessibility continues to rise, companies that embrace inclusive practices are likely to attract a broader audience, benefiting from positive word-of-mouth marketing and customer advocacy.&nbsp;Why? Research shows that 46% of travellers with disabilities consider user reviews and recommendations from peers vital for making informed decisions. In fact, testimonials from individuals with similar experiences enhance the decision-making process for 63% of respondents.&nbsp;Customer advocacy is one of the most influential and impactful methods of positively influencing your business reputation (and vice versa). So, giving high consideration to accessible needs during the booking journey can boost customer satisfaction and therefore retention, which ultimately leads to increased business growth and market share.&nbsp;This not only improves your business reputation for existing and potential customers, but also allows you to remain competitive. As social consciousness surrounding travel grows, consumers increasingly expect companies to demonstrate a commitment to responsible and inclusive practices.&nbsp;In a world where consumers are increasingly making choices based on values and inclusivity, prioritising accessible and inclusive travel is not just good ethics; it’s a smart business strategy.&nbsp;&nbsp;Why Offer Inclusive Travel?In summary, for travel distributors seeking continued growth and success, embracing inclusive and accessible travel experiences is not merely an ethical choice; it is a strategic business imperative.&nbsp;By prioritising inclusivity, companies can effectively meet the evolving needs of today’s diverse traveller demographic, ensuring sustained profitability and relevance in the competitive travel market.&nbsp;By offering accessible travel options and prioritising accessibility and inclusivity, you demonstrate not only a commitment to social responsibility but also tap into a growing and often underserved demographic.&nbsp;Investing in inclusivity and accessibility is not just a means to enhance customer satisfaction; it is a pathway to secure a vibrant and thriving future in the travel industry.&nbsp;Sign up today to scale your accessible hotel offering&nbsp;

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why is inclusivity and accessible travel the way forward

Industry Insights: Why Is Inclusive Travel the Way Forward?

&nbsp;About lastminute.comlastminute.com is a powerhouse in the dynamic holiday package sector, having positioned itself as a leading European travel tech player in its market over the last decade. Benefiting from an iconic, household brand and a rich portfolio of vertical brands to supplement it, and the power of being a fully licensed European tour operator, lastminute.com meets the needs of many diverse travellers.&nbsp;Travellers can search for and book flights, hotels, dynamic holiday packages (DHP) and a wide range of services on lastminute.com’s web-based booking sites and apps. They not only offer highly convenient booking options, but personalised travel experiences, traveller protection and deals.&nbsp;The Challenge: What did lastminute.com need to increase their holiday offering?lastminute.com’s key objectives were to improve its positioning within its core markets and to become an expert in dynamic packages, offering comprehensive travel experiences to a broad, international travel market.We spoke to Martin Kleinman, Supply Director &amp; Chief Commercial Officer for lastminute.com at HBX Group’s MarketHub Europe summit, who suggested that one of the challenges lastminute.com were facing when they began in 2015, was one of scope: ‘When we started, we were really quite basic in our hotel offering, and HBX Group enabled us to start with a very significant offering, particularly in the classic “sun and beach” holiday.’&nbsp;Martin also confirmed that in 2015, the early focus was on scale: ‘Back then, in 2015, when we began, we were very focused on flight-only and hotel-only. Partnering with HBX Group helped us to expand our dynamic packages holiday offering... it was what we needed to do, and helped us progress this key category.’&nbsp;The Solution: How was Hotelbeds able to help?Partnering with Hotelbeds, part of HBX Group, in 2015, lastminute.com recognised the global reach and the established nature of our portfolio in the desired segments.&nbsp;Martin explained: ‘You [Hotelbeds] were experts already in sun and beach, and you had the kind of hotel content that our customers wanted. So, from the beginning, it was a perfect match.’&nbsp;Martin also revealed that this solution to expanding lastminute.com’s limited range at its beginning was a key differentiator when it came to partnering with Hotelbeds, given lastminute.com’s ambitions to do more in both hotel-only and dynamic packaging at the time.&nbsp;As a comprehensive travel distributor in the European segment and then worldwide, lastminute.com’s partnership with Hotelbeds made sense, as we enabled the growth of their offering thanks to our extensive global portfolio of travel products and established positioning within valuable markets.&nbsp;Through the dedicated work of our destination and sourcing experts and their proactive and personalised account management, we have been able to curate the relationships and partnerships that are needed to grow and maintain a portfolio with the breadth and scope that benefits aspirational players like lastminute.com when they are starting their journey.&nbsp;Our positioning as a leading ecosystem empowers other key players within their sectors, facilitating the connections required to create a frictionless travel experience for all involved. However, this position for Hotelbeds, and HBX Group as a whole, is only possible due to the legacy we hold and the experience that shapes our decisions, as a key partner to travel businesses across the industry for 40 years.&nbsp;By connecting their strategic mindset and ambitious business model to the inventory provided by Hotelbeds, lastminute.com were able to grow their visibility and better position themselves in the market as the expert in dynamic packages that they are today.&nbsp;On the strengths of the partnership, Martin suggested “mutual growth” was perhaps the keyword that captures our work together over the last decade. He said: ‘This is the best thing about the partnership – that we’ve grown together. The fact that lastminute.com is seen as European experts in dynamic packages is partly thanks to you, our suppliers.’&nbsp;He continued with, ‘We wanted to be confident that we could offer everything in every destination, and partnering with Hotelbeds provided a solution which could be built upon. That’s why Hotelbeds quickly became one of our strategic accounts.’&nbsp;In short, the value brought by Hotelbeds to the partnership was the sheer scope of the inventory offered, the strategic opportunities this gave lastminute.com – in terms of its expansion into a comprehensive travel distributor – and the overall profitability this afforded their business.&nbsp;The Outcome: Why Hotelbeds was the right choiceOver the past decade, lastminute.com has secured their position as an immediately recognisable name in the European segment and as a leader in dynamic holiday packages. Combining lastminute.com’s strategic growth and reputational uplift with the global reach afforded to them by having Hotelbeds as a key supplier, has enabled them to stand out as a prime competitor in this ever-evolving industry.&nbsp;lastminute.com's positioning has gone from strength to strength over the years, empowered by the availability of hotel content in their desired markets, in which Hotelbeds has played a significant role over the course of this partnership. ‘Sometimes,’ Martin mused, ‘when we want to launch a new destination, you’re already there. So, for us, that’s a real advantage starting out.’&nbsp;Setting their sights on new markets, new corridors of revenue have been made possible in part because of the global standing of Hotelbeds, both as a provider of global inventory but also as a consultant in growth opportunities.&nbsp;Martin believes that Hotelbeds’ strength as a partner comes from its dedicated expertise, not only of our Strategic Account Managers, but also our proactive approach to new opportunities that arise. Martin added: ‘With any new kind of opportunity that comes, I know that you come to us, and we always discuss it and see what makes sense to both of us. Communication is always key, so I’m grateful for that kind of openness and transparency in a partner.’&nbsp;As a result, this transparent partnership between lastminute.com and Hotelbeds has led to expanded operations, increased revenue, a broader customer base, and international renown for lastminute.com, enabling and empowering them to develop into and remain a leader in European dynamic holiday packages.&nbsp;For Hotelbeds, this partnership offered us the opportunity to leverage the experience gained by successfully growing in a consultative manner alongside lastminute.com over the years, and apply this growth experience to our continued improvement as a dedicated travel partner for other travel businesses across the industry.&nbsp;Why Partner with Hotelbeds?In addition to offering travel businesses crucial opportunities to expand, as demonstrated in the profitable partnership with lastminute.com, we offer a wide range of tailor-made solutions to travel businesses across the varying sectors.&nbsp;As part of the wider HBX Group ecosystem – a leading global B2B TravelTech company – Hotelbeds is the leading B2B TravelTech online distributor for wholesalers, suppliers and destinations. Hotelbeds offers a travel ecosystem connecting more than 300,000 products, including accommodation, payment solutions, mobility services and experiences, to local and global brands, empowering their partners to satisfy the growing needs of the end traveller.&nbsp;It’s our mission to empower choice for our partners and travellers worldwide:Presence in 170+ countries worldwide – with 250,000+ hotels and 23,000+ in-destination experiences, global transfer route coverage and car hire.Access to dedicated Account Managers, whose goal is your growth.1000 sourcing and destination experts, negotiating vital rates and availabilities.Seamless API integrations tailored to your business needs.Intelligent campaigns – to assist in the capture of seasonal demand.&nbsp;Take your business even further with Hotelbeds. Sign up today to see how we can optimise your success in the ever-evolving world of travel.&nbsp;Sign up to join the Hotelbeds network today&nbsp;

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Hotelbeds and lastminute.com strategic partnership

How Hotelbeds Empowered lastminute.com’s Growth into a Leading Dynamic Packages Expert

&nbsp;As a valuable travel tech solution, content APIs (Application Programming Interface) allow applications and systems to access and communicate with each other, and with content stored in a CMS (Content Management System), or alternative content repository, such as all the information on our hotels available in our Booking API as part of our comprehensive API solutions suite.&nbsp;The content API, therefore, acts as a ‘bridge’, facilitating connection between these systems and applications and enabling developers/users to retrieve, manage and deliver content across various platforms, devices, and even digital assistants.&nbsp;At Hotelbeds, as part of HBX Group, we offer a content API for hotels and an activities content API, which work in conjunction with our accommodation booking API.&nbsp;But before we look at the critical benefits that a content API brings to your effectiveness as a travel distributor, let us look at the important features and functions of our hotel content API and activity API, and how these travel tech solutions improve the daily efficiency of travel distributors across the industry.&nbsp;How does the Hotelbeds Content API for hotels work?The information returned by our content API can be classified as:Static information: information not directly related to the booking process but which is still crucial - comments, descriptions, hotel pictures, and address information.The core concept of our content API is to ensure that valuable information related to the whole travel booking process is returned in a simple, easy to access, decipher and deliver format, in the shortest possible time.&nbsp;Our content API, for both accommodation and travel experiences, is designed to return all the basic and required information needed to operate our booking API in a fast, effective manner. Quicker, for example, than having the information on an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server.&nbsp;To achieve this, we limit the size of the response messages to return just the static information of the hotel booking process.Roles and operations the Content API tool can performManaging hotel contentsOur Content API has been designed to retrieve all the details of the hotels available in our Booking API, and allows users to obtain these vital details through several different methods. This enables users to easily and quickly retrieve information associated with our global portfolio of accommodation options, such as room types, accommodation types, alongside lists of destinations, countries and promotions on available rates.&nbsp;The information returned through the Hotel Operation – the main function of the content API for hotels – is made up of four different categories of information, all requiring a different method of retrieval:Hotel descriptive operationsHotel location operationsHotel complementary operationsOther operations&nbsp;Hotel Descriptive OperationsThis includes all operations that can be used to describe each hotel, such as accommodation types, segments, categories and category groups, chains, image types, and facilities.Hotel Location OperationsThis group includes all operations that can be used to locate each hotel, and which are split into locations (destinations and zones) and countries.Hotel Complementary OperationsThese are categorised as all operations that can be used to complement the information of the hotels, as well as the information returned in our Booking API, such as descriptions of the room and board types, issues, and terminals associated with the hotel.Additionally, rate comments inform users of the comments the hotelier might want clients to know before confirming the booking. These rate comments are returned in our Booking API, so it’s important to ensure that your database is regularly updated to serve this information correctly and quickly.Other OperationsIncluded in this group are all the operations that are not directly related to the hotels but can be used to complement the information returned in our Booking API, including the descriptions of currencies and promotions that each rate can have.&nbsp;Activities API for travel experiencesThe content API contains a set of calls returning useful information regarding:Auxiliary data (countries, destinations, for example).Content for activities (images, commercial descriptions, and specific details).&nbsp;The content factsheet available in our Booking API is built using a set of attributes, which contain all the information required to accurately describe a product or set of products. Some of this information is presented to final customers when offering products or services, and so forms valuable, vital information for the booking process.&nbsp;Retrieving content factsheets can be done in two ways:Simple: a single content factsheet retrieved by its service code, and optionally, its modality. In our content API, this is called a ‘GET’ call.Multi: the content factsheet for a set of products, retrieved by a set of service codes and, optionally, their modalities. In our content API, this is called a ‘POST’ call.&nbsp;Both the service codes and modalities are returned by the Search operation!&nbsp;What benefits do Content APIs Offer?Now, function aside, here’s why content APIs are so valuable, and why utilising one from a B2B travel expert like Hotelbeds, and our parent company HBX Group, as a leading travel ecosystem player, can ensure that your business is performing at its most optimised:Dynamic content deliveryContent can be updated and displayed in real-time across a wider range of channels and platforms, without the need to be manually updated.Omnichannel content managementBy facilitating the creation, update and delivery of valuable content and information across multiple channels, content APIs can help ensure consistency and efficiency in the selling of travel products by streamlining the collection and dissemination of this content.Reducing operational and development timeStandardising the methods of accessing important content in relation to booking and availabilities helps to streamline development processes and save time on performing custom integrations.Greater scalabilityEnsured by the increased ease of access for content, and the streamlined distribution to a larger number of platforms, users and channels.Improved user experienceBy better empowering the delivery of personalised content to users, refined by their preferences and context, which results in a more connected (and more profitable) user experience.Better integration with third-party servicesSuch as e-commerce platforms or social media networks, alongside the more ‘traditional’ web-based booking interfaces, allowing for expanded reach and functionality.Future proofingBy ‘decoupling’ important content from specific platforms, content APIs can help to prepare this content for increasingly prevalent tech advancements, such as voice assistants or even augmented reality. This helps distributors stay ahead in the ever-evolving travel industry.&nbsp;Hotelbeds, part of HBX Group, is a B2B travel expert, offering innovative and intuitive TravelTech solutions to travel players across the industry. By facilitating valuable and frictionless connections between businesses, we work to expand the growth, visibility, competitiveness and profitability of our partners in the ever-evolving travel industry.&nbsp;It’s our mission to empower choice for our partners and travellers worldwide:Presence in 170+ countries worldwide – with 250,000+ hotels and 23,000+ in-destination experiences, global transfer route coverage and car hire.Access to dedicated Account Managers, whose goal is your growth.1000 sourcing and destination experts, negotiating vital rates and availabilities.Seamless API integrations tailored to your business needs.Intelligent campaigns – to assist in the capture of seasonal demand.&nbsp;Not one of our valuable partners yet?&nbsp;&nbsp;Sign up to become a Hotelbeds partner today&nbsp;to gain access to travel tech solutions like our content API, and much more.&nbsp;

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hotelbeds API solutions

Travel Tech Solutions: Sell Seamlessly with Hotelbeds' Content API

&nbsp;Sustainable travel has become the buzzword of the last few years in the travel industry, and while it’s important to keep pushing towards an industry where sustainability is at the core of all business models, it’s also just as important to aim for more.&nbsp;&nbsp;Single-use plastic-free hotels and experiences are essential when we’re thinking about making tourism a force for good, which is a goal that lies near and dear to us at Hotelbeds as a TravelTech leader.&nbsp;Of course, sustainability, environmental concerns and the travel industry have long been connected within both positive and negative discourse. However, plastic pollution and the prevalence of single-use plastics is one of the main challenges facing the planet and the tourism industry, as plastic waste decreases the visual appeal of destinations, pollutes the natural environment, and can contribute to poor human and wildlife health.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tourism isn’t the only victim when it comes to single-use plastic waste, but the tourism industry itself is a large contributor to plastic pollution, and it’s time that the industry tackles this problem from the inside - just like our Sustainable Hotels Programme, which now offers around 40,000 sustainable hotels, 5500 of which are single-use plastic-free.&nbsp;Here are just a few reasons why travel providers should be offering sustainable, single-use plastic-free hotels to your clients.&nbsp;Meet The Demands of Today’s (and Tomorrow’s) TravellerWhile today’s traveller is increasingly sustainably minded, it’s the traveller of the future who will be next in line to take the industry even further and minimise the impact of tourism on the environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Highlighting more sustainable hotels and travel options at the start of the booking process encourages travellers to make eco-friendly choices. This collaborative effort within the industry can help transform the typical traveller into a more sustainable one.&nbsp;Our CEO, Nicolas Huss, emphasises that "travellers are now more aware of their carbon footprint and impact on the environment than ever before." Research supports this idea, showing that approximately 43% of global travellers are willing to pay more to ensure their stay has a reduced environmental impact.&nbsp;So, who is it that you are trying to attract with these sustainable travel offerings?&nbsp;&nbsp;The majority of Gen Z wants to travel sustainably and are three times more likely to engage in volunteering or regenerative travel projects while visiting other countries.82% of Millennials express a desire for trips that have minimal environmental impact.Gen Z is the demographic that spends the most on travel, indicating that, despite inflation, travel remains a top priority in their lives. Thus, providing sustainable travel options can help retain these high-spending customers.Additionally, Millennials comprise about a quarter of the world’s population and contribute around 17% to global consumer spending, which represents significant purchasing power.&nbsp;And with the global sustainable tourism industry valued at 3.12 trillion in 2024 and growing all the time, there is significant uplift available for companies, organisations and providers who implement successful sustainable tourism opportunities and who actively partner with those in the travel industry with sustainability at the forefront of their business model.&nbsp;Accor Hotels: A Successful Case Study In Going Single-Use Plastic FreeIn fact, major hotel chains have already made a step forward in order to tackle this issue. One good example is&nbsp;Accor Hotels, which joined the&nbsp;Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)&nbsp;in 2022 and has since announced two global partnerships with&nbsp;Green Key and Green Globe certifications.&nbsp;&nbsp;Going single-use plastic-free can be a challenging task for any business in the travel industry, but here's proof that such an aim is not only attainable but significantly rewarding for businesses that do.&nbsp;In the following video,&nbsp;Jordane de Villaret Bentinck, VP of Sustainability Communications &amp; Change at Accor, explains the actions the chain has implemented so far and how they have been received by customers.&nbsp;Our Sustainable Hotels ProgrammeThis rising demand for sustainable hotels and experiences is also something we’ve clearly seen at Hotelbeds in the last few years.&nbsp;As part of our parent company, HBX Group, our Sustainable Hotels Programme started in 2020, initially offering 15,000 properties to travel sellers and eco-conscious travellers. Since then, it has expanded significantly to around 40,000 sustainable hotels, reflecting an impressive 84% growth over 2022 compared to the previous year.&nbsp;&nbsp;We also observed a notable 30% increase in the number of travellers booking sustainable and single-use plastic-free hotels on our platform during the 2022-2023 period, with interest continuing to rise. Currently, our portfolio includes 5500 plastic-free hotels, with new eco-conscious accommodation options being added regularly.&nbsp;Additionally, all of these sustainable hotels are easily accessible through the ‘Sustainable Hotels’ filter in our Booking Engine. This feature refines searches to highlight hotels that have identified themselves as plastic-free or have participated in our Sustainable Hotels Programme, achieving some of the highest industry certifications for sustainability practices.&nbsp;Only hotels that have attained industry-certified sustainability levels, such as the Hotel Sustainability Basics certificate from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) or the GSTC Industry Criteria from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), are displayed in our ‘Sustainable Hotels’ filter on our travel booking platform.&nbsp;This combined with the powerful, data-driven and user-friendly nature of our Booking Engine, which helps streamline daily tasks for travel providers, means it is easier than ever for travel providers to find the most relevant properties for eco-conscious travellers in just a few clicks.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sign up to become a Hotelbeds partner today&nbsp;to access our growing portfolio of sustainable hotels and begin broadening your offerings to the most vital segment out there right now - young, sustainable travellers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Avoid Losing Business As Travel Goes SustainableAs more and more travellers are putting their money where their beliefs are, there is the potential risk that current hotspot destinations which are producing plastic waste will be left behind by an increasingly eco-conscious market. And for the communities which are so dependent on the revenue generated by tourism, as well as the travel providers, like you, who are dependent on securing bookings from travellers themselves, keeping up with client demand is key.&nbsp;When it comes to the increasing demand for sustainable and plastic-free travel, an impactful study in Mallorca showed that 84% of surveyed travellers said they would be willing to pay more for an experience that's free of single-use plastics.&nbsp;In fact, there are examples from all around the world, and across many different sectors within the industry, that demonstrate the growing appetite for plastic-free and sustainable travel opportunities, and the importance of remaining ahead of the curve to avoid losing out on critical revenue opportunities:&nbsp;Recycling initiatives aimed at reducing landfill waste have gained significant momentum. For instance, since its launch in 2016, the Refill Not Landfill initiative based in Cambodia has expanded to 19 countries, including Thailand, Laos, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Myanmar, and New Zealand, successfully saving thousands of tons of plastic from the oceans. Additionally, we are partnering with key hotel partners on recycling initiatives that convert discarded pool floats into fabrics.&nbsp;Circular economies are becoming more common, exemplified by Basecamp Maasai Brand (BMB), where discarded mosquito repellent bottles and plastic tanks are transformed by Maasai women into handcrafted necklaces, bracelets, and key rings. Programs like these provide economic benefits to local communities, help preserve cultural heritage, and simultaneously reduce plastic waste in popular tourist destinations.&nbsp;Regenerative tourism and volunteering schemes are increasingly in demand, serving as essential avenues for positive-impact and eco-conscious tourism practices while offering significant opportunities for tourism businesses. A recent report by Red Sea Global (RSG), the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, Wave, and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation highlighted that the demand for eco-conscious experiences and travel significantly exceeds the industry's capacity to deliver restorative experiences. This emerging economy, valued at an impressive $2.5 trillion, is expected to double by 2030. It remains an underserved segment of the travel industry and represents a crucial area for achieving much-needed sustainability and social responsibility goals for both local and global communities.&nbsp;In response to this need, our parent company, HBX Group, has organised several impactful clean-up activities around the world, in places as far-reaching as Shanghai, Mexico, and Mallorca. A standout event was our collective volunteer effort on International Plastic Free Day 2024, during which 133 volunteers dedicated 223 hours to collecting 444.58 kg of waste!&nbsp;That said, while as many as 85% of global tourists want more plastic-free alternatives, many travellers can also be quick to respond negatively if these alternatives are not convenient.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, innovative solutions, such as those offered by the Zimbabwean-owned company EcoDrop, provide accessible and convenient options for everyone. By installing refill stations around Victoria Falls, the airport, the town, and the UNESCO World Heritage site, this initiative allows both visitors and residents to purchase a refillable bottle. Each bottle comes with a code that can be scanned at any of the refill stations to refill the bottle. This not only serves as a unique souvenir but also addresses the issue of the production and consumption of single-use bottles by granting access to water refills for pre-purchased bottles.&nbsp;Evidently, if popular locations do not begin to implement green initiatives which are accessible and integrated into the in-destination experience, and if travel providers do not promote sustainable hotels and experiences in these regions, the risk of suffering a drop in business as customers choose sustainable alternatives becomes very real.&nbsp;And with 13 million tonnes of plastic entering the waterways around the world every year, reducing the impact of single-use plastic pollution as a result of tourism has never been more important, especially in coastal and island destinations. As our head of Environmental, Social and Governance, Carlota Galvan suggests:Considering that around 90% of the plastic in the oceans comes from land-based sources and that the annual damage of plastics in marine ecosystems amounts to 13 billion dollars a year, it is essential to be proactive on the issue.&nbsp;So, the motivation is two-fold for travel sellers to offer and promote single-use plastic free and sustainable alternatives to travellers at the very beginning of their travel plans; not only to help fight the destructive impact of plastic waste, but to continually meet the needs of todays’ traveller, without compromising the traveller of tomorrow.&nbsp;&nbsp;What’s the first step?&nbsp;Accessing a portfolio of thousands of sustainable hotels to offer your clients! And with 5500 plastic-free hotels, and 40,000 sustainable hotels participating in our Sustainable Hotels Programme, we at Hotelbeds are in a prime position to offer exactly what your customers are after.&nbsp;Sign up to become one of our valuable partners today to begin optimising your offerings with sustainable properties and access high-value clients all over the world, even in hard-to-reach segments.&nbsp;Become Part of a Forward-Thinking Industry&nbsp;Single-use plastic free. Carbon Neutral. Climate Positive.&nbsp;&nbsp;When you think of these terms, you think of the future. You think of the shape of the travel industry as it is in the minds of those that want to change the industry for good; you think of the next wave of generations who are the most vocal and outspoken about climate change and all the ways that individuals, industries and businesses need to offset the impact on the environment as a matter of urgency.&nbsp;&nbsp;Global and institutional incentives are also a great way to actively combat plastic waste and join forces with brands and organisations taking it upon themselves to make travel a positive force.&nbsp;As an example, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI), which is co-led by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), requires national and local governments, companies, and supporting organisations in the tourism sector to actively commit to reducing plastic pollution and shift towards plastic circularity (reusing and upcycling products rather than disposing of them) by 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;While the ‘Future of Tourism’ coalition includes six NGOs who are encouraging key industry names to uphold 13 regenerative principles, such as circular economy, and including sustainable local supply chains in the definition of economic success, rather than just relying on GDP.&nbsp;&nbsp;These are critical developments from the industry itself, meeting the rising demand for something more than just sustainable travel.&nbsp;&nbsp;Plus, incentives like this are a practical way to support travel providers like you, as you reduce plastic waste in the daily practices and partnerships that you have, while still maintaining health and quality protocols for the end traveller.&nbsp;Practical Ways to Help Travellers Avoid Single-Use PlasticsUse our ‘Sustainable Hotel’ filter - utilise the 'Sustainable Hotel' filter in the booking engine to quickly find hotels that have designated themselves as ‘sustainable’ or ‘single-use plastic free’ and possess the appropriate sustainability accreditation.Offer eco-friendly tours - provide tours that utilise eco-friendly transportation options, such as electric vehicles, public transport, or bicycles.Invest in ‘give back’ projects - like tree planting, much like our adjoining company Hotelbeds is dedicated to planting tens of thousands of trees in the Hotelbeds Forest! Or beach clean-ups, like those organised by our parent company HBX Group, in destinations as far-reaching as Shanghai, Mexico, and Mallorca.Partner with eco-conscious tour operators - collaborate with tour operators who actively reduce single-use plastic waste in their experiences. This can include encouraging travellers to bring their own reusable bottles and ensuring that plastic-free cutlery is provided when necessary. There are numerous ways for operators to maintain high-quality experiences without relying on plastic.Encourage travellers to book transport from businesses that have taken steps to eliminate or reduce single-use plastics. For instance, American Airlines has been recognised for the second consecutive year on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World), while Air France-KLM has been identified as the most sustainable airline group globally using the same index.Promote eco-conscious cruises - Offer cruises that have significantly reduced or entirely removed single-use plastics. Hurtigruten was the first cruise line to ban single-use plastics in 2018. More recently, Virgin Voyages has also eliminated them, with Beyond Tours, Cunard, and P&amp;O following suit by 2022.Consider partnering with a sustainably minded reward programme. Approximately 42% of travellers surveyed indicated that they would be more inclined to travel sustainably if they could earn reward points for making environmentally friendly choices.&nbsp;Being a part of the movement is only going to bring positive responses from the high-value sustainable traveller and boost your success as a leader of the sustainable charge.&nbsp;What’s more, according to our platforms, tour operators and travel wholesalers are paving the way when it comes to booking sustainable hotels and experiences in some of our most popular destinations around the world. Which means, when it comes to influencing travellers to make sustainable choices, travel providers are essential!&nbsp;Promoting single-use plastic-free hotels is just the first step of many; but it’s certainly a start.Plus, ensuring that more sustainable hotels and travel opportunities are front and centre for travellers at the beginning of their booking journey, encourages and enables more sustainable choices – allowing the industry to work together to transform the ‘traditional’ traveller into a sustainable traveller.&nbsp;Sign up today or Log in to access a growing portfolio of single-use plastic free hotels and begin to expand your offerings to attract the increasingly eco-conscious traveller of today, with around 5500 plastic-free hotels, and 40,000 sustainable hotels as part of our Sustainable Hotels Programme.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Why Travel Distributors Should Offer Single-Use Plastic-Free Hotels

It's no secret that the travel distribution landscape can be complex, and finding the right distribution mix for your property isn't an easy task nowadays.&nbsp;&nbsp;At Hotelbeds, we simplify these complexities by offering you the advantages of a B2B distribution channel. This means getting you access to a global market without having to negotiate individual contracts with each distributor, and attracting more high-value guests, among many other benefits.&nbsp;&nbsp;Apart from this, when you partner with Hotelbeds, you don’t just connect to a distribution network — you unlock access to a rangeof tools and services designed to help you increase occupancy, boost revenue, and reach your goals faster.&nbsp;Some are included in your agreement from day one. Others can be activated whenever you need extra support — whether that’s more visibility, smarter pricing, or deeper insights.&nbsp;No matter your hotel’s size or style, you’ll find solutions tailored to help you perform better and grow with confidence. Here's a sneak peek of what you'll find in this free guide:&nbsp;&nbsp;Hotelbeds’ distribution strategy explained&nbsp;An overview of the strategic partners you'll have access to&nbsp;How Hotelbeds' Partner Portal will bring you the autonomy to easily manage your hotel distribution&nbsp;Why the regional and global Marketing Campaigns are a key advantage in your strategy&nbsp;Two Optimisation Campaigns that will take your property to the next level from day one&nbsp;The exclusive Marketing Suite, a full range of marketing solutions based on your needs&nbsp;Hotelbeds' Preferred Partnership, a bespoke commercial solution designed to evolve with you&nbsp;Go beyond distribution: Discover HBX Group's extended portfolio with fintech, insurtech, and digital marketing solutions for your property, and much more.&nbsp;Get your copy now and discover what's in store for your property!

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[GUIDE] How to Boost Hotel Revenue with the Right B2B Strategy

You could have the most scenic lake-view rooms, the finest Japanese wellness experiences, or the most aesthetic property design. But if you can't reach your ideal guests, it’s hard to fill rooms.&nbsp;In today’s digital-first landscape, travellers book online, compare fast, and expect personalisation. According to the 2025 Hotels and Resorts Marketing Report, over 57% of travellers book hotels online, making a strong digital marketing strategy essential.&nbsp;AI and Machine Learning are transforming how hotels attract and serve guests, from personalised campaigns to real-time recommendations. Travellers increasingly are seeking meaningful, tailored stays.&nbsp;With the right hotel marketing techniques, you can connect with the right guests, build trust, and drive bookings before they ever arrive. And this guide outlines effective hotel marketing strategies for 2025 and shows how Hotelbeds’ B2B distribution solutions can help boost visibility and drive more bookings.How to build an effective hotel marketing planLike any business goal, marketing for a hotel needs a clear roadmap that aligns with your broader business objectives. Start with:&nbsp;Clear goals: If your business goal is to increase revenue, your marketing focus should be on boosting bookings. If you’re expanding into new regions, your strategy should target new audience segments. Establish your budget, KPIs, timelines, and the teams involved from the start.&nbsp;Know your target market: Marketing only works when it reaches the right audience. Use past guest data to define profiles beyond demographics, consider motivations, interests, and booking behaviour.&nbsp;Analyse past performance and competitors: Review what’s worked, monitor seasonal trends, and track what competitors are doing in your region. A good strategy adapts to both industry shifts and guest expectations.&nbsp;Choose the right channels: Use Instagram and TikTok for younger audiences, LinkedIn for business travellers, and email or influencer marketing based on your goals and spend.&nbsp;Finally, track results: Use analytics tools to measure performance, test new ideas, and improve over time. A strong plan is flexible, data-driven, and evolves with your guests.&nbsp;Top hotel marketing strategies for 2025&nbsp;Leverage the power of digital marketingDigital marketing remains one of hospitality’s most effective tools—cost-efficient, highly targeted, and scalable. 89% of marketers reported a positive ROI from personalised campaigns according to WebFX’s 2025 Digital Marketing Statistics.&nbsp;Here’s how you can build a strong digital presence:&nbsp;Adopt AI for personalised engagement: According to The Business Research Company’s Hospitality Market Analysis 2024 report, the hospitality AI market is expected to reach $0.92 billion by 2028, growing at 57.5% CAGR. Use it to personalise emails, automate guest support, build itineraries, and analyse data to drive smarter engagement.&nbsp;Prioritise SEO and content marketing: With 95% of web traffic coming from search engines, and only 30% of users clicking past page one, SEO is critical!Build an AI-friendly, mobile-optimised site with blogs, guides, and a strong Google Business Profile. Focus on Local SEO to reach nearby guests first.&nbsp;Use advertising solutions and metasearch to drive direct bookings: Google PPC offers up to 200% ROI and increases brand awareness by 80%. Metasearch platforms like Google Hotel Ads and TripAdvisor help reduce OTA reliance with real-time rates. Choose CPC or commission-based models. Remember, 27% of global users now use ad blockers, and traditional banner ads are less effective. Implement high-quality, targeted promotional strategies for your hotel.&nbsp;Drive loyalty with email marketing: Targeted email campaigns can boost ROI by 22%. Use them to promote offers, reward return guests, and introduce perks like early check-ins through subscription models.&nbsp;Engage where your audience is:77% of marketers use Instagram for business500M+ users are active on Twitter/X80% of weekly Pinterest users discover new brands&nbsp;Choose your platforms wisely—Reels for visuals, X for updates, LinkedIn for B2B.&nbsp;Build online reviews and loyalty programs: 72% of travellers say reviews influence bookings; only 4% ignore them, according to the 2025 Local Consumer Review Survey. Encourage feedback post-stay, share testimonials, and launch loyalty programs.&nbsp;Stand out with destination or niche marketing: If you're located in a high-demand destination, use it as a marketing hook. If not destination-led, lean into your niche such as wellness travel, sustainability tourism, or experiential travel, to reach high-intent guests. Choosing between luxury hotel marketing strategies or targeted small hotel marketing approaches is essential to highlight your specialty.&nbsp;Invest in influencer marketing and UGCInfluencer marketing continues to deliver results especially through micro-influencers who drive high engagement. Choose partners aligned with your niche to ensure authentic storytelling.&nbsp;Not ready to invest? Start with user-generated content (UGC). Guests already post about their stays, resharing their content builds trust, boosts visibility, and costs nothing.Don’t overlook offline marketingWhile digital leads today’s strategies, offline efforts still hold value. Strengthen your local presence through event sponsorships, local partnerships, travel magazine placements, or trade shows. These hotel marketing ideas build community connections.Adopt the right hotel tech stackModern marketing runs on smart tech. To personalise at scale, integrate PMS &amp; CRM systems with revenue management tools to optimise offers, track bookings and behaviour. With the right stack, you can build rich guest profiles, deliver custom experiences, and run high-converting campaigns with measurable ROI.&nbsp;B2B Channels: Unlocking a powerful marketing advantage for hoteliersIt’s easy to overlook one of the most effective tools in a hotelier’s marketing toolkit: B2B distribution channels. That’s where Hotelbeds comes in with our powerful, ready-to-launch B2B marketing solutions that drive visibility and demand.Pre-defined campaigns: Instant visibility, zero setupOur pre-defined marketing campaigns are a powerful way for hotels to gain targeted visibility without the time or cost of building campaigns from scratch. These ready-to-launch campaigns are aligned with key booking seasons and tailored to specific source markets or traveller segments. These 3 to 6-month campaigns are strategically placed across Hotelbeds and Bedsonline, trusted by thousands of agents globally.&nbsp;How it worksAppear in curated email marketing, landing pages, social media, and moreTailored by region or market segmentChoose from:Hotel HighlightsNew Additions (recently added hotels)&nbsp;Some key features:4 exposure levels for Hotel Highlights, 2 for New AdditionsAdd-ons like priority ranking, social media, banners, and newslettersPlacement in closed user groups where real booking decisions happen&nbsp;Benefits for hoteliers:Boost visibility in competitive marketsReach high-value travel professionalsGet real-time dashboards, engagement metrics, and post-campaign ROI reports&nbsp;Bespoke solutionsFor a more hands-on approach, discover our complete suite of marketing services designed to help hotels inspire and convert unique segments in the travel space. The HBX Group Marketing Suite gives you premium visibility across trusted channels—from display ads and sponsored newsletters to native content and social campaigns.&nbsp;Traditional marketing channels are fragmented, and internal teams often lack the time or expertise to manage complex campaigns, so we come in with a full-service marketing solution that simplifies strategy, execution, and reporting.&nbsp;Key features:Multi-channel exposure across B2B and B2C booking journeysRegional targeting and source market insightsFull campaign support: strategy, creative, reporting&nbsp;Benefits for hoteliers:Consistent presence where bookings happenStreamlined execution from start to finishBooking trend data and actionable performance insightsA team with decades of hotel-focused marketing experience&nbsp;Whether you’re a boutique hotel or a global chain, we design custom strategies that help you attract the right guests on the right channels at the right time.&nbsp;Not yet on board? Register your property to access a global distribution network of over 60,000 travel distributors, including 50,000 travel agencies and 3,500 tour operators, and build campaigns that grow bookings, brand trust, and long-term success.&nbsp;If you're already a hotel partner, do not hesitate to get in touch with your Account Manager to find the best option considering your needs.&nbsp;Choosing the Right Hospitality Marketing SolutionsThere are many aspects to how to market a hotel. Each aspect provides differently weighted benefits for each hotel, depending on whether you’re a boutique hotel, or a large chain.&nbsp;&nbsp;Besides the options mentioned above, consider implementing other equally successful hotel marketing strategies such as hotel reputation management, offer loyalty programmes, develop upselling techniques, among many other marketing strategies.These initiatives, combined with your in-house hotel marketing, will significantly improve your hotel's exposure to travel buyers and their end customers - which means higher occupancy rates for you!&nbsp;&nbsp;Register your property

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Hotel Marketing Strategies to Elevate Your Property in 2025  

&nbsp;Why are Booking APIs Essential?Booking API’s, in today’s industry, are an almost integral solution for travel distributors offering valuable travel products to today’s traveller, as they enable more automated processes, expanded reach, and more efficient, customised booking and customer experiences.&nbsp;This is achieved through:Real-time access to inventory.Integration with various suppliers.Automated tasks such as payment processing and ticketing.Streamlined booking processes.&nbsp;If you haven't yet discovered the full suite of API solutions offered by Hotelbeds, read more about our comprehensive travel API solutions here, and the value they offer for travel professionals looking to increase their efficiency, scalability and profitability in this competitive industry.&nbsp;A good booking API allows end-to-end management for all bookings, making the online booking experience seamless for both travel distributors, aggregators, and end customers.&nbsp;But, how does this benefit you in the real-world? Here are a few key ways that a booking API enables you to optimise your success.&nbsp;Real-time Data and Inventory AccessEquals improved reach and live pricing.&nbsp;Live pricing and availability: Booking APIs provide access to up-to-date information, including real-time pricing, availability, and special offers from suppliers.&nbsp;Global reach: Distributors can access, and therefore sell, a wider range of inventory from various suppliers, both domestically and internationally, without needing to manage multiple systems manually. This streamlines the ability to offer more products to in-market customers without creating additional operational processes.&nbsp;Streamlined Booking ProcessesMost APIs automate various steps in the booking process, and this can range from search and selection to confirmation and ticketing, which helps to reduce manual effort for distributors, and potential human errors, and improves customer experience!&nbsp;As part of these automated processes, customers have a more intuitive and convenient booking journey, which encourages more positive experiences and increases the likelihood of returning customers.&nbsp;This is where the key features of Hotelbeds’ booking API come into their own, offering a seamless booking experience for customers thanks to its fast and easy integration:Instant booking confirmation.Flexible check-in dates.Find products by geolocation and keywords.Push notifications.Advanced filtering options.&nbsp;Supplier Integration and AutomationAPIs help to facilitate a more seamless connection between distributors and various travel product suppliers through integration and automation; this can include hotels, rental car companies, local and global experience providers, and airlines.&nbsp;This integration and communication between systems allows for increased automation, such as the aforementioned points on automated payment processing and ticketing. But APIs can streamline numerous manual processes including invoicing, refund procedures, generating and delivering tickets and vouchers to customers.&nbsp;This reduces the operational demand required for these processes and allows a more efficient way of working. Not to mention that this also improves customer experience due to the effective completion of these crucial booking journey aspects, all of which impact whether or not a customer will return to you as a travel distributor.&nbsp;Increased Efficiency and ScalabilityFeeding into this idea of reduced operational demand, is the consequent efficiency and scalability that comes with the use of a reliable booking API when it comes to:Cost and time savings: through the reduction of manual work, automation allows for faster, more efficient operations.Scalability: through increased automation and the level of integration available with a booking API, distributors can more easily scale their operations to meet and capture more demand, without significant changes or strain on their infrastructure.Reduced development costs: using a pre-built API allows distributors to avoid the costs and complexities of building their own booking system from scratch.Improved core responsibilities: through automating operational tasks and providing a more streamlined booking process, distributors can better focus on areas they can provide increased value to customers, such as marketing and customer service.&nbsp;Hotelbeds’ Booking APIs – Hotels and ActivitiesNow that we understand a few of the key benefits of booking APIs, where does Hotelbeds come in? And what APIs do we offer to enable a more optimised, efficient and ultimately successful business for you?&nbsp;Let us introduce our Hotel and Activities Booking APIs:&nbsp;The Hotel Booking API from HotelbedsWhen it comes to hotel reservations in particular, there are a few ways to gain access to hotel data and booking capabilities:Connecting via travel ecosystem players, like Hotelbeds.Direct connection via property management (PMS) and central reservation systems (CRS).Connection via channel managers.Connection via aggregators, such as GDSs.Partnering with big OTAs.&nbsp;The Hotelbeds Hotel Booking API is designed to streamline the integration of hotel reservations into websites and apps. Partners gain access to Hotelbeds’ extensive global accommodation inventory in real-time, simplifying tasks like searching for options, confirming bookings, managing reservations, and more.&nbsp;Our Hotel Booking API is the main hotel API in our API ecosystem, covering the complete booking process. Designed to book hotels in real-time, in just a few steps, this API generates full lists of hotels, confirms bookings, and enables seamless booking management and modification.&nbsp;Our Hotel Booking API works in conjunction with our Content API to obtain important content information from the hotels, such as pictures, descriptions, facilities, and services.&nbsp;Key Features of Hotelbeds’ Booking APIStreamline your booking funnel with our API Suite’s powerful Hotel Booking API to deliver a fast, intuitive booking experience with the following features:Fast and easy integration with various global suppliers.Quick access to a global inventory of accommodations.Streamlined integration of hotel reservations into websites and apps.Simple search functionalities for accommodation options.Advanced filtering options, including the ability to find products by geolocation and keywords.Quick and direct confirmation of bookings.Real-time access to updated information on pricing and availability.&nbsp;How does our Hotel Booking API work?Our Hotel Booking API uses three different methods to manage booking functions: Hotels, CheckRates, and Bookings.&nbsp;Hotels: this method (/hotels) is used to request room availability, where filters and special features can be applied before sending an availability request; offer a flexible date search; generate a list of hotels with room, board and rate types for these hotels and restricted to the selected dates; and return cancellation fees within the availability response.&nbsp;Check Rates: this method returns up-to-date availability and prices on hotels that require this information to be obtained prior to booking.&nbsp;Bookings: this allows distributors to confirm a booking, obtain a list of bookings, modify or cancel any booking, or simulate a cancellation to see any cancellation conditions.&nbsp;The Activities Booking API from HotelbedsOur API solutions also offer the ability to book activities and in-destination experiences, allowing you to provide even more travel products to customers and expand your value to them.&nbsp;This Activities Booking API is designed to:Enable the construction or creation of a complete activities website or mobile application (app).Integrate activities and experiences into existing systems, both internal and external.Integrate content for these activities and experiences into a common CMS, applicable to all travel products being distributed.&nbsp;How does the Activities API work?Our Activities Booking API can be split into three main functions:Availability / Search: offers a real-time list of available activities and experiences depending on the filters and special features applied.Details / CheckRate: return real-time availability for specific activity codes and operational dates, along with essential details.Booking /Post-booking: confirm, manage and modify all bookings.&nbsp;Discover more information about our comprehensive APIs here.&nbsp;If you’re not yet one of our valuable partners, to access our API solutions and begin optimising your booking success with Hotelbeds, sign up today.&nbsp;It’s our mission to empower choice for our partners and travellers worldwide:Presence in 170+ countries worldwide – with 250,000+ hotels and 23,000+ in-destination experiences, global transfer route coverage and car hire.Access to dedicated Account Managers, whose goal is your growth.1000 sourcing and destination experts, negotiating vital rates and availabilities.Seamless API integrations tailored to your business needs.Intelligent campaigns – to assist in the capture of seasonal demand.&nbsp;Become a Hotelbeds partner today&nbsp;

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Travel Tech Solutions: Access Optimised Booking Processes with Hotelbeds’ Booking APIs

Sustainable travel has become a significant concern for travellers around the globe. As hotel guests grow increasingly aware of environmental issues, they expect the companies they support — including hotels — to reflect these values and prioritise sustainability in their operations.&nbsp;In line with World Environment Day 2025, which this year focuses on the critical issue of ending plastic pollution, it’s more important than ever for hoteliers to confront the challenge of single-use plastics. Taking action now demonstrates a genuine commitment to sustainability — one that today’s eco-conscious guests expect and value.&nbsp;This article aims to support hoteliers interested in embracing sustainable practices and attracting travellers who actively seek out environmentally responsible accommodations. We’ll explore why plastic-free hotels are gaining preference, how your property can benefit, practical tips to eliminate single-use plastics, and a real-world success story from a leading hotel group.&nbsp;We’ll also explain how to showcase your sustainability credentials to our network of over 60,000 travel distributors.&nbsp;Why do guests prefer plastic-free hotels?It’s no secret that there has been a paradigm shift that has influenced the lifestyle of millions of people, affecting all areas of life, including travel and leisure.&nbsp;Sustainable travel has become a significant concern in today’s world, and there are many ways to support the cause. Focusing specifically on one of the main issues – single-plastic use –, we believe that hoteliers have a great potential to become a force for good.&nbsp;Guests believe it as well, and by paying attention to their concerns and catering to their needs, your hotel could benefit from improved positioning in front of eco-conscious travellers…and increase your room nights.&nbsp;People now expect the brands they engage with to reflect their values. This includes how hotels address sustainability. According to Statista, 81% of travellers state that sustainable travel is important to them, and 74% want travel companies to offer more sustainable options. Furthermore, 65% say they’re more likely to book accommodation with recognised sustainability certifications.Also worth noting: 56% of people consider reducing single-use plastics a personal priority, and these habits often extend to their travel choices.&nbsp;Beyond meeting guest expectations, ignoring plastic pollution can have reputational consequences. A hotel’s credibility may suffer if there is no clear commitment to reducing plastic waste. That’s why sustainability — particularly when it comes to plastic — isn’t just good ethics; it’s good business.&nbsp;How can plastic-free initiatives benefit your properties?Whether you manage a boutique hotel or a major chain, transitioning away from single-use plastics takes effort — but the benefits are considerable.&nbsp;Helping the planet is reason enough, but there are other compelling advantages:&nbsp;A clearly defined sustainability strategy can differentiate your hotel from competitors.&nbsp;Certification through recognised programmes boosts your visibility and credibility among eco-conscious travellers.&nbsp;Your property could become eligible for our Sustainable Hotels Programme, giving you access to increased visibility across our global network of travel distributors.&nbsp;In addition, governments around the world are introducing stricter regulations around plastic usage. By taking proactive steps now, you’ll stay ahead of compliance requirements and avoid costly last-minute changes.&nbsp;However, all these benefits depend on communication. If you don’t clearly share your sustainability initiatives — including the elimination of single-use plastics — you may miss the opportunity to connect with your ideal audience.&nbsp;As mentioned in our article on the importance of green hotels, only one third of hotels are communicating their sustainability efforts, such as implementing alternatives for single-use plastics. To make an impact, you need to let travellers know what you’re doing — and why it matters.&nbsp;No matter what the size of your hotel, small actions can make a big change. Are you lacking in ideas? Keep reading, as we provide you with some valuable tips.Practical steps for hotels to embrace sustainabilityThere are certain items that you can replace or reduce in your objective to become a plastic-free hotel.&nbsp;However, there’s one thing that you should take into account to help you reach your goal in the most seamless way possible: it’s necessary to educate your suppliers and employees to better understand how important this purpose is and how they can easily commit to it.&nbsp;For example, you could start by creating a working group where employees from the departments using single-use plastics participate. In this working group, it would be beneficial to identify all single-use plastics in your operations and try to propose alternatives.&nbsp;But it doesn’t stop there: it’s also important to chat with your suppliers and explain your aim to reduce plastic in your properties. They may be able to help you with the task by giving you ideas of which options they have available, such as multi-use items or products made of responsible materials.&nbsp;Here are a few practical changes to begin your plastic-free transition:&nbsp;6 Essential tips for eliminating single-use plastics in hotelsRemove plastic water bottles. Offer refillable glass or metal bottles, and install modern water bottle filling stations for guests — fast, efficient and eco-friendly. Modern versions of these stations can refill a one-litre bottle in 10 seconds to minimise queues, whilst other stations cut off the water after 20 seconds to prevent wastage.&nbsp;Switch to bulk bathroom amenity dispensers. Offer shampoo and gel packaged in wall-mounted refillable dispensers, or consider providing these amenities only on demand. Switching to plastic-free hotel amenities, such as toiletries, is one of the easiest changes to implement, but is also a change which will be first recognised by your guests!&nbsp;Offer non-plastic slippers that are washed in-house and reused. Replace items such as stirrers, shoe shiners, razors, combs, sewing kits, and plastic packaging materials with sustainable alternatives, or remove them altogether.&nbsp;Use recyclable paper for wrapping bathroom amenities, reusable bathroom cups, reusable fabric laundry bags, and paper containers for takeaways, among others.&nbsp;Offer biodegradable rubbish bags that are more environmentally friendly alternatives. Make sure that they’re truly biodegradable.&nbsp;Choose tableware and cutlery made from durable, biodegradable materials. For example, cut down on plastic straws and replace them with ones made of bamboo.&nbsp;For extra support, consider partnering with sustainability consultants who specialise in reducing single-use plastics in hospitality settings.&nbsp;&nbsp;Accor Hotels: A Successful Case Study In Going Plastic-FreeSome major hotel chains have already made a step forward in order to tackle this issue. One good example is Accor Hotels, which joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) in 2022 and have since announced two global partnerships with Green Key and Green Globe certifications.&nbsp;&nbsp;As previously mentioned, going plastic-free could be a challenging task. But here’s the proof that such an aim is both attainable and rewarding. In the following video, Jordane de Villaret Bentinck, VP of Sustainability Communications &amp; Change at Accor, explains the actions the chain has implemented so far and how they have been received by customers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Enhancing plastic-free communications with our sustainable hotels programmeWe’re getting close to the end of this article, and we don’t want to finish it without helping you to communicate your plastic-free efforts.&nbsp;Whether your hotel is just beginning its sustainability journey or has already implemented changes, it’s vital to share your progress. Let the world know you’re committed.&nbsp;Our Partner Portal will be your ally: to gain a prime position in front of over 60,000 travel agents and their clients, mark your hotel as single-use plastic free by following these steps:&nbsp;Log into the Partner PortalSelect ‘Hotel Info’ and click on 'General Information'After clicking ‘About Hotel’, scroll to the section titled ‘Things to Keep in Mind’Tick the ‘Single-use Plastic Free’ box&nbsp;But you can take one step further when it comes to communicating your commitment to sustainable practices. Hotelbeds’ Sustainable Hotel Programme aims to identify and provide enhanced visibility to partner hotels that are certified and accredited according to the rigorous criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) or that have sustainability programmes aligned to these criteria.&nbsp;To date, the Sustainable Hotels Programme portfolio contains over 40,000 properties certified as sustainable. Have a look at this step-by-step guide on how to join this hotel sustainable initiative, and begin to cater to a real demand by helping travel bookers to identify those properties committed to sustainability.&nbsp;Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll be visible under the ‘Sustainable Hotels’ filter in our Booking Engine. But this won’t be the only benefit – you’ll also be eligible for relevant, sustainability-focused campaigns, in which we will push sustainable hotels to our clients.&nbsp;If you have already registered your property with Hotelbeds, access here and select this filter now.&nbsp;Still need to register your hotel with us? It's easy, free, and in a short time, your property will be seen by a worldwide network of 60,000 travel distributors.&nbsp;Register your property

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Plastic-Free Hotels: A Practical Guide to Attracting Eco-Conscious Travellers

&nbsp;Did you know that around 80% of global travellers have suggested that sustainability is important to them? Or that 6 out of 10 visitors prioritise hotels that are single-use plastic free?&nbsp;And considering that this year’s theme for World Environment Day is #BeatPlasticPollution, it’s critical that as a travel distributor, you’re aware of the responsibility to cater to the growing demand from travellers seeking sustainable options; not only for the longevity of the industry, but for the conservation, protection, and prioritisation of the planet.&nbsp;With our range of travel booking tools and products, our strong commitment to sustainability as a business, and our continuous focus on empowering both travel providers and travellers themselves with opportunities that cater to their specific needs, we strive to provide the best possible travel experience for all.&nbsp;Let’s take a look at how we’re helping you to help your clients travel sustainably.&nbsp;Make Sustainable Travel Front and CentreWith more and more travellers aligning their values with their spending habits, it is evident that the industry is moving towards a permanent shift to sustainability.&nbsp;Our CEO Nicolas Huss suggests ‘travellers are much more conscious of their carbon footprint and impact on the environment than ever before’, and research supports this notion, with around 43% of global travellers willing to spend more for the knowledge that their stay has a reduced impact on the environment.&nbsp;So it’s important that you’re able to offer trustworthy and approved sustainable options. Not only for ultimate peace of mind, but also to maximise the reputation of your business in today’s conscious industry, and for the betterment of the planet, too.&nbsp;Sustainable Hotels ProgrammeWe have our Sustainable Hotels Programme (formerly our Green Hotels Programme) offered in line with our parent company, HBX Group.&nbsp;Since its beginnings in 2020 our Sustainable Hotels Programme has continued to grow, from offering 15,000 to around 40,000 sustainable hotels and our collection of single-use plastic-free hotels has expanded significantly from 500 to 6000, aided by a collaboration with Accor.&nbsp;The Sustainable Hotels Programme was established to provide hotels worldwide with a platform to demonstrate their commitment to transforming travel, catering to the growing importance of conscious travel choices for consumers, and facilitating the integration of sustainable options into the booking process for our registered partners.&nbsp;As such, our ‘Sustainable Hotels’ filter forms part of a crucial Sustainability Waves initiative, formed in 2023, to drive real, measurable change in the travel and hospitality industry. This programme helps hotel partners implement and showcase sustainable practices while improving their overall ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance.&nbsp;And by making these hotels easily accessible to our distributor partners and end customers, we’re connecting the industry to a more conscious way of discovering all this world has to offer.&nbsp;The Sustainable Hotels Programme was established to:Provide hotels worldwide with a platform to demonstrate their commitment to transforming travel.Cater to the growing importance of conscious travel choices for consumers.Facilitate the integration of sustainable options into the booking process for our registered partners.&nbsp;This leads us onto our next point...&nbsp;The ‘Sustainable Hotels’ Filter in our Booking Travel PlatformOne of the fastest ways for our registered travel partners to access, identify, and promote our collection of sustainable hotels is by using the ‘Sustainable Hotels’ filter in our Booking Engine.&nbsp;Hotels are only shown in our ‘Sustainable Hotels’ filter in our travel booking platform, if they have sustainable certification, provided by industry-leading organisations such as the World Tourism and Trade Council (WTTC) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC); or have developed sustainability programmes of their own, with equal or higher sustainability standards.&nbsp;To appear in our Sustainable Hotels Programme all hotels will have achieved one form of sustainability certification or another, by:Implementing the 12 basics of sustainability defined by WTTC. These basics include Measure &amp; Reduce Energy Use, Measure &amp; Reduce Water List, No SUP water bottles, Bulk amenity dispensers or Community Benefit, among others.Providing evidence of these sustainability efforts to their verification partner, to comply with the Basic Hotel Sustainability standard.Working with a Certification Body towards achieving full GSTC requirements compliance, the highest social and environmental standards on the market.&nbsp;By selecting 'Sustainable Hotels' in our Booking Engine, you and your clients can have peace of mind knowing that the hotels and resorts recommended are accredited with the highest levels of sustainability.&nbsp;Not signed up yet? Sign up and start taking advantage of our 40,000 sustainable hotels!Join the Hotelbeds network&nbsp;Communicate your Sustainable Travel Offering EasilyOnce you have access to our growing sustainable travel portfolio, you’d be remiss not to broadcast this far and wide to your potential customers. For web-based partners, you can easily communicate your sustainable offerings during the search process to your ideal audience:Easy Hotel Comparison in the Booking EngineOnce you and your client have found suitable sustainable options for their needs, it might be tricky for them to narrow down their choices.&nbsp;Luckily, our Hotel Comparison Tool in the Booking Engine makes this simple.&nbsp;Simply select the sustainable hotel options that have caught your clients’ eye, and hit the ‘Compare’ button in our booking platform. It’s that easy.&nbsp;Our Booking Engine allows you to compare up to four hotels at the time of booking, offering a quick glance at each list of facilities to help your client make the decision.Bespoke Marketing Materials and FlyersQuickly create eye-catching marketing flyers to highlight any travellers’ sustainable hotel choices in just a few clicks.&nbsp;Insights, our intuitive search and recommendation tool, offers a Custom Flyer Tool makes sharing bespoke promotional materials with clients even easier. Once you’ve refined your search based on customer requirements, up to 8 hotels can be collated into a user-friendly flyer which can be personalised with a disclaimer for customers on an individual basis.&nbsp;Plus, as you can share any travel marketing materials through a variety of methods including WhatsApp, Email, Downloadable files, even a personalised QR code, Insights gets your promo material directly onto customers’ screens, making sure that you stay connected and convenient for travellers.&nbsp;Our Sustainable Travel CampaignsWe believe that offering timely, incentivising, and seasonal campaigns is a crucial aspect of being a good partner, and our mission is to provide the best travel products to our partners in a way that excites and delights their clients.&nbsp;Therefore, it is only natural that we run these types of campaigns to meet your needs and the needs of your ideal audience to meet growing industry demands.&nbsp;Our campaigns serve as a crucial platform to showcase valuable and sought-after products that keep you ahead in the travel industry.&nbsp;This includes promoting sustainable options, exemplified in our previous Single-Use Plastic-Free campaigns and our upcoming Environmentally Friendly Hotels campaign which provides easy access to thousands of single-use plastic-free hotels and those with sustainability at their core.&nbsp;We’ve seen huge success with our sustainably focused campaigns and are dedicated to constantly improving our offering of eco-conscious options, and our single-use plastic-free portfolio now stands at 6000 hotels all around the world.&nbsp;Since launching several ESG-focused campaigns as part of our Sustainability Waves initiative, we have worked towards:Eliminating single-use plastics across hotel operations.Improving accessibility to ensure a more inclusive experience for all travellers.Implementing zero-waste practices to reduce environmental impact.&nbsp;View our most recent ESG (Environment, Social and Governance Report here or sign up today to begin benefitting from targeted and seasonal campaigns to help you uplift your bookings.&nbsp;Access to Sustainable Products and Industry InitiativesHotelbeds, as part of the HBX Group, takes its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibilities seriously.&nbsp;It’s important that for any business in the travel industry, you’re getting access to the travel products and wider network to facilitate your own success in your market, as well as working to make travel a force for good.&nbsp;Amplify your own offering by providing the inclusive, sustainable, and accessible travel experiences the industry is demanding, by working with a travel partner like Hotelbeds.&nbsp;Here are just a few of the initiatives we’re working towards to champion sustainable product offerings, improve our environmental processes and optimise our contribution to travel as a force for good:Hotel Collaboration on Sustainable Projects – working together to champion sustainability with the likes of Hyatt hotels, and their plastic recycling scheme, which turns plastic pool floats into fabric.Facility Campaigns – in addition to our single-use plastic reduction efforts, we’re also launching or expanding campaigns to make it even easier for our partners to book and promote sustainable and inclusive travel, including:Hotels which accommodate eco-friendly electric charging points.Accessible hotels for guests with mobility assistance requirements.Pet-friendly hotel options.A new Environmental Management System – a structured framework including new policies, training, evaluation and analysis to improve our environmental operations and procedures as a business.&nbsp;Read more about why travel distributors should offer single-use plastic-free hotels here.&nbsp;So there you have it. While this is a few of the key ways that as a travel parter we make it easy for you to offer sustainable options to travellers, you’ll only be able to ascertain the true value of providing sustainable alternatives to your clients once you begin.&nbsp;Start catering to the demands of today’s traveller and focus on bringing sustainability to the forefront of your promotion, and if you haven’t already, sign up to access a global portfolio of sustainable hotel options. &nbsp;&nbsp;Join the Hotelbeds network&nbsp;

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World Environment Day: How Hotelbeds Helps Travel Distributors Promote Sustainable Travel

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