Responding to domestic demand

The current and sudden high level of demand for domestic travel from the world’s biggest source markets is now widely recognized. 

But exactly where, when and how will this take place? Harnessing big data analytical capabilities, at Hotelbeds we have been able to closely compare the main corridors, lead time, and length of stay for each source market to more accurately predict the characteristics of the surge in demand for domestic stays.

Armed with this information we are planning to add 10,000 new properties to our global portfolio of hotels by the end of the year. 

As a first wave the initiative will be implemented in  the USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, China, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand, with more countries to be included in the near future.

 

Furthermore, we will build upon this increased demand for domestic travel by implementing several new initiatives, such as:

• Expanding our hotel portfolio in secondary destinations to include new leisure options that meet the needs of domestic travellers. 
• Adding more property types to provide variety for these travellers, for example, resorts and rural hotels. 
• Kick-starting the sector by helping customers book in confidence through increasing the availability of refundable rates. 
• Reducing releases and minimum stay requirements to increase maximum availability for last-minute domestic travellers. 
• Launching local marketing campaigns targeted at B2B travel buyers in these source markets to promote and secure availability for this summer season!  

 

Speaking about the plan, our Global Sales Director, León Herce said:  “Following client feedback, and thanks to our own data analytics capabilities, we have detected not only the overall surge in domestic demand, but the requirement for more product in secondary destinations, across all different property types.” 

 “As you would expect, hoteliers in these destinations – many of them previously dependent on international markets that are unlikely to be travelling anytime soon – are very keen to capture the new domestic demand and we are working hard to sign them up fast.”