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tiket.com strategic partnership hotelbeds

Strategic Partnership: How tiket.com and Hotelbeds Achieved Profitable Global Expansion

&nbsp;The last few years have dramatically shaped traveller behaviours and preferences, with many of today’s travellers actively seeking more enriched in-destination experiences which we’ve previously reported on in our travel trends predictions, such as culinary tourism (54%), exploring natural landscapes (49%) and immersing themselves in the local culture (44%).&nbsp;It’s clear however, that whether they are seeking the next solar eclipse, dark skies to marvel at, or are plotting hiking routes for new destinations, today's travellers are firmly leaping into the great outdoors.&nbsp;So, what is nature tourism, and what does today’s adventurous traveller look like?What is nature tourism?Nature-based tourism, according to the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) is defined as “responsible travel to experience natural areas and their landscape, flora, and fauna, protecting the environment and improving the quality of life of locals.”&nbsp;Popular excursions include star-bathing in dark sky parks, chasing the Aurora Borealis, heading to the beach to see marine life, or mountaineering to soak in natural hot springs, ‘cool-cationing’ in some of the Northern Hemisphere’s most breathtaking locations, to venturing out into the wildernesses around the world from the comfort of a guided tour. But travel is personal, and so how travellers choose to get out and about is as wide and varied as how many travel experiences exist.&nbsp;Around 34% of global travellers report a growing interest in nature-based tourism, and 29% expressed interest in nature-based adventure. Many of these travellers will go to great lengths to witness natural phenomena, and aren’t shy of spending to do so. In fact, Future Market Insights forecasts that the global adventure tourism industry is expected to grow at 16.2% per year until 2033, potentially making it worth around $1.5 trillion. This, combined with the current demand for sustainable, nature-based experiences for today’s traveller, makes nature tourism a travel trend worth paying attention to.&nbsp;5 Key Nature Travel Trends to Consider‘Noctourism’ and astrotourism: travellers are looking skywardsThe industry is seeing a global rise in astrotourism: experiences such as stargazing, star bathing, and chasing the Northern Lights. 61% of travellers, according to recent Skift and Expedia reports, suggest that seeing the sky lit up by the Aurora Borealis is their most sought-after phenomenon, and this is set to be one of the must-see moments for many in 2025 and beyond.&nbsp;In fact, SkyScanner has reported that around 44% of 25-34-year-olds are interested in using astronomy to determine their next trip in 2025, whether that’s seeking the next solar eclipse, chasing the Aurora Borealis, or simply staying somewhere with wide expanses of uninhibited natural sky.&nbsp;The recent solar eclipses generated huge travel demand, with millions of people travelling to see this solar event. Recent findings from Skift showed that search interest within the US, for example, surged to four times its usual amount for ‘totality destinations’, while international bookings were up 133%.&nbsp;Elsewhere in hospitality, hotels and resorts in remote, light pollution-free areas, perfect for star-bathing, stargazing and seeing the Northern Lights – such as Iceland, for instance – are enhancing guest experiences by offering unique hospitality features and services. This can include additional wake-up calls, in case the Northern Lights occur late at night, on-site observatories, and complimentary snow suits. This is the kind of experience guests will remember and pay extra for!&nbsp;Nature and adventure Travel: digital nomads and ‘soft’ adventure-enjoyersProfessional meets personal for adventure-seeking digital nomadsNotably, there has also been a notable rise in digital nomads, remote workers, and entrepreneurs all actively seeking outdoor-based travel experiences, chasing adventure in between office hours.&nbsp;PassportCard Nomads recently discovered that 82% of digital nomads are seeking adventurous and culturally immersive travel experiences, eager to go beyond just sightseeing. These modern workers have been altering the way that travel integrates with work for years now, but they’re going one step further and changing the face of adventure travel too.&nbsp;For an increasing number of digital nomads and remote workers, travel is not simply seeking a refuge or fog-clearing shake from being behind the screen. These ‘modern adventurers’ are combining professional ambitions with the thrill of frontier-chasing, and travel is a way to blend rejuvenation and personal growth for a growing number of digital nomads.&nbsp;‘Soft’ Adventure vs Frontier ChasersAs a contrast to ‘frontier travel’, one of the newest buzzwords in travel is ‘soft adventure’.&nbsp;Fuelled by the ever-increasing demand for mindful, meaningful travel and unique experiences, ‘soft adventure’ consists of travel which prioritises comfort and pleasure over extreme thrills; experience-led travel which often combines an explorative itinerary with leisure or wellness activities.&nbsp;This is by no means a small segment of the adventure travel or nature tourism market, either. Activities like hiking, cycling and wildlife watching represent the largest share of tourism opportunities, accounting for around 60% - 80% of the market according to Tourism Economies. Not only this, but the soft adventure sub-trend is estimated to capture around 72% of the market share in 2025! We anticipate this trend of travellers seeking accessible exploration will only become more prevalent, representing a key opportunity for savvy professionals in the industry with an expansive portfolio of experiences that can accommodate this broader definition of adventure travel.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cool-cationing: the escape to colder destinationsTravellers are looking to shake off the heat of rising global temperatures, are discovering how ‘traditionally’ cold-weather destinations are great all year round, and are seeking alternative locations for a refreshing dip in summer.&nbsp;Instead of seeking warmer climates during the hotter months, global travellers are seeking experiences in destinations with cooler climates, while also trying to travel more sustainably.&nbsp;In fact, recent studies from Booking.com report that around 42% of UK travellers would prefer to use their trips as a chance to experience cooler destinations rather than heading to more traditionally common international destinations.&nbsp;Searches for ‘cooler holidays’ have surged by over 300% in some cases, with destinations seeking spikes in popularity including those within Northern Europe and the Arctic, with trips to the Arctic rising a staggering 235% from 2022 to 2023 (as reported by Skift.) Notably, this upswing in demand for these destinations also intersects with the demand for nature tourism, with many travellers seeking active, nature-based itineraries.&nbsp;For travellers looking to get out there, fjord cruises, hiking in the Nordic countryside, and Arctic expeditions offer unforgettable ways to embrace nature’s raw beauty.Natural phenomena and hands-on immersionThe evolution and increasing demand for natural experiences reflect the growing desire for authenticity and immersive experiences that the industry has seen across the board.&nbsp;Of course, the scope of nature tourism is broad, and often there is a valuable intersection between enjoyment of natural phenomena and sustainable, authentic experiences which benefit the host region or country, as well as fulfil the traveller.&nbsp;Whether travellers want to lean into the educational aspect, common within adventure travel, with hands-on learning experiences in the ‘field’ with experts, conservation efforts, regenerative experiences, or simply get up close and personal with the natural landscape, this demand hinges on one thing: meaningful connection.&nbsp;To offer incentivising experiences and secure bookings, it’s key that you understand the why of a traveller’s experience, what they want from it, and how you can fulfil that.&nbsp;Here are a few key in-destination experiences which are proving popular for today’s traveller:Solar and lunar eclipses: demonstrated with the 133% increase in international bookings to see the recent 2024 solar eclipse in the US.Seeing/tracking the Northern Lights in Norway, Canada, and Finland.Active volcanic eruptions: such as in Iceland or Hawaii.Wildlife migrations: the Great Migration in the Serengeti, or penguin gatherings in Australia, for example.Conservation efforts: such as joining expert marine biologists or tracking endangered species with ecologists.Expertly led tours and guides: with a focus on local voices to ensure authenticity and benefits to the local economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;Luxury travellers: high-end sustainabilityAccording to Virtuoso, 74% of luxury travellers would be willing to pay more to travel responsibly, especially if it’s clear how the money will be used. In fact, luxury travellers are re-prioritising their travel experiences and choosing positive-impact tourism in their destination of choice - a method of travelling which leaves a place in a better state than how it was found - over the ‘traditional’ understanding of luxury.&nbsp;The ‘fusion’ of nature travel experiences and high-end hospitality is a sector poised for significant growth and expansion, as travellers move away from five-star hotels towards meaningful, connected travel experiences and options such as off-grid accommodations, solar-powered retreats and green construction materials.&nbsp;It’s also worth noting that today’s luxury traveller is much more likely to be younger. According to recent studies, the average age of travellers on private jets is 38, and while the 'Baby Boomer' generation still constitutes a large portion of the luxury segment, Millennial travellers spend an estimated $200 million on travel annually and make up 50% of the global market share.&nbsp;&nbsp;Younger travellers are those proven to want to, and are happy to pay for, travel as a priority compared to other generations, and the 'new luxury' traveller, as found by a recent McKinsey study, found that the 'aspiring' luxury traveller is growing in spending power. This younger demographic has been found to spend around $84 billion on luxury travel annually - more than any other cohort.&nbsp;These travellers may not have what is considered 'very high' or 'high' worth individually, and their earnings might not be the same as those in the ultra-wealthy segment. But factors like the growing wealth in China, for example, are contributing to a much leaner segment of the luxury travel industry who are younger and willing to spend a larger portion of their salaries on travel experiences.&nbsp;So, factoring what today’s younger travellers want into your recommendations when considering luxury is key, and this, of course, is sustainability.&nbsp;This is a unique position for both traveller and industry, given that in many cases, high-end travellers are in a position where they can support conservation efforts in the destinations they visit. To facilitate and leverage this, many existing and newly established luxury travel experience providers are offering unique experiences, creating their own conservation efforts which travellers can support, or donate to local efforts.&nbsp;For example, since the opening of the Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, cheetahs have been successfully re-established, demonstrating the real-world impact that the luxury segment can have on conservation.&nbsp;&nbsp;How can Travel Distributors Leverage Nature Tourism?The increasing popularity of nature-based travel presents a significant opportunity for travel businesses currently offering travel products for this traveller type, or are wanting to broaden their appeal to this growing segment.&nbsp;Understanding the current and future demands of this traveller is key to success, and the four key sub-trends within nature travel we’ve discussed offer an introduction to the types of demands this traveller segment is making of the industry.&nbsp;Book a room with a viewAround 80% of travellers, according to recent studies, would prefer to stay in a location that offers a ‘prime viewing spot’ for natural phenomena such as the northern lights, and for geological phenomena like volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs. That’s not a decision-making factor to overlook.&nbsp;Offer seasonal experiencesWith Hotelbeds, you can offer seasonal deals and opportunities to clients to maximise your appeal to travellers no matter their destination, increasing the likelihood of securing those all-important sales.&nbsp;What’s more, Hotelbeds partners receive exclusive access to specially negotiated offers thanks to our expert sourcing and destination teams, neatly packaged in our global and regional campaigns.&nbsp;Understand your clients’ demands and offer accordinglyHowever, in an era where personalised offers are so vital for the consumer journey, success hinges on meeting this audience where they are – and that requires offering the right products at the right price, at the right time in a way that makes sense for that traveller or audience.&nbsp;As Hotelbeds, part of HBX Group, a leading travel ecosystem player in the B2B space, this is where we specialise, offering intuitive and innovative TravelTech solutions which reduce friction from the end-to-end travel experience, both for the end traveller and for travel industry professionals all around the world.&nbsp;An expansive global portfolio allows you to meet and exceed the needs of even more travellers in your ideal market – including 23,000+ in-destination experiences to better accommodate experience-first travel.Easy access to travel products with competitive, preferred conditions, exclusive availabilities, and differentiated rates as a result of our expert sourcing and destination teams.Sustainable Choices – our Sustainable Hotels Programme offers 40,000 options for eco-conscious travellers, including 5500+ single-use plastic-free accommodations.Our fast, intuitive API solutions mean you can take advantage of seamless distribution across even more booking touchpoints.Intelligent data-driven campaigns offer you the right price on travel products throughout the year, letting you capture and generate demand.A powerful online travel booking platform lets our web-based partners work and earn at speed, with complex algorithms, intuitive searches, and integrated revenue-boosting tools.Expert business insights to ensure you’re capitalising on every opportunity for growth, as well as competitor analysis, sales recommendations and sales optimisation.&nbsp;Sign up to join the Hotelbeds network today&nbsp;&nbsp;

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nature tourism adventure travel hotelbeds

Travel Trends: Nature Tourism and the Evolution of the Adventurous Traveller

&nbsp;What are detour destinations?A ‘detour’ destination is a lesser-known location near a popular tourist area or an alternative destination that offers similar experiences. While this growing demand for ‘sister’ destinations is not new, this travel trend can be intrinsically linked to a focus on seeking respite from overtourism, genuine interactions and refreshing perspectives on a region or country, as one of the key drivers for why ‘detour’ and alternative destinations are on the rise. Forbes has termed this sentiment ‘untouched tourism.’&nbsp;The Rise of the ‘Detour’So, why are alternative destinations a key consideration this year and as the travel industry evolves?&nbsp;Overtourism vs authenticityToday’s traveller seeks more authentic connection during their trips, but overtourism has led to significant crowding, local unrest, environmental damage, and negative impacts on local communities. Consequently, an increasing number of travellers are opting for ‘detour destinations’ to achieve their desired genuine connection and authentic experience, with research showing that approximately 63% of travellers are likely to choose a detour destination on their next trip, as suggested in a recent Expedia report.&nbsp;As a few examples, instead of the Bahamas you might send travellers to Kaua’i; Reims instead of Paris; Fukuoka instead of Tokyo or Osaka; Cozumel in place of Cancun; Waikato for travellers wanting Auckland; and Abu Dhabi instead of Dubai. Stand-out growth in travel to new and emerging markets is also expected, including the likes of Saudi Arabia and Albania as two examples, which achieved visitor arrival growth of 80% and 74% respectively in 2024 compared to 2019.&nbsp;Responsible travelFirstly, travellers are increasingly aware of the impact of travel on the environment, local communities, and economies. Although about 83% of people agree that responsible travel is important (as suggested by Booking.com's recent Sustainable Travel Report) there remains a gap between sentiment and action. Here is where the responsibility falls on travel distributors to facilitate sustainable travel choices, such as promoting alternative destinations to alleviate overtourism, which we explore further in this article.&nbsp;Personalised itineraries and 'niche' travelWith the rise in traveller preference for tailor-made travel experiences and the growth of 'niche' tourism, this can extend travellers itineraries beyond traditional sightseeing to more personalised trips that include ‘secondary’ destinations to satisfy their unique values and interests.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, when it comes to experience tourism, key drivers of demand are gastronomy, music and events tourism, and film and tv tourism, termed ‘set-jetting’.&nbsp;Budget-consciousnessWhile travellers intend to spend about 9% more on travel this year, demand for cost-effective alternatives is not slowing down. For example, if travellers can’t afford Tokyo during peak season, Yokohama, just a short train ride away, offers a similar experience.&nbsp;Sustainable regulation is on the riseWith many popular countries suffering from the effects of overtourism, increased regulations are becoming more common. Short-term rental bans, heightened tourism taxes, emission mandates, and even reservation systems in some popular destinations are expected to impact travel bookings and in-destination experiences.&nbsp;Additional Factors Shaping the Demand for DetoursJust who, and what, are we seeing as impactful drivers of this demand for alternative destinations, and why does it matter?Gen Z as Detouring TrailblazersOver the past decade, the travel landscape has been reshaped by the growing presence of the youngest generation of travellers: Gen Z.&nbsp;It is no surprise that detour destinations and alternative locations are becoming key trends for travel buyers, sellers, and distributors across the industry. Young travellers are not ‘the next generation of travel’, they’re making significant waves in the industry now.&nbsp;Gen Z travellers are incorporating a humanistic element into their travel experiences, much more so than previous generations. The shift towards increased authenticity, experiential tourism, and preference for local immersion, may be popular with Millennial travellers, but Gen Z is amplifying the demand for people-first travel.&nbsp;Not only do 57% of global travellers express a keen interest in the ‘next best thing’, aligning with this surge in preference for new destinations and unique experiences, but 70% of Gen Z travellers actively look for travel experiences which are ‘off the beaten path’ and which their family and friends might not be aware of.&nbsp;Mental health mattersAlongside this consciousness around unique experiences, around 73% of Gen Z travellers plan holidays and leisure trips to enhance their mental, physical, and emotional well-being, and 61% specifically look for personal wellness and well-being experiences.&nbsp;These key motivators are crucial to consider as travel distributors, especially when it comes to which products and places might resonate with this large travel segment, and also where any gaps in your portfolio or offering might be present.&nbsp;De-influencing as a CountertrendThe rise of social media has given birth to the concept of ‘de-influencing,’ which is increasingly becoming a backlash against the influencer market. De-influencing seeks to counteract the trends and consumer habits that influencers typically promote and get us to rethink what we buy, or book.&nbsp;This movement highlights the negative impacts of consumerism on both the environment and mental health. When it comes to travel and tourism, this concept applies to ‘de-influencing’ travellers from visiting overcrowded areas, offers alternatives and unknown areas which might offer a similar experience, and in some cases, discourages tourism altogether for its impact on the environment.&nbsp;While the aim, naturally, is to continue selling travel, this notion of 'de-influencing' popular choices can be better considered as 're-influencing' travellers to consider the repercussions of viral locations, and the impact this has on local communities, the environment, and also the authenticity of the experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;This notion of 're-influencing' more positive travel behaviours, and 'de-influencing' visitation to popular hotspots also impacts more than just the end travellers' experience. During the pandemic, travel and hospitality was one of the hardest industries hit, and regions like Asia Pacific experienced a 95% drop in international arrivals from January 2021. Now, underserved and underrepresented communities can benefit from renewed and redirected attention and visits from international and domestic travellers alike.&nbsp;While the influencer economy is valued at approximately $250 billion, with Goldman Sachs predicting it will grow to nearly half a trillion dollars by 2027, the message of de-influencing resonates strongly with younger audiences. On platforms like TikTok, billions of views have been generated on 62,000 relevant posts, signalling that savvy consumers are taking heed of this growing movement.&nbsp;This is especially relevant when it comes to the 'Instagram vs. Reality' epiphany that many people experience when visiting a viral destination or place, which again, ties back to the notion of wanting to escape overcrowding, and the occasionally disillusioned view of a destination new visitors can have thanks to expectations driven by social media.&nbsp;&nbsp;‘Dupes’ Are the New Next Best ThingAn increasing number of travellers are embracing an ‘against the grain’ mindset – one which has always present in adventurous travellers, the travel segment previously commonly seen detouring from the norm, and seeking remote places.&nbsp;But ‘detour’ isn’t synonymous with ‘remote’, and in fact the intersection between that adventurous mindset of wanting to discover something new, and the desire for genuine connection is where the magic of the ‘detour’ destination lies. This is why ‘dupes’ - destinations that ‘feel-like’ their more popular counterparts - are rising in popularity and could very well be the key for travellers who don’t want to venture too far outside their comfort zone when it comes to avoiding crowds.&nbsp;An increasing number of social media posts feature ‘feel-alike’ alternatives to popular destinations, with #dupe on TikTok accruing 5.9 billion views. The trend involves travellers opting for lesser-known ‘second’ or ‘sister’ cities as alternatives to overrun tourist hubs.&nbsp;Similarly, searches for ‘hidden gem holiday destinations’ have surged by 150%, confirming that alternatives represent the future of many travel experiences. Flight data reinforces this trend, showing remarkable increases in interest for destinations such as Taipei (up 249%), Curaçao (185%), Perth (109%), and Liverpool (97%), all emerging as appealing options compared to their more popular counterparts.&nbsp;Promoting and booking these alternative destinations not only addresses the challenges of overtourism but also enhances the overall travel experience for the end traveller, fostering deeper connections with places previously overlooked. This, combined with a genuinely valuable portfolio, makes any travel distributor a go-to provider for today’s traveller.&nbsp;The Responsibility of Tourism DispersalAccording to recent McKinsey &amp; Company analysis, around 80% of travellers visit 10% of the world’s top tourist hot spots, and in response to the challenges posed by overtourism, many destinations are actively advocating for a more even distribution of tourism throughout their regions.&nbsp;This can be seen recently in France for example, where approximately 80% of tourism is concentrated in just 20% of the country. To combat this, the government recently launched a €1 million campaign encouraging both domestic and international travellers to explore beyond popular hotspots.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a similar vein, the implementation of protective measures by local governments, such as higher tourism taxes during peak seasons and short-term rental bans, is increasingly bringing the adverse effects of unsustainable tourism to the forefront for modern travellers – not to mention impacting their experience.&nbsp;Here, it’s clear that there lies a measure of responsibility on travel sellers and distributors worldwide to alleviate the pressure on heavily impacted tourist areas, for local communities, host regions and the experience of the end traveller.&nbsp;In fact, in an effort to counter overtourism, Intrepid Travel even created a ‘Not Hot’ list in collaboration with Globetrender, highlighting 10 underrated destinations ideal for exploration.&nbsp;These locations are unveiling new routes of travel, improving their infrastructure, launching incentivising initiatives to make them unmissable when it comes to visitation, attention, and conservation. All of which are key factors when it comes to sustainably diversifying tourism levels around a region. Some of these featured destinations include Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan, Disko Island in Greenland, and Accra in Ghana, among others.&nbsp;This is a prime example of accountability when it comes to diversifying traveller awareness of alternative destinations, but also of recognising the shift that must take place to alleviate the strain felt by that smaller percentage of the world’s locations which accommodate the vast majority of global tourism.&nbsp;Booking Alternative Destinations for Today’s TravellerIn an era characterised by hyper-personalisation and overtourism, travellers are on the lookout for experiences tailored to their individual preferences, while simultaneously getting a ‘real’ flavour of their destination and avoiding crowds of visitors all doing the same. Therefore, for those seeking alternatives to the typical ‘must-see’ sites, a comprehensive portfolio of unique travel options is necessary to meet their needs.&nbsp;But not only this, you need to be able to offer the right products at the right price, at the right time.&nbsp;As Hotelbeds, part of HBX Group, a leading travel ecosystem player in the B2B space, this is where we specialise, offering intuitive and innovative TravelTech solutions which reduce friction from the end-to-end travel experience, both for the end traveller, and for travel distributors all around the world.&nbsp;An expansive global portfolio allows you to meet, and exceed, the needs of even more travellers in your ideal market with easy access to competitive conditions.Including preferred conditions, exclusive availabilities and differentiated rates.Our fast, intuitive API solutions mean you can take advantage of seamless distribution across even more booking touchpoints.Intelligent data-driven campaigns offer you the right price on travel products throughout the year, letting you capture and generate demand.A powerful online travel booking platform lets our web-based partners work and earn at speed, with complex algorithms, intuitive searches, and integrated revenue-boosting tools.Expert business insights to ensure you’re capitalising on every opportunity for growth as well as competitor analysis, sales recommendations and sales optimisation.&nbsp;Sign up today&nbsp;To start your journey with Hotelbeds, and position your business as a key player in the industry with the helping hand of our powerful, business-enhancing tools and platforms.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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hotelbeds detour destinations

Travel Trends: The Rise of Detour Destinations

&nbsp;As part of HBX Group, it’s our mission to connect the often disparate players within the travel industry with tech-first solutions that cater to individual business needs.&nbsp;Our API solutions, gathered together into our powerful API Suite, are no different, with three solutions built to empower your business and activate an optimised travel booking process and experience for both your business and end customers.&nbsp;Depending on your company’s size and scope of operations, you can pick the right framework to integrate into your existing system, with an API solution that can be tailored to your exact needs.&nbsp;Sign up today to discover a faster, more intuitive booking experience which reduces end-to-end friction.&nbsp;But first...&nbsp;What is a Travel API?An Application Programming Interface (API) is a connection between two or more computer systems, and enables communication between these systems.&nbsp;The use of an API of course depends on a distributor's business model, and there are a number of benefits and considerations that should be factored when it comes to this TravelTech solution:API solutions are tailormade to your unique business modelUsing an API enables a higher volume of products to be sold and distributed, at different rates to different kinds of clients – (for instance, Online Travel Agents, Wholesalers, and so on.)APIs usually require higher investment and are more complex, with a slower time to marketThis type of solution also usually requires higher monitoring and optimisation compared to our web solutions.Why are Travel APIs Beneficial?Did you know that during 2024, around 80% of the global hotel sales volume was sold through hotel APIs? Utilising a travel API can allow you as a travel business to:Stay ahead of hospitality and tourism tech trends to create multifunctional, user-friendly experiences for travel bookers.Take advantage of travellers’ increasing prioritisation of travel marketplaces that consolidate travel product lines such as accommodation, experiences, transfers and car hire.Enhance booking platforms with additional functionalities that result in better booking experiences for customers.&nbsp;The Different Travel API Integration TypesIn-HouseHere, the hire of the developers to integrate the API is organised by the business itself, and offers several benefits:This way of integrating is completely personalised to your organisation's needs and requirements.Your in-house developed integration would connect directly to our Hotelbeds system.All mapping will be done by internal logic teams, or another company hired by you, to provide mapping and content services.All changes are only applied to your unique integration, thanks to this singular point of connection and management.This method of integration often results in a bespoke portfolio, as the integration is defined based on granular details and ways of working, set up by your business.&nbsp;Integrating in this way with a large-scale travel partner like Hotelbeds can provide numerous benefits, with the main value being that this type of integration is bespoke to your business needs.&nbsp;In-house integration also means that when it comes to new product opportunities available to map using our Content API, for example, is quicker when done using in-house integration.&nbsp;Your business will have the ability to check this Content API on a regular basis for new opportunities such as newly onboarding hotels or products, and can map this into your offering as soon as its available in our Content API. This is also where your Account Manager will usually provide a notification of new hotels or products added and which are available to map.&nbsp;This process can be done regularly and under your control, compared to third party managed API, where you would need to wait for this company to map any new products entered into the mapping algorithm and for the correct codes to be assigned.Third Party ManagementHandled by specialist IT companies, this type of API integration:Operates on a business model designed to integrate as many high-quality providers as possible, rather than a bespoke integration developed in-house.Usually offers several product lines (such as accommodation, experiences, transfers and car hire).Is developed and then offered in a similar way to all clients – i.e. is not tailormade.Is offered on a rolling charge basis, such as via a monthly fee or cost per booking, and additional implementation is not normally included.Does not usually have mapping restrictions or specific product limitations compared to an in-house API integration.Is usually less costly and facilitates a quicker time to market.&nbsp;This method of integration is usually more beneficial for smaller businesses, rather than developing in-house solutions.&nbsp;With third party managed integrations, API Suite certifications will usually be handled differently, to ensure that all features are available for clients.&nbsp;Whether you have your own technical teams to develop your own personal integrations, or you want to go live as soon as possible with fast, effective integrations handled by a third party, we accommodate your unique needs when it comes to our API connectivity solutions.&nbsp;Our Comprehensive Travel API SolutionsWhat do we offer? Our Hotelbeds API solutions are made up of three APIs, all designed to suit your individual needs.The Main Benefits of Hotelbeds’ API ServicesQuick access to a global inventory of accommodations, experiences and mobility products like transfers and car hire.Streamlined integration of reservation details into websites and apps.Simple search for travel product options.Quick and direct confirmation of bookings.Tools for partners to manage and update their inventory.Live-updated pricing information on pricing and availability.Reporting and analytics features to track booking performance and user engagement.Booking APIStreamline your booking funnel with our API Suite’s powerful Booking API to deliver a fast, intuitive booking experience with the following features:Fast and easy integrationMobile-friendlyInstant booking confirmationFlexible check-in datesFind products by geolocation and keywordsPush notificationsAdvanced filtering options&nbsp;This travel booking API allows end-to-end management for all bookings, making the online booking experience seamless for both travel distributors, aggregators and end customers.Content APIAccess the power of content that converts with our Content API, including detailed factsheets with relevant static information, as well as API code mappings (countries, destinations, segments) and more.Your customers want to see what they're booking, and with our Content API you can:Showcase detailed descriptions, high-quality photos, and essential property details across an expansive portfolio.Upsell bookable activities and experiences by offering factsheet content as well as API code mappings at the time of booking.Tailor product offerings on an individual customer basis and benefit from increased revenue opportunities.&nbsp;Please note: this Content API is not currently available for our Mobility partners – such as car hire and transfers.Cache APIThis API offers crucial portfolio information which can make or break the sale, including prices and rates, modalities, operational dates and more.Unlock faster, more efficient travel booking experiences with our Cache API.Instantly accessible, highly accurate pricing and availability all in one place, which enables increased search accuracy.Store key information locally for faster, more efficient searches, even during high-traffic periods.&nbsp;Uplift your revenue opportunities because of a more streamlined booking experience, offering travellers the information they want, when they want it.Booking vs Content API – what's the difference?Booking API – this API is designed to return results in a simple format in the shortest time possible. To achieve this, we limit the size of the response messages, returning only the dynamic information of the booking process, including the rates, and booking flow.&nbsp;Content API – this API is designed to return all static information needed to operate the Booking API as simply, but effectively, as possible. This is faster and more reliable than having this static information on a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server.&nbsp;How can you access our API Solutions?Our API Solutions can be easily access using our Developer Portal, and gaining access to our fast, light APIs is as simple as:Register - for a free API Key. Access to the Evaluation Plan and a generic Key (without specific pricing or commission rules)Complete Your Profile - introduce the information needed for us to best assess your commercial needs.Get Certified - ensure that your XML integration is performed correctly. Get in touch with our API experts to assist youGo Live - start delivering to your customers, generate bookings and uplift your business.&nbsp;For smaller businesses looking to expedite their time to market while also keeping budget constraints in mind, partnering with an IT company could be the optimal solution to meet your requirements cost-effectively.&nbsp;Our suite of open APIs, our Booking API, Cache API and Content API, are all created to enhance the developer experience and make the booking process easier, faster and more intuitive.&nbsp;Get started if you’re not one of our valuable clients – and sign up today.&nbsp;

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hotelbeds API solutions

Travel Tech Solutions: An Introduction to Hotelbeds' Travel API Suite

Travel is getting more personal.&nbsp;Customisation in the travel industry is rapidly growing, with forecasts predicting that global personalisation in the travel market is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 17% between 2022 and 2032.&nbsp;Of course, personalisation in travel as a concept is not new – especially when it comes to the hospitality experiences to which travellers have become accustomed. However, travel continues to get more deeply personal, and this is reflected in the global appetite for bespoke experiences, with the global customisation and personalisation in travel market size expected to reach US$620.71 million by 2032.&nbsp;Technology is shaping nearly every aspect of personalisation, enabling new ways of offering bespoke travel experiences across the industry. As part of that, artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere, not just in the travel and tourism industry, and its integration isn’t slowing down. In fact, it's estimated that around 60% of global businesses have implemented AI tools to improve customer service and efficiency.&nbsp;So, what are some key examples of how AI and hyper-personalisation is used effectively, and how does this benefit travel businesses across the industry?&nbsp;Before we get into that, however, why not explore how we at Hotelbeds offer intelligent, data-driven solutions as a leader in the TravelTech space and as part of HBX Group, by discovering how we enable success for travel businesses across the industry.How Does Technology Enable Hyper-Personalisation?AI and Machine Learning - analysing traveller data to identify patterns and preferences and enabling advanced data analysis to anticipate needs.AI Chatbots - providing real-time, personalised assistance.Location-Based Services - offering relevant deals based on a traveller's location.Virtual Tours – showcasing facilities and experiences to help potential travellers understand offerings.Big Data – the collection and analysis of large volumes of information to gain valuable insights into customer behaviour.Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems - centralise guest data and collect information from multiple touchpoints.&nbsp;Hyper-Personalisation is the Future of Customer ExperienceThe theory of hyper-personalisation is that it’s the most advanced way that brands can tailor their marketing to individuals, through the use of analytics, AI and automation. But, what does it mean in practice?&nbsp;At our recent HBX Group MarketHub summit, our Senior Vice President for Global Sourcing, Paul Anthony, broached the topic of hyper-personalisation. In his panel, he suggested that: ‘Hyper-personalisation is the holy grail in travel, creating that ‘one-to-me' experience.’ Driving customer experiences pre- and post-booking, which are seamless, frictionless, and tailored to their personal needs and preferences.&nbsp;When it comes to the customer experience, hyper-personalisation and AI play a role in allowing travel companies to determine the needs and desires of their audiences at a much more granular level.&nbsp;AI tools enable companies to deep dive, and better profile their audiences – both ideal and current – therefore empowering these companies with customer knowledge which can be used to improve the experience for our customers with more personalised experiences.&nbsp;This manifests in a number of ways:Hyper-local RecommendationsTechnology is destined to play an expanded role in developing experiences in this sector. In-house trained AI models are increasingly delivering personalised recommendations for travellers to explore local destinations. This is currently employed by many operators, like SmartGuide, who offer personalised itineraries for over 100,000 destinations.&nbsp;Personalised Travel ExperiencesTools like Insights – our powerful, customisable tool which offers market-specific recommendations – and Google Travel curate itineraries based on traveller preferences, while startups like Bigfoot’s LightFoot chatbot uses natural language processing for intuitive interactions.&nbsp;Meanwhile, ‘personalised flying’ is expected to be a key trend going forward, thanks to airlines combining algorithmic entertainment with hyper-personalised in-flight systems.Predictive Analytics and Dynamic PricingWhen it comes to predictive analytics, the use of temporal fusion transformers, or TFTs, is making waves at HBX Group, our parent company. A complex attention-based architecture specifically designed for time series forecasting, a temporal fusion transformer captures temporal-based patterns across multiple time sequences. This allows for: multi-horizon forecasting, interpretable predictions, and probabilistic forecasting.&nbsp;What does this mean for you? The use of TFTs allows companies like us to predict bookings, revenue, and market trends with precision. We can forecast sales opportunities to a high level of accuracy, maximising your potential thanks to the power of predictive analytics.Hyper-Personalisation and HospitalityIn hospitality, many hotels are leaving behind the basic offerings of old, and introducing new ‘value adds’ for guests to set them apart.&nbsp;Personalised travel is taking on all-new meanings. Such instances are seen in the demand for ‘micro-hospitality', where travellers are free to curate their own private getaway at a pared down price, to 48% luxury travellers wanting exclusive experiences, and the growth of ‘experience agents’ who deliver bespoke guest experiences during their stay.&nbsp;Virtual assistants in rooms are becoming an expectation, as are chatbots on customer service platforms, while the innovative app Timeshifter creates plans based on guests’ chronotype, normal sleep pattern, itinerary and personal preferences to tackle the underlying cause and symptoms of jet lag.&nbsp;However, there is potential for improvement in connectivity between hotels and travel bookers. Fernando Vives, Chief Commercial Officer&amp; Management Board Member at Minor Hotels Europe &amp; Americas, also mentioned at our HBX Group MarketHub that while travellers can choose rooms based on preferences at check-in, partnering with a TravelTech specialist – like Hotelbeds and parent company HBX Group – could further streamline data flow and enhance the current personalisation opportunities.&nbsp;For example, while guests can and have been able to select a room during check-in, the capability exists for the industry to offer even more personalised experiences, catering to unique, individual circumstances to uplift each guest’s experience and thus the emotional connection to that brand, or hotel during their stay.&nbsp;Optimising Travel Operations with AIThere are numerous practical applications of machine learning in areas such as pricing, demand forecasting, and operational efficiency.&nbsp;For sustainability, Google’s DeepMind is helping airlines to optimise flight paths to reduce contrails, while intercity rail and bus operators are using AI to improve fuel consumption. In baggage handling, AI image recognition streamlines the process, significantly reducing delays and frustrations for travellers dealing with lost luggage.&nbsp;From an operational perspective, AI chatbots are freeing up human service providers to assist with complex issues by being available 24/7, thereby alleviating some strain on customer experience teams.&nbsp;Chatbots are also reducing the friction experienced by customers, offering readily available assistance at the exact time of need – and at Hotelbeds we have our own AI chatbot tool, Olivia. This intelligent virtual assistant offers quick, intelligent solutions to queries regarding the first steps of your journey with us, or indeed more information about our products, services and business model.&nbsp;Furthermore, our virtual assistant is on-hand to offer increased support with technical queries, from making bookings to using our comprehensive self-service tools, as well as in-destination support even during emergencies. This tool is enhanced with the ‘eight building blocks of conversational AI’, to ensure intelligent, contextually accurate support, streamline ways of working, and reduce friction at all stages of the travel journey.&nbsp;Hyper-Personalisation and Travel MarketingAt HBX Group’s MarketHub 2024, Rebby John, Senior Director of Sales Engineering at Saleloft, noted that customers are likely to spend 67% more if they enjoy a better sales experience, while Ali Ozbay (VP of Marketing &amp; Communications at All Inclusive Collection and Rixos Hotels) emphasised the shift away from a one-size-fits-all approach, as travellers increasingly seek exclusive and personalised experiences.&nbsp;Hyper-personalisation starts at the customer's initial 'dreaming' phase, and targeted advertisements that resonate with specific audiences help establish a connection and speak directly to their needs.&nbsp;Businesses can create unique online experiences for varied client types, utilising intelligent data platforms to develop personalised offers based on real-time customer data. This approach ensures that different traveller groups receive tailored messages, enhancing the chances of closing the sale.Intelligent Campaigns to Ensure a Right Product, Right Time ApproachConnecting supply and demand is one thing – reaching the right audience at the right time is another.&nbsp;Utilising intelligent campaigns helps you offer your ideal customer the product they’re looking for, at the moment when they most want them. How? At Hotelbeds, our advanced algorithms predict which properties and conditions are most suitable for your customers, while our dedicated experts constantly monitor their success in the background.&nbsp;This aspect of hyper-personalisation is key for travel businesses, as you’re benefiting from an AI algorithm which delivers promotions relevant to you and your market, optimising your success in a competitive space.Personalised Recommendations at Your FingertipsLeveraging strategic growth opportunities, such as those delivered by our intelligent recommendation tool, Insights, opens additional possibilities to offer relevant, incentivising trips and experiences to travellers.&nbsp;&nbsp;These are data-driven, tailored to the specific needs of your market based on:historic travel search datareal-time market dataan awareness of seasonalityhistoric booking and itinerary data&nbsp;This allows you to continually adopt that ‘right product, right place, right time’ approach to your marketing strategies, therefore personalising each marketing communication to the stays and experiences most likely to resonate with your intended audience.&nbsp;Personalised OffersResearch shows that 92% of shoppers value sharing personal information for discounts, and trust and transparency in data usage are key for brands. This data can be utilised in thoughtful gestures to significantly enhance customer satisfaction and brand reputation.&nbsp;A key example of this is seen in British Airways and Virgin Atlantic’s decision to remove ‘ladies and gentlemen’ from announcements, leveraging data insight to drive inclusivity; additionally, Virgin Atlantic offer gender-neutral options during booking. Initiatives like this can truly work wonders, enhancing customer relationships, increasing brand affinity (the emotional connection between a brand and its audience), and brand loyalty as a result of acceptance, visibility and belonging from the customers’ perspective.&nbsp;Customers feel valued through thoughtful marketing strategies, such as customised promotions and considerate emails regarding promotional exclusions.Important considerations for personalisation include:Detailed data collection: gathering comprehensive traveller preference information, including preferred destinations and travel dates.Dynamic recommendations: using algorithms for real-time suggestions aligned with individual interests.Contextual awareness: incorporating factors like current weather conditions, local events, and nearby attractions to provide relevant offers based on the traveller's current situation.&nbsp;Hyper-Personalisation and Travel – What Does This all Mean?As AI becomes more integrated into travel, businesses can leverage it alongside big data to enhance customer loyalty. Travel experience providers of the future will be able to leverage customer data on loyalty plans, credit card benefits and insurance coverage, for example, crafting highly tailored travel plans.&nbsp;For instance, tour operators benefit from interconnected distributors like Hotelbeds, ensuring competitive offerings and frictionless booking experiences as a result of data-driven, intelligent tools and booking platforms, alongside an expanded portfolio.&nbsp;Utilising API connectivity allows a more frictionless booking experience, and by becoming an integral part of that seamless booking journey, providers are securing their relevance.&nbsp;For travel businesses like Online Travel Agencies, however, innovation lies in using AI tools to build and price new trip itineraries and streamline online booking services. Around 80% of all global travellers want to book their trips online, 56% of travellers want to book activities and experiences in advance, and not only this, but 60% of travellers say they prioritise booking travel with one brand or credit card to maximise loyalty points.&nbsp;This compounds the importance of offering comprehensive travel experiences for end travellers, and the opportunities to use AI tools and solutions to personalise these booking experiences to capture demand.&nbsp;Overall, AI offers valuable chances to leverage data, analytics and business intelligence from various sources, to anticipate demand, and tailor offerings accordingly.&nbsp;Companies that address this delicate balance, offering reliable, personalised, and secure travel experiences, will be the ones who shape the industry and benefit from it.&nbsp;However, if you’re interested in exploring how we at Hotelbeds, as a key travel distributor and key player in the TravelTech space, offer intelligent, data-driven growth opportunities as a result of our powerful suite of TravelTech solutions, expert destination teams, and dedicated Account Managers, then explore why travel businesses across the industry benefit from a partner like us here.&nbsp;

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hyper-personalisation in travel

Hyper-Personalisation in Travel: What's Next? 

&nbsp;We have compiled a preliminary list of 7 essential tools and resources that are vital for the success of travel distribution and travel experience selling, from travel management tools to resources such as the right travel partner. It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive and there is no universal solution, as the travel industry is vast and diverse.&nbsp;However, when considering ways to enhance your efficiency and competitive advantage in the field, it is crucial to differentiate between travel management tools that are of the utmost benefit to you as a travel provider.&nbsp;So, make sure to bookmark this page and explore our Resources Page regularly for more useful guidance and advice as you start, or refresh, your journey.&nbsp;Powerful API IntegrationThe way in which travellers are searching for, booking and paying for hotels is ever-changing. Today’s (and tomorrow’s) traveller expects a simple, fast and user-friendly experience regardless of the nature of their trip, or destination they have in mind.&nbsp;Our integration experts have developed our Application Programming Interface (API) suite of powerful travel software solutions, designed to enhance the developer experience and cater to the needs of the modern traveller.&nbsp;Bookings are faster, easier, more intuitive, and more than 5000 developers are currently benefiting from our API solutions.&nbsp;Whether you need:Seamless access to real-time pricing and availability in one place with our Cache API.Enhanced, end-to-end booking management with our Booking API.Faster, enriched product content with our Content API.&nbsp;Our API Suite offers a tailored solution to your needs, so when it comes to enhancing your travel management and elevating your business’s success – whether that’s global distribution or sales - our powerful API solutions help you elevate your business’s success.&nbsp;Discover more about our API suite today and supercharge your efficiency, or sign up to access this valuable suite of tailored solutions.&nbsp;An Effective Travel Booking PlatformFor travel providers working more directly with bookings rather than utilising our API suite, you can’t work effectively without a reliable, powerful travel booking platform!&nbsp;Of course, this essential piece of travel booking software does more than just process your clients’ payments and store their booking information for later reference. It is an essential and impactful part of your clients’ journey with you as a provider – if the booking process is not simple, then the client may be discouraged from returning their custom.&nbsp;This is where the Hotelbeds Booking Engine comes in.&nbsp;This powerful and intuitive travel booking platform will afford you the flexibility to curate the travel experiences that your clients want.Filters to help you refine your searches quickly.Flexible payment options to suit travellers of all budgets.Comparison tools for bespoke recommendations.Integrated cross-selling features so you can enrich their stay with in-destination experiences, transfers and car hire.In-built flyer creation tools so you can easily share your proposals.Administration supplements built into the booking journey.A suite of self-service tools to help you manage your bookings.&nbsp;This travel management and booking tool allows travel distributors such as tour operators and online travel agents to integrate and connect with a vast portfolio of travel products from vendors around the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;Not only this, but our Help Desk is the fastest way to find answers to pre-arrival queries, and any tickets raised here will receive greater priority over emails or calls to our customer service centre.&nbsp;Sign up today to empower your business with a streamlined booking management tool.&nbsp;An Expansive PortfolioOf course, travel products and the right methods of booking those products go hand in hand, which is where our global portfolio comes into play.&nbsp;Did you know that over 80% of travellers want to book their entire trip online?&nbsp;Benefit from more bookings as demand for comprehensive booking journeys increases, with Hotelbeds' global portfolio:Over 250,000 accommodation options to suit every preference and availability.170+ countries for travellers to choose from.23,000+ experiences to enrich time spent in destination.500 car rental suppliers and global transfer routes.Longstanding relationships – for trusted, reliable experiences for travellers.&nbsp;Whether you're looking to gain increased visibility to valuable markets, or curate more satisfied client relationships, we're here to help.&nbsp;A wealth of trusted travel products at your fingertips helps you better meet the ever-evolving needs of travellers and sell more effectively, while also increasing your appeal to a wider range of customers in your market.&nbsp;Efficient Distribution Channels for Comprehensive TripsFor travel distributors working to supply incredible and memorable travel experiences in the ever-evolving industry, it’s of course key that you have access to a vast portfolio of products to cater to all traveller needs.&nbsp;However, it’s also key that you can benefit from a travel partner which actively works to reduce the fragmentation of the travel and tourism industry, by connecting travel suppliers and buyers worldwide – such as Hotelbeds.&nbsp;This becomes even more imperative when you consider more than 75% of global travellers experience frustration when booking travel online.&nbsp;Travellers are increasingly seeking a booking experience where they can secure comprehensive trips in one place, therefore reducing disjointed booking processes, which demand multiple bookings on different platforms or websites.&nbsp;At Hotelbeds, our effective distribution methods contribute to:Increased visibility in valuable markets - our global products reach 50,000 travel distributors in 170+ markets.Non-competing distribution for travel suppliers.Tailored growth opportunities to increase revenue for travel providers at every stage of the booking journey.Visibility to the right customer with the right product - and maximised revenue opportunities.&nbsp;As specialists in the B2B space, our distribution channels do not compete with direct distribution for the end customer. Instead, they serve to optimise your positioning in your market, helping you strategise for success.&nbsp;The result is a more streamlined experience for travellers and experience sellers alike. Travellers can find the experiences they want in one place, and providers benefit from increased satisfaction and retention as a result.&nbsp;Essential Travel Management Tools: A Good CRMTravel management comes in many different stages but investing in a good customer relationship management system (CRM) will save you time, help you work more efficiently, and therefore earn more revenue.&nbsp;On a CRM, all your clients’ information, including bookings, will be stored in one place, allowing for easier management of these important details.&nbsp;By collating this crucial data, you’ll be able to keep track of your payments for each client, current and upcoming trips at a glance, set up automatic reminders, and quickly access an overview of your earnings which are left to be paid.&nbsp;Having this data at your fingertips gives you useful insights into each of your customers’ travel habits, interests and trip preferences, which in turn allows you to deliver more bespoke customer experience and boost customer loyalty.&nbsp;A Dedicated Travel PartnerGoing it alone in the travel industry can be overwhelming at times – even for long-standing businesses when it comes to ensuring that the services provided are in line with changing needs and demands.&nbsp;As part of HBX Group, consider Hotelbeds your B2B travel solutions provider. But, why work with us?A global network at your fingertips - gain access to a world of travel products designed to grow your sales opportunities.Best-in-class TravelTech - powerful cloud systems and easy integration with our award-winning API Suite to enhance your bookings.Analytics to leverage strategic opportunities - use our predictive tools to empower your business.Expert guidance from our operational teams - with deep knowledge of local travel markets and global trends.Cross-selling opportunities - thanks to our extensive worldwide portfolio and dynamic packaging options.Global reach and visibility to the right customers - thanks to our extensive worldwide portfolio and dynamic packaging options.Powerful booking platform and recommendation tools - with real-time updates and seamless features for effective selling.&nbsp;And that’s not all.As your travel partner, we also offer dedicated support when you need it. Your dedicated Account Manager is committed to navigating your unique journey with it, so you can think of them as a business partner, using their expertise to guide your business in the right direction.&nbsp;Discover more about why travel distributors from across the wide-ranging B2B travel industry need a travel partner like Hotelbeds, here.&nbsp;Market-Specific Insights – with InsightsBuilt specifically to offer growth opportunities which are relevant to your business needs, Insights is a powerful recommendation and growth tool for your arsenal:Bespoke data and intelligence – to grow your business.Actionable insights – for full control over your opportunities.Monitor your growth – for flexible, agile performance.&nbsp;Data from multiple sources provides you with bespoke and granular insights that give you fast and quantifiable growth in sales, while cutting-edge algorithms show you those properties that are in demand and that which present the most valuable growth opportunities for you.&nbsp;We benchmark average performance in each corridor to ensure you do not lose out on any opportunity.&nbsp;These recommendations are tailored to your unique market needs, offering deeply personalised opportunities to scale both your competitiveness, your market presence and your revenue potential, by providing the stays and experiences your market wants.&nbsp;Accounting SoftwareFor many independent travel providers – and established businesses of any size – the accounting software used is one of the most important tools. Travel is still a business, and it needs to be seamless, profitable, and streamlined for maximum sustainable growth.&nbsp;Using dependable accounting software makes the process seamless and allows you to spend time on what matters.&nbsp;Accounting software for travel bookings should be easy to use, helps you keep track of your expenses, manage your finances, alongside submitting and filing your tax returns if this is something that you need to do.&nbsp;When it comes to which travel provider tools for accounting you should choose, focus on tools that offer: detailed reports, easy-to-implement templates for better financial management, and ideally, software that integrates with your booking and payment platforms.&nbsp;A few great accounting software providers include:QuickBooksTravelWorksXero&nbsp;Additional Travel Management ToolsThere are tools, resources and differing travel software products which can cater to even the most niche of business models and requirements. However, some other key travel management tools include:Itinerary management and planning tools.Payment and financial management platforms – much like our powerful payments platform for our clients, which offers e-billing and easy, secure payments.Communication platforms – such as an email marketing provider, for fast and personalised communication to your customers.Travel marketing tools – such as scheduling assistants, accounts on key social platforms where B2C presence is relevant for your business, and more.Reporting and analytics tools – to accurately measure your business success and find growth opportunities.&nbsp;Of course, this is not an exhaustive list by any means, but it’s certainly a place to begin for newer travel agents looking to make the most of this complex and rewarding industry.&nbsp;Keep an eye on our Resources Page for more articles and resources of our own, designed to decode the travel industry and offer helpful advice for travel professionals at all stages in their journey.&nbsp;For a travel partner to connect you to the wider industry, offer enhanced distribution, and uplift your success, sign up today to become one of our valuable partners at Hotelbeds.&nbsp;

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7 key travel management tools hotelbeds

7 Key Tools and Resources all Travel Distributors and Experience Providers Need

Today’s (and tomorrow’s) traveller is increasingly discerning and unafraid of putting their money where their values are. They are seeking value-driven experiences as a priority, with a focus on authenticity, flexibility and convenience - without compromising on the quality of their in-destination or booking experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;Our 2025 Travel Trend Predictions guide explores in greater detail the most prevalent trends for this year, and beyond, exploring key traveller behaviours, decision-making factors, and notable shifts in customer demands.&nbsp;&nbsp;Here’s what you can expect in our guide to trending travel in 2025:The emergence of the 'MeMoon' trend for solo travellers, and solo female travellers, all over the world.How hyper-personalisation with AI is becoming the new norm.The importance of nature to today's traveller, with phenomena-chasers becoming a valuable segment.How wellness travel is evolving into a foray into 'longevity', and why 'healthspan' is the new buzzword for today's wellness traveller.The continuing trends still driving traveller demands and expectations from 2024.and more.&nbsp;Download our 2025 Travel Trend Predictions guide today to discover the key travel trends for 2025, how you can make the most of this to keep ahead of the curve, the experiences travellers will be expecting, and the consequent opportunities for travel providers.&nbsp;

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hotelbeds 2025 travel trend predictions

[REPORT] Our 2025 Travel Trend Predictions

&nbsp;As the shape of the travel industry and traveller demands continue to evolve, it’s important that you have access to the vital travel industry services you need to stay ahead of the curve.&nbsp;At Hotelbeds, as part of HBX Group, we are dedicated to providing you with the right tools and travel products necessary to meet the needs of your clients and maintain a strong position in the travel industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;Our unique selection of travel industry services and products, powered by TravelTech, our industry knowledge, and the expertise of our team, will ensure your success in the competitive travel market.&nbsp;Sign up today to get started with us or log into your account to start planning for success.&nbsp;Comprehensive API ConnectivityDesigned to enhance the developer experience, our API Suite offers light, fast, and reliable technology for frictionless distribution. All to help travel providers better cater to the needs of the modern traveller.&nbsp;APItude currently empowers over 5000 developers worldwide, with API solutions catering to every requirement.&nbsp;Whether you need seamless access to real-time pricing and availability in one place with our Cache API, want enhanced, end-to-end booking management with our Booking API, or require faster, enriched product content with our Content API, Hotelbeds APItude offers a solution to your needs no matter your position in the travel industry.&nbsp;Real-time availability and pricing, all in one place.Rich product content across our expansive portfolio.End-to-end booking management.Flexible terms and upselling opportunities.Simple, streamlined modification via one API Suite.&nbsp;Discover more about our API suite here.&nbsp;An Expansive Portfolio of Interconnected Travel ProductsA more comprehensive, global portfolio of travel products means you can better cater to your clients' evolving needs and stay relevant in the fast-moving travel industry.&nbsp;Here’s a look at what our global portfolio offers at a glance:Over 250,000 hotels worldwide.23,000+ in-destination experiences and activities to enhance your clients’ trips.Transfer routes with global coverage.500+ car rentals for more travel experiences.Travel products available in 170+ countries around the globe.&nbsp;Not to mention the 60,000 travel agents selling to actively engaged travellers in worldwide locations, and more than 3000 service and product experts providing sourcing and operational support to our suppliers and clients, for a truly comprehensive network in the travel and tourism industry.&nbsp;Access to a Global Network of Travel Sellers and BuyersIn the travel and tourism industry, fragmentation is a common occurrence. This issue is often cited by end travelers as a major source of disappointment and frustration, compounded by the fact that approximately 45% of global travellers prefer booking their trips through a single point of contact, which includes flights, accommodation, car rentals, and additional services. This preference is especially high among Gen Z travellers, with 50% prioritising comprehensive options.&nbsp;So, being part of an interconnected network wherein travel distribution is made easy can provide an untold number of benefits.&nbsp;With seamless API connectivity to help you get your products seen on multiple touchpoints as part of this highly desired comprehensive offering, the option for dynamic packaging, and a customer-centric booking journey through a user-friendly web-based platform, our travel partners are equipped with the means to succeed in their markets.&nbsp;Partnering with Hotelbeds goes beyond just accessing our travel industry services; it provides a gateway to countless opportunities for growth, development, and enhancement of your offerings. By collaborating with us, you can increase your visibility in a highly competitive market and leverage timely demand to your advantage.&nbsp;Personalisation Options to Create Real ConnectionAt HBX Group’s MarketHub, Salesloft’s Senior Director of Sales Engineering, Rebby John, revealed that consumers are likely to spend 67% more for the same product, provided they have a better sales experience. Indeed, personalisation begins at the very start of the journey, ahead of the experience or even the sale. Today’s consumer even anticipates that their ‘dreaming’ phase should be tailor-made for them.&nbsp;With Hotelbeds you can:Participate in seasonal sales and campaigns designed to uplift your revenue – choose the promotions you want to participate in with complete flexibility, to be seen by, and appeal to, your ideal customer.Benefit from exclusive rates, availabilities and specially negotiated conditions - thanks to our teams of sourcing experts, in order to craft even more bespoke travel options and deliver them at the right time to your market.&nbsp;Expert Teams to Support You and Your BusinessWhen you partner with Hotelbeds, you gain immediate access to not only a suite of powerful travel advisor tools that help you boost your bookings, but also a collective of 3,000+ industry professionals.Whether your client needs in-destination support – accessible via our Help Desk or the ‘Support’ tab in our Booking Engine – or you need guidance on which opportunities resonate most with your market thanks to our sourcing experts, our tools and teams are here to help.&nbsp;Regular Resources and Industry InsightsWe cover everything from getting started as a business, discussions about the latest travel industry trends and developments, to getting the best out of Hotelbeds on our Resources page.&nbsp;Make sure to check back for regular updates and bookmark the resources that align with your needs for future reference.&nbsp;An Intelligent Travel Marketing and Recommendation Tool &nbsp;While online travel providers are seeing significant usage, with around a large majority of travellers (72%) suggesting they prefer to book their trips online, it remains the case that personalisation is still a constant demand.&nbsp;And personalisation ranges from receiving personalised deals from their go-to travel providers or potential providers, or simply making the booking process easier - something which is increasingly vital considering that 26% of global travellers surveyed indicated that they didn’t enjoy booking their travel experiences.&nbsp;&nbsp;Being a provider who is part of, and in turn benefits from, a streamlined booking journey while capitalising on the ability to offer personalised travel recommendations, deals and booking opportunities to travellers who are actively seeking comprehensive, bespoke products is vital.&nbsp;This is where Insights, our powerful search and travel recommendation tool, comes in. By providing market-specific recommendations, this tool enables you to cater to the specific needs and desires of travellers in your market, saving them the time and effort of searching for it themselves. You become their go-to provider, securing revenue which might otherwise have gone to your competitor.&nbsp;&nbsp;Here’s what this tool offers:Trend forecast with real-time data – Insights is influenced by real bookings, to closely match the current and upcoming preferences of your market. &nbsp;AI that learns from you – the more you interact, the more accurate your recommendations.Filter options to better cater for your customers’ needs - such as: international or domestic locations, destination theme, traveller type, regions, and star ratings.&nbsp;Cross-selling functionality to boost each booking – the ‘Experiences’ tab lets you review popular experiences ranked by their opportunity value.&nbsp;Explore Insights for yourself, here.&nbsp;Alternatively, sign up today to gain exclusive access to this intuitive tool, designed specifically for travel providers.We also offer powerful products and tools for web-based partners, as well as providers with an API business model. Read on for more information about our travel industry services for web-based providers:A Powerful Booking PlatformPowered by an intelligent algorithm and real-time data, our Hotelbeds Booking Engine has built-in features and functionalities specifically designed to streamline the way you work. But it is also powerful, processing 6.2 billion searches and 90,000+ bookings a day.&nbsp;Our Booking Engine provides convenient access to our search and recommendation tool, Insights, along with our self-service tools for efficient booking management. This streamlined process not only saves time but also enhances your earning potential.&nbsp;Elevate your clients' travel experiences with our in-built cross-selling features, streamline your searches with useful filters, visualise trips using the integrated Google Map view, and select from top exclusive rates, offers, and availabilities to better your overall offering to travellers, and improve your position within the travel industry and alongside your competitors.&nbsp;In-built Cross-Selling Functionalities to Maximise Your BookingsDid you know that cross-selling and upselling can be up to 20 times more effective than selling to a new customer? In fact, around 65% of many businesses’ revenue comes from existing customers.&nbsp;For our web clients, providing a personalised and enriched travel experience at the moment of booking is recommended to create the greatest impact, as this is when travellers are most open to inspiration. To help you achieve this, we have streamlined the process of adding related travel products and services to your bookings through our integrated cross-selling functions in the Hotelbeds Booking Engine.&nbsp;Simply click ‘+ Add Products’ from your cart, which will open a useful pop-up window. From there, you can add experiences, activities, transfers, and even car rental services.&nbsp;Whether your client needs in-destination support – accessible via our Help Desk or the ‘Support’ tab in our Booking Engine – or you need guidance on which opportunities resonate most with your market thanks to our sourcing experts, our tools and teams are here to help.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sign up today to become one of our valuable travel partners, or log into your account, to begin your revenue-enhancing collaboration with us and uplift your success.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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how hotelbeds can take travel providers into 2025

How Hotelbeds Offers Beneficial Travel Industry Services 

&nbsp;More often than not, today's traveller is seeking a concise booking journey, whereby travel experiences are offered in a comprehensive manner to avoid a disparate booking process.&nbsp;&nbsp;Discover how Hotelbeds' ecosystem model allows you to take advantage of this demand, and remain relevant in an industry where having the full experience at their fingertips is so important to today's traveller:&nbsp;&nbsp;How Hotelbeds works to take your business further:Make Informed Decisions with Real-Time Data&nbsp;An Intelligent Booking Platform&nbsp;A Leading Product Portfolio In The Travel Industry&nbsp;TravelTech Solutions for All&nbsp;Why are Comprehensive Travel Options Important?Technology is becoming an increasingly prevalent part of the booking process - think automated booking tools, online booking platforms and mobile apps. In fact, 83% of Gen Z and 86% of Millennials suggest that booking on their phone is critical during their decision-making process, embracing what is accessible and at their fingertips.&nbsp;With this change in booking, today's traveller often expects to be able to find and book more comprehensive travel and experiences rather than navigating a disparate, fragmented booking journey.&nbsp;&nbsp;To offer this kind of comprehensive, whilst also facilitating personalised recommendations to cater for individual needs, you need a travel partner that strives to improve not only the value of offering for the end customer – the traveller – but also the interconnectedness of the global travel industry.&nbsp;How Hotelbeds Works To Take Your Business Further&nbsp;It’s our mission to connect and empower the world of travel, and indeed travel distributors themselves. By combining intelligent TravelTech solutions with the power of our people, we connect global travel players to a wealth of products suited to any traveller type.&nbsp;We constantly strive to ensure that our TravelTech solutions are specifically designed to meet and exceed our partners’ needs, no matter their place in the vast travel industry.&nbsp;And of course, it’s important to remember that offering comprehensive travel experiences isn't just referring to what products you can offer, it also encompasses how you as travel providers handle the overall customer journey. It's about the quality of service and depth of experience you can offer travellers to ensure they get the most out of each booking with you - and to ensure they return!&nbsp;Here at Hotelbeds, we equip you with the right tools and the right products to cater to your clients' needs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sign up today to become one of our valuable partners, and join our ever-growing network of travel distributors, or log into your account to begin enriching traveller experiences with our interconnected services.&nbsp;Make Informed Decisions with Real-Time Data&nbsp;Owing to our vast data lake (400TB), our partners benefit from a wealth of market-specific insights, rich data and intelligence solutions which seamlessly connect supply and demand worldwide. Helping you to make intelligent choices and to capitalise on real-time demand, by exploiting and leveraging analytics as a strategic asset and using our predictive tools to empower your business.&nbsp;Meanwhile, our intelligent cloud-based platforms enable our partners to work at speed – crucial, in an industry as fast-paced and demanding as the travel sector - while also offering fast and reliable access to a global portfolio. Cloud-based technology platforms offer fast and reliable access to a unique portfolio of travel products and services to help you stay relevant and competitive in the industry.&nbsp;With a Booking Engine that processes around 6.2 billion searches per day, combined with our aforementioned vast data lake, our data intelligence serves as a catalyst for travel providers aiming to unlock their full potential. &nbsp;&nbsp;An Intelligent Booking Platform &nbsp;All travel providers must be equipped and visible on an intuitive travel booking platform which can make each transaction as smooth as possible for distributors and end travellers alike.&nbsp;&nbsp;From its seamless search functionality to easy booking management, our powerful Booking Engine is the strongest tool in your artillery, helping you to work at speed and secure memorable experiences for your customers, while also increasing exposure for travel experience providers and putting those products into the hands of 60,000 travel distributors around the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;Combining our vast data lake with a user-friendly interface, our Booking Engine is informed by billions of searches and real market data, allowing you to compete effectively in your market.&nbsp;Easily refine searches with useful filters to find our exclusive and differentiated properties, offers and rate types.Thousands of travel products and services in global destinations.&nbsp;An in-built cross-selling functionality that can further streamline the booking process.&nbsp;All of which assists your revenue potential!Sign up today to access our powerful booking platform, with in-built cross-selling functionalities, self-service tools and more!&nbsp;&nbsp;A Leading Product Portfolio In The Travel Industry&nbsp;It's our mission to provide our partners, and the end traveller, with as much choice as possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;As part of a travel ecosystem under HBX Group, we have curated a powerful network of service providers, granting our partners access to a wide product offering to generate demand and capitalise on opportunity.&nbsp;Whether your clients are seeking a truly immersive experience in their destination of choice, the perfect hotel to rest and relax in after a long day of sightseeing, a transfer to make getting from A-B even easier, or even car hire to better explore their chosen destination, we connect you to the products, services and experiences travellers want. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With over 250,000 hotels in 170+ destinations worldwide, combined with 23,000+ in-destination experiences and activities, 500 car hire suppliers and global transfer coverage, all available in one booking platform, it’s no surprise that thousands of travel providers all over the globe are already trusting us to empower and connect them in the world of travel.&nbsp;&nbsp;And we’re not done yet…&nbsp;&nbsp;TravelTech Solutions for AllThe world of travel is forging ahead, further into the realm of innovation and connectivity. This is why we offer TravelTech solutions across the industry, to empower travel providers across the industry with the tools and products to better meet, and exceed, the needs of travellers around the world.&nbsp;Our leading API suite, APItude - including Content API, Booking API and Cache API solutions - is&nbsp;developed by our integration experts, designed to enhance make the booking process faster and more intuitive, Enabling you to successfully capture the increasing number of travellers looking for a smoother booking process, with less ‘shopping around’ and a less disjointed experience overall.&nbsp;&nbsp;Over 5000 developers currently benefit from this range of API solutions, offering a simple, fast and user-friendly experience, no matter how, when or where travellers are heading or what they want to purchase.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile,&nbsp;Insights,&nbsp;our&nbsp;live data intelligence tool, allows travel providers across the ecosystem to capitalise on demand as a result of AI-powered market opportunities for accelerated growth. These recommendations are tailored to your unique market needs, offering deeply personalised opportunities to scale both your competitiveness, your market presence and your revenue potential, by providing the stays and experiences your market wants and keeping up to date with what your competitors are booking.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This connective power makes us at Hotelbeds the ideal travel partner for providers looking to expand their reach, capitalise on demand, and enhance their offerings to capture valuable clients even from hard-to-reach segments.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sign up today or log into your account to take your business further and offer comprehensive travel with Hotelbeds.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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How To Offer Comprehensive Travel with Hotelbeds in 2025

&nbsp;As we approach the holiday season, with Black Friday just around the corner and Christmas not far behind, now is the perfect opportunity to enhance your travel marketing materials.&nbsp;Personalising your marketing content is essential for attracting your target audience, especially during one of the busiest commercial times of the year.&nbsp;Luckily, our data-driven search and recommendation tool, Insights, has a unique flyer creation tool which allows you to create bespoke marketing in just a few clicks.&nbsp;In today's fast-paced marketing world, creating custom flyers that highlight your deals or comparing tailored hotels for your clients is essential. With customers becoming increasingly savvy in their travel choices, it's crucial to offer personalised experiences. Research shows that 80% of clients expect a personalised retail experience, making it more important than ever to stay ahead of the game.&nbsp;As a travel provider, you play a crucial role in shaping the traveller's experience. Clients rely on you to provide them with the best rates, hotels, and experiences that align with their needs and budget. This responsibility becomes even more important during peak commercial periods when countless deals are being promoted by various brands.&nbsp;In an era where travellers are increasingly adept at customising their own unique travel experiences through Online Travel Agents (OTAs), for example, it is imperative for your success to provide travel choices that cater not only to their financial constraints but also to their specific preferences - all while being easily accessible at first glance.&nbsp;So read on to discover just how to create personalised Black Friday marketing flyers with Insights.Step One &nbsp;– Understanding Your ClientStep Two – Artificial Intelligence is Your Friend!Step Three – Make It Personal&nbsp;Step One – Understanding Your ClientThe most important aspect for any travel provider is the ability to offer travel solutions that are tailored to your clients’ needs. This can include the type of holiday they’re looking for, when they’re hoping to travel, and how best to communicate their most suitable options.&nbsp;Insights allows you to translate this knowledge into potential booking options by selecting filters relevant to the client.&nbsp;With Insights you can filter for:&nbsp;Best opportunity – the hotels and resorts most likely to be booked in your marketType of hotel – including top sellers and new hotelsType of traveller – including business, families, and adults-onlyCategory – such as star rating and TripAdvisor rating&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course, being able to filter for traveller preferences, types of hotels, and the properties you should be taking advantage of to uplift your revenue, also translates to your travel marketing and how you’re communicating any deals or offers with your customers.&nbsp;Different clients will respond positively to different offers, so it’s important that you’re presenting the most enticing deals at the right time, to the right client, in the right way, no matter the stage of the booking journey they're at.&nbsp;With Insights, you’re able to build travel marketing materials with the Custom Flyer Tool which are entirely tailored to your client’s requirements.&nbsp;Insights’ share functionality seamlessly builds flyers fit for distribution with just a few clicks. When plotting your travel marketing or communication strategy for any client, consider how best they’re going to receive information from you, and under which circumstances.&nbsp;This phase of planning is going to play a valuable role in your relationship with the client, as not only should you hope to delight them with your service, but you want to secure the booking – and should aim to become their go-to travel provider for all future trips.&nbsp;Discover more about Insights as the go-to search and recommendation tool here.&nbsp;Step Two – Artificial Intelligence is Your Friend!We recognise that the expertise of travel providers is often derived from their own experience and industry knowledge. And while there will always be a place for your individual knowledge, putting your trust in artificial intelligence can undoubtedly enhance your value as a comprehensive travel provider.&nbsp;Insights is loaded with real-time data which gives you a clear idea of what today’s travellers are booking and what’s competitive in your specific market. By utilising this live global data, you’ll gain access to valuable information that ensures you’re remaining competitive, and taking advantage of opportunities your competitors may not have access to.&nbsp;Depending on the information you’ve already gleaned from your client through varying means and at different stages of their booking journey, you can amend Insights' filters to bring up the most relevant data relating to the customer.&nbsp;Say, for example, you know that your customer is planning to travel from the United States to somewhere in Europe within the next three months. You also know that you’ve got high growth-potential properties in this destination thanks to your top recommended destinations shown on the Insights dashboard.&nbsp;This means that when you click into any of these recommended destinations, which are ranked by their potential for you and your business, you'll be able to not only filter for hotels in this destination that suit your clients perfectly, but also maximise your revenue by selling stays that will benefit you the most in terms of revenue.&nbsp;By adjusting the filters within Insights you’ll be able to see the top recommended that benefit your business, as well as those your clients will prefer – which leads us onto our next step.&nbsp;&nbsp;Step Three – Make It PersonalNow that you know where your client wants to go (and what offers they’re most receptive to) it’s time to make things personal.&nbsp;&nbsp;Head to Insights’ dashboard, as a first step. Once you’ve looked through your top recommended destinations, handpicked for their potential growth opportunity for your business, you’ll notice a ‘Create Your Flyer’ sharing option.&nbsp;Click this button, and you can select up to eight hotels you think your client will love. &nbsp;&nbsp;If we’re to give a top tip, we’d suggest filtering the hotels out further by traveller type, star rating and TripAdvisor rating. You can also accommodate for essential travel preferences like sustainability by using the appropriate filters.&nbsp;After finalising your top choices, you'll see that the 'Create Your Flyer' button now presents you with the option to either download or share the selected hotels. Go ahead and click this to move to the next step.&nbsp;Next, you'll be prompted to choose a format: portrait or landscape. The landscape option provides additional details about each hotel, while the portrait format is ideal for quickly comparing lead photos and key information like price.&nbsp;Once you’ve decided which your client would prefer, click the option, and move on through to the next stage.&nbsp;&nbsp;Here, we highly recommend incorporating your logo into your travel marketing materials. This allows for a personal touch that clearly shows off your business to your clients. Marketing can often be a significant investment in both time and money, but with Insights, customising your flyer is a simple and cost-effective endeavour.&nbsp;Next, you’ll be asked if you’d like to customise your content. This is a brilliant way to personalise your marketing materials to a specific client, and we’d recommend adding the client’s name to the header to let them know that these choices are far from generic – in fact, they were carefully chosen by you, their go-to travel provider.&nbsp;Implementing personalisation gestures like this can have a significant impact on your relationship with potential customers, with studies showing that up to 72% of consumers prefer responding to personalised marketing messages.&nbsp;&nbsp;So, if you skipped that stage, revisit step one and customise your headings accordingly. Once you have reviewed your chosen hotels for the final time (adjusting their order or concealing costs as needed), it is time to send out your marketing materials to the client.&nbsp;&nbsp;So, there you have it! Insights’ personalisation features require minimum effort, but could bring maximum rewards.&nbsp;Take a closer look at the other valuable features of Insights as your new favourite search and recommendation tool!&nbsp;&nbsp;If you're not already one of our valued travel partners, then make sure you're taking advantage of this time-saving, booking-boosting tool by signing up for free today.

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Insights, powered by AI

Personalise your Black Friday Travel Marketing with Insights

&nbsp;World Tourism Day is an annual event in the travel calendar that encourages industry stakeholders to reflect on the impact of tourism on the world: socially, culturally, environmentally and economically. &nbsp;&nbsp;Each year, this annual celebration is marked by a specific theme that reflects key tourism trends in the sector, from the impact of COVID-19 in recent years, to 2023's focus on innovative solutions for 'people, planet and prosperity', opportunities to reflect and rethink how we do tourism, to this year's focus on 'tourism and peace'.&nbsp;This year's theme reflects on:"Tourism can play a vital role as a catalyst in promoting peace and understanding between nations and cultures, and in supporting reconciliation processes."&nbsp;World Tourism Day is important for professionals within the travel industry to be aware of and consider, as it can help to:Learn about industry best practiceFind new business opportunities &nbsp;Raise awareness and knowledge &nbsp;Promote sustainable tourismIdentify travel habits and future trends &nbsp;Improve travel offerings&nbsp;So, can you take this year's theme of 'Tourism and Peace', which is a far-reaching theme, and apply it to your everyday?&nbsp;Promoting Peace and Community Resilience through TourismOften highlighted for its role in economic development, tourism also plays an important role in promoting peace. &nbsp;&nbsp;At a global level, where nations are interconnected and interdependent, tourism, an industry created by and for people, is proving to be a compelling and dynamic force in overcoming stereotypes and challenging prejudices.&nbsp;Did you know? &nbsp;Countries with a more open and sustainable tourism sector tend to be more peaceful.Tourism spreads philanthropy and leads to regional cooperation.Tourism supports post-conflict recovery.&nbsp;&nbsp;Success lies in empowering local communities to actively engage with their rich culture, while minimising conflict with the natural environment and all external forces - such as tourism. &nbsp;&nbsp;Real-world example: The town of Lahaina in West Maui was devastated by one of the worst wildfires in American history. Tourism resumed several months later, which raised new considerations for more mindful travellers. For instance, would their stay in a luxurious hotel displace residents who were temporarily accommodated there following the destruction of their homes?&nbsp;While West Maui accounts for 15% of Hawaii's tourism revenue, many local residents viewed the period of rebuilding Old Lahaina as an opportunity to address issues such as overtourism, environmental degradation, and economic imbalance. In fact, 17,000 residents signed a petition to delay the reopening of tourism in order to focus on the needs of Lahaina's working-class population.&nbsp;Nonetheless, with the projected loss of $9 million in tourism revenue per day since the fire, the Hawaii Tourism Authority enacted the Maui Marketing Recovery Plan to aid in the restoration of travel demand. This incident presented a crucial opportunity for thoughtful, intentional travel. A focus on regenerative tourism that reinvests in people, places, and encourages the 'long-term renewal and flourishing of our social-ecological systems' was paramount.&nbsp;It was essential that the travel and tourism mindset shifted from an individualistic to a collective perspective, for visitors and residents alike, to foster empathy and initiate collaborative action.&nbsp;Many travellers were inspired to add several volunteering experiences onto their itinerary upon seeing business owners' livelihoods burned down, and residents respected most the behaviours of travellers who engaged with patience and understanding while also giving back to the community.&nbsp;How can you, as global tour operators or online travel agents, encourage this type of travel?Encourage travellers to support local businesses and volunteer – these are key ways to continue that shift towards intentional travel that benefits host destinations.Promote alternative destinations – try sister locations to places that are suffering from severe consequences of overtourism.Promote a mindset for travellers grounded in intention - for example, one that asks 'where can we snorkel that's most respectful' instead of 'where do locals go?' Be aware of the wider industry and world – keeping informed as to any local challenges, initiatives or movements within the destinations that you’re recommending.&nbsp;These measures advocate a proactive approach to ensure that economic growth remains inclusive for the entire community, and that tourism is promoted for the benefit of residents as well as visitors.&nbsp;Top tip: Did you know that in February 2024, the General Assembly officially declared 2027 as the ‘International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism’? The next few years are a prime opportunity to take the travel industry even further when it comes to pioneering sustainable, beneficial initiatives.&nbsp;Engaging with Authentic Voices and Preserving Local HeritageCultural tourism is characterised by visitors' ardent desire to discover, experience, and learn about a particular destination. Whether that entails exploring novel cuisines, residing with remote rural communities, supporting local business owners and artisans, or travelling pilgrimage routes, the interest in cultural immersion is rapidly escalating.&nbsp;Ensuring that travel experiences are firmly grounded in the essence of a place is also in the interest of travel distribution from a success standpoint:Cultural and historical travel accounts for 40% of all tourism globally.73% of millennials report being interested in cultural and historic places.Cultural tourists spend 38% more per day and stay 22% longer than other traveller types.&nbsp;Many countries and organisations around the world are already showing how it’s possible to balance economic development with retaining vital cultural heritage, and sustainable transformations. &nbsp;Urban regeneration – a ‘Special Area Plan’ in George Town, Malaysia, balances conservation with economic development, allowing local owners to restore their homes and set up businesses, while protecting historic buildings from tourism-induced redevelopment.Prioritising native industries – to avoid over-reliance on sole economic drivers, like tourism. For example, in AlUla investments are being made into native industries such as agriculture. Diversifying the local economy creates increased revenue for residents and lessens the strain on economies that rely on tourism as a main driver of revenue. &nbsp;‘Living heritage’ – the ‘Beirut Housing Rehabilitation and Cultural Creative Industries’ project offers small grants to local artisans, while the regeneration of the historical Mar Mikhael train station aims to reactivate cultural markets and businesses.&nbsp;A pivotal strategy for international tour operators and OTAs is to incorporate sustainable cultural tourism into their day-to-day operations is to elevate local communities to the forefront of your travel experience recommendations.&nbsp;Adopting this approach satisfies the prevailing trend for authentic, experiential tourism in a manner that generates longer-lasting positive impact for the host community and economy, while also maintaining business engagement with customer preferences.&nbsp;By actively engaging with local communities, the tourism industry can ensure that the generated revenue remains within the community, where it can yield the most substantial impact.&nbsp;Promoting Travel that Champions SustainabilityIn 2015, the Member States of the United Nations collectively adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which endeavor to 'enhance health and education, diminish inequality, and stimulate economic development – all while addressing the challenges of climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.'&nbsp;The tourism industry presents a multitude of opportunities to impact and contribute to the realisation of these goals: through the provision of high-quality tourism training, which invests in education and skills development; by investing in sustainable infrastructure; by working to further the eco-conscious transformations in communities, economies and mindsets, including initiatives to decarbonise the sector; and by investing in innovative travel technology and upskilling tourism's workforces globally.&nbsp;Sustainable tourism is a major focus for the travel industry, with the appetite for sustainability showing no sign of easing: 83% of global travellers believe that sustainable travel is important.&nbsp;For the environment &nbsp;One of the paramount concerns, not solely for the travel and tourism industry, but for the broader global context of sustainability, is the prevelance of single-use plastics. The hotel industry alone is responsible for the generation of 150 million tonnes of plastic per year – a significant proportion of which ultimately ends up polluting the world's oceans.&nbsp;In light of this, marine and coastal conservation programmes serve as an ideal example of how to promote experiences that cater to customer requirements while adhering to sustainable practices.&nbsp;Real-life example: Based in Cap Ternay research station on Mahé Island - which can be accessed via the Seychelles International Airport for overseas visitors, located near the capital of Victoria – GVI offers several volunteer and study projects where participants can spend their time scuba-diving to help underwater research, snorkelling to collect data on marine life, or even hiking through palm forests. &nbsp;&nbsp;Experiences like these are the perfect example of how agents can promote sustainable travel which not only aligns with the needs and desires of the customer, but that also benefits the host destination.&nbsp;How Hotelbeds HelpsWe’ve looked before at how important is to offer single-use plastic-free options for travellers (as just one example of sustainable tourism) and how this can and should become part of every travel distributor's strategy.&nbsp;But one way we’re making it easier for travel experience sellers across the industry is to offer sustainable tourism is by offering sustainable experiences in our Booking Engine. Including PADI-approved diving centres for those eco-conscious marine adventures, as well as thousands of other in-destination activities and experiences that offer tangible benefit to both traveller and host.&nbsp;Plus, our ‘Sustainable Hotels’ filter in our Booking Engine makes it simple to refine your searches to hotels that hold sustainability at the forefront of their operations and are certified as sustainable.&nbsp;In fact, hotels are only shown in this filter once they have achieved industry-certified sustainability levels such as the Hotel Sustainability Basics certificate by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and the GSTC Industry Criteria offered by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).&nbsp;Sign up today to discover our sustainable hotels and expand your portfolio for the travel options so important to today’s traveller.&nbsp;For local communities&nbsp;Overtourism represents a distinct tourism-induced challenge that numerous renowned destinations across the globe confront.&nbsp;Initiatives such as the sustainable tourism tax, introduced in the Balearic Island of Mallorca, assist in supporting the conservation of this esteemed destination. Additionally, Kyoto, Japan, has implemented several measures to mitigate the strain of overtourism, including addressing traffic congestion and utilising social media to disseminate alternative routes and information for visitors.&nbsp;To work alongside these internal initiatives implemented by local governing bodies, it's vital that you fulfill your role as part of the travel distribution system to endorse destinations in a sustainable manner. After all, as the expert, you are the one placing travel prospects directly into the hands of travellers.&nbsp;Top tip: discover thousands of eco-conscious in-destination experiences with our Booking Engine, encompassing conservation opportunities, regenerative experiences, tours and experiences facilitated by local guides, and a plethora of additional options.&nbsp;Furthermore, our global portfolio equips providers with comprehensive sustainable options as result of our status as a full-service provider, including green transfers and car hire, as well as single-use plastic-free and sustainable hotels.&nbsp;Tourism Helps Create Meaningful Connections&nbsp;This sector can be perceived as the epitome of intercultural dialogue; it allows meeting the "other" through learning about different cultures, hearing foreign languages, discovering new cuisines, creating bonds with other people, overcoming cultural differences through sharing experiences, and building tolerance.&nbsp;&nbsp;Travel, in its quintessential form, is an endeavour to expand one's perspectives. Extensive research has even suggested that 'tourist affiliation with nature and connection with local people' are 'critical determinants of positive psychological outcomes'; that travel fundamentally enhances well-being.&nbsp;This, undoubtedly, aligns with the third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) previously mentioned: to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all individuals, irrespective of age.&nbsp;We see the connection between travel, identity and wellness in:Travellers seeking out experiences that align with their personal values, backgrounds or heritage.Travel that actively strengthens bonds with cultures or communities around the world.88% of younger travellers saying that travel has impacted their personal growth.72% of Gen Z travellers remark that travel is core to their identity and how they express themselves.&nbsp;Social belonging is defined as an essential human requirement, a 'fundamental human pursuit' - and tourism plays a vital role in generating prospects for interpersonal connection.&nbsp;Moreover, this sense of social cohesion is also apparent in the industry-wide transition towards experience-based tourism, where authenticity and genuine connection have become paramount for tourists' overall experiences.&nbsp;There is substantial merit in the positive impact for travellers and their companions, including reinforcing connections amongst friends, loved ones, creating more meaningful experiences and memories, as well as increasing the probability of revisiting a destination.&nbsp;There is also a great deal to be explored about the benefits of more connected social relationships between travellers and host communities:‘Immersion in the local community and socialisation with local people generate learning opportunities for tourists to know different cultures and virtues, which leads to self-reflection and potentially causes personal transformation.’&nbsp;Real-world example: The experiences of 26 international tourists to Fiji were examined in a recent study, to determine the connection between tourism and psychological wellbeing.&nbsp;Fiji has high levels of tourism, thanks to pristine natural environments and cultural diversity, and derives a great deal of revenue from tourism as a result: 34% of Fiji’s GDP was contributed to tourism, and around 150,000 residents are directly employed in the tourism sector. &nbsp;&nbsp;Travellers’ responses were categorised into themes, including ‘gaze’ (how tourists view the people and destinations they interact with and visit), ‘practice’ (a subjective, expressive encounter) and ‘reflection’ (post-trip learnings, related to personal transformation).&nbsp;&nbsp;And from increased sense of enjoyment when experiences where shared, a deeper sense of cultural understanding through authentic encounters with local communities and more chances for ‘shared memory’, results showed that travel can be a vehicle that increases social connectedness, personal development and transformation, and improved mental health.&nbsp;Not only this, but interacting with landscapes and residents who have been relocated due to climate change, or impacted by natural disasters, invokes a sense of awe that is directed not internally, but externally.&nbsp;&nbsp;These connections ‘evoke an ‘environmentally responsible consciousness’ in visitors, redirecting ‘personal concerns’ towards ‘more collective dimensions of personal identity’. These are significant factors in wellbeing, and support the notion that travel creates meaningful connections for people across the world.&nbsp;What are the key takeaways?Travel distributors, such as tour operators and online travel agents (and destination boards) ought to incorporate group travel into their tourism offerings – for more effective and numerous changes to offer chances for travellers to build connection with their companions during their trip.Accessible facilities are an essential requirement for children and elderly visitors – to promote collective participation in tourism activities and an enhanced sense of connection.Destination loyalty and revisit intentions experience an increase when visitors feel socially connected.Enhancing tourists' connection with nature, their companions and local communities will result in long-term advantages for travel distribution, local economies and travellers themselves.&nbsp;Our Impact &nbsp;As part of HBX Group, it’s our ongoing mission to demonstrate through action how much value we place on industry-recognised travel standards, and our own environmental, social and governmental (ESG) commitments. &nbsp;&nbsp;Following the development of a new reporting framework, we’re able to anticipate future regulations, and achieve higher certification, which means that we can work even harder to make travel a force for good.7,889 volunteer hours completed - contributed by 1015 employees.€7612 raised – for global social causes.444.58kg of waste collected from forest and beach cleanings.12,000 trees planted – that’s 9.04 hectares of developing forest.Carbon neutral in scope 1 and 2 – it's our 6th anniversary of this accreditation.Think Big Project – we launched this initiative to help create sustainable micro destinations, to empower local communities in rural areas.40,000 sustainable hotels – including 5500 single-use plastic-free accommodation options as part of our Sustainable Hotels Programme.We’ve become a UN Global Compact member.Hybrid vehicles – offered in even more global cities.Thousands of cultural tours, nature tourism and wildlife-centred activities – available in our Booking Engine, to encourage deeper connection with the environments and habitats of the world.Safari, reforestation, sanctuary and eco-conscious experiences – available for our clients to book.Purposeful Pause – space for employees to discuss important topics, such as financial well-being.Health Month – promoting employee wellbeing via yoga sessions, meditation and more.&nbsp;For a closer look at our parent company’s dedication to making ourselves and the world of travel a better place, you can download the HBX Group ESG report here.&nbsp;

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world tourism day 2024 travel as a catalyst for understanding

Travel as a Catalyst for Understanding: World Tourism Day

&nbsp;In recent years, the service and marketing industries have shifted their focus from accommodating Millennials as the 'future generation' to now integrating Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Born from the late 1990s to early 2010s, Gen Z and the children of Millennials, known as Gen Alpha, are already making significant impacts and are considered the true 'travellers of the future'.&nbsp;The industry is set on capturing the attention – and spending power – of these up-and-coming demographics of jetsetters, which makes sense given that Gen Z have risen to represent around one third of the global population.&nbsp;A recent study by the European Travel Commission revealed that younger travellers are more likely to: &nbsp;Return to, and add more value to, destinations over time.Discover and actively seek out new, less-popular travel destinations.Incorporate technology into the planning of, and during, their trips.Seek personal cultural experiences, benefits, and contribute to local communities in-destination.&nbsp;It should be noted that Gen Z is currently one of the highest spending demographics in the travel sector. Despite not being individually wealthy, their collective spending power heavily contributes to their travel experiences. This generation's strong alignment between their values and consumer behaviours further solidifies their influence in the market. &nbsp;&nbsp;Let’s take a look at how the ‘travellers of the future’ are changing the landscape of travel and tourism.&nbsp;The impact of younger generations on travel trendsDid you know that Gen Z alone constitutes a spending power of around global spending power of $143 billion (a figure that is only increasing) and accounts for about 40% of all consumers? Or that Millennials and Gen Z consumers will make up 45% of luxury sales by 2025?&nbsp;Digital-native travellersThe upbringing of Gen Z and Gen A in a digital era has resulted in their development during crucial formative years, constantly exposed to evolving and easily accessible technologies.&nbsp;In terms of seeking out assistance from a travel provider, rather than doing things themselves, the likelihood of Gen Z doing so is influenced by various factors. However, among them all, Gen Z tends to prioritise technology integration, easy booking procedures, social environments that encourage connections with fellow guests, interactive communication with service providers, and personalised experiences.&nbsp;In light of Gen Z's ability to meet their own needs through their technological proficiency, it is crucial for travel providers to find ways to engage with this constantly connected generation, such as through Online Travel Agencies (OTAs).&nbsp;How to attract and accommodate ‘digital-native’ travellers:Highlight the benefits of using an agency over an OTA – &nbsp;in your content, your communications or ads, your website, everywhere.Personalise all communications to the right audience, at the right time. Gen Z wants individual experiences; use this to your advantage as a distributor who can offer them.Ensure your approach is ‘mobile-first’ - whether it’s marketing or fighting for a spot on the top results in a search engine, what’s important to know is that 80% of Gen Z travellers use smartphones to research and book their travel. Compete with OTAs and be seen.Create engaging online content – you can’t book travel for customers who can’t find your services. Not only do you need to be seen, but younger travellers need to be convinced of why they should use an agency over an OTA. Convenience is everything – but personalisation is a huge motivator for this audience.Embrace technology and digital experiences – incorporate and promote tech-based recommendations, from hotels that offer AI powered air-con and mobile check-in to using a travel booking platform that has flexible payments – like our Booking Engine.&nbsp;&nbsp;Travel influencersGen Z spends an average of 10.6 hours per day online, making them the most digitally connected generation, and in 2023, around 29% of Gen Zers were inspired to travel to a destination by TikTok. Meanwhile, around 54% of parents say their Gen Alpha child spends up to four hours a day on social media.&nbsp;Many members of Generation Z and Millennials, more than their Gen X counterparts, find travel inspiration predominantly through online platforms. Social media, with its use of hashtags, geotags, and content sharing, provides a convenient way for users to discover and explore various destinations, attractions, and experiences worldwide. Travel businesses and influencers play vital roles in showcasing these destinations through engaging content, essentially serving as virtual tour guides for their audiences.&nbsp;A recent study discovered that approximately 75% of travellers in the UK, US, Australia, China, and Japan utilise social media for travel inspiration. Leading the pack are platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest. Interestingly, 48% of travellers end up visiting destinations they stumble upon or are intrigued by on social media. &nbsp;&nbsp;Notably, during their searches, many users actively seek out new destinations, hidden gems, and unique travel experiences.&nbsp;Research indicates that the largest source of inspiration for young travellers is television, news outlets, or movies at 64%, followed closely by recommendations from friends and family at 47%. These findings highlight the significant impact of social media on the preferences of the younger generation of travellers, surpassing even the influence of personal recommendations.Build a positive online social presence to capture Gen Z travellersAnd considering the prevalence and importance of social media in their travel-making decisions, it’s fair to say that Gen Z – and even Millennials - are travel influencers too. &nbsp;&nbsp;It is important to note that for every interaction your Gen Z customers have with your customer service, booking, pre-and post-travel experiences, they are highly likely to share their feedback online, whether positive or negative. Therefore, social media plays a crucial role in the success or failure of travel companies.&nbsp;What does your online presence say about you as a travel provider?Are you creating engaging content? Is it the right content for your audience?Are you paying attention to what previous and existing customers say about you or your business?&nbsp;&nbsp;What do travellers want? Experiential TourismA large proportion of Millennial travellers seek culturally immersive, experiential travel – a chance to ‘get under the skin’ of their destination and create personally fulfilling experiences. &nbsp;&nbsp;Generation Z is known for seeking unique experiences, and as the first digitally native generation, their travel preferences reflect a technology-first approach from the start of trip planning all the way to sharing experiences during and after their travels. &nbsp;&nbsp;Most of all, both demographics are proven (find stats) to want and prioritise: &nbsp;Experiential travel – with a focus on authenticity in-destination.Wellness experiences – from holistic therapies to silent travel, wellness is driven by what wellness means to individual travellers, resulting in demands for bespoke experiences.Cultural and destination immersion &nbsp;Niche travel – such as agri-tourism, eco-travel, halal travel, adventure travel and more.&nbsp;The Gen Z demographic is increasingly showing a preference for authenticity in destination experiences. This shift towards experiential travel reflects a desire for bespoke, tailor-made travel experiences rather than the traditional 'one-size-fits-all' approach. Building on the cultural immersion focus of Millennials, Gen Z is leading the way in seeking experiences that align with their values. The trend is towards personalised, unique travel experiences that cater to the individual preferences of this generation.&nbsp;From ‘set-jetting’ travel to luxury culinary tourism, solo travel and wellness tourism, such as ‘silent travel’, there’s no denying the fact that as well as being motivated by a desire for self-discovery, cultural immersion, and localised experiences, Gen Z are just as inspired by ‘on-screen’ destinations, social media and a keen social and environmental awareness.&nbsp;In order to appeal to this future-focused generation of travellers, it is important to stay up-to-date on popular culture knowledge and have environmentally friendly recommendations readily available.&nbsp;See our top travel trends here!&nbsp;&nbsp;Sustainable Travel for the futureAs evidenced by recent data, sustainable travel is a top priority for Millennials and Generation Z travellers. 82% of Millennials have expressed a strong desire for travel options that are environmentally friendly.&nbsp;Promote sustainable travel options – from hotels that are certified as sustainable and single-use plastic-free (you’ll find these in our Booking Engine) to tours that have reduced their single-use plastic waste.Practice what you preach – many travel companies have signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism as signatories, or seek sustainability certification as part of the Sustainable Travel Agencies Certification. &nbsp;Adopt sustainable practices in your day-to-day – a key example would be to use digital travel brochures.Support local causes – recommend locally owned restaurants, tours and own voices from a portfolio of trustworthy and sustainable travel products – like our Booking Engine.Invest in ‘regenerative’ schemes – we're dedicated to planting tens of thousands of trees in the Hotelbeds Forest.&nbsp;Conscious travel is top of the demands list for many younger travellers, from sustainable travel practices and experiences that benefit local communities, to voluntourism and regenerative travel, alongside their undercurrent of desire for unique experiences.Discover more about overtourism, and the importance of promoting sustainable tourism here.&nbsp;The impact of Gen Alpha on modern familial travelThe growing utilisation of travel technology and enhancements in travel accessibility across various demographics worldwide have created new opportunities for younger generations to travel more easily and affordably. This shift is transforming the expectations of younger travellers as travel becomes more convenient and economical, especially in regions with advanced travel infrastructures.&nbsp;Given this, Gen A is expected to be the most mobile traveller yet.&nbsp;This not only affects the future travel patterns of Generation A, but also their current impact on modern family travel. In fact, approximately 43% of families with Generation A children are influenced or inspired by them when planning a trip.&nbsp;Although the older generations still play a key role in decision-making due to their ability to book trips, Gen A is actively sharing travel-related content on social media and indirectly influencing family travel decisions. Use this insight to provide experience-led recommendations to families with Gen A children.&nbsp;A high number of families are prioritising inter-generational experiences and the needs of the family over the destination itself. Tech-inspired holidays are ideal for family and intergenerational travel as these experiences are engaging, accessible, sustainable, and memorable. Immersive experiential travel is fun for the whole family no matter the season.&nbsp;While this is by no means an exhaustive list or overview of the impact of younger generations on travel, travel trends, and even wider traveller behaviour, it's certainly food for thought when you're considering how to attract, appeal and retain these all-important travellers of the future. &nbsp;&nbsp;Discover more valuable travel trends with our travel trend report, offering insightful snapshots into the behaviours and demands that are shaping the travel industry, and into the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;