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&nbsp;Responses to the economic and global challenges of the last few years have changed how businesses interact with and adopt technology, for the long haul. A recent study by McKinsey &amp; Company suggests that companies across all sectors and industries have dramatically accelerated the digitisation of their customer and supply chain interactions - some by as much as three or four years. The adoption of digitally enabled products has accelerated by seven years - and in the case of Asia, as much as ten years.&nbsp;There is a narrative shift occurring within many industries, where technology is not only recognised for its ability to offer cost efficient ways of working; but is recognised as a critical component of a business itself. Of course, the increase of technological solutions or advantages is not news - but what is illuminating is the weight being placed on technology to cater for demand, to replace outdated modes of communication with customers and curate more efficient, personalised experiences for consumers.&nbsp;Many of the changes we’re seeing in usage of digital products are likely here for the long term, including:&nbsp;Changing customer demands or expectations - such as, for example, increasing online communication/purchasingIncreasing migration of cloud-based assetsIncreasing use of advanced technologies within business operations - such as artificial intelligence, automation and analytics.&nbsp;So, in relation to the travel industry, this becomes an increasingly interesting and important question of how can travel providers ensure they’re meeting the needs of customers in a digital landscape? And also, what are some of the ways that advanced technology is already shaping interactions between travellevers and travel distributors?&nbsp;Data Usage To Create Personalised ExperiencesPersonalisation is one of the key consumer trends that all industries are seeing, not just travel, and it’s something that will continue to shape the considerations of travel providers globally. Especially given that, according to Google, 57% of US travellers think that brands and service providers should tailor the information provided based on personal preferences and past behaviours - and that was several years ago. Now, personalisation and using customer data and analytics to do so is critical.&nbsp;&nbsp;Customer data means there is more opportunity to personalise travel experiences, plus, and provide a more rounded, connected experience for the customer. In fact, 13% of all attendees at our 2023 MarketHub Americas event suggested that they were planning on offering more personalised services, with 11% planning to create and use more data to do so.&nbsp;By collecting customer data and combining this with powerful tools like predictive analytics, travel distributors and travel tech companies can better predict customer behaviour, trends in the market, and keep ahead in this fast-paced industry.&nbsp;McKinsey &amp; Company also suggest that brands will increasingly use ‘ecosystems’ to personalise journeys from beginning to end - meaning that personalisation for customers won’t stop when they arrive in their destination or at their hotel, but continue in partnering ecosystems which include the restaurants they eat in, the bars and clubs and shops they visit during their stay. Doing so requires customer data, to build out these ecosystems using past behaviours and customer preferences, to build an infrastructure of travel providers which is connected enough to offer wide-reaching customer service, which even includes their in-destination experiences!&nbsp;This focus on analytics within tourism is something that we at Hotelbeds are dedicating our energy to. The customer data available through the distribution of activities within our global network, for example, allows our partners to obtain additional information about customers and as our CEO Nicolas Huss explained at our MarketHub Europe event, ‘by knowing who they [customers] are, it is easier to meet their needs.’&nbsp;&nbsp;Insights&nbsp;is an ideal example of how we at Hotelbeds utilise customer data, but delivered in an anonymised, market-centric way, to provide key insights and allow our partners to:Identify growth opportunities and market-specific booking patterns.Save, anchor or discard recommendations to better influence our intelligent system.Create personalised marketing materials to capture client interest and increase the likelihood of booking.&nbsp;Using market-based data in this way, and combined with technology that enables our partners to meet customer preferences and learn from those, is one of the ways that we at Hotelbeds are working to maximise on the opportunities that using customer data offers without compromising on client experience or personal data security.&nbsp;Sign up today to join our global network of travel distributors dedicated to taking the industry further! Get access to key insights, a vast portfolio of properties, and intuitive travel platforms offering you those chances for all-important personalisation.Green Technology&nbsp;As much as 8% of global CO2 emissions are produced nowadays by activities in the Tourism sector (transportation, construction, catering, services, land promotion activities, etc.); while UNWTO suggests that around 2% of this is directly produced by the hospitality industry. Recent insight from CBRE indicated the urgency for hospitality and leisure establishments to reduce carbon footprints compared to other real estate classifications, with hotel carbon emissions at 96kgCO2e/m².&nbsp;And although there has been tangible progress to reduce carbon footprints in order to meet the terms of the globally recognised Paris Agreement, there is still much work that can be done not only to ensure the development of their business, but to keep in line with the fact that sustainability is now, by necessity, a guiding principle of the travel industry.&nbsp;Here are just a few examples of sustainable technology which hotels around the world are adopting:&nbsp;Operational systems:&nbsp;such as Energy Management Systems (EMS), Guest Room Management Systems (GRMS), Property Management Systems (PMS), and Building Management Systems (BMS). Online check-in and automated ticket management for guest requests.Digitised communications and collaboration technology:&nbsp;for shareholders, corporate communications and even for guests, to reduce the carbon footprint that comes with printed or physical resources.Renewable sources of energy:&nbsp;solar or photovoltaic,&nbsp;to lower the impact of high-consumption services like air conditioning.Artificial Intelligence and software solutions: to reduce food wastage, by tracking food production and inventory, as demonstrated by the innovative partnership between The Iberostar Group and Winnows AI to become carbon neutral.Why Is Sustainable Technology Important?&nbsp;As we explored in our discussion about the traveller of tomorrow, one of the most valuable and influential traveller profiles for the travel industry as a whole is Gen Z. The move towards sustainable travel is loudly supported by Gen Z most notably; though Millennial travellers also suggest that the ecological impact of transport, accommodation and activities is influential on their travel booking decisions. According to Google Insights, over half of surveyed travellers suggested that environmental and sustainable considerations were essential to them when planning travel.&nbsp;&nbsp;And after all, the guests of the future will be Gen Z and Gen Alpha (the children of Millennial families) and considering their status as the ‘voice of sustainability’, so catering for the values and preferences of this vast travel segment is critical for a hotel to remain relevant and successful, and for the industry as a whole.VR As A Marketing ToolVirtual Reality (VR) offers travel providers and travel sellers all over the world to build a sensory experience of a destination, attraction, or activity, which can then be used to ‘complement, or supplant traditional promotional tools’, much like printed travel brochures for example.&nbsp;&nbsp;Similarly to the ways that VR saw such significant success during COVID-19 as a result of its immersive nature, which allowed users to experience new destinations or take virtual tours of attractions around the world from the comfort of their home, VR allows potential travellers to make a more connected judgement of a new destination, hotel or tourism experience. It offers them a chance to more intrinsically understand what will be offered to them, and therefore influence the decision-making process and make interested travellers more likely to book.&nbsp;Some real-life examples of successful VR marketing include:&nbsp;Unveiled at Fitur 2023, Amadeus announced plans to offer virtual experiences and previews of trips for travellers to travel agencies with its ‘Triportation’ program. This innovative development will provide a mix of ‘VR, AI and metaverse’ to enhance the travel experience at critical moments in the booking journey.The use of a VR web portal (Bihor360) was used to successfully promote sustainable tourism in Romania, with positive effects on the awareness, protection and conservation of historical and cultural monuments.&nbsp;We anticipate that the use of virtual reality and augmented reality (AR) will only grow as travellers become more acquainted and expectant of this sort of technology throughout the travel booking process, from inspiring them at the ‘dreaming’ stage through to when they jet off.Customer-Centric Artificial Intelligence&nbsp;As the demand for travel continues to expand, and customers of all demographics are more expectant of digital processes in their daily lives, travel providers must dramatically rethink how they ensure customer satisfaction.&nbsp;Of course, artificial intelligence itself has existed for many years, but it is only recently being integrated into businesses at a higher rate. And while the use of machine learning and AI does present some logistical challenges, the potential of this type of tech cannot be ignored. However, the hospitality industry in particular needs to ensure that there is a careful balance between the ease and efficiency of automation, and the need to deliver unique, personalised experiences for today’s traveller.&nbsp;The most promising feature in this realm lies with features like intelligent Chatbots - which use natural language processing (NLP) to accurately respond and engage with users.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chatbots allow businesses to cater to a wide range of customer requests from pre-booking enquiries to post-booking assistance. And considering that, as suggested by research from Meta, around seven out of ten customers feel ‘closer’ to businesses that offer messaging options, and 65% consumers prefer contacting businesses via chat.&nbsp;&nbsp;From pre-booking enquiries to post-booking assistance, Chatbots offer:A direct channel of communication from customer to business, simplifying the way that customers used to contact travel providers in the past. Seamless customer service - when implemented correctly.The ability to gather crucial data - allowing businesses to learn about their customer needs to better meet them.&nbsp;Our CEO Nicolas Huss, suggests that technology like chatbots allows travel distributors to ‘provide an elevated personalised experience by remembering preferences and automatically implementing them each time an individual books their next trip.’&nbsp;Sign up today to join our vast global network of travel distributors!&nbsp;VR and AR Experiences For TravellersFrom immersive galleries, museums and exhibitions from the likes of techLab, with locations all over the world, the to mixed reality playgrounds of technology-driven installations from companies like Meow Wolf in the USA, and VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) games from Gamebox in London, the way that travellers engage with technology in-destination is changing. AR is fast becoming easily accessible in major destinations globally, and even theme parks like Super Nintendo World are bringing guests a wide range of immersive activities, rides and exploration spaces.&nbsp;But what is emerging is a whole new way for travellers to discover their destinations of choice, with app-based VR and AR experiences paving the way for a whole new realm of tourism where travellers’ experiences are enriched with interactive technology.&nbsp;For example, in Japan Kumamon Land is the result of a collaboration between Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture and a leading tech-organisation and marketing agency, to offer an app-based metaverse space where users can explore a virtual landscape inspired by the real-life destination of Kumamoto. Meanwhile Singapore’s National Heritage Board released BALIKSG, an augmented reality trail app that offers immersive trail routes where travellers can discover the country’s history through the use of augmented reality. Qatar Airways also recently launched Qverse, which is an immersive experience offering travellers the chance to navigate the Hamad International Airport, check in, and even interact with ‘Sama’ - a MetaHuman cabin crew!&nbsp;These explorations into all-new travel tech challenge the previously separate worlds of virtual and augmented reality and travel, breaking down boundaries within the travel experience.&nbsp;Smart Hotel TechnologyFrom mobile check-in and smart room technology to new tech partnerships that cater to the everyday needs of travellers, many hotels are broadening their horizons in terms of the facilities on offer for increasingly digital-product expectant travellers.&nbsp;&nbsp;A smart hotel can be defined by its ability to offer customers the ability to operate devices and services through either Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) or digital connectivity. This could include smart room technology such as voice control, energy efficiency, facial recognition and automation. In-room technology could also be controlled by apps and mobile devices, such as guests adjusting air temperature, lighting and air conditioning through app-based platforms or smart metres.&nbsp;Smart hotel technology is also a crucial development for the advancement of customer experience, as the appropriate collection of customer data during a stay, processed via AI machine learning, could help hotels learn more about customer preferences and curate an even more bespoke experience. Even investing in cloud-based technologies could simplify operations, reduce staffing needs, and provide a better guest experience.&nbsp;To further help create a frictionless experience for the traveller we have also recently partnered with Wayra, an open innovation centre within telecom company Telefonica, to create the TravelTech Lab by Hotelbeds, an initiative which supports tech startups and actively change the way that tomorrow's travellers move, connect and explore. This collaboration allows us to innovate with start-up partners to deliver customer-centric experiences through the creation of products, platforms and services that have a high impact in the world of travel.&nbsp;&nbsp;What are some other real-life examples of tech partnerships within the hotel industry?Marriott International recently partnered with Groups360 to streamline the process of booking rooms, meeting spaces and events for its corporate guests.The Maho Group, offering hotels and resorts in the Caribbean, is working with Cendyn to power its CRM, revenue management and business intelligence, offering personalised experiences to encourage customer loyalty by tracking individual guests’ preferences.IHG Hotel and Resorts partnered with PPDS to offer Chromecast in select locations, providing guests with the ability to stream content from their smart devices.Hilton also recently partnered with Amadeus’s distribution system, to better share valuable information to scale operations more effectively.&nbsp;The benefit of a diverse portfolio and network of connections also cannot be overstated when it comes to increasing exposure and relevance within the travel space - especially the high-value B2B marketplace. And with a global portfolio of 250,000 properties in 170+ countries worldwide, at Hotelbeds we’re in a prime position to take your sales even further.&nbsp;Sign up today to take your travel business even further with our leading insights, technology solutions and global portfolio.&nbsp;

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How Travel Distributors can Cater for Travel Trends: Travel Tech/AI

&nbsp;Within any sphere of travel it’s important to understand where audiences are looking to go, what they want from their experience, and how their needs are changing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To keep ahead of the curve, it’s important to re-evaluate what was once considered ‘luxury’ travel, as many of today’s travellers are moving away from purely exclusive resorts and disconnected retreats. And despite the fact that many countries are experiencing financial crises, the demand for luxury travel is anticipated to be ‘higher than ever’ in the next five years.&nbsp;What Luxury Travellers Want&nbsp;Here are just a couple of key insights into what luxury travellers are looking for from their trips include:&nbsp;&nbsp;To ‘get under the skin’ of a destination.An increasing focus on exploring hidden gems, activities, and neighbourhoods - what GlobeTrender calls ‘Gamma Destinations’&nbsp;With this in mind, we take a closer look at some of the most notable current and upcoming trends within the luxury travel sphere, what opportunities these present and how Hotelbeds are ideally positioned to offer hotels access to travellers within this segment.&nbsp;More Conscious LuxuryGiven that one of the prerequisites of luxury travel is a closer, ‘exclusive’ look at a destination of choice, there are many overlapping similarities between luxury travel and conscious travel. This intersection can be more clearly seen when we look at a few aspects of the ‘hierarchy of needs of the luxury traveller’:&nbsp;Indulgent Experience (meets/exceeds)Authentic Experience (cultural, not mass travel)&nbsp;This narrative shift towards conscious travel, where authenticity is becoming more highly priced than ‘pan-global luxury’ is apparent across the travel industry as a whole, however with regards to luxury travel and what travellers are looking for from their experience, there are key considerations for the hospitality industry - particularly, the need for green initiatives.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mostly, the importance of offering sustainable accommodation for consciously minded luxury travellers is never more apparent, in order to remain relevant within a market whose definition is rapidly changing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), at Hotelbeds we understand how critical it is to remain successful, but for the industry as a whole to shift towards conscious travel. Our Sustainable Hotels Programme and Plastic-Free initiative are just two of the ways that we’re responding to the very real demand from environmentally conscious travellers, offering simple and effective tools for our travel trade clients to not only make green choices in how they’re selling experiences and hotels to end travellers, but to make positive change within the industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sign up to join our network of thousands of travel distributors to help attract the right guest at the right time today.&nbsp;The Re-Emergence of China&nbsp;Even though it will take time for China to be fully reinstated into the world travel market, the growing wealth across the region is a promising sign for outbound travel growth.&nbsp;&nbsp;The reopening of China's tourism industry presents a wonderful opportunity for the growth of luxury travel. With the affluent demographics of Asia showing a strong demand for this style of travel, we can expect a massive outbound source market to emerge in the next few years.&nbsp;As a global travel partner with a vast network of travel distributors, as well as valuable ancillaries for end travellers to enrich their trips, we’re ideally positioned to not only increase the visibility of our partners’ hotel(s) through a non-competing distribution channel, but also to a group of guests who:&nbsp;Have longer lead times than other distribution channels.Cancel less often - for example, the cancellation rate for European hotels during FY22 was 31% when booked through our distribution channel, compared to the 65.5% seen in OTA bookings.Largely belong to long-haul markets.&nbsp;We offer all our clients access to fast-growing travel segments even in the most hard-to-reach spaces, while our cloud-based technology platforms provide fast, simple access to a network of global travel products to curate your clients’ bespoke travel plans. Put simply, working with us at Hotelbeds puts you in the right position to access some of the most valuable travel segments out there.&nbsp;Sign up today to join our Hotelbeds network and scale your offerings.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pay Attention To Generation Alpha&nbsp;A recent study from Globetrender highlighted this trend, revealing that these families are not afraid to spend big and travel far. The study also predicted a substantial hike in family trips, estimating an increase of 185% between 2021 and 2022, which we anticipate will carry far beyond this year. As we look ahead to the next few years, it is safe to assume that luxury travel will see a sharp and sustained increase, particularly among wealthy families.&nbsp;And as a passive but young demographic, Gen Alpha is reliant on their Millennial parents to spend for them, which means:&nbsp;Millennial travellers will be looking to accommodate their children - an increasingly influential and young demographic accustomed to regular travel and the digital era.Luxury travel and luxury familial experiences may change as a result - from the rise of parent-child bonding trips to the increase in long-haul adventure trips, the way that luxury families go on holiday is changing.&nbsp;It's essential to recognise the changing face of the modern family and adapt your offerings accordingly. For instance, in the UK, many families are led by single parents, around 90% of which are women. So, it's vital to question your preconceived notions about family travel and make sure your offerings meet the diverse needs of today's travellers. But what is clear is that there is no better time to cater for the elite and their younger generations.&nbsp;‘Premium’ Travel As One To Watch‘Premium’ travel has many names, but this segment can mostly be identified by where travellers sit on the plane - namely, those at the front. And while the premium segment may not be quite the same as luxury, the motivations, needs and travel styles are in a similar vein, so travel distributors would be remiss to discredit the growing opportunity that premium travellers present. Travel analytics companies like Forward Keys, in fact, have outlined premium travel as one to watch.&nbsp;Recent insights suggest that the premium travel segment is recovering much faster than the economy segment. Interestingly, premium travellers also:Travel more regularly than economy travellers.Spend more than average once in their destination of choice.Stay for longer durations in their chosen destinations each time.&nbsp;In fact, premium segment travellers in America had stayed 14% longer compared to 2019 levels, with particular growth within small groups and families.&nbsp;&nbsp;What opportunities does this present for hoteliers?This is a rapidly growing segment of travellers who are willing to spend more in-destination, stay longer, and travel more frequently than those in the economy segment. So this means that recovery, in terms of revenue, is happening faster than visitor numbers, which is great news for host destinations and also great news for hotel owners looking to make the most of a high-spend, high-frequency traveller.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Rise of High-Impact ConservationAs suggested in our article detailing some of the top travel trends for 2023, high-impact conservation remains another exciting opportunity within the luxury travel segment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pelorus, a provider of luxury trips, noted that many high-net-worth travellers are no longer impressed by the type of excess that ‘luxury travel’ used to once mean, and that luxury is becoming more about the privilege of contributing to preserving and protecting the world’s environments. From spending time with marine biologists to joining conservationist efforts in Africa, the ultra-wealthy are beginning to fund experiences that make a tangible difference to the climate crisis, and capitalising on this type of traveller could lead to a huge uplift in your success as a hotel owner.&nbsp;Partnering with in-destination organisations that offer a deeper experience than more ‘tokenistic’ give back schemes can be a key step for hotel owners looking to capture the interest of high-net worth clients looking to make a real difference. It’s critical to ensure that any partnerships offer tangible, real value to local communities and environments, in order to attract the calibre of luxury traveller looking to make an actual difference during their experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;Luxury Wellness TourismCNTraveller suggests that ‘mindful movement is the new buzzword’ when it comes to luxury wellness as one of the top travel trends for 2023 and beyond, and we’re inclined to agree - though mindful movement is certainly not new as a concept! From hypnotherapy and nutritional assessments to astrology, forest bathing or sound baths, the concept of holistic wellness as a mainstream driver for travel deserves a place on the radar.&nbsp;Marketing wellness experiences is therefore becoming a key factor in many luxury hotels’ strategies, and our Star Collection Programme offers the perfect platform to maximise visibility to the right guest, as part of our dedicated marketing solutions for hotels - available exclusively to our hotel partners!&nbsp;&nbsp;In order to remain relevant and keep up with demand, many hotels and hotel chains around the world have had to increase their wellness offerings by incorporating innovative, attractive experiences and facilities into their properties.&nbsp;&nbsp;In fact, some hotels are taking this one step further, incorporating high-tech medicine into wellness regimes and pushing the boundaries of what ‘wellness’ means - from hotels offering traditional Chinese medicines featuring nutrigenomics (the relationship between between diet and genes); on-site assessments that curate bespoke stress-relieving activities; or even offering clients treatments believed to increase ‘health span’ including stem-cell therapy, DNA analysis and customised immune-boosting.&nbsp;In fact, at Hotelbeds we have seen a significant increase in luxury bookings with many destinations experiencing growth exceeding 50% in the last couple of years as more travellers than ever prioritise mind and body wellness, and preventative care. This prompted an incredible opportunity to expand our portfolio with The Leading Hotels of the World Alliance, offering even greater access to the luxury travel segment and building our existing ability to connect luxury travellers with the right hotels and experiences.&nbsp;Sign up today, and maximise your success in the ever-changing travel industry.&nbsp;

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How To Cater To Travel Trends: Luxury Travel

Spring is in the air, and with it comes one of the most beautiful natural phenomena of the year: the blooming of cherry blossoms. So captivating is the fleeting appearance of blossoms that people will travel in their millions each year to see the flowers in person, making this a fantastic opportunity for you to secure bookings to some of the world’s most popular cherry blossom hot spots.
There’s nowhere on the planet more synonymous with cherry blossoms than Japan – in fact, ‘hanami’ (‘flower viewing’) is such a significant pastime that festivals are held to mark the occasion. ‘Hana Matsuri’ (literally ‘flower festival’) is set to take place on April 8th this year, and with the country’s borders wide open for the first time since the pandemic, it’s easy to envision the sheer number of tourists and locals that will flock to key sakura sites. But where (and when) else could your clients catch a glimpse of cherry blossoms in person?


In this article, we’ll be covering the top locations in the world to see cherry blossoms. But first, let’s dive into the best places to see sakura in Japan.

Japan


As Japan’s ancient capital, Kyoto transports its guests into the past: with its abundance of temples, shrines and palaces (many of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites), the city’s rich cultural history is palpable, and is even kept alive by the presence of geisha and maiko, who can often be found tottering around the old streets of Gion. However, if cherry blossom viewing is your clients’ priority, they’re in luck: Kyoto is home to more than 1000 cherry blossom trees, which bloom each year between late March and early April. One of the most famous places to see sakura in Kyoto is the Philosopher’s Path, where a picturesque pathway sits shrouded by pink flowers; elsewhere, the Heian Shrine is a gorgeous and ancient spot from where to admire the blossoms in quiet contemplation.


Over in Himeji (located in the Hyogo prefecture), Koko-en Garden is a traditional Japanese garden that features a large pond surrounded by cherry blossom trees, whilst the UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle and its surrounding moat are lined with sakura. Himeji Central Park is another popular spot, offering a wide-open space for picnicking – suggest that your clients take a selection of cherry blossom-flavoured treats, found widely in convenience stores and at food stalls during hanami.


Finally, for the ultimate photo opportunity, send your clients to Fuji Five Lakes. Despite sitting at the foot of Japan’s greatest symbol, the magnificent and imposing Mt Fuji, the towns that make up the Five Lakes are beautiful and peaceful locations from which to enjoy cherry blossom season (forecast from early to mid-April this year). Lake Kawaguchiko, in particular, is a divine place for cherry blossom viewing: the Fuji Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival takes place along the promenade, dotted with around 300 cherry blossom trees and where local foods, drinks and crafts are sold. What’s more, the Five Lakes’ proximity to Tokyo makes it an excellent choice for clients who are looking to merge modernity with natural beauty on a dual-centre holiday, and can be reached by coach from the capital.


Overall, Japan is the destination to see cherry blossoms, with sakura blooming across the length of the country over the course of three months (see the forecast here). But if a visit to the Land of the Rising Sun is out of the question for your clients, fear not: there are plenty of places to see cherry blossom across Asia, in the Americas, and even in Europe.

South Korea


For clients hoping to chase cherry blossoms in another burgeoning tourism hotspot, send them to South Korea, where beot-kkot season gets underway come late March-mid April. The country’s capital and surrounding areas get a glorious pink makeover in the form of festivals: from the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival in Seoul to Busan’s Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival (the country’s largest), locals and tourists alike will engage in flower-viewing activities, parades, and trips to street food stalls, where flower-themed fare can be consumed. For clients seeking a more serene escape (and to whom cherry blossom viewing is a wanted part of their itinerary, not a need), a visit to Jeju Island could be on the cards. A variant of petal unique to Jeju blooms just three days out of the year, so visitors to the island should consider additional items as part of their itinerary – suggest a visit to Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls or Yeomiji Botanical Garden, or that they hire a car to enjoy the many sites and eateries found on Jeju.


Taiwan


Cherry blossom season falls a little earlier over in Taiwan, with the first flowers coming into bloom in February. Taipei, the capital, has plenty of options for tourists to enjoy, including at Yangmingshan National Park. Here, your clients can enjoy a range of hiking trails whilst taking in the sight of pretty blossoms at every turn. Elsewhere, Wuling Farm in Taichung is a particularly scenic spot, with more than 700 hectares of tea plantations, flower fields, and an astonishing 30,000 cherry trees found here. Botanists (or blossom enthusiasts in general) will be thrilled to learn that Wuling Farm is the exclusive home to a unique hybrid of Taiwanese and Japanese blossom known as the Pink Lady – be sure to tell your clients to take their camera with them!

Thailand


Are your clients visiting the ‘Land of Smiles’ between December and February? In Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chang Mai, wild cherry blossoms (named ‘Tiger Queen’ by locals) can be found in abundance. Meanwhile, over in Doi Inthanon National Park, clients can take a stroll towards the Khun Wang Royal Agricultural Research Centre – the path along the way is blanketed in beautiful pink blossoms.

Brazil


Did you know that Brazil has the largest Japanese diaspora outside of Japan? The first group of Japanese immigrants arrived in Brazil in 1908, with many bringing a piece of home with them in the form of sakura seedlings. While cherry blossom trees did sprout up across the country, the city of Curitiba has become known as the Brazilian hotspot for sakura viewing – which is somewhat ironic, given that the flowers bloom in the winter time (around July). For clients seeking a slice of history on their visit to Brazil, suggest that they stop off at Curitiba’s Centennial Park, home to the Japanese Immigration Memorial.

Auckland


September sees New Zealand take on a delicate new look: in Auckland, several sites become flushed as cherry blossoms burst into bloom. From Cornwall Park to Pohutukawa Drive, there are several spots for your clients to engage in a spot of cherry blossom viewing, while Auckland Botanic Gardens is a great location not only for blossoms, but for a wide range of plant life. Your clients can explore 64 hectares of beautiful gardens in search of native forest life, African plants and of course the blossoms – and what’s more, entry is free.

New York


Your clients can experience the beauty of cherry blossoms in the bustling city of New York. From Central Park to the appropriately-named Sakura Park, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and Flushing Meadows, the city offers a range of scenic parks to escape the urban energy. Sakura Park has thousands of cherry trees, gifted by Japan in 1912 – if your clients are in the city around April, they’ll marvel at the beauty.

&nbsp;

Washington D.C


Encourage your clients to book a trip to Washington D.C around March/April to witness the stunning cherry blossoms in bloom near the Tidal Basin: in March 1912, the city was gifted Japanese cherry trees by Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo, and now hosts an annual festival to commemorate this diplomatic gesture. The Tidal Basin is home to nearly 4,000 cherry trees and a must-visit spot for sakura sightings.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Vancouver


Invite your clients to take in the stunning cherry blossom views in Vancouver (typically in bloom around April). Did you know that in the 1930s, the city was gifted its first 500 sakura trees from Yokohama and Kobe as a thank you to the Japanese Canadians who served in World War I? The trees can be found at VanDusen Botanical Garden, Queen Elizabeth Park, Stanley Park, and Burrard Skytrain Station. With over 40,000 cherry trees in the city, they’ll be sure to find the perfect pink-filled backdrop for those Insta-worthy snaps.

Paris&nbsp;


Finally, inspire your clients to book a dreamy trip to Paris for a cherry blossom viewing experience. Paris, the city of love, also shines with beautiful sakura displays. Suggest they check out Parc du Champ-de-Mars and Jardins du Trocadéro with breathtaking views of the iconic Eiffel Tower before wandering to the Latin Quarter's Jardin des Plantes, where they can see the biggest cherry tree in the city. Paris tends to come into bloom around March and through April, which is just as well – the weather is lovely at this time of year.

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Ready to inspire your clients this sakura season?&nbsp;&nbsp;Log in to your account&nbsp;and start booking an unforgettable experience!

Ready to inspire your clients this sakura season?&nbsp;Register with us now&nbsp;and start booking unforgettable experiences for your clients.


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Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms Around the World

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Key 2023 Travel and Event Dates

What will travel look like in 2023?

With 79% of travelers planning to take a leisure trip in the year ahead,&nbsp;now's the time to get familiar with what's trending in the travel industry.

From the most popular destinations for travel in 2023 to the factors influencing your clients' choices, we're here to prepare you for a year of successful bookings.

In our guide, you'll learn:

⭐ Where your customers will want to travel in 2023
⭐ The accommodation trends you need to know
⭐ Rising trends, including luxury and sustainable travel
⭐ And the types of experiences your clients are thinking of booking!

This is your&nbsp;guide to the year ahead, so don't hesitate&nbsp;- download your free copy&nbsp;now!

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Guide to Travel Trends 2023

We’ve just announced a preferred partnership with Thailand’s leading hotel operator Centara Hotels &amp; Resorts, guaranteeing you special rates and exclusive offers across 44 of their most amazing properties.

Centara Hotels &amp; Resorts operates six brands meaning you can tailor this extended offering in Thailand according to your customers’ preferences:


	Centara Reserve – a new experiential luxury collection inviting guests to discover story-telling hospitality;
	Centara Grand – an upper upscale brand with landmark properties in prime resort, beachfront, and key city locations;
	Centara – the core upscale brand, offering personable service complete with facilities and activities that fulfil;
	Centara Boutique Collection – unique properties designed for independently minded travellers;
	Centara by Centara – a value brand that provides first-class facilities and service that exceed expectations;
	COSI Hotels – a rapidly expanding brand focused on the young, resourceful and digitally savvy traveller who seeks adventures and lifestyle freedom.


Jorge Cortés, Global Sourcing Director at Hotelbeds said: “Over the years, Centara Hotels &amp; Resorts has become one of our key partners with their amazing properties. Thanks to an exceptional business relationship, we continue to collaborate with them to provide you with special offers and exclusive conditions, allowing your customers to enjoy and experience some amazing hotels once safe travel resumes. We look forward to further strengthening our relationship with this major Thai hotel chain in the future.”

Tabatha Ramsay, Executive Vice President - Corporate Commercial of Centara Hotels &amp; Resorts added: “This preferred partnership celebrates the enduring collaborative success between Centara and Hotelbeds in recent years. We look forward to further strengthening our global reach to travel buyers and welcoming more international travellers to Centara properties where they will be looked after like family.”


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New Centara deal gives you more choice in Asia

We’ve just announced a new deal with Prioticket, the innovative, global platform serving the experiences industry worldwide which will further strengthen our portfolio of activities and theme parks!

Prioticket connects operators with local and global reseller channels to create a unified customer solution. It enables operators working in the experiences sector to accept bookings via a single platform, creating a frictionless booking experience for its customers.

Thanks to this new partnership, our ancillary products brand, Beyond The Bed, will continue to grow with the addition of the activities and theme parks offered by Prioticket.

Pedro Bazán, Activities, Tours &amp; Cruises Global Director at Hotelbeds said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to distribute Prioticket's extensive catalogue of activities and theme parks. Over the past few years, we have worked hard to offer a truly attractive and competitive portfolio of ancillary products and we believe that the integration with Prioticket is yet another step in our journey to offer our clients the best products from all around the world.”

Gert-Jan Ruiter, Managing Director at Prioticket added: "We are thrilled with this strategic collaboration with Hotelbeds as Prioticket continues its global expansion. This connection will bring our live connected global supply portfolio to our valued distribution partner Hotelbeds. We are looking forward to doing much more business together and to help Hotelbeds build their unique product portfolio."


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Hotelbeds expands activities & theme parks portfolio with Prioticket

Last week saw the launch of a new industry report produced by Belvera Partners which looks at the top B2B travel companies and audits their sustainability reporting activities.

The report entitled ‘Belvera B2B Sustainability Report 2021: sustainability reporting in B2B travel’s top 350 companies globally’, analyses the current state of sustainability reporting in the B2B travel space by reviewing the websites of the top 350 organisations to establish how many have published a report, clear policies or other information related to the topic.

A case study on Hotelbeds’ sustainability reporting activities (which you can read in the report here) was relied upon heavily in the report and formed many of the best practices.

While our reporting efforts are viewed favourably in the account, the findings from the majority of the other 350 B2B travel organisations showed that there are some significant challenges in this sector and the industry as a whole has a long way to go.

Hotelbeds’ Global Director of Marketing, Communications and CSR, Gareth Matthews, said: “We are committed to being a sustainable company that has a positive effect in every destination we work, and we hope this report will incentivise our peers to do the same going forward.”

The aggregated results were published based on 12 different sub-sectors within B2B travel – including accommodation distribution &amp; sales, travel technology, aviation services, DMCs, lobby groups, conferences and more.


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Our commitment to sustainability highlighted in new B2B industry report!

The Americas continues to be one of the most in-demand markets in recent months and thanks to that, as well as to help meet the growing demand, our Americas Sales team has made two key appointments with Alexandre Oliveria named as Regional Sales Manager for Latin America and Michael Sanchez as Key Account Manager for Retail North America (Bedsonline).

Alexandre brings with him over 25 years of experience in the travel and technology industry, and is fluent in five languages (English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish). Throughout his career he has worked in many placed including in LATAM and Europe, holding several senior and leadership positions in leading travel and technology organisations, including LATAM General Manager for HRS Group and Latin America Business Development Director at Amadeus.

Michael is a returning member to the Bedsonline team, having previously been a Key Account Manager for Western US. Michael has held several leading positions across major companies such as Director of Business Development at Etherio Group and Director of Corporate &amp; Leisure Sales at Classic Hotels &amp; Resorts. Michael will be based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Lauren Atlass, our Regional Sales Director, welcomed the new team members by saying: “We are delighted to share that Alexandre and Michael have joined our Sales team at this critical moment in time. Their expertise, knowledge and vast experience will be invaluable in achieving our Sales goals across the Americas. Welcome them to the Hotelbeds family!”


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Americas Sales team fills two key roles as opportunities in the region keep growing

In recognition of the commitment we have to our global partners to always offer the very best service with the highest quality standards, Hotelbeds has just been honoured at one of the most important tourism awards ceremonies in Turkey!

Considered by many to be the oscars of the Turkish tourism industry, the Quality Management Awards organised by GM Tourism and Management magazine are designed to highlight the importance of quality management in tourism and we’re delighted to have picked up the title of 'Best Global QM Purchasing and Distribution Technology'.

Our Regional Director for Turkey, Arzu Harley, collected the award and said: "We been working to have our business line acknowledged in leisure Turkey destinations which are driven by traditional tour operating business. We have always believed in the incredible potential Turkey has as a destination and that is why Hotelbeds has ambitious plans for growth across the country. We are here to support our partners and deliver growth to all our stakeholders.”

Jorge Cortes, our Sourcing Director, also joined the celebration by dedicating a few words to our colleagues: "I just want to congratulate our team in Turkey who have done an amazing job to put us on the map in the region and who continue to deliver the best performance every day. Fantastic job!”


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Hotelbeds scoops Turkish Tourism Oscar at the 2020 Quality Management Awards Ceremony

Last year during the height of the pandemic we launched SelfSeT, a combined set of self-service tools designed to simplify how you work with us. This package included a range of fantastic features that were designed to help you cope with the pressures caused by Covid-19. 

Marilena Barile from our friends at Skylink Voyages Inc. had these nice words to say about our new Reservations Help Desk. We are so happy that they find this new SelfSeT tool useful:

"The new Reservations Help Desk is great for managing tickets, and we like the way we get emails to inform that Hotelbeds are working on cases. It's also useful that we can use this tool to send a special request or a remark to the hotel."

Through SelfSeT, you can manage your bookings directly on our website, saving time and effort without having to call us or send emails, meaning our CRC teams can focus on the matters that need your attention the most. 

These are the actions you can self-manage on SelfSeT:

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Solving issues fast online;

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Avoiding having to pick up the phone;

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Managing your bookings directly on our website;

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Raise and track tickets relating to booking queries;

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Stop having to send emails.

Our SelfSeT tools help you to resolve your most common booking queries 100% online, and they include:

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An enhanced booking management panel that allows you to modify your bookings in just 3 steps, including special requests.

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Flexible cancellation tools which mean you can perform all your cancellations within just a few clicks.&nbsp;You can even cancel a booking on the same day as check-in!


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"The Help Desk is great. WE LOVE IT!"

Our award-winning marketing, sales and travel tool, The Compass, has just celebrated its first birthday and is continuing to go from strength to strength giving you tailored recommendations and insights at a destination and hotel level plus much more! 

Now available in multiple markets, the latest version of the Compass is now able to provide live data intelligence to identify trending destinations and booking patterns as well as all the following features:

At a destination level:

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Province/state dropdown for the US, UK, Spain, Mexico and Australia. 

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Filter by domestic and international destination for the selected source market.

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Filter by region when travelling internationally.

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Filter by lead time and region. 

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Filter by holiday type (Sun and Beach or City Break).

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Destination opportunities (trending destinations not booked).

At a hotel level:

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Hotel ranking by source market which now shows the hotels in a destination based on volume of sale.

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Enriched hotel card with more content: address, destination, country, price, % discount.

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mark-up tool to add commission, let’s promote hotels with accurate pricing

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Hotel filters: best for hotels, category, TripAdvisor rating, price, among others.

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Hotel opportunities (trending hotels not booked) 

Sharing functionality and flyer creator

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Don’t forget you can also create flyers with hotel promotions – it’s an easy-to-use functionality to create branded promotional materials with personalised&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;messaging to be shared directly with final customers via email, WhatsApp and other channels.

If you want to stay ahead of the changing market you can check right now the destination trends for your source market: click here&nbsp;

You can access The Compass at no additional cost simply by logging-in to our website as normal – and if you have any issues logging-in simply contact your KAM and they will resolve this right away.

But don’t take our word for it; read what some of our clients have to say:


	“Very easy, intuitive and clear. Compared with other tools from the competitors, this is much better!&nbsp;“–&nbsp;Grégory and Sonia - TUI France.
	“The flyer creator is a very useful and comfortable tool to keep the clients informed via WhatsApp as nowadays everyone is looking to its mobile phone at his hand!”&nbsp;–&nbsp;Teresa Godoy Rodríguez - Goscan Travel.
	“The Compass keeps me updated on the latest trends to see what changes are happening, allowing me to stay ahead of everybody else”&nbsp;– Frankie Leonard-&nbsp;Cooperative Holidays.&nbsp;
	“The Compass helps to keep updated on the latest trends.” –&nbsp;José Luis Velloso Ramírez - Grupo Viajar.&nbsp;



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A year on and our game changing platform continues to go from strength to strength! 

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