IPW is the travel industry’s premier international marketplace and the largest inbound travel trade show in the world and after a hiatus of two years due to the pandemic, IPW returned this year in June bigger than ever attracting almost 5,000 delegates from 60 countries.
Last week we brought you five of the biggest post covid travel takeaways from four days of press conferences, meetings and events. This week we bring you the final 5 takeaways that are sure to have lasting impacts across the industry.
6. Hotels target Net-Zero
One of the biggest users of energy is the hotel industry, which is responsible for approximately 1% of global carbon emissions. But there is change. Hilton have recently opened the U.S.’s first net-zero hotel. Hotel Marcel is a Tapestry Collection boutique hotel in New Haven, Connecticut, which was converted from the headquarters of a rubber company into the first U.S. hotel to use 100% solar electricity to power the entire building and is also the first in the country to achieve Passive House and LEED Platinum certification. Marriot International has also announced its’ plans to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
7. Touch-free stay hotels
The benefits of contactless travel technology have become especially apparent during the pandemic, and hoteliers are leading the way with ‘touch free stay’ making travel safer and easier. According to a survey by Metova, nearly 90% prefer hotels that have mobile apps and 86% would choose a hotel that allows them to manage check-in, concierge services, checkout and reservations via an app. Marriot International has stepped up its contactless offerings by launching a pilot program for contactless kiosks at properties including the Moxy NYC Times Square and Courtyard New York Manhattan East in New York City and the TownPlace Suites Monroe in Louisiana. The new kiosks allow guests to avoid lines and provides digital room keys. Marriot’s web check-in is already available at most hotels across the U.S. Touch free technology is here to stay.
8. S. Policy: Visit America Act
The U.S. Travel Association is advocating to establish a new federal position in the U.S. government to help restore inbound travel. The Visit America Act, which was introduced in the U.S. Congress, includes several measures that can increase the U.S travel industry’s global competitiveness and establishing a permanent Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism position. As well as setting national visitation and spending goals, the bill directs the U.S Department of Commerce to support and facilitate U.S. bids for large international trade shows conferences and events. This will be the first time that the U.S. would have a cabinet-level official who focuses on travel and tourism.
9. Tour operators optimistic for next 12 months
Despite rising costs, demand for experiences and attractions in the U.S. remain strong. And although visitor attractions and experiences face a variety of hurdles from rising costs to labor shortages, nearly one in ten (87%) of tour operators are optimistic about the next 12 months. Another development is that many travelers are booking their attraction and tour activities further in advance than they did per-pandemic. Nearly one-third (31%) are now purchasing tickets at least a month in advance.
10. Revenge travel and other post pandemic travel trends
The urge to seek retribution against the pandemic and cancelled travel plans has been termed ‘revenge travel’. Travelers are looking for big, splashy vacations with family and friends.
Here are the three travel trends that are taking off. Travelers are going big with “quarantined fatigued” consumers booking those bucket list vacations that they missed out on during the pandemic. According to the 2022 Global Trends Report from American Express, more than half (55%) of respondents wanted to book a once-in-a-lifetime vacation in 2022. Travelers are also spending more, with the Global Trends Report finding that 86% of travelers were expecting to spend more on travel this year than pre-pandemic years. And not surprisingly, after two years of missing out on major family milestones, visiting family is high on people’s travel wish list.
Travel in 2023
As travel and bookings to the U.S. (and around the globe) continues to surge, now more than ever hotels and agencies need tools to help simplify day-to-day management, while clearing up time for employees to focus on strategy and customer service. Onyx has several solutions that help tackle these tasks. CommPay pays out commissions on hoteliers’ behalf, while centralizing reporting and inquiry management. RecoverPro and SurePay streamline collection and allow agencies to receive payments in their chosen frequency and currency.
