Travel Trends to Watch in 2025: A Shift Towards Authentic, Quiet, and Purposeful Journeys
As we move into 2025, a noticeable shift in travel behaviour is emerging. Reports from leading travel companies like Expedia, Booking.com, Byway Travel, and Hilton reveal a growing desire for quieter, more personalised, and meaningful travel experiences. From “silent travel” to “purposeful journeys,” here’s a look at the key travel trends set to define the […]
Cutting Down OTA Commissions During the Festive Season: Strategies to Drive More Direct Bookings
As the festive season rolls in, it’s not just a time for celebration—it’s also a golden opportunity for hoteliers. The Christmas and New Year period is when many travellers plan their vacations for the upcoming year, often seeking deals and inspiration for their next adventure. For hotels, this is the ideal time to capitalise on […]
The Hidden Costs of Paid Ads: Why Hotels Often See a Poor Return on Ad Spend
Paid ads can seem like a fast track to filling up your hotel’s rooms. You set up some Google Ads, launch a few campaigns, and the bookings will start rolling in, right? But for many hotels, it doesn’t work out that way. Instead, they find themselves pouring money into advertising without seeing the return they […]
Winning the Black Friday Battle. How Hoteliers Can Outperform OTAs Without Outspending Them
As Black Friday approaches, the competition in the travel industry is heating up. Last year, OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) like Booking.com and Expedia invested an enormous $5.5 billion in Google Ads, and for Black Friday 2024, they’re expected to more than double that, with an estimated $12 billion in total marketing spend. These figures may […]
Let Your Guests Do the Talking. The Power of Social Proof for Hoteliers.
Hey, hoteliers! We all know that today’s travellers are a savvy bunch. They’re cautious, they’re informed, and most of all—they want proof. Not just any proof, but the kind that says, “This hotel will be unforgettable!” Enter social proof: the secret sauce that lets your happy guests do the heavy lifting for you. It’s all […]
How Google’s New Travel Feeds in Search Ads Will Impact Hoteliers (and How to Make the Most of Them)
Google has just rolled out a shiny new update to its Hotel Ads, and it’s a big one! Imagine your hotel popping up in Google Search with all the bells and whistles: real-time prices, glowing reviews, stunning photos—basically, everything a traveller could want, all in one place. That’s the power of Travel Feeds in Search […]
The Must-Have Elements for a Hotel Homepage That Guests Will Love
Your hotel’s homepage is like your digital front desk. It’s where potential guests make their first impression of your brand, and just like walking into a hotel lobby, they expect it to be welcoming, easy to navigate, and maybe even a little impressive. So, what exactly does your homepage need to charm your guests from […]
Why Hotels Need Direct Booking Tools (and Why Userguest Should Be in Your 2025 Budget)
As we head towards the end of the year, hotel managers everywhere are crunching numbers and plotting strategies for 2025. One thing that should be high on your priority list? Direct booking tools. In a world where OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) gobble up a significant slice of your revenue through hefty commissions, it’s time to […]
Why Your Hotel’s Google Ads Aren’t Driving Enough Traffic – And How to Fix It
You’ve set up your Google Ads, you’ve spent hours tweaking your budget, and yet—crickets. Where’s all the traffic? Why aren’t potential guests flocking to your website? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many hotels struggle to see meaningful traffic from their Google Ads, but the good news is, it’s fixable. In this post, we’ll walk you […]
Stop Wasting Your Hotel’s Ad Budget: How to Choose the Best Markets and Platforms
As a hotelier, you’re always looking for ways to attract more guests, boost bookings, and get the most out of your marketing budget. With endless options for online advertising, deciding where to focus your efforts and budget can feel overwhelming. Do you target business travellers or leisure seekers? Should you invest in Google Ads, social […]
Hotel Guest Data: How to Leverage Across the Guest Journey
This guest post was written by Bookboost AB – a CRM designed for the hospitality industry. Guest data can be a game-changer… but only if used correctly. Every day, hotels, hostels, serviced apartments, and any accommodation brand generate large amounts of data. The sad part is that, in many cases, this data remains untouched, and […]
How to Manage Your Marketing Budget Effectively: A Guide for Hoteliers
Managing marketing budgets effectively is crucial for any hotelier aiming to achieve sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive landscape. By carefully planning your marketing spend, you can maximise your return on investment (ROI), attract the right guests, and keep occupancy rates high throughout the year. One of the key factors in this strategy is recognising […]
Reducing OTA Dependency: How Hotels Can Take Control of Their Booking Channels
In the world of hospitality, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) have become a double-edged sword for hotels. While they offer a convenient platform to reach a vast audience, they often come at a significant cost. The hefty commissions and the lack of control over guest interactions can eat into profits and diminish your brand’s direct relationship […]
Evolving Loyalty Programmes in a Digital Age
In today’s fast-paced digital world, loyalty programmes have undergone a dramatic makeover, evolving from basic point-collection schemes into dynamic, personalised experiences that truly resonate with guests. As we dive into the second half of 2024, the buzzwords driving this transformation are personalisation, digital rewards, and mobile integration. So, let’s explore how these cutting-edge loyalty programmes […]
Paris Hotels Are Crushing It During the Biggest Sporting Event of the Year – Here’s Why You Should Jump on the Bandwagon!
The Olympics, the world’s foremost sporting event, is set to take Paris by storm. This historic city is already known for its allure, drawing millions of tourists every year. But with the 2024 Summer Olympics on the horizon, the influx of visitors is expected to skyrocket. Hotels across the city are seizing this golden opportunity […]
Email Marketing Best Practices and Must-Have Tools for Hotels
Email marketing is your hotel’s secret weapon in the quest for more direct bookings—a powerful tool to connect with guests, drive reservations, and build lasting relationships. But how do you cut through the online noise and captivate potential guests? Let’s explore the email marketing best practices and how Useguest’s visitor capture feature can boost your […]
Don’t Get Left Behind: How the Digital Markets Act is Transforming Hotel Marketing and Google Ads
Are you keeping up with the latest digital marketing shifts? The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is shaking things up, and hoteliers can’t afford to fall behind. This game-changing legislation is forcing tech giants like Google to alter their search and advertising landscapes. If you’re not adapting, you risk losing visibility and bookings to competitors who […]
Boosting Direct Bookings: Strategies to Improve Hotel Website Conversion Rates
In the world of online hospitality, a hotel’s website acts as its digital front door, beckoning potential guests and enticing them to secure their dream stay. Yet, despite the influx of traffic, lacklustre conversion rates can put a damper on efforts to encourage direct bookings. Rising above this challenge demands a savvy approach focused on […]
Major Shift in Hospitality Industry: Emphasis on Direct Booking Channels Post-DMA Regulation
The European Economic Area’s hospitality landscape is experiencing a groundbreaking transformation thanks to the recent changes in regulations brought about by the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In response, Booking.com has announced a major update to its contracts with partners in this region, eliminating parity clauses. This pivotal change means that hotels and other establishments can […]
How to Generate More Direct Bookings and Boost Hotel Revenue
In the competitive landscape of the hospitality industry, hotels are constantly seeking ways to increase their direct bookings. With the rise of online travel agencies (OTAs) and third-party booking platforms, it has become increasingly challenging for hotels to drive customers to book directly through their own channels. However, with the right tactics and strategies in […]
Conquering High Season: Direct Booking Strategies Every Hotelier Needs
The high season is fast approaching, and for hoteliers, this means a whirlwind of opportunities and challenges. The trick to not just surviving, but thriving during this busy period lies in mastering direct bookings. Direct bookings offer greater control, higher profitability, and stronger customer loyalty. Let’s dive into how you can tackle high-season challenges head-on, […]
How to Improve Your Length of Stay. Strategies for Hotels
In the dynamic world of hotel revenue management, it’s not just about filling rooms; it’s about maximising every opportunity. One powerful strategy that top-tier hoteliers swear by is Length of Stay (LOS) optimisation. By enticing guests to extend their visits, hotels can skyrocket their revenue, fine-tune occupancy rates, and deliver an unforgettable guest experience. Buckle […]
Want to Skyrocket Weekday Hotel Bookings? Discover the Insider Secrets to Success!
Ah, the elusive weekdays – the underdog of hotel bookings. While weekends bask in the limelight of bustling activity, weekdays often languish in the shadows of low occupancy rates. But fear not, for in the realm of hospitality, challenges are but opportunities in disguise! With a dash of innovation and a sprinkle of savvy strategy, […]
Maximising Direct Bookings: Strategies for Hoteliers during Special Events
The Paris Olympics 2024 isn’t just a thrilling event for sports buffs – it’s a golden opportunity for hoteliers to make waves, draw in more guests, and boost direct bookings. Yet, with the competition heating up during these occasions, standing out calls for some savvy moves. In this article, let’s dive into some exciting strategies […]
Navigating the Cookie-Free Future: How Google’s Elimination of Third-Party Cookies Impacts Hotels
Picture this: you’re cruising the internet, scrolling through pages, and suddenly, you’re bombarded with adverts that seem to know your every whim. That’s the magic of third-party cookies—those sneaky bits of data that track your online movements and shape the digital experience. But guess what? The biscuit tin is getting a shake-up, and it’s affecting […]
Perfecting the Craft of High-Converting Websites: Best Practices for Hotels
In today’s digital age, a hotel’s online presence is often the first point of contact for potential guests. A well-designed and user-friendly website can significantly impact a guest’s decision-making process when choosing accommodations. From showcasing your property’s unique features to facilitating seamless bookings, here are some best practices for designing a hotel website that stands […]
A Hotelier’s Guide to Driving Revenue for Valentine’s Day with Userguest
Love is in the air, and as hoteliers, it’s time to infuse that romantic essence into your offerings this Valentine’s Day. In this guide, we’ll explore enticing strategies to make your hotel the ultimate destination for couples in love. Moreover, we’ll unveil the power of Userguest, an innovative tool designed to elevate these strategies and […]
Digital Hospitality Trends: Insights from the Digital Hotel Operations Study Report
In an era where digitisation is integral to the hospitality value chain, the recently conducted global Digital Hotel Operations Study offers a comprehensive examination of the state of digital operations within the industry. Representing the collective voice of 84 hotel chains with over 2 million rooms worldwide, this study delves into the nuances of the […]
Boosting Hotel Bookings and Revenue: Strategies for Success in Q1 and Q2 of 2024
As the hospitality industry gears up for a transformative year in 2024, hoteliers face an exciting challenge – how to capitalise on emerging trends to boost bookings and revenue in the first two quarters. In this article, we’ll explore practical and effective ways for hoteliers to boost bookings and revenue in Q1 and Q2 of […]
Unveiling the Future: Hotel and Travel Trends in 2024
The hospitality industry is ever-evolving, shaped by technological advancements, shifting consumer expectations, and the need for innovative strategies. As we step into 2024, several key trends are set to redefine the landscape of hotels and accommodations. Let’s explore the top trends that will shape the industry in the coming year. 1. Prioritising Travel for Well-being […]
Masters of Multi-Property Success: Userguest’s Smart Solutions for Hotel Groups
In the fast-paced hospitality industry, hotel groups need a secret weapon, and that’s where Userguest steps into the spotlight. Join us on a journey through the exciting features that make Userguest the ultimate game-changer, revolutionising how hotel groups manage their operations, analyse performance, and skyrocket revenue across multiple properties. Time-Saving Magic: Simultaneous Notifications Ever wished […]
Strategies to Maximise Direct Bookings This Festive Season
As the holiday season approaches, hoteliers are gearing up to make it a record-breaking festive period for their properties. To ensure success, it’s crucial to focus on maximising direct bookings through savvy strategies like dynamic pricing, personalised packages, effective marketing, and smart automation. Dynamic Pricing: Setting the Right Tune for the Season Dynamic pricing is […]
Boosting Black Friday Success: Best Practices for Hotels
Black Friday has transcended its retail origins and has become a pivotal event for the hospitality industry. Based on Userguest’s extensive data collection from numerous hotels in 2022, hotels that strategically participated in Black Friday promotions experienced a remarkable average increase of 400% in conversion rates and a noteworthy 100% boost in click rates. In […]
The Crucial Role of Training and Support in Choosing the Right Hotel Tech Solution
In the ever-evolving world of hospitality, staying ahead of the curve is essential for hoteliers. One aspect that can make or break a hotel’s success is the technology they employ. While the importance of cutting-edge hotel tech solutions is undeniable, equally vital is the ease of implementation and the quality of training and support that […]
Leveraging Technology and Innovation to Tackle Common Hotel Pain Points
In the ever-evolving world of hospitality, staying ahead of the curve is essential for hoteliers looking to provide exceptional guest experiences and maintain a competitive edge. By harnessing technology and innovation, you can address some of the most common hotel pain points and elevate your guests’ experiences to new heights. In this article, we will […]
How Userguest Helps Hoteliers Overcome the Staff Shortage Challenge
The hospitality industry has encountered numerous challenges in recent years, with one of the most pressing being the shortage of qualified staff. Hoteliers are constantly struggling to find and retain skilled employees, making it difficult to provide guests with the high level of service they expect. However, there is a solution that can help hoteliers […]
Harnessing User Booking Behaviour for Hotel Marketing and Revenue Strategies
In today’s digital age, hoteliers have access to an abundance of data about their website users’ booking behaviour. This data is a goldmine for crafting targeted marketing campaigns and optimising revenue strategies. By understanding how users interact with their websites, hoteliers can tailor their offerings, improve customer experiences, and boost revenue. In this article, we […]
How Gen Z Travel Preferences are Revolutionising the Hotel Industry
The travel industry is undergoing a transformation like never before, and at the forefront of this change are the dynamic preferences of Gen Z travellers. Born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z has ushered in a new era of travel, with unique desires and values that are reshaping the way hotels operate and […]
Autumn 2023 Hotel Bookings: Crafting Irresistible Seasonal Packages
As hoteliers, tapping into the unique appeal of each season can be a game-changer for your bookings. Autumn, with its enchanting colors and cozy ambiance, provides an excellent opportunity to attract more guests to your property. In this article, we’ll delve into the art of crafting irresistible seasonal packages for Autumn 2023 and how to effectively […]
Hospitality in Full Bloom: Embracing Autumn’s Travel Trends for 2023
Attention, hoteliers! Get ready to unlock the secrets of the booming autumn travel trends for 2023, designed to supercharge your hotel business. This year isn’t just about recovery; it’s about harnessing innovation to drive your hotel to new heights. As you gear up for the upcoming season, let’s dive into the thrilling trends that will […]
10 Strategies to Captivate Guests and Generate More Direct Bookings
Welcome, hoteliers, to a journey to skyrocket your bookings and conquer the direct reservation game! In the dynamic world of the hospitality industry, grabbing the reins of direct bookings is like capturing the golden fleece. It’s a quest for profitability, brand control, and unforgettable guest experiences. Join us on this adventure as we unveil the […]
Maximising Revenue: Strategies for Effective Room Pricing and Revenue Management
In the dynamic world of hospitality, where competition is fierce and guest expectations are ever-evolving, the art of revenue management has taken on a whole new level of importance. The success of your hotel hinges not only on offering exceptional experiences but also on the strategic prowess of effective room pricing and revenue strategies. This […]
Upselling and Cross-Selling Techniques: Driving Ancillary Revenue for Your Hotel
In today’s competitive hospitality landscape, generating revenue goes beyond just room bookings. Savvy hoteliers are tapping into the power of upselling and cross-selling techniques to unlock additional revenue streams and enhance the guest experience. The significance of direct bookings cannot be understated in the realm of upselling, cross-selling, and loyalty programs. They establish a direct […]
Marketing Best Practices for Your Hotel
In the fiercely competitive hospitality industry, hotels find themselves in a perpetual race to catch the eye of potential guests. To succeed in this fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape, there’s no denying that a stellar marketing campaign is the key to your hotel’s triumph. No matter if you’re a charming boutique hotel or a distinguished part […]
How Hotels Can Leverage AI for Personalization and Efficiency
In the hospitality industry, providing exceptional customer experiences is paramount to the success of hotels. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), hotels have a unique opportunity to enhance personalization and operational efficiency. AI-powered technologies can analyze vast amounts of data, automate processes, and deliver tailored services, allowing hotels to exceed guest expectations and streamline […]
10 Benefits for Hotels to Embrace Direct Booking Tools
In today’s competitive hospitality industry, hotels are on a relentless quest to skyrocket revenue, elevate guest experiences, and take charge of their bookings. Embracing direct booking tools has become a strategic imperative for hotels, empowering them to bypass third-party channels and forge a direct connection with their cherished guests. These game-changing tools effortlessly blend into […]
Mastering the Direct Booking Game: 3 Powerful Strategies for Hotels
In the fiercely competitive world of hospitality, hotels are constantly seeking innovative ways to attract guests and secure direct bookings. With the advent of online travel agencies (OTAs) and third-party booking platforms, hotels face the challenge of maintaining control over their inventory and profitability. But fear not! In this article, we’ll reveal three practical tips […]
Unleash Your High Season Revenue Potential: Game-Changing Offers for Hotel Success!
Ready to unlock extraordinary revenue during the high season? It’s time to kick your hotel’s revenue management into high gear! In this article, we’ll unveil three sensational offers that will skyrocket your bookings and propel your profitability to new heights. Get ready to create a frenzy with early bird discounts, ignite urgency with last-minute deals, […]
Unveiling the Hottest Travel Trends of Summer 2023: Hoteliers, Get Ready for an Epic Season!
The anticipation of summer is in the air, igniting wanderlust in the hearts of travelers worldwide. It’s the perfect time for hoteliers to buckle up and dive into the exhilarating world of summer travel trends. Real Research recently conducted a captivating survey on the top summer travel trends for 2023, giving hoteliers valuable insights to […]
Hyper-Personalization in the Hotel Industry: Using Technology to Meet Customer Expectations
In today’s world, customer expectations have risen dramatically, and hyper-personalization is becoming increasingly necessary to meet them. According to a recent study, 71% of consumers expect personalized interactions, and businesses that do not deliver on this expectation risk losing customers. This is especially true for the hotel industry, where personalization is essential to providing a […]
How Technology is Revolutionizing Revenue Management in the Hotel Industry
The hotel industry has been significantly impacted by technological advancements over the past few years. One area in which technology is having a significant impact is revenue management. In this article, we will explore how technology is transforming the way hoteliers do business. Data Analytics and Revenue Management The rise of big data analytics has […]
How to use RevMarketing Automation to boost low occupancy periods
RevMarketing Automation (RMA) is a game-changing technology that offers hotels a unique way to match guest data and preferences to their inventory needs. RevMarketing Automation allows hoteliers to identify guest preferences and behavior patterns and to create personalized offers that are tailored to each guest’s individual booking intent. For example, if a guest is looking […]
RevMarketing Automation vs. Traditional Hotel Marketing: What’s the Difference?
Effective marketing plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining guests for any hotel. To appeal to their target audience, hoteliers have adopted a combination of traditional marketing methods like print ads, billboards, and radio commercials, as well as digital marketing channels and strategies. However, since the pandemic, we’ve seen a shift in the hotel […]
YOTEL Embraces Userguest To Unlock the Direct Channel and Unify Revenue & Marketing Strategies
Global hotel group, YOTEL is the most recent hotel group to join Userguest. The partnership between the disruptive hospitality brand, with hotel website revenue booster Userguest, is a conscious effort to optimize the group’s direct revenue stream. Many hotels still struggle to convert direct bookings, having to rely on third-party booking sites to drive results, […]
5 Ways Automation Can Help Hotels Increase Direct Bookings
To remain competitive in the hospitality industry in 2023, hotels need to develop inventive and original approaches to stimulate direct bookings. The adoption of automation and RevMarketing Automation are two such methods. In this article, we will explore five ways that automation can help hotels increase their direct bookings. RevMarketing Automation (RMA) bridges this gap […]
The Ever Changing Role Of A Revenue Manager
Revenue Management has changed dramatically over the years. With an increasing cost of distribution, the optimisation of distribution strategies is vital and with that also the responsibility of decreasing the distribution costs as well as increasing revenue coming from the hotel website. This means that Revenue Managers and Marketing Managers have a much closer relationship. But […]
The Importance Of Applying Revenue Strategies On The Direct Channel
A great session where Alejandro Garcia Moreno from Duetto joins Userguest brand ambassador Cristina Blaj, to explore the reasons why hoteliers can and should apply their revenue strategies directly on the hotel website. Hosted by Revenue Hub, this session offers practical examples and great insights from both experts as they discuss the benefits and synergies […]
Do You Wonder About The True Effectiveness Of Your Hotel Website?
In a recent study, we tested two versions of a hotel’s website to see which one was more effective. The test was run by dividing visitors between both versions equally so that the results represented user behaviour over the same time frame. The test ran across hotels in Europe during Q4 of 2022. Results were […]
Smart Travel News – Userguest & Hotelverse Explore How To Apply RMA To The Direct Channel
Juanda Nuñez from Smart Travel News invited our brand ambassador Cristina Blaj, together with Cristina Hernández Santonja from Hotelverse to explore and discuss the role of Userguest’s RevMarketing Automation technology. They explore how hoteliers can increase revenue via the hotel’s direct channel by applying revenue and marketing strategies directly to the hotel’s website, along with […]
Userguest Co-hosts Collective Series with TechTalk.Travel – Part 3
Can revenue strategies really be applied to the direct channel? What are the practicalities and benefits of doing so? In this session with TeckTalk.Travel, André Baljeu and our CRO Erik Muñoz are joined by Daniella Boeken from Ruby GmbH Hotels and Daniela Hupfeld from Pierre & Vacances España, to explore this topic. As they deep […]
Fuerte Group Hotels se asocia con Userguest para impulsar automáticamente el Revenue
Fuerte group hotels, uno de los grupos hoteleros más establecidos de España, ha acordado recientemente una asociación con la herramienta de tecnología hotelera Userguest. El grupo buscaba aumentar su participación en las reservas directas y optimizar su flujo de ingresos directos. Martín Aleixandre, Director Comercial del grupo Fuerte, declaró que no había duda de que […]
Hospitality Marketplace Interviews Userguest To Learn More About RMA
RevMarketing Automation is at the centre of what we do at Userguest . In this interview, our founder Hicham Benyebdri gives Cristina Blaj from Open Revenue Consulting the scoop on RMA. He explains how our innovative tool is helping hotels move the revenue needle by integrating marketing and revenue strategies together and much more. Applying […]
Fuerte Group Hotels Chooses Userguest To Boost Revenue For Their Hotels In Spain
Fuerte group hotels, one of Spain’s most established hotel groups, has recently agreed to a partnership with Userguest. The group was looking to increase its share of direct bookings and optimize their direct revenue stream. Martín Aleixandre, Fuerte group’s Commercial Director stated there was no doubt that Userguest was the right partner to deliver these […]
Say Hello To The Ultimate Price Comparison Widget
In the last few months, we have been working on several exciting new developments and are happy to announce the official release of our much anticipated Price Comparison Widget. This new feature lets visitors compare prices directly on your hotel website! Here are the top benefits of enabling our Price Comparison Widget: Hotels using our new feature during Beta testing experienced immediate results, with […]