Marketing

🌊 In Italy, beach service digitalization grows with over 2,000 affiliated structures on Spiagge.it, witnessing a 50% booking increase in summer compared to the previous year. France welcomes the platform as Plages.fr with 30 affiliates. Italian beach sector's digitalization revenue in 2024 is expected to hit €50 million, with a third of 7,000 businesses now using management software, up 30% from the previous year. The platform's expansion to theme parks and pools contributed to the 50% booking surge. In digitalization, Friuli leads at 72%, followed by Veneto at 64%, and Puglia at 43%. Calabria saw a 20% increase to 17% software adoption in 2024, while Sardinia's digital growth topped with a 58% rise. Foreign tourist online bookings now make up 21% of the total, with Friuli Venezia Giulia receiving the most foreign requests at 41%.

💸 Albergatori highlight GDS (Global Distribution System) suitability varies; useful for business hotels, less for 'business leisure'. Magali of Evergreen Laurel Hotel sees GDS as essential for business hotels. Julia of Platzl Hotel criticizes the GDS for being outdated since the 1980s, with limitations in descriptions, images, and reliance on third-parties for rate uploads and profile management. GDS payment structures are complex and costs include transaction fees, settlement charges, and marketing costs. GDS can yield higher ADRs (Average Daily Rates) than other channels and has lower relative costs compared to OTA (Online Travel Agency) commissions, which can reach 28%. OTAs may attract price-sensitive travelers prone to negative reviews. Hoteliers should assess if GDS aligns with their business mix and market impact before inclusion.

Le premier channel manager dédié au recrutement CHR TONY : Bonjour à tous, Cela fait quelques temps… non… cela fait de TROP nombreuses années que les hôteliers ont un problème…

📱 Expedia Group introduced Travel Shop, a digital showcase for DMCs, tourism bodies, media outlets, digital creators, and influencers, currently available exclusively in the United States and the United Kingdom via a mobile app. Businesses and organizations can feature travel tips and itineraries, earning commissions on bookings made through the platform. Travel Shop aims to bridge the gap from inspiration on social platforms like Instagram and TikTok to booking travel.

🏢 Civitatis collaborates with over 30,000 travel agencies worldwide, aiming to strengthen ties with Italian travel agencies through various activities in Madrid. In 2018, the company worked with just 260 agencies, but their B2B channel is now the fastest-growing. Events included a traditional flamenco evening, private Madrid tour, and guided Italian tour of the Royal Palace. CEO Alberto Gutiérrez highlighted Civitatis' commitment to high-quality services and selected activities. The growth of the Italian market, similar to the Spanish market, was underscored.

⚽ ACI blueteam joined the Lario Business Club as a member, associated with the football team Como 1907, which was recently promoted to Serie A. Their branding will be displayed on the field's LED boards at all Como 1907's home games at Sinigaglia. Roberto Bettinelli, CFO of ACI blueteam, states the partnership aims to build a network of local collaborations, thereby generating value for the territory and gaining visibility during significant international sporting events.

💍 "Amo il Mondo," a tour operator, targets honeymoon travel with a new campaign. The initiative will debut across the operator's digital channels, including social media, their official website, and matrimonio.com, as well as through email and banners. Participating couples will receive special reductions on a broad selection of travel packages, ideal for honeymooners.

📌 Global Gsa has launched a new b2b booking portal aimed at travel agencies, featuring a free tool to boost their social media presence. Manlio Olivero, President & CEO of Global Distribution Sales & Marketing, highlights the portal's simplicity and innovative services like Global2Share. Users can access booking services and content through a single login at www.global-gsa.com using their agency email. Real-time assistance is available via online chat with the help desk.

🏨 Skift Research highlights a shift towards direct bookings over Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), with travelers using OTAs for research but 50% booking directly on hotel websites, a phenomenon known as the “billboard effect”. OTAs like Airbnb, Booking Holdings, and Expedia Group, in response to the 2024 trend, are diversifying their advertising investments, with Expedia using AI "Romie" for personalization, Booking Holdings refocusing on social media, and Airbnb increasing ad spend by 21%. Hoteliers are urged to enhance online presence, offer local experiences, improve loyalty programs, and use quality booking engines like Simple Booking by QNT to compete effectively.

🏕️ Valle d'Aosta giunta approves strategic marketing plan acquisition to develop, market, and promote the regional tourism system. Stakeholders to be actively involved, with aims at innovation and territory valorization. Source: ansa.it.