Wayne O. Overton Blog: January 2019

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Hotel sales and marketing trends to watch in 2019

Sales and marketing is a constantly evolving discipline within the hotel industry, and some experts in the field recently shared their takes on what to expect heading into 2019.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2HIYW2O

Travel firms urge Facebook to tackle fake pages

Travel companies are calling on Facebook to remove fake pages after their brands were used to dupe customers in bogus promotions.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2t1ebdg

Chinese travel spending, mobile transactions on the up

Last year, the average budget and actual spending of 2,806 Chinese outbound travelers increased to US$6,026 (+6%) and US$6,706 (+15%) respectively.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2HIYUrI

Ctrip, Shangri-La deepen partnership to target Chinese travelers

The agreement enables Shangri-La Group's brands - including Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen and Traders - to be directly connected and promoted on Ctrip's platform.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2sZ0BXJ

Corporate hotel loyalty programs may drive adoption

A recent survey of European business travellers reveals that 43% would be motivated to book a hotel with which their company has a corporate loyalty account if it guaranteed better rates.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2HIYSjA

What will the perfect hotel room look like in 2019?

"Guest experience" is a trending phrase in hospitality design. In the coming year, guest experience should be the number one prime consideration for every design.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2sZ0BqH

New era. New brand. New Triptease Platform.

Triptease has unveiled a major rebrand to reflect the company's evolution from on-site conversion solution to full-funnel direct booking channel.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2HIZu8S

Data protection and privacy: why earning guest trust and building security is crucial

In this age of consumer uncertainty and increasing levels of cybercrime, what can hotels do to protect guest data and build trust?

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2HIZtBQ

Beaufort Landing at Hampton Cove

Beaufort Landing by Polygon Homes is a new townhouse development located at Hampton Cove in Delta. This project will offer a special waterfront collection of 124 executive 3 & 4 Bedroom Townhomes in the Charming Town of Ladner. These three and four bedroom homes offer charming seaside-inspired architecture and a variety of floorplan options. Every detail is thoughtfully designed to give you places to gather and share, and spaces for everyone to enjoy peace and quiet.Nestled between a marina and a golf course, walking and biking trails surround the neighbourhood, and a beautiful new riverside linear park will give residents a natural place to explore their own backyard.

The post Beaufort Landing at Hampton Cove appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Projects – Vancouver New Condos http://bit.ly/2Uzb8ol

Beaufort Landing at Hampton Cove

The post Beaufort Landing at Hampton Cove appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Projects – Vancouver New Condos http://bit.ly/2Uzb8ol

Dive Myanmar with the Phinisi

Beginning in November 2018, the Phinisi, officially called Cheng I Sao, began sailing the waters of the Andaman Sea with four different itineraries including 4-, 6-, 7- and 10-night dive cruises in Myanmar and Thailand. And, as of February 4^th 2019, the Phinisi will return to the pristine waters of Myanmar. It will be the first time it returns here since its last visit in December 2009. Two fantastic itineraries of 7 & 10 nights cover the Mergui Archipelago and take divers to the best parts of these scenic islands.

Pristine, rarely dived sites promise stunning hard and soft corals, plus an astonishing array of marine life: sharks, mantas, and massive sea-fan forests. There is plenty to enjoy for the macro lover as well: tiger-tail seahorses, nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, just to name a few.

Underwater cave in Myanmar (Credit: Mark Strickland)

Myanmar waters topside (Credit Mark Strickland)

Myanmar sea life (Credit Mark Strickland)

A dramatic wall in Myanmar (Credit Mark Strickland)

Limited spaces are still available on the Phinisi's four Myanmar cruises this year – with up to 30% introduction discount!

Regular Myanmar trips will start in the 2019/2020 season. The Phinisi accommodates 18 divers in seven en-suite cabins with individual air-conditioning units. Guests can choose between flexible double/twin, fixed twins, and quad cabins. Full of charming character and with an amazing crew, the Phinisi is your finest option to dive in Myanmar. Along with its sister boat The Junk; it also visits the Similan and Surin Islands, as well as the south of Thailand on a 10-night "Best of Thailand" itinerary.

For more information and bookings, visit the website or send an email here.

The post Dive Myanmar with the Phinisi appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

from Scuba Diver Life http://bit.ly/2MIz1qB

Dive Myanmar with the Phinisi

Limited spaces are still available on the Phinisi‘s four Myanmar cruises this year – with up to 30% introduction discount!

For more information and bookings, visit the website or send an email here.

The post Dive Myanmar with the Phinisi appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

from Scuba Diver Life http://bit.ly/2MIz1qB

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

The effect of hotel pricing on OTA search results positioning

A new research paper finds that for a given price at Booking.com or Expedia, a lower price at the other OTA or on the hotel's website leads to a worse ranking position.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2Rp71Jj

Report: Hotel direct booking efforts create lasting loyalty

Hotels need to ensure that consumers continue to remain loyal and to book direct - whether driven by discounted rates or the promise of a better guest experience for loyalty members.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2Wu2yJg

Cvent data shows potential group booking slowdown

Advance bookings on the Cvent platform seem to be lagging, which could indicate either a downturn in event bookings or simply the fact that event organizers are booking closer to the time of the actual event.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2TiGpeS

Why are Chinese tourists shopping less?

The recent headlines proclaiming that Chinese tourists are shopping less abroad may seem alarming, but it's not all bad news, particularly not for the travel industry.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2BaxyoH

Peek inside the world’s first vegan hotel room

This suite at the Hilton London Bankside is completely vegan, from the furnishings to the room service.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2SfeeQM

Google takes first steps toward killing the URL

Google isn't trying to induce chaos by eliminating URLs. Rather, it wants to make it harder for hackers to capitalize on user confusion about the identity of a website.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2HTe7GP

'Future proof' your hotel with total sales culture

Triptease speaks with Sandy Russell, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Wharf Hotels about cultivating loyalty, a perspective beyond the points schemes.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2SjKnqc

Revenue Science 101: A better way to revenue

Discover how IDeaS uses revenue science to deliver results and transform revenue across the planet.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2UvpxBT

Bahrain Announces New Underwater Theme Park

Bahrain recently announced that it will launch the world's largest underwater theme park, which include a sunken, decommissioned Boeing 747 as its primary attraction. The park will cover an area of around 25 acres (100,000 square meters), with the 230-foot-long (70 m) jet as the highlight.

According to the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA):

The project was designed to have a positive impact on the marine life within the park and every effort has been taken to limit the project's environmental footprint.
A pearl-merchant house will be replicated on a large scale, then submerged using design features to maximize the surface area and volume of the structure, increasing its capacity as a refuge for marine life.
The wind towers of the pearl merchant house will extend alongside the aircraft and will extend off the sea floor by 40 feet (12 m), placing them in the photic zone, which allows the park to explore and experiment with coral nurseries.
The project's extensive surface area will promote the growth of invertebrates, particularly oysters.
Rigorous field investigations were done during the stage of choosing the project site so as to avoid naturally ecological sensitive sites.
The project will serve as a valuable tool in educating the public on the importance of environmental preservation.
The site will be available to school and university students as a 'live lab,' allowing them the opportunity to conduct practical experiments.
The 747 has been decontaminated from all wiring, all hydraulic, pneumatic and fuel systems, and all adhesives, insulation, plastics, rubbers, chemicals or other potential toxic substances.
The aircraft surfaces will be subjected to a high-pressure wash with bio-friendly detergents to ensure all post-production coatings, oil and grime are removed before being submerged.
Efforts have been expended to ensure delivery of the project in the most environmentally sound manner and under the strictest of regional and international waste management guidelines.

In addition to the aircraft, the dive site will also include a replica of a traditional Bahraini pearl merchant's house as noted above, artificial coral reefs and other sculptures that will be fabricated from eco-friendly material. Parts of the park are slated to open in summer 2019.

The post Bahrain Announces New Underwater Theme Park appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

from Scuba Diver Life http://bit.ly/2RpI8gH

Bahrain Announces New Underwater Theme Park

Bahrain recently announced that it will launch the world’s largest underwater theme park, which include a sunken, decommissioned Boeing 747 as its primary attraction. The park will cover an area of around 25 acres (100,000 square meters), with the 230-foot-long (70 m) jet as the highlight.

According to the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA):

The project was designed to have a positive impact on the marine life within the park and every effort has been taken to limit the project’s environmental footprint.
A pearl-merchant house will be replicated on a large scale, then submerged using design features to maximize the surface area and volume of the structure, increasing its capacity as a refuge for marine life.
The wind towers of the pearl merchant house will extend alongside the aircraft and will extend off the sea floor by 40 feet (12 m), placing them in the photic zone, which allows the park to explore and experiment with coral nurseries.
The project’s extensive surface area will promote the growth of invertebrates, particularly oysters.
Rigorous field investigations were done during the stage of choosing the project site so as to avoid naturally ecological sensitive sites.
The project will serve as a valuable tool in educating the public on the importance of environmental preservation.
The site will be available to school and university students as a ‘live lab,’ allowing them the opportunity to conduct practical experiments.
The 747 has been decontaminated from all wiring, all hydraulic, pneumatic and fuel systems, and all adhesives, insulation, plastics, rubbers, chemicals or other potential toxic substances.
The aircraft surfaces will be subjected to a high-pressure wash with bio-friendly detergents to ensure all post-production coatings, oil and grime are removed before being submerged.
Efforts have been expended to ensure delivery of the project in the most environmentally sound manner and under the strictest of regional and international waste management guidelines.

In addition to the aircraft, the dive site will also include a replica of a traditional Bahraini pearl merchant’s house as noted above, artificial coral reefs and other sculptures that will be fabricated from eco-friendly material. Parts of the park are slated to open in summer 2019.

The post Bahrain Announces New Underwater Theme Park appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

from Scuba Diver Life http://bit.ly/2RpI8gH

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

A quarter of hotels more expensive on OTAs

Ranking of hotels is not optimised to show best results for the consumer, but to achieve maximum profit for OTAs.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2HG7Iyx

PwC updates US lodging outlook

Fourth quarter lodging fundamentals came in just below expectations, with year-over-year RevPAR growth of 2.4 percent, driven by an average daily rate increase of 2.0 percent.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2SgI0EL

Booking CEO opposes proposed EU tax as an innovation killer

Gillian Tans sounds like a typical corporate boss, opposing additional taxation as anti-business, as the proposed EU tax on revenue would amount to double taxation.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2HG7I1v

Cvent CEO looks at 2019 & beyond

Cvent has spent the past two years integrating and upgrading technology after acquiring Lanyon in 2016.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2Slq109

Hotel execs ponder threats to record growth

While executives at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) touted a 10th straight year of growth during opening sessions here, the triumph was tempered by economic and political uncertainty.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2HCPcXS

Hotels need to better control onward distribution of rates

Like Booking.Basic, many online travel agencies sell rates that they have sourced from a third party without a direct relationship with the accommodation provider.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2Si0J2I

Cendyn voted as North America’s leading hotel CRM technology provider

The prestigious World Travel Awards recognizes companies, organizations and brands that push the boundaries of hospitality industry excellence.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2HG7GXr

W63 Mansion On Vancouver’s Westside

W63 Mansion by Hansen Pacific is a new condo development located one block from Winona Park, on Vancouver’s westside. This project will offer a boutique collection of thoughtfully designed 1, 2 and 3-bedroom homes. W63 Mansion provides a tranquil westside lifestyle on South Cambie’s most beautiful block.

The post W63 Mansion On Vancouver’s Westside appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Projects – Vancouver New Condos http://bit.ly/2sSBjuf

W63 Mansion On Vancouver’s Westside

W63 Mansion by Hansen Pacific is a new condo development located one block from Winona Park, on Vancouver's westside. This project will offer a boutique collection of thoughtfully designed 1, 2 and 3-bedroom homes. W63 Mansion provides a tranquil westside lifestyle on South Cambie's most beautiful block.

The post W63 Mansion On Vancouver's Westside appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Projects – Vancouver New Condos http://bit.ly/2sSBjuf

Net Affinity wins booking engine category at HotelTech Awards

At the 2019 Hotel Tech Awards Net Affinity received the award for Top Rated Hotel Booking Engine.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2Rp6Mhx

Monday, January 28, 2019

Hoteliers adapt to changes in distribution

Different channels and booking platforms, such as TripAdvisor, Google and Expedia, are becoming more powerful in the shifting hotel distribution landscape.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2sVCwAR

No one likes being a tourist: the rise of the anti-tour

With the tourism explosion affecting even smaller cities, visitors and locals alike are looking for more 'authentic' days out. But is that possible?

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2WrebR2

Travel brands hijacked to dupe customers

Leading travel brands such as Qantas, Thomas Cook, Butlin's and Carnival Cruise Line are the latest names being used to dupe consumers with fake Facebook promotions.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2RpILqN

Red Lion eschews point-based loyalty program with new digital currency

Red Lion Hotels recently expanded its offering with the unveiling of Hello Bucks, a new digital currency that rewards all of its hotel guests - not just frequent travelers.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2Wre7kg

Travel agents balk at Karisma direct booking move

Karisma Hotels & Resorts caught the ire of the agency community this week when they sent out mass emails directly to agency clients with the "Top Five Reasons to Book Direct."

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2RkgpOl

WhatsApp expands business tools to desktop

To mark the first anniversary of its launch, WhatsApp is now extending some WhatsApp Business features to both desktop and the mobile web.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2WpfzDU

Metasearch isn’t dead; you’re just doing it wrong

Compared to other channels, metasearch doesn't offer hoteliers endless possibilities to differentiate themselves from their competition.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2HDcMU6

Don’t let the WhatsApp API delay you from implementing guest messaging

Here are four key reasons why hotels should get started with implementing guest messaging right away.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2SjarSJ

Photographer Spotlight: Frankie Grant

In this ongoing series, we'll chat with prominent and up-and-coming underwater photographers. Today we highlight Frankie Grant.

[See image gallery at scubadiverlife.com]

Tell us a little about yourself.

The start of an eventful career usually begins at the bottom, and for me it was at the bottom of a quarry called Fantasy Lake, a few miles from my parent's house in Raleigh, North Carolina. Diving hooked me after 30 minutes or so of floating around weightless with only slight brain freeze. That was 10 years ago as a sophomore in college.

Working today as a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, it has been my pleasure to introduce hundreds of new divers to the underwater world. What began as a tingly brain freeze in a rock quarry has grown into a career spanning the last eight years of my life.

Three countries later, I am now based in San Diego, California. I currently lead local dive charters, as well as quarterly wildlife photography and diving expeditions to Baja California. On these trips I seek out encounters with some of the biggest animals on our planet. I focus primarily on wide-angle photography, as most of the animals I prefer to photograph are big.

How long have you been an underwater photographer?

One and a half years.

What got you interested in underwater photography?

After eight years of diving in varied locations, I have witnessed awe-inspiring scenes, such as hundreds of sharks schooling together and coral-spawning events; and tragic scenes, such as massive fish die-offs and extensive reef damage after a natural disaster. It is up to scuba divers to share these experiences and images with the rest of the world so that our most valuable resource does not go unnoticed or undervalued.

What's your favorite style of underwater photography?

I really like shooting wide-angle portraits, as the challenge of capturing the emotion and behavior of an animal keep me constantly improving my technique.

Any favorite subjects?

I enjoy the playfulness of California sea lions, but equally enjoy the elusiveness and difficulty of photographing schooling tope sharks. I think that each creature poses its own challenges —usually the most difficult subjects to capture are the most rewarding.

Any favorite destinations?

The wrecks of North Carolina, Revillagigedo Islands, Los Islotes in Baja, Utila's north side, and Grand Cayman all hold allure for me.

What's your underwater setup?

I use a Canon 7D Mark II inside a Sea & Sea Housing with YS-D2 strobes. I sometimes use a tripod for stable seascape shots.

Do you have any tips you can share with new underwater photographers?

Learn to use your camera outside the housing.
Use custom modes to preset a good starting point for the type of underwater imaging you're working on.
Proper O-ring care goes a long way.
Test-fire your camera and strobes after you set up your gear, every time.
To practice underwater wide-angle lighting, start with fixed or sedentary subjects to allow time for reconfiguration.

Find more by Frankie Grant at his website.

The post Photographer Spotlight: Frankie Grant appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

from Scuba Diver Life http://bit.ly/2G5J8oe

Photographer Spotlight: Frankie Grant

In this ongoing series, we’ll chat with prominent and up-and-coming underwater photographers. Today we highlight Frankie Grant.

[See image gallery at scubadiverlife.com]

Tell us a little about yourself.

The start of an eventful career usually begins at the bottom, and for me it was at the bottom of a quarry called Fantasy Lake, a few miles from my parent’s house in Raleigh, North Carolina. Diving hooked me after 30 minutes or so of floating around weightless with only slight brain freeze. That was 10 years ago as a sophomore in college.

How long have you been an underwater photographer?

One and a half years.

What got you interested in underwater photography?

What’s your favorite style of underwater photography?

I really like shooting wide-angle portraits, as the challenge of capturing the emotion and behavior of an animal keep me constantly improving my technique.

Any favorite subjects?

Any favorite destinations?

The wrecks of North Carolina, Revillagigedo Islands, Los Islotes in Baja, Utila’s north side, and Grand Cayman all hold allure for me.

What’s your underwater setup?

I use a Canon 7D Mark II inside a Sea & Sea Housing with YS-D2 strobes. I sometimes use a tripod for stable seascape shots.

Do you have any tips you can share with new underwater photographers?

Learn to use your camera outside the housing.
Use custom modes to preset a good starting point for the type of underwater imaging you’re working on.
Proper O-ring care goes a long way.
Test-fire your camera and strobes after you set up your gear, every time.
To practice underwater wide-angle lighting, start with fixed or sedentary subjects to allow time for reconfiguration.

Find more by Frankie Grant at his website.

The post Photographer Spotlight: Frankie Grant appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

from Scuba Diver Life http://bit.ly/2G5J8oe

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Travel managers forecast strongest growth in a decade

According to a new study by Airplus, travel managers believe the number of business trips, as well as the cost of those trips, is set to rise in 2019.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2CSYJV8

Airbnb expands in bookings for meetings and offsites

Airbnb has acquired Gaest, a startup based in Denmark that provides a marketplace-style platform for people to post and book venues in hourly or daily increments for meetings.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2RPRdEJ

Travel packages not popular with Millennials

Young adults are increasingly booking holidays and other trips online and as separate products rather than as packages from tour operators.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2COSX6G

How Millennials are changing the way we think about eating out on work trips

Millennials are most likely to dine on-the-go preferring a grab-and-go breakfast, a quick and easy lunch by themselves and delivery or take-out for dinner.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2RSz5Kj

Debranding a hotel in 90 days

Jens Egemalm, Director of Distribution at Pandox RMC, shares his experiences of debranding a hotel, including the pros and cons.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2COkIwf

LinkedIn rolls out interest targeting for advertisers

Advertisers are able to target members with relevant ads that match their professional interests, which are determined by the content they share and engage with.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2RPRasx

Personalization in travel marketing: Moving beyond the buzzword

Hoteliers are shifting their focus from merely selling hotel rooms to becoming merchants and marketers offering access to nearly every piece of the customer travel journey.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2COSP7c

6 hotel website audits that will save you from losing money

Here's how to make the most of your marketing efforts by setting up a schedule of continual proofing to guarantee your hotel's site is ready to convert guests to its fullest.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2RPTgZn

Study finds sustained growth in brand.com direct bookings

A new Kalibri Labs' report found that hotel brand's direct booking campaigns stabilised or strengthened primarily by growing loyalty programs.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2CTGkHs

Global megatrends are shaping new imperatives for travel industry

Travel industry leaders will need to manage companies that are able to pivot quickly in response to new customer demands and expectations, the next revolution in data capabilities and heightened business risks.

from Hotelmarketing'com http://bit.ly/2RVJepy