SPECIAL REPORT
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows in Arizona offers an executive retreat package with a menu of activities such as a pastry class . front as possible to reassure guests and instill a level of confidence .”
The rise of the digital nomad has also upended traditional booking patterns . The hybrid workcation has transformed Thursday into the new Friday and Monday into the new Sunday , with remote workers logging in at the beginning or end of the stay , then enjoying leisure time , often with significant others , the rest of the time .
“ We think this will increase over the next 18 months ,” Reid says . “ We think it will be leisure trips with business tacked on . It ’ s a dynamic the hotel community has to think about — how it affects forecasts and yield .” Because they are so connected , reaching that audience through digital channels is the most logical route ; Reid says targeting amenities and packages to these travelers are a way to break through .
Marriott ’ s Bonvoy Escapes appear to be tapping into the demand for extended weekends or work / leisure
trips : the promotions , refreshed once a week , offer five-night stays at a 25 % discount for Bonvoy members and 20 % for nonmembers .
Another must for leisure-oriented properties : cancellation flexibility . “ There is definitely a preference toward flexible rate plans , so we are making sure to keep those on the shelf ,” observes Jenna Fishel , vice president of revenue management at First Hospitality , headquartered outside Chicago , Illinois .
STATE OF GROUPS , TRANSIENT BUSINESS Steady growth in group bookings has been a nice surprise for the industry , especially in the U . S . “ We are very encouraged , particularly on the group side . We are seeing a lot of indicators for 2022 being stronger than 2019 ,” says Fishel , who notes that First Hospitality concentrated more heavily on analytics and forecasting over the past 18 months . She says pent-up demand for face-to-face connection and meetings that were postponed this year or last are likely causes for the bump .
Weddings originally planned for 2020 have been a bright spot this year for Dorchester Collection , Smith says , especially compared to international corporate business , especially from overseas . She says local markets have been the focus and will continue to be so through the first half of 2022 . She says the unending flux in rules and border controls are hampering any efforts to forecast . “ We are anticipating a general lack of compression in our main markets with the USA corporate group business restricted by legal clauses ,” she adds .
At the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows in Arizona , small highend meetings have returned , with attendees eager to make the most of the resort ’ s 23 acres . “ We are actively pursuing groups , and — knock on wood — we ’ re optimistic :
92 hotelsmag . com September / October 2021