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Business Travelers Seek Effortless Traveling Experiences

Hilton and American Express recently hosted “The Business Corner,” an invite-only panel discussion on 2018 business travel trends. Audrey Hendley, SVP of global products at American Express, noted that by 2020 there are going to be 483 million domestic business trips—and those travelers want to enjoy authentic local meals and unique attractions. A recent American…

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Business Travelers Seek Effortless Traveling Experiences

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Hilton and American Express recently hosted “The Business Corner,” an invite-only panel discussion on 2018 business travel trends. Audrey Hendley, SVP of global products at American Express, noted that by 2020 there are going to be 483 million domestic business trips—and those travelers want to enjoy authentic local meals and unique attractions. A recent American Express survey found 67% of business travelers say that when they go to a destination, what they enjoy most is cultural experiences.[1]

As part of the discussion, Nick Brown, CEO and founder of Soludos, a footwear and accessories brand, noted one thing business travelers also want is frictionless, effortless travel, saying he is impressed by even small things like a digital key that allows for check-in via a phone app. Mark Weinstein, SVP of customer engagement, loyalty and partnerships at Hilton, said Hilton typically makes enhancements to its operations by asking questions, listening and observing, and depending on its community of small business owners to provide feedback. He points to several key ways hotels can help business travels, whether it’s simply by providing them an e-receipt for easier expensing, and app knowing the traveler’s preferences, or ensuring the room has a lot of outlets.[2]

Little things like having adapters in place, or enabling someone to finish watching what they were watching on the plane make all the difference to the business traveler hoping for a frictionless trip.

[1]

https://www.hotelbusiness.com/business-travelers-look-for-frictionless-authentic-experiences/

[2]

https://www.hotelbusiness.com/business-travelers-look-for-frictionless-authentic-experiences/

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US solo travel plans jump to 23.6% in SiteMinder's 2027 guest survey

US solo travel plans jump to 23.6% in SiteMinder's 2027 guest survey

SiteMinder's Changing Traveler Report 2027 finds 23.6% of US travelers plan their next trip solo, up from 14.4%. Solo travelers worldwide lean toward standard rooms, while American guests over-index on Deluxe rooms, hotel brands and loyalty programs. The consequence lands in rate plans and upgrade offers.

  • 01Nearly one in four US travelers (23.6%) plan to take their next trip alone, up from 14.4%, a 9.2-point swing that belongs in 2027 rate-plan and room-mix reviews.
  • 02Solo travelers worldwide choose a standard room 55% of the time, while 25.1% of American guests expect a Deluxe room; which habit US solo guests follow is the open question for single-occupancy pricing.
  • 03Loyalty still sways American chain guests (42.9% cite program benefits) even as that reason fell to 30.8% globally and memorable experiences climbed to 39.7%, so US loyalty playbooks may not travel abroad.

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Accor's booking app outsold Hard Rock's own site at its New York hotel

Accor and Hard Rock International announced a global deal letting Hard Rock hotels opt into ALL Accor once it closes. In a New York test, Accor’s channel outproduced Hard Rock’s own site by July. Owners’ returns hinge on tracking channel and loyalty activity across both systems.

  • 01By July, Accor's channel was producing more room nights for Hard Rock Hotel New York than Hard Rock's own website, and more than 90% of those guests were new to Hard Rock.
  • 02Hard Rock keeps its own booking channels open, so a participating hotel can only judge the Accor channel if the original booking source survives date changes, cancellations and points refunds.
  • 03The points conversion rate and tier map are the next terms to watch. Marriott and MGM settled on a 10-to-8 transfer ratio with a 30,000-point annual cap, which shows how much detail these links can carry.

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Hyatt Leverage shifts SME booking to a Spotnana-powered tool

Hyatt rebuilt Hyatt Leverage, its small and midsize business travel program, on Spotnana's booking platform, offering exclusive rates at more than 1,300 hotels. Eligibility requires 50 actualized room nights a year. The rates aren't available through travel agencies or other booking tools, so the practical decision for small firms is where they book their Hyatt stays.

  • 01Hyatt Leverage requires 50 actualized room nights per year—confirm you meet the minimum before applying.
  • 02Hyatt Leverage is now powered by Spotnana, and Hotel Dive reported that Marriott International also recently expanded its partnership with Spotnana. That suggests the same provider could sit under direct corporate hotel booking at more than one chain.

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