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How Travel Marketing Needs to Change Post-Pandemic

Travel was altered significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic and, even with far-away locales opening their doors to travelers once again, the industry is going to have to adapt to cater to a new brand of consumer. But how? Marilee Kostadimas, CMP, DMCP, Founder & Creative Director of Spotlight Sojourns, shared some front-line insights about how…

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Travel was altered significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic and, even with far-away locales opening their doors to travelers once again, the industry is going to have to adapt to cater to a new brand of consumer.

But how?

Marilee Kostadimas, CMP, DMCP, Founder & Creative Director of Spotlight Sojourns, shared some front-line insights about how travel marketing needs to change post-pandemic and the role of storytelling in the future of travel marketing.

“Well, through these unprecedented times, we’ve come to know what matters and what doesn’t. And, now, we want meaningful travel, because we’ve changed.

And so has travel. Travel marketing needs to change from less transactional mass messaging to get maximum heads in beds to emotional, personal engagement to build relationships.

What is the role of storytelling in the future of travel marketing? Well, studies show that consumers and, therefore, travelers buy on emotion, and storytelling stirs emotion.

It sparks inspiration, motivates action, and creates connection. So, storytelling holds profound power for the future of travel marketing in engaging the audience who can connect personally to the story and picture themselves in your destination, on your property, [interacting with] your brand.

Ultimately, storytelling enhances your messaging, and stories enrich the meaning.”

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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.

Nov 12, 2026

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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