Major tourism markets around the world are slowly coming back to life after easing the blockade.Hotels and tourist destinations are looking for ways to attract tourists.
IHG targets local tourists in Oceania
Both Australia and New Zealand appear to have responded relatively well to the COVID-19 outbreak, giving the region's hotel market more time to rebuild than others.However, with international travel restrictions still in place in many countries and many consumers preferring to stay closer to home, hotels are pinning their hopes on locals to fill their rooms in the months ahead.
IHG is leading the way with the 'There's more to See' campaign designed to highlight beautiful driving destinations in Australia and New Zealand.
"Australians and New Zealanders love to travel and while it will be a tough road to recovery, I'm very hopeful to see the easing of restrictions and the enthusiasm of tourists to start exploring again."Leanne Harwood, managing Director, Australasia and Japan, INTERCONTINENTAL Hotels Group, said, "This time, many of us have gained a new appreciation for the beauty of our own 'backyard' and we can't wait to begin welcoming back guests at our hotels and resorts with our true hospitality, safe and flexible."
Marriott is once again doing business in China
China's COVID-19 outbreak is reportedly under control, and hotel giant Marriott International has reopened more than 350 hotels across the country.Chief Executive Arne Sorenson told a Goldman Sachs conference recently that while domestic travel has picked up and peaked during recent public holidays, the return of business travel has also helped push occupancy rates to 40% or higher.
While that seems to be cause for optimism, Sorensen remains cautious, warning that occupancy rates may not fully return to pre-coronavirus levels for several years.Perhaps that explains why the group has extended holidays and shortened the working week for some employees to early October.
Hotel occupancy rates in the United States have risen steadily
While countless hotels around the world have temporarily closed because of Covid19, many in the U.S. remain open.These days, hotels at popular weekend resorts are being favored by a growing number of tourists who are emerging from towns where the blockade has been relaxed.
And while overall hotel occupancy is down significantly from a year ago, from a low base, it's actually starting to rise.This development at least provides grounds for optimism.
"The three sub-markets reported year-over-year occupancy growth over the weekend, highlighting the seventh consecutive day of rising demand and occupancy," said Jan Freitag, senior vice President of hotel insights at STR.
