WHO OFFERS WHAT
feel that in consumer spending,” he says. “For the time being, we are consolidating and making sure we optimise the management of our existing portfolio within the UK, rather than spreading ourselves thin and going abroad,” says Bakker.
Industry challenges
Bakker’s comment about booking channels reflects the increasing tendency for buyers to move away from RFPS, as Tom Stone explains. “They still play an important role but people are wise to savings that can be achieved through dynamic pricing and most organisations might, typically, have a preferred rate and then underpin that by charging the TMC to see what’s available on booking.com or Expedia that will potentially undercut their negotiated rate,” says Stone.
“I also think there is a move to see whether the hotel RFP can be done on a biannual basis rather than annually – it is very labour intensive,” he says. “The trick is to try and factor in an agreed increase. This might be the rate of inflation or the cost of living index. I think that’s possible in some markets but very difficult in markets like London – hoteliers want the ability to increase rates if the market dictates,” Stone explains.
WIN Global Travel Network's CEO Neil Armorgie adds: “The top challenges facing the hotel industry are similar to other industries: uncertainty with the slowdown of the global economy; rising costs in salaries and utilities; the trade tariff wars between China and the USA, and the still unresolved Brexit negotiations.”
He continues: “So despite the strong start to the year for our members, there are signs that overall economic growth could have an effect on slowing hotel booking volumes through the rest of the year. That, and increased supply in the UK, will mean that hotel rates will flatten and could even drop.”
Dakota's Andrew Overstone ends on a positive note. “Brexit's impact, so far, has been quite encouraging. It has stimulated conversation and debate regarding the future of our country, creating genuine dialogue and positive engagement.
“People are actively considering the position of the UK, which affects their day to day decisions. With last year’s glorious summer, and the recent spell of sunshine, people have definitely seen the benefit of the great British staycation, which has definitely been positive for the UK hotels industry.”
Apex Hotels: will have invested £12million in
its portfolio of ten properties by the end of 2019, including a £6m project to restore and refurbish Apex Temple Court on Fleet Street.
Bespoke Hotels: owns and manages 76 properties in the UK, including new agreements for five hotels in the past 12 months. It will add three more in 2020 in Manchester, Glasgow and Coventry in time for
the city’s year as UK City of Culture.
Dakota Hotels:
has only five properties to date but is looking for new sites.
Easyhotels: has an aggregate 37 owned and franchised hotels in the UK and Europe, four of which opened in the UK in the past year. Its pipeline comprises another five, with two
subject to planning consent.
Hand Picked Hotels: last year upgraded and relaunched its loyalty programme as Privilege
Rewards, with new awards that include exclusive room rate discounts and upgrades.
Hotel du Vin & Malmaison:
is aiming for 50 properties by 2022, from the current 19 (Hotel du Vin) and 16 (Malmaison).
Jurys Inn & Leonardo: has properties in over
30 cities in the UK and Ireland. It acquired and rebranded four Grange Hotels in London
earlier this year.
Macdonald Hotels:
over 35 luxury hotels across the UK and is particularly strong
in Scotland.
Premier Inn: has over 800 hotels across
the UK and Ireland, plus sub-brands Zip (just one so far, in Cardiff) and Hub
(in London and Edinburgh).
Q Hotels:
having launched in 2003 with two hotels, it now manages 21 across the UK.
Travelodge: has more than 560 hotels and aims to open another 17 in 2019. Also has a £100million expansion plan, targeting the
UK'S largest conference locations.
Brexit has stimulated conversation and debate regarding the future of our country, creating positive engagement”
Village Hotels:
has 30 hotels across the UK; strong in the North and Midlands.
Z Hotels: