Web Traffic Shows Early Signs of Positive Trend Across All Regions

The latest edition of our bi-weekly Pulse Report published earlier today, providing hoteliers from around the world with a snapshot on key market metrics for April 6-19.

Providing an in-depth look at On the Books, New Bookings, Cancellations and Web Traffic data, the latest edition of the Report included the latest demand signals for Latin America as well as APAC, EMEA and North America.

The Duetto Team added the Latin American data to the report following suggestions from subscribers. LATAM has proved a vital new component to tracking the impact of COVID-19 on the hotel industry around the world.

"The data shows us LATAM still has a lot of confidence for the latter part of the year. There's a lot of bookings, especially for the latter part of the summer," Lofton remarks.

Pulse Report data for LATAM On The Books vs. STLY by Stay Month as of April 19th showed that travelers with bookings in Latin America continue to show a higher degree in confidence in stay dates from September 2020 onwards.

Weekly New Bookings vs. STLY by Stay Month for Latin America also showed a slightly positive year over year trend for bookings in 2021, with new bookings for stays between May and July.

New Reservations Provide Future Outlook

Also new to the Pulse Report this time is the addition of New Reservations data. This was added because the Pulse Report team wanted to be looking as much to the future as possible.

In APAC, the data for new bookings shows increased pace for Q2 2021. In EMEA a similar pattern can be seen, with an uplift in new reservations for May-July 2021. For North America, new bookings for 2020 continue to fall behind previous year figures, but new bookings for 2021 are exceeding pace.

'Hilton CleanStay with Lysol Protection' to Launch June 2020

Hilton announced a new program to deliver a standard of cleanliness and disinfection in Hilton properties around the world. In a first for the hospitality business, Hilton will collaborate with RB, maker of Lysol and Dettol, and consult with Mayo Clinic to develop elevated processes and Team Member training to help Hilton guests enjoy an even cleaner and safer stay from check-in to check-out

Hilton CleanStay with Lysol protection, as the program will be called in North America, will be a rigorous system that incorporates RB’s trusted know-how and scientific approach to cleaning practices and product offerings. Experts from Mayo Clinic’s Infection Prevention and Control team will advise and assist in enhancing Hilton’s cleaning and disinfection protocols.

 The goal of Hilton CleanStay is to provide guests with assurance and peace of mind when they stay at any of Hilton’s more than 6,100 properties representing 18 brands

Hilton CleanStay was developed to meet evolving consumer expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research indicates that consumers have heightened concerns regarding hygiene on their journey, and trust in cleanliness standards will be critical to restarting travel

RB will bring key talent and Lysol experts in hygiene and disinfection to the multi-year partnership, leveraging over 130 years of science-based research and thought leadership to support awareness, training and education, and product delivery and systems. RB and Hilton are also exploring opportunities to expand the program into a global partnership.

While full details for the program are still in development and expected to be announced soon, hotel brand standards under consideration include:

• Hilton CleanStay Room Seal: Add an extra measure of assurance by placing a room seal on doors to indicate to guests that their room has not been accessed since being thoroughly cleaned.

• 10 High-Touch, Deep Clean Areas: Extra disinfection of the most frequently touched guests room areas – light switches, door handles, TV remotes, thermostats and more.

• De-clutter Paper Amenities: Remove pen, paper and guest directory; supplement with digital or available upon request.

• Focus on Fitness Centers: Improved guidelines for disinfecting the hotel Fitness Center, possibly closing for cleaning multiple times daily and limiting the number of guests allowed in at one time.

• Clean and Clean Again: Increase the frequency of cleaning public areas.

• Guest-Accessible Disinfecting Wipes: Provide stations at primary entrances and key high traffic areas, for instance, a station to allow guests to wipe the elevator button before pressing.

• Contactless Check-In: Hilton will double-down on its award-winning Digital Key technology for guests who desire to have a contactless arrival experience. Guests can check-in, choose their room, access their room with a digital room key and check-out using their mobile devices through the Hilton Honors mobile app at participating hotels. Hilton will continue to expand its Digital Key capabilities to common doors and access points throughout the hotels.

• Innovative Disinfection Technologies: Hilton is exploring the addition of new technologies, like electrostatic sprayers – which use an electrostatically charged disinfecting mist – and ultraviolet light to sanitize surfaces and objects.