ORLANDO, FLA. Tourico Holidays, the world’s fastest growing wholesale travel brokerage company, shared encouraging data for the United States hotel industry, revealing an 8 percent overall increase in U.S. hotel bookings in 2016, compared to the prior year – and an additional 6.5 percent increase through the first 18 weeks of 2017.
Another promising sign for the U.S. hotel market is Chinese travel. According to Tourico, the Chinese have increased their U.S. inbound hotel bookings by 67.5 percent year-over-year in 2017. Other countries also increasing their U.S. hotel bookings in 2017 include Brazil (+23.5% YOY), Canada (+19% YOY), Australia (+9% YOY), and the United Arab Emirates (+60% YOY).
“There was some concern that current issues, such as a travel ban and seemingly tighter immigration policies, would negatively affect the U.S. hotel industry, but the market appears to be even more resilient than even we initially predicted,” said Matias Elisavetsky, the Executive Vice President of Global Product Development for Tourico Holidays. “It’s extremely encouraging to see hotel traffic continue to grow – especially from key source markets like China, Canada, Brazil and the UAE.”
California, a popular tourism destination among foreign travelers and a market that typically reflects the overall health of the hotel industry, has also increased its inbound hotel bookings. Hotel bookings in The Golden State are trending 19 percent higher in 2017 than the same time last year.
To meet the growing demand, Tourico Holidays has bolstered its U.S. hotel inventory, growing its footprint of contracted hotels in California by 10 percent in 2016, and by 52 percent since 2013. The company works with suppliers, pre-purchasing massive room blocks and providing guaranteed occupancy levels. Tourico utilizes a network of 2,500 distributors throughout the world to generate global demand for their U.S. hotel partners. As a result of its global footprint, U.S. travel suppliers can rely less on local and domestic customers and increase occupancy rates through global channels.
“As private accommodation aggregators flood the online marketplace and consumer behaviors shift, it’s vital for hotel suppliers to expand their distribution plan and put their inventory in front of a global audience,” said Elisavetsky. “Being connected to a diverse collection of international travel sellers, our hotel partners can access customers in every part of the globe and enjoy sustained profitability.”
Tourico Holidays will be exhibiting its comprehensive lineup of travel offerings – including hotels, cruises, activities and transfers, car rentals, and vacation homes – at IPW 2017 in Washington DC from June 3rd to the 7th. To speak with a Tourico Holidays representative at IPW 2017, please visit Booths 1101 & 1105.
