We all by now are aware that social media online plays a major role in restaurant and hotel - any hospitality service - financial gains. Smaller, independent operators in Canada don't always have the resources of corporate restaurants or corporate hotels to create savvy online buzz. Enter Yelp.ca to the rescue.
According to a recent Harvard Business School study by Michael Luca,just and additional one star rating for a restaurant, for instance, garners a revenue bump of 5% to 9%. Luca's research of government data reported revenues of Seattle restaurants between 2003 and 2009, as well as Seattle restaurant reviews on Yelp.
The findings suggest that as Yelp's penetration of the market increased, so too did independent restaurants' share of the market. "The introduction of Yelp then begins to shift revenue away from chains and toward independent restaurants," Luca concluded, adding that this "suggests that online consumer reviews substitute for more traditional forms of reputation." Hooray for the little guys out there running a small QSR or casual dining restaurant in tough markets or boutique hotels looking for greater exposure!
Showing posts with label hotels canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hotels canada. Show all posts
Monday, October 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Brazilians Touring Canada
Where are our tourist dollars coming from these days with the economic difficulties felt across the globe? As hospitality providers, we perhaps can look to the global economies to determine future tourism spending in Canada. Of the three growing economies of China, India and Brazil, the latter is worth a closer look right now. These countries are rising to be major world players economically and politically, and Brazil made an impact on our tourism picture in Canada last year.
According to the Canadian Tourism commission report for the last quarter of 2010, "The Brazil market showed the way forward for CTC’s Emerging/Transition markets (Brazil, China, India, Japan, Mexico and South Korea), posting seriously strong growth in spending (+32%) and overnighters (+26%), leading to an average spend per trip of $1,719." That's a very significant bump, especially when compared to the activity of the UK; our largest overseas travel market, where overnight spending went down 10%.
Who are these people from Brazil traveling to Canada and what type of tourists do they make here?
You might think people in Brazil speak Spanish, but Brazil is the largest Portuguese speaking country in the world! To give you an idea of climate, it's situated in South America and mostly tropical, being called, "land of the palm trees".
The traditional, everyday meal consists mosty of rice and beans with beef and salad. Its common to mix it with cassava flour. Fried potatoes, fried cassava, fried banana, fried meat and fried cheese are very often eaten in lunch and served in most typical restaurants. The national beverage is coffee and cachaça is Brazil's native liquor. Cachaça is distilled from sugar cane and is the main ingredient in the national cocktail, Caipirinha.
Brazilians tend to be generous and very friendly, even to strangers. The people there embrace art, theatre, music, literature, and poetry as an extension of their diverse and beautiful culture.
A few highlights on Brazilian tourists, but to learn more, visit this website!
According to the Canadian Tourism commission report for the last quarter of 2010, "The Brazil market showed the way forward for CTC’s Emerging/Transition markets (Brazil, China, India, Japan, Mexico and South Korea), posting seriously strong growth in spending (+32%) and overnighters (+26%), leading to an average spend per trip of $1,719." That's a very significant bump, especially when compared to the activity of the UK; our largest overseas travel market, where overnight spending went down 10%.
Who are these people from Brazil traveling to Canada and what type of tourists do they make here?
You might think people in Brazil speak Spanish, but Brazil is the largest Portuguese speaking country in the world! To give you an idea of climate, it's situated in South America and mostly tropical, being called, "land of the palm trees".
The traditional, everyday meal consists mosty of rice and beans with beef and salad. Its common to mix it with cassava flour. Fried potatoes, fried cassava, fried banana, fried meat and fried cheese are very often eaten in lunch and served in most typical restaurants. The national beverage is coffee and cachaça is Brazil's native liquor. Cachaça is distilled from sugar cane and is the main ingredient in the national cocktail, Caipirinha.
Brazilians tend to be generous and very friendly, even to strangers. The people there embrace art, theatre, music, literature, and poetry as an extension of their diverse and beautiful culture.
A few highlights on Brazilian tourists, but to learn more, visit this website!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Hotel Stats - Some Good News
The Hotel News Now has posted stats for the week ending July second from their parent company; STR. BC and Alberta seem to be faring the best leading in RevPAR, a rise of 9.2 and 8.8 respectively over last year. And, they both shared top spots for ADR increases as well. Seems the Westcoast is the place to be if you're operating a hotel in Canada, according to STR. On the other coast, Newfoundland took the biggest hit with their Rev PAR falling 15.8% and their ADR decreased 6.5%! Tough go in Newfoundland.
Read on for the full report....
"The Canadian hotel industry reported mixed results in the three key performance metrics for the week of 26 June-2 July 2011, according to data from STR.
In year-over-year measurements, the Canadian hotel industry ended the week with a 5.0-percent increase in occupancy to 69.2 percent, a 0.5-percent decrease in average daily rate to CAD$130.29 and a 4.5-percent rise in revenue per available room to CAD$90.19.
Among the provinces, Alberta reported the largest occupancy increase, rising 9.2 percent to 64.2 percent, followed by British Columbia (+8.8 percent to 71.5 percent) and Manitoba (+8.3 percent to 66.2 percent). Newfoundland fell 9.9 percent to 78.0 percent, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.
British Columbia rose 4.1 percent in ADR to CAD$143.11, reporting the largest increase in that metric, followed by Alberta with a 3.4-percent increase to CAD$139.41. Prince Edward Island (-6.6 percent to CAD$118.30) and Newfoundland (-6.5 percent to CAD$136.30) reported the largest ADR decreases.
Two provinces achieved RevPAR increases of more than 10 percent: British Columbia (+13.3 percent to CAD$102.30) and Alberta (+13.0 percent to CAD$89.54). Newfoundland reported the only double-digit RevPAR decrease, falling 15.8 percent to CAD$106.33."
Read on for the full report....
"The Canadian hotel industry reported mixed results in the three key performance metrics for the week of 26 June-2 July 2011, according to data from STR.
In year-over-year measurements, the Canadian hotel industry ended the week with a 5.0-percent increase in occupancy to 69.2 percent, a 0.5-percent decrease in average daily rate to CAD$130.29 and a 4.5-percent rise in revenue per available room to CAD$90.19.
Among the provinces, Alberta reported the largest occupancy increase, rising 9.2 percent to 64.2 percent, followed by British Columbia (+8.8 percent to 71.5 percent) and Manitoba (+8.3 percent to 66.2 percent). Newfoundland fell 9.9 percent to 78.0 percent, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.
British Columbia rose 4.1 percent in ADR to CAD$143.11, reporting the largest increase in that metric, followed by Alberta with a 3.4-percent increase to CAD$139.41. Prince Edward Island (-6.6 percent to CAD$118.30) and Newfoundland (-6.5 percent to CAD$136.30) reported the largest ADR decreases.
Two provinces achieved RevPAR increases of more than 10 percent: British Columbia (+13.3 percent to CAD$102.30) and Alberta (+13.0 percent to CAD$89.54). Newfoundland reported the only double-digit RevPAR decrease, falling 15.8 percent to CAD$106.33."
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Canadian Tourism Year in Review 2010
We're still not out of the woods but some improvements are seen in our tourism sector.... check out the Canadian Tourism's review of 2010 Tourism by US Leisure Sector below (our biggest market)and visit the link for complete statistics. Note that the age group of 55+ is our biggest market. I expect we'll see even more from that age group as the infamous baby boomers are just now starting to retire this year. That means downsizing the home is coming and leisure trips will go up. At least they're one group that will have the disposable money to spend so let's attract them!!!
US Leisure
• In 2010, the US had a more sluggish than expected economic recovery, with GDP growth of 2.9%. By the end of the year, economists reported weaker than expected consumer spending, along with declines in construction spending, durable goods orders and home building sales, a reflection of the lingering effects of the 2008-2009 recession. This cooler economic environment impacted both US leisure and business travel in 2010, with slower than expected growth compared with the previous year.
• US leisure travel represents Canada’s largest inbound travel market, accounting for 63% of all
inbound travellers in 2010. US leisure travel to Canada outperformed business travel in 2010, with a moderate increase of 0.9% over 2009.
• While leisure travel to Canada declined in the first two quarters of 2010, the last two quarters saw increases of 2.8% in Q3 and 4.0% in Q4.
• Total spending by US leisure travellers of one or more nights improved in 2010, up 2.8% overall, with the average nightly spend increasing 3.4% to $116.
• This year saw an 8.6% increase in the number of overnight US leisure travellers in who were 55 years of age or older. This age demographic represents the largest segment among US leisure visitors to Canada, accounting for 46.7% of all overnight US leisure
visitors to Canada in 2010. • Experiencing nature became more popular in this market with visiting aquariums/botanical gardens and zoos (+7.9%) and visiting nature parks (+7.2%) both
climbing in 2010.
• In 2010, Québec (+4.2%), British Columbia (+2.0%), Alberta (+1.7%) saw increases in province visits in 2010, while Ontario (-2.1%) experienced a decline. US Meetings Conventions and Incentive Travel (MC&IT)
• US overnight MC&IT travel is Canada’s second largest inbound market after US overnight leisure travel.
• In 2010, 1.7 million US MC&IT overnight travellers visited Canada, a moderate 0.2% decline over the previous year. Of those travellers, 65.8% were male and 64.1% were 45 years of age or older.
• Total spending by this market increased by 3.0% reaching, $1.4 billion, with the average spend per business trip increasing 3.2% to $815.
• The volume of business travellers to Canada saw a staggered recovery in 2010, improving in the 2nd and 4th quarters of 2010, helping to offset the reduced growth in the 1st and 3rd quarters.
• US MC&IT travel to Alberta (-4.9%) and Ontario (-4.0%) slowed in 2010, while Québec (+5.8%) and British Columbia (0.6%) had an increased number of province visits.
• This year, there was a 17.9% increase in interest in attending cultural events among US MC&IT travellers, followed by increases in visiting museums and art galleries (+10.9%) and visiting historic sites (+9.4%) compared with the top activities of 2009.
Source: Canadian Tourism, Tourism Snapshot 2010
US Leisure
• In 2010, the US had a more sluggish than expected economic recovery, with GDP growth of 2.9%. By the end of the year, economists reported weaker than expected consumer spending, along with declines in construction spending, durable goods orders and home building sales, a reflection of the lingering effects of the 2008-2009 recession. This cooler economic environment impacted both US leisure and business travel in 2010, with slower than expected growth compared with the previous year.
• US leisure travel represents Canada’s largest inbound travel market, accounting for 63% of all
inbound travellers in 2010. US leisure travel to Canada outperformed business travel in 2010, with a moderate increase of 0.9% over 2009.
• While leisure travel to Canada declined in the first two quarters of 2010, the last two quarters saw increases of 2.8% in Q3 and 4.0% in Q4.
• Total spending by US leisure travellers of one or more nights improved in 2010, up 2.8% overall, with the average nightly spend increasing 3.4% to $116.
• This year saw an 8.6% increase in the number of overnight US leisure travellers in who were 55 years of age or older. This age demographic represents the largest segment among US leisure visitors to Canada, accounting for 46.7% of all overnight US leisure
visitors to Canada in 2010. • Experiencing nature became more popular in this market with visiting aquariums/botanical gardens and zoos (+7.9%) and visiting nature parks (+7.2%) both
climbing in 2010.
• In 2010, Québec (+4.2%), British Columbia (+2.0%), Alberta (+1.7%) saw increases in province visits in 2010, while Ontario (-2.1%) experienced a decline. US Meetings Conventions and Incentive Travel (MC&IT)
• US overnight MC&IT travel is Canada’s second largest inbound market after US overnight leisure travel.
• In 2010, 1.7 million US MC&IT overnight travellers visited Canada, a moderate 0.2% decline over the previous year. Of those travellers, 65.8% were male and 64.1% were 45 years of age or older.
• Total spending by this market increased by 3.0% reaching, $1.4 billion, with the average spend per business trip increasing 3.2% to $815.
• The volume of business travellers to Canada saw a staggered recovery in 2010, improving in the 2nd and 4th quarters of 2010, helping to offset the reduced growth in the 1st and 3rd quarters.
• US MC&IT travel to Alberta (-4.9%) and Ontario (-4.0%) slowed in 2010, while Québec (+5.8%) and British Columbia (0.6%) had an increased number of province visits.
• This year, there was a 17.9% increase in interest in attending cultural events among US MC&IT travellers, followed by increases in visiting museums and art galleries (+10.9%) and visiting historic sites (+9.4%) compared with the top activities of 2009.
Source: Canadian Tourism, Tourism Snapshot 2010
Monday, May 02, 2011
Hotel Stats Available Jan/Feb 2011
Just released: Canadian Hotel Stats, PVK Jan/Feb 2011.
In reviewing the hotel room rates and revenues throughout Canada, one thing caught my eye for the first time that makes me wonder, "Am I living in the right province?".....
Revenue Per Room Availalbe 2011:
Atlantic Canada 41.16
Quebec 58.57
Ontario 54.31
Alberta 60.40
Saskatchewan 70.64
BC 52.20
NW Territories 89.14
OK, so Alberta's higher rate is no shocker, nor is the NW Territories, but Saskatchewan??? What's happening in the Prairie's that I don't know about?
Check out the ups and downs of the hotel industry and watch for trends via the PVK reports at the hotelassociation[dot]ca website.
In reviewing the hotel room rates and revenues throughout Canada, one thing caught my eye for the first time that makes me wonder, "Am I living in the right province?".....
Revenue Per Room Availalbe 2011:
Atlantic Canada 41.16
Quebec 58.57
Ontario 54.31
Alberta 60.40
Saskatchewan 70.64
BC 52.20
NW Territories 89.14
OK, so Alberta's higher rate is no shocker, nor is the NW Territories, but Saskatchewan??? What's happening in the Prairie's that I don't know about?
Check out the ups and downs of the hotel industry and watch for trends via the PVK reports at the hotelassociation[dot]ca website.
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