Cloud-based software company Cloudbeds has released the results of a sentiment survey of hoteliers' thoughts on the COVID-19 pandemic, reopening plans, and more with responses from more than 1,000 independent owners and operators across 65 countries.
The survey incorporated everything from the timing of restriction liftings to demand channels. The majority of respondents, 64 percent, said they expected to be open by late August, indicating that the upcoming summer months could be saved and serve as the launchpad toward a long-term full recovery for independent lodging properties. The survey indicated that 32 percent of the properties that responded currently are fully open.
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Anticipating the next 12 months, compared to pre-COVID-19, the responses are consistent with emerging demand data and growing optimism that the industry will continue on the path to returning to 2019 levels over the next 18 months.
Reservations trends
- 43 percent expected to have more local travelers visiting their properties than in the previous year and 22 percent expected to have about the same
- 35 percent expected to have fewer local travelers visiting their properties than in the previous year
- Regarding guests from international destinations, the vast majority, 78 percent, expected to have fewer than the year before; however, further changes to restrictions would change this sentiment
Regional trends
- North American, Central Asian and Oceania properties responded with moderate optimism, expecting to increase their reservations through the balance of 2020
- Latin American, European and Southeast Asian properties responded with a more reserved outlook, not expecting their reservations to increase until early 2021
- The global average for optimism remained neutral
Trends by property type
- Boutique hotels, flat hotels, campgrounds and vacation rentals have a mostly positive outlook
- Independent hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfasts have a neutral to a positive outlook
- Hostels, resorts and group-oriented properties have a mostly negative outlook
Also, direct bookings represented 43 percent of expected reservations. Online travel agency reservations were estimated to account for 49 percent.
Cloudbeds provides cloud-based software solutions for more than 20,000 hotels, hostels and vacation rentals worldwide.