Hotelbeds has today provided an update on the UK source market during the World Travel Market (WTM) that starts today in London. Booking data from the company’s bedbank platforms confirmed that the UK remained for the second year running, since Tourico Holidays and GTA joined Hotelbeds, the main source market worldwide for the company during the full year 17/18 period.
The booking data also revealed the top destinations for British travelers during the past year whose booking were made via the Hotelbeds’ platform. Overall the domestic market has been the most reserved country destination.
Analysis of destination trends shows that Florida’s Orlando is the top international destination for British travellers – where Hotelbeds has a huge offering in the form of tickets for Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios. This is followed in the rankings by Mallorca – moving up by one position compared to last year – and then Tenerife, the Algarve and New York.
Meanwhile Rome leads as the top city destination, followed by Paris, with both experiencing strong growth in room nights during the last year.
Sam Turner, Wholesales Sales and Sourcing Director at Hotelbeds commented: “We are very satisfied to confirm that the very important UK market remains our number one source market globally, for the second year running since Tourico Holidays and GTA joined our company last year. Where UK travellers go, other source markets follow, and we place a huge significance on remaining the leading bedbank in the UK market.
“One of the keys to our success is our ability to offer a very wide selection globally of directly contracted, unique hotel accommodation and ancillary services such as theme parks and transfers, often at exclusive rates, to our travel buying customers. Whether they be tour operators, bricks-and-mortar travel agents, online travel agents, airlines or points redemption schemes, they can benefit from our team of nearly 1,000 contractors across the globe sourcing the best deals at the best prices, allowing us to now offer over 170,000 hotels.”
Hotelbeds participates at the World Travel Market (WTM) fair in London, taking place from today until Wednesday.
On Tuesday 6th of November at 11:15 am, the company hosts a panel discussion called ‘Distribution of ancillaries in the B2B environment: challenges and expectations’ on the on the Travel Forward Conference, collocated at WTM.
The panel will be hosted by Javier Arévalo, Beyond the bed Managing Director, and features Gert-Jan Ruiter, CEO of Prioticket, Olan O’Sullivan, CEO of TrekkSoft, Abbas Datoo, Interim Head of Commercial Strategy of Major Travel and Beatriz Motta Head of International Hotels at Hotel Urbano.
Together they will explore the value proposition of B2B ancillary solutions, both from the point of view of the supplier (channel managers / tech platforms) and the client (OTAs tour operators, and TA). Alongside looking at the opportunities the sector presents, it will also cover the difficulties and technological challenges presented by rapid growth.
