U.S. Inbound Hotel Bookings Increase in 2016 and Trending Even Higher in 2017

Tourico is reporting 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.

“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.

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).

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.”