Dive Brief:
- Hyatt Hotels’ Together by Hyatt initiative launched an online platform providing property-specific event planning resources, including menus, sustainability practices, well-being experience options, event spaces, guest room type details and more.
- The new Event Experience Guides are available at select U.S. properties including Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Andaz, Park Hyatt, Thompson Hotels and Hyatt Centric branded properties.
- The platform debut comes after Hyatt achieved full recovery to pre-pandemic revenue levels for group rooms in the fourth quarter of last year, according to Jack Horne, Hyatt’s global head of sales and revenue.
Dive Insight:
As guests return to hotels and in-person events again become the norm, Hyatt has launched an online platform that aims to make the event planning process easier.
The new Event Experience Guides provide customized resources including venue photography, capacity charts, detailed floor plans of spaces, exclusive preferred vendor options, curated food and beverage menus, and sustainability fact sheets that provide information on a property’s water conservation, waste and circularity.
According to research by the U.S. Travel Association, travel spending is up, totaling $93 billion in February — 5% above 2019 levels and 9% above 2022 levels. This number is lower for business travelers, with Global Business Travel Association finding companies estimate their current domestic business travel spend is at approximately 68% of 2019 levels.
At Hyatt, group room revenue fully recovered to 2019 levels in the fourth quarter of last year, with rates 15% above 2019, Horne said. Additionally, group room revenue for 2023 is pacing 21% ahead of last year for Americas full-service management with record lead volumes in January, higher than any month last year.
As this growth continues, Hyatt expects to roll out its platform to additional U.S. brands by July, including JdV, Destination, Alila and The Unbound Collection. Hyatt hotels in Europe, Africa and Middle East and Asia Pacific regions are anticipated to be updated by the end of the year, with Hyatt Place and Hyatt House properties following in 2024.
