From communication and upselling to partnerships and packages, how can the hospitality industry come back from the pandemic? David Kijlstra of Rocket Fuel highlights the opportunities at this stage of the coronavirus crisis and outlines the steps that hotels can take to attract and convert potential guests.

The current crisis has created a new reality and hotels have to adapt in the short term in order to reopen. APTO architects and H-Hospitality have pulled together a collection of ideas to support and inspire these changes. From interior design to safety tips, short term cost optimisations to longer term revenue generators, read the report to reboot your hotel today.

Room to Reward are working with Helpforce – the leading organisation for volunteering in the NHS – to co-ordinate support from their hotel partners for those working round the clock to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Many hoteliers have already pledged support to key NHS workers during this critical time and you too can join the mission. 

80 DAYS has launched an online industry benchmarking service to help hoteliers compare their website and digital marketing performance against competitors. Hotel Benchmark is utilised by hotels in more than 50 countries. Sign up here and use INDEPENDENT-HOTEL-SHOW at checkout for a free 30-day trial of their premium report.

The new weekly series from Central Hotel London includes an array of industry experts who will be sharing wisdom, inspiration and new ideas on how we can explore our minds and overcome these challenging times. Every Monday night, people from around the world can join their zoom webinars for free, to interact with each other, ask the speakers questions and learn something new.

From offering free rooms to the NHS and the homeless to transforming hotels into hospitals and providing donations of food and space; Hotel Designs editor, Hamish Kilburn, highlights the many ways in which our amazing industry is keeping the spirit of hospitality stronger than ever.

The industry-wide initiative provides healthcare workers and their families with heavily discounted or free hotel rooms across a number of regions. Hotels for Helpers explain, "the hospitality industry is in a unique position to help – it’s vital we do all we can for those on the front line against COVID-19."

Robb Monkman, founder and CEO of React Mobile, shares his insights on how some hotels are using the downtime to future-proof business. He explains "Ultimately, those brands which utilise this time to proactively improve upon their offering, support their community, and emerge a market leader, are sure to make a swift recovery."

Almost 200 hotels have made over 20,000 beds available around the UK for NHS staff and other vital workers. Beds in hotels across the country have been provided by venues, from national chains to single sites, to help house key workers being deployed to areas of high need.

After closing its doors due to government guidelines, Farncombe estate is offering reward packages to NHS workers. The programme allows people to nominate an NHS worker to win various prizes including posh dinners, spa time, and movie nights when the hotels reopen. The first giveaway has seen over 2100 nominations already.

Independent Hotel Show exhibitor, Giftpro, have introduced an initiative to support the hospitality industry through this difficult time. The Support Hospitality website is designed to help hospitality businesses connect with consumers by offering takeaway services and gift vouchers.

Free E-learning support tailored by CPL Learning will provide furloughed employees an opportunity to learn at home, focussing on four topic areas: wellbeing, product, personal development and hospitality.

In an effort to give back to the industry and to help hospitality individuals, Avvio has launched a free Hotel Digital Academy. The Academy includes self-learning modules, a range of webinars and guides supported by the Avvio Digital team to help upskill hoteliers.

With hotel occupancy running unprecedentedly low, operating a food delivery service out of existing hotel kitchens is a great way for hotels to bring in some revenue. But, starting an online meal delivery business requires a little time, and input from an expert. The Growth Works have partnered with Uber Eats to help UK hotels launch a functional food delivery business within seven days.