HotelPartner x STA webinar - Profitable Growth in Scotland’s Hospitality & Accommodation Sector

Scotland’s hotel sector has continued to outperform the UK, with growth largely driven by strong appetite for luxury breaks in Edinburgh and St Andrews. The luxury market has started to venture further than Edinburgh and St Andrews, with Scotland’s capital increasing acting as a feeder market for Scotland’s high-end destinations. While performance outside Edinburgh and St Andrews has been flatter year on year, recent years have seen Glasgow and Inverness emerge as rising markets, raising hopes for the future. Glasgow has established itself with a strong events calendar, and healthy corporate demand, while Inverness, the gateway to the Highlands, has attracted development serving nature-led and experiential travellers. Geopolitical tensions have, however, encouraged an increase in bookings for domestic holidays this summer, which has benefitted the country’s spectacular Highland properties, while a drop in international guests caused a temporary lull in city stays. Long term, investors continue to display an insatiable appetite for Scotland, with capital deployed in both development and transactions. Once again, the focus has been on Edinburgh as a year-round destination, but increased interest in the wellbeing and outdoor activity markets has piqued interest in some remote locations. The pressure on energy prices caused by events in the Middle East has increased the tension around margins, with the tourism levy also adding headwinds, giving hoteliers plenty of external challenges as they attempt to create profitable businesses. The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) is delighted to once again be partnering with HotelPartner, a trusted market leader in revenue management and distribution services for the hospitality and tourism industry, to explore the solutions available to Scottish hoteliers to ensure that the market can continue to thrive. Whether you operate a luxury hotel, a budget accommodation, a boutique property, or a youth hostel, this webinar will share accessible and actionable advice on tackling challenges such as the skills shortage, optimising performance, and making the most effective use of technology in your operations. Speakers: Marc Crothall MBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Tourism Alliance Robert Holland, Managing Director UK & Ireland, HotelPartner Revenue Management Aoife Roche, Vice President, Sales - EMEA, STR Ian Stokes, Founder Urbannessie – past COO, House of Gods Cat Leaver, Director of Strategy and Competitive Intelligence - VisitScotland