With a greatly reduced demand worldwide for hotel stays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some forward-thinking initiatives could benefit guests who are prepared to invest now and reap the rewards later.
A number of hotels are offering deals where travelers can buy gift vouchers now for future stays, which will increase in value by the time they are redeemed. One website, Buy Now, Stay Later, encourages travel enthusiasts to support the hotel industry through its “hotel bonds” initiative. This industry-wide program enables guests to purchase hotel bonds in increments of $100 (€92.16), which, after a 60-day maturation period, can be redeemed for $150 (€138.25) worth of value for every $100 spent.
Additionally, another website, Hotel Credits, has been established by Porter & Sail, a provider of guest services technology for independent hotels. Hotels listed on this platform are offering gift certificates, typically providing $300 (€276.49) for a $200 (€184.33) purchase. In most cases, this credit can be utilized throughout the hotels, including their bars, restaurants, and shops. According to Porter & Sail, “We can all agree that travel and hotel stays will come back at some point, although none of us knows when. These credits are sold at a deep discount to generate revenue for hotels. For travelers, it represents a major opportunity to secure a dream stay in the near future. There is no risk involved, as we will issue a refund if a hotel were to close.”
If these ‘invest now, reap the rewards later’ initiatives resonate with you, check out Buy Now, Stay Later here and Hotel Credits here.
Stay informed on the latest travel-related COVID-19 news here.
