Times of mergers, acquisitions and sales in the hotel industry are upon us

Venture capital funds, start-ups, technology multinationals and real estate investment companies, among many other agents, are going to take positions in a sector with a high growth potential such as the hotel industry, according to CESAE Business & Tourism School. In addition, the pandemic has finally driven out of the board those players who were already in retreat.

«The year 2021 presents investment opportunities rarely seen in a sector as consolidated and stable as tourism. New market niches are going to require entrepreneurs who respond to the needs of post-cool travelers," explains Alberto Peris, executive director and founding partner of CESAE Business & Tourism School.

It should also be noted that the processes of change that were already underway in the global tourism system anticipated developments that have taken the form of IPOs of technology platforms, mergers of tourism groups and other corporate operations.

The customization of the trip and the tailoring of an exclusive tourism experience, as well as the request for additional and private services, the improvement of search and booking algorithms, or the development of environments and natural establishments, will make it possible fornew players to enter the market.

 

«We must bear in mind that postcovid tourists have become even more demanding, so, in addition to comfort and services, they are looking for other factors, such as health, social distancing or freedom,», Peris points out.

According to CESAE Business & Tourism School, the hotel sector will be one of those with the most business options. The big real estate investors know the strategic value of these assets, many of which require a transformation or a repositioning as a result of the healthcare crisis and new travel trends.

The other area of opportunity lies in the technological platforms, whose disruptive proposals were already energizing the sector before the pandemic and which in 2021 are going to be even more important. In particular, Alberto Peris points out that «start-ups in travel and tourism experiences that are able to combine technological innovation and human capital for the benefit of the customer will stand out

.