Direct bookings, Anato 2025 and WeTalk
5 keys to boost your direct bookings. Plus: WeSpeak at Anato 2025 Colombia, the largest tourism event in Latin America with more than 52,000 attendees.
This week we were in Bogota, at Anato 2025, and it confirmed something we've been seeing for a while: the Latin American hotel sector is ready for the next step, but it needs clarity on how to take it.
WeSpeak at Anato 2025
Anato is the largest tourism event in Latin America. This year it surpassed 52,000 attendees among buyers, suppliers and industry professionals. We were there representing WeSpeak, sparking conversations with hoteliers from all over the region.
What stood out the most: the number of hoteliers who already know they need AI, but don't know exactly how to implement it without it turning into a never-ending project.
5 keys to boost your direct bookings today
- Respond faster: 70% of travelers book with the first hotel that responds. Not the cheapest, the fastest.
- Be available 24 hours a day: inquiries don't keep office hours. Your assistant should always be available.
- Personalize the quote: a proposal that mentions the reason for the trip converts far better than a generic rate.
- Follow up after the first contact: 80% of inquiries don't book on the first message. The follow-up makes the difference.
- Measure everything: if you don't know how many inquiries come in, how many turn into bookings, and where in the process they drop off, you're navigating without a map.
WeTalk: Revenue Management
Our next online meetup will be about Revenue Management. A practical conversation to understand how to set prices that maximize revenue without sacrificing occupancy.
If you'd like to join, reply to this email with "WeTalk" and we'll send you the details.
— Gonzalo Rioja
