Karen Barr is the general manager of the newly opened La Quinta by Wyndham Parnell Auckland, located just outside the city's CBD.
As the general manager of La Quinta by Wyndham Parnell Auckland, Karen Barr has overseen all aspects of the hotel's operations, from ensuring guest satisfaction and financial management to team training, welfare and maintaining the overall quality and standards of the hotel in line with the La Quinta by Wyndham brand.
“I have over 20 successful years in hospitality throughout New Zealand, having worked at several different Wyndham-branded properties for the past eight years,” said Barr.
“I was motivated to join this hotel because of its association with Safari Hotels Group New Zealand and the reputable Wyndham Brand. Wyndham Properties is known for its commitment to excellence and sustainability.”
With the ongoing economic instability leading to decreased travel budgets and lower occupancy rates, travellers have cut back on spending.
She said the top priorities have been achieving market penetration with some competitive opening specials and activating corporate rates with its travel management company partners. To remain competitive, hotels should keep a close eye on dynamic pricing and focus on promoting specials and value adds.
“We intend to form relationships with the local business community via the Parnell Business Association and its B2B events.”
The hotel industry has undergone significant transformations in recent years, shaped by technological advancements, changing customer preferences, and global challenges; therefore, her team ethos has been about building trust and consistency in service for guests.
Barr added that AI will eventually impact all businesses, especially with Wyndham guests becoming more environmentally conscious.
“These changing attitudes are filtering into how travellers choose their hotels.”
Hotels can use big data to personalise guest experiences, enhance customer satisfaction, and build brand loyalty. With the rise of AI, hotels will explore incorporating AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants on their booking websites to reduce wait times, offer personalised recommendations, and streamline reservation processes.
Ben Schumacher, Vice President of Operations for South East Asia Pacific Rim at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, also mentioned that the travel and tourism market in Asia had been set for substantial growth, with an expected value of USD 326.20 billion in 2024 and a forecasted annual growth rate of 5.36 percent until 2028.
In 2023, New Zealand's visitors increased to approximately 2.96 million, an increase of 1.52 million from the previous year.
In addition to technological advancements and sustainability, the Asia-Pacific region has witnessed a surge in experiential travel, where travellers seek immersive and authentic cultural experiences.
The trend of leisure travellers blending business and leisure travel experiences has reflected a shift from traditional sightseeing to more meaningful interactions with local communities and environments. This strong leisure demand has been expected to drive revenue per available room in the region.
With a portfolio of 25 hotel brands and around 9,200 hotels spread across 95 countries on six continents, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has maintained a prominent presence in the lodging industry.
An industry-opening event will be held in early spring at La Quinta by Wyndham in the historic village of Parnell.
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