SMEs success lies in leveraging data, technology to ease Covid-19 pressures: Pata

Digitalisation and innovation are key for SMEs survival as the travel industry emerges from Covid-19’s impact, according to a report by Pata, conducted by Twenty31 Consulting Inc and supported by Agoda, unveiled at the World Travel Market recently.
Pata’s research report “The role of Online Travel Agencies in supporting Asia-Pacific SMEs in Recovery” aims to provide insights to benefit small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the hospitality and tourism space that make up a large proportion of travel providers, as they pivot and adapt in the face of Covid-19.
With the pandemic dramatically changing how and where consumers travel, it is essential for hospitality businesses, especially SMEs, to adapt their operations to thrive within a digital global ecosystem, the report said.
The report highlights key areas where digital travel platforms and governments can support tourism SMEs in the Asia Pacific region.
SMEs are leveraging OTAs’ digital platforms to accelerate recovery. There is a shift in the dynamic of the relationship between SMEs and OTAs, with the latter being acknowledged and increasingly valued as a technology, data and marketing partner.
It is vital for SME hospitality providers to understand trends and reach new audiences during these times, the report said.
SMEs leveraging OTAs can reduce their top-down investment, especially around payments features, customer support as well as marketing efforts, the report said.
OTAs have also expanded opportunities for destination diversification, helping to drive tourism in second and third-tier cities, the report said.
“We have seen a real push for OTAs to do more than simply selling rooms. They are helping us with other services, and this is really helping us forecast our needs and drive more sales.” says a hospitality SME in Thailand.
The use of data insights will future proof SMEs as they navigate today’s ever-changing landscape of the travel and tourism industry.
OTAs are technology partners that are well-placed to help provide SMEs a comprehensive understanding of data insights to enhance their businesses, the report said.
Data insights can be used to optimise revenue through meta-search, machine learning, artificial intelligence, product diversification and platform centralisation.
“OTAs are now using AI tech to tailor offers to customers and that is going to be very interesting. This will likely allow SMEs to match our products and services with high-potential consumers and drive better ROI [return on investment],” says a hospitality SME in Singapore.
SMEs have called on governments to work with OTAs to boost post-Covid-19 travel recovery.
During this crucial recovery period, more private-public collaboration will boost travel confidence, where the local government can draw on the private sector’s commercial expertise to spot and create new opportunities to improve the industry, businesses and lives impacted by Covid-19, as well as stay relevant in the transforming economic environment, the report said.
“The government can do more to engage the private sector, especially around decision making and cooperative marketing,” said a tour operator SME in Indonesia.
The study also looks at the changing landscape of the travel and tourism industry and how OTAs have rapidly accelerated the growth in the region where APAC-based OTAs represent more than a third of global gross bookings.
“OTAs play a crucial role in the recovery process, where SMEs can leverage their data and digitise in order to adapt and build long-term resilience. We are optimistic that the industry will eventually recover with governments and private sectors coming together to ensure that no one gets left behind. We look forward to working with our partners, such as Agoda, as we continue to hear from SME operators and how we can advance the discussion around the future of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region, one that is sustainable and inclusive for all,” says Mario Hardy, CEO of Pata.
"Successful hoteliers use data and technology for price and marketing optimisation. Increasingly, many SME tourism enterprises find themselves on the wrong side of the tech moat -- unable to do complex data analytics and global marketing in-house. This report shows how SMEs successfully leverage platforms like Agoda to enjoy the benefits of technology to reach laser-targeted audiences in the far corners of the world. Agoda also helps SME hotels participate in several government partnership programmes in Asia. SMEs are calling for further collaboration between governments and tech platforms to help revitalise the hard-hit tourism industry.” says Greg Wong, managing director of global affairs at Agoda.
The report is available on the Pata website at https://bit.ly/32BJo8K