Sonesta International Hotels Corporation Partners with Thynk to Support its Global Sales Organization
New York – Thynk, the leading Hospitality Commercial Platform powered by Salesforce®, today announced that Sonesta International Hotels Corporation, one of the fastest-growing hotel companies globally, with over 100,000 guest rooms across nine countries, has selected Thynk to modernize and elevate its Global Sales Organization (GSO). By leveraging Thynk's cutting-edge sales automation solutions, Sonesta will empower Global Sales Professionals to deliver enhanced performance, personalized customer interactions, and more efficient operations.
Sonesta's partnership with Thynk marks a significant step toward optimizing their sales processes. Through automation of repetitive manual tasks, Thynk's platform enables Sonesta's sales professionals to focus more time and attention on meaningful interactions with customers, enhancing relationships and driving greater satisfaction.
The Thynk platform provides Sonesta with access to clean, customer-centric data and structured account plans, fostering deeper and more personalized customer relationships. Customized specifically to match Sonesta's unique standard operating procedures, the platform seamlessly integrates into the existing workflows of Sonesta's GSO.
Furthermore, the flexibility of Thynk's solution ensures it can readily adapt to Sonesta's evolving go-to-market strategies, supporting continuous innovation and growth opportunities.
We partner with Thynk to support our GSO with a modern sales platform to drive performance. Sales automation frees up the time of our teams from repetitive manual tasks, so they can focus on the human touch. Clean customer-centric data, including account plans, drives personalized customer relationships. The solution is easy to configure and thorough; it has been customized to match our standard operating procedures. It is flexible and will evolve with our go-to-market. Thynk's open API and ease of integration with our other vendors in our ecosystem give us flexibility, which is critical in today's competitive environment. Garine Ferejian-Mayo, Chief Commercial Officer, Sonesta International Hotels Corporation
Thynk's commitment to seamless and efficient onboarding has ensured a smooth transformation experience for Sonesta, setting the stage for immediate impact and sustained long-term success.
We are thrilled to welcome Sonesta International Hotels Corporation as a valued customer and partner. Sonesta's vision aligns perfectly with Thynk's mission to revolutionize hospitality sales through innovative technology. We look forward to supporting Sonesta's ambitious growth plans and helping their sales teams achieve unprecedented performance. Pascal Petit, CEO, Thynk
About Sonesta International Hotels Corporation
Sonesta is the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. according to Smith Travel Research (STR) with approximately 1,100 properties totaling 100,000 guest rooms across 13 brands in eight countries. Sonesta owns, manages and/or franchises under The Royal Sonesta; The James, Classico Collection by Sonesta, Sonesta Hotels, Resorts & Cruises; MOD Collection by Sonesta, Sonesta Select Hotels; Sonesta Essential Hotels, Sonesta ES Suites, Sonesta Simply Suites, Red Lion Hotels, Inns & Suites by Sonesta; Signature Inn by Sonesta; Americas Best Value Inn by Sonesta and Canadas Best Value Inn by Sonesta. Redefining hospitality through its award-winning Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program, Sonesta offers guests the opportunity to earn and redeem points for unparalleled value and personalized experiences. Sonesta Travel Pass members receive the best rates, earn immediate points towards free nights, and accelerated status progression based on stays. For more information about Sonesta, visit Sonesta.com
About Thynk
Thynk, powered by Salesforce®, is a leading hospitality commercial platform designed to optimize sales, operations, and profitability for hotels worldwide. By streamlining processes and leveraging intelligent data, Thynk enables hotel sales teams to focus on meaningful customer interactions and drive sustained growth. For more information, visit https://thynk.cloud.
Camille Girard
Marketing
View source
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hospitality Net
11 hours ago
- Hospitality Net
Understanding trade show impacts on hotels and hospitality
Occasions like large-scale conventions and trade shows aren't just about hotels; they drive powerful demand surges that ripple across restaurants and many other services. For hoteliers and service providers, this creates significant opportunities. Among these events, trade shows are powerful economic drivers. They attract thousands of business travelers and exhibitors from all over the globe. If you're looking to maximize revenue and stay competitive, understanding how these shows influence your hotel's demand and pricing is essential. In this blog post, we'll explore the wide-reaching effects of trade shows and offer our top tips for capitalizing on these dynamic markets. How trade shows impact the hospitality industry Trade shows spark a wave of activity and networking that significantly benefits the entire hospitality sector. Airlines see fuller flights, taxis and rideshares experience heightened demand, and local restaurants enjoy increased foot traffic. For hotel owners, trade shows are particularly impactful. They can drive occupancy to peak levels, especially when events fall outside traditional travel seasons. This influx of attendees, such as exhibitors, delegates, and organizers, creates a valuable window for hospitality businesses to boost revenue. By understanding and proactively planning for trade show demand, hoteliers can optimize pricing, staffing, and services, making these events a vital focus for maximizing off-peak profitability and long-term growth. Higher demand means increased room rates for hotels When a trade show comes to town, hotel demand will usually spike, especially near the event venue. As availability tightens, prices naturally rise. This classic supply-and-demand dynamic allows you to increase your hotel room rates, particularly if the event draws large numbers of out-of-town attendees. As a hotelier, this presents a clear opportunity to drive revenue, but only if you're ready to act strategically. To make the most of trade show periods, you should implement dynamic pricing strategies that reflect real-time demand and competitor behavior, something we expand on below. Proper staffing is also critical, as service quality must match increased guest expectations. Crucially, hotels should assess how a specific event will impact their property – those closest to the expo center or main venue typically see the highest demand, while those farther away may need to offer incentives or transport solutions. With the right preparation, trade shows can become powerful revenue-generating moments outside of a traditional high season. How 5 of the biggest trade shows impact the hospitality industry Trade shows draw thousands of professionals and generate major economic impact – and some have an outsized influence on local hotels. From pet products in Orlando to global travel expos in London and Berlin, here are five of the world's most influential trade shows and how they affect the hotel industry. 1. Global Pet Expo The Global Pet Expo positions itself as the premier event for the pet industry, presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). Held annually at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, the 2025 show took place from March 26th to 28th. It featured over 1,000 exhibitors across 3,500 booths, showcasing more than 3,000 new product launches. The expo attracted nearly 20,000 pet industry leaders from over 105 countries, including independent retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers and other qualified professionals. In 2024, the Global Pet Expo delivered over $45 million in local economic impact to the Orlando metropolitan area. While specific data on hotel pricing during the event isn't publicly available, such significant economic contributions strongly suggest a substantial increase in demand for local accommodation during the expo period. 2. New York International Auto Show The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) is one of the most prestigious automotive events in North America. Held annually at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, the 2025 show marked its 125th anniversary from April 18th to 27th. Showcasing over 700 vehicles across a million square feet of exhibit space, it featured major automakers like Ford, GM and Toyota, and high-end brands such as Porsche and Lamborghini. NYIAS attracts more than 1 million attendees each year, including industry professionals, media and car enthusiasts. Approximately 319,000 new vehicle buyers attend annually, with over half reporting that the show influences their purchase decisions. Clearly, this massive influx of attendees significantly boosts demand for accommodation in Manhattan and beyond. This surge often leads to increased room rates, particularly for hotels in proximity to the Javits Center. Wise hoteliers in the New York City area can capitalize on this yearly demand by implementing dynamic pricing strategies and ensuring optimal staffing levels to enhance guest experiences during the event. 3. Las Vegas Science & Technology Festival The Las Vegas Science & Technology Festival is Nevada's largest educational event, celebrating STEM through nine days of free, community-driven programming. The 2025 festival ran from April 25th to May 3rd, culminating in the Giant Expo on May 3rd at the World Market Center. This hands-on event features robotics demonstrations, fossil exhibits, interactive science experiments and on-stage entertainment, attracting nearly 10,000 attendees annually. Exhibitors include local museums, research institutions, universities and tech organizations, offering engaging experiences for families and students. While the festival's family-oriented and local focus may not cause significant spikes in hotel prices, its timing during spring – a popular season for events in Las Vegas – can contribute to increased demand for accommodations. Hotels near the World Market Center may experience higher occupancy rates during this period, so local hoteliers should monitor event calendars and, as above, consider flexible pricing strategies to accommodate potential fluctuations in demand. 4. WTM London World Travel Market (WTM) London is one of the most influential events in the global travel and tourism industry. Held annually at ExCeL London, the 2024 show took place from November 5th to 7th, attracting over 46,000 travel and hospitality professionals from 184 countries. The hospitality conference featured more than 4,000 exhibitors, including tourism boards, hotels, airlines and technology providers. Notably, 82% of attendees were international visitors, with many extending their stay in London beyond the event dates. WTM London 2024 generated an estimated £200 million (€238 million) in economic impact through local spending on transportation, accommodation and leisure activities. While specific data on hotel pricing during the event is not publicly available, the significant influx of international attendees likely led to increased demand for accommodations, particularly near the ExCeL London venue. Hoteliers in the area often experience higher occupancy rates during WTM, presenting opportunities to implement dynamic pricing strategies and enhance revenue. 5. ITB Berlin Yes, it's another travel and hospitality trade show but we couldn't really omit ITB Berlin from this line-up. Often seen as the world's leading trade show in its sector, it's held annually at Messe Berlin in Germany. The 2025 edition, from March 4th to 6th, featured over 5,800 exhibitors from more than 170 countries, attracting approximately 100,000 attendees, including 1,300 senior buyers in the ITB Buyers Circle. The event showcases a wide range of sectors, including tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel technology providers and cruise companies. During ITB Berlin 2025, hotels in the city experienced significant occupancy increases, with rates reaching 92.1% over the three-day event – a 9.1 percentage point rise compared to the previous year. The first day saw occupancy rates as high as 98%. Additionally, average daily rates (ADR) surged, often 20–60% higher than regular March pricing, with some hotels near Messe Berlin charging two to four times their usual rates. For hoteliers, ITB Berlin represents a prime opportunity to implement dynamic pricing strategies and optimize staffing to accommodate the influx of international guests, thereby maximizing revenue during this high-demand period. How to attract trade show attendees and drive revenue To maximize revenue from trade show attendees, you should adopt strategic approaches at your hotel. Key tactics include implementing dynamic pricing to stay competitive, offering value-added amenities that enhance guest experience and investing in targeted marketing campaigns to boost visibility and drive direct bookings well ahead of event dates. Let's examine each of these initiatives in turn. Implement dynamic pricing Dynamic pricing is a strategy that promotes adjusting room rates in real time based on market demand, competitor pricing, local events and booking patterns. For trade show periods – when demand often spikes – this approach helps hotels optimize revenue while staying competitively priced. Rather than relying on static rates, dynamic pricing allows you to respond to fluctuations as they happen, capturing higher revenue during peak times and remaining attractive during lulls. Dynamic pricing software makes implementation seamless, analyzing real-time data to recommend or automate pricing changes, reducing manual effort and ensuring timely rate adjustments. These tools factor in market demand as a result of events, forecasted occupancy and competitor pricing so you can maximize occupancy and ADR with minimal oversight. Offer value adds Offering value-added amenities and special offers is a powerful way to attract trade show attendees and increase hotel revenue. When travelers are deciding where to stay during busy event periods, thoughtful perks can make your property stand out from the competition. These extras not only enhance guest satisfaction but encourage direct bookings and upsells. For trade show attendees, convenience and comfort are key. Popular value adds include late check-in and check-out options to accommodate irregular schedules, shuttle services to and from the expo or trade show venues and complimentary Wi-Fi to support business needs. Suite upgrades or bundled packages such as breakfast included or discounted dining also appeal to attendees looking for a more comfortable stay. Tailoring these offers to the specific event's schedule and audience helps you build loyalty and capture more ancillary revenue, making value adds a win-win for both you and your guests. Invest in targeted marketing Targeted marketing campaigns are essential for boosting a hotel's visibility among trade show attendees and driving direct bookings. By focusing your marketing strategies on the right audience – such as exhibitors, attendees and event organizers – you can maximize your return on investment and avoid wasted spend on broad, unfocused advertising. To start, you should identify your target audience based on the specific trade show's attendee profile and geographic reach. Campaigns ideally begin three to six months before the event, giving travelers ample time to plan and book, while digital channels like social media ads, search engine marketing and email campaigns tailored to event registrants or local business groups often yield the best results. Partnerships with trade show organizers for official hotel listings or promotions can also increase exposure. And personalizing messages with event-specific offers and emphasizing proximity to the venue helps capture attention. Well-executed targeted marketing not only boosts bookings but also builds lasting brand awareness in key business markets and emerging markets. Find out how competitive market data helps hotels stay competitive Data-driven insights are crucial for hotels preparing to capitalize on event-driven tourism. Understanding market and industry trends, competitor pricing and demand patterns enables you to make informed decisions and optimize revenue. Lighthouse is a powerful tool that provides real-time competitive market data, helping hotels anticipate demand spikes during major events and keep on top of the latest trends. By leveraging Lighthouse and its latest technology, you can implement smarter pricing strategies, tailor offers and boost bookings, ensuring you stay ahead in a competitive market when major events bring a surge of visitors. About Lighthouse Lighthouse is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways. Trusted by over 70,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partners—their success is our success. For more information about Lighthouse, please visit: View source
Hospitality Net
6 days ago
- Hospitality Net
Reviewpro Reputation Supercharges Its AI Responses Feature to Boost Hotel Efficiency and Personalization
BARCELONA, Spain – Shiji, the global hospitality technology leader is announcing a significant upgrade to Reviewpro Reputation's AI Responses feature, turning what was once a tedious task into an efficient, consistent experience. With a single click, hoteliers can generate context-aware response drafts aligned with tone preferences, property insights, and guest feedback so they can redirect valuable staff time toward meaningful guest service. The result: faster, more consistent engagement and elevated trust with prospective guests. Just one month into a trial, HM Hotels used AI responses to respond to over 82% of 661 reviews received, with a response time for negative and neutral reviews under 2.7 days, with a 100% response rate on key platforms like Google, and Tripadvisor. Responding to online reviews is a key driver of reputation performance, but operational pressure often leads to delays or inconsistency. Reviewpro Reputation's enhanced AI Responses feature tackles the root challenge: the blank response box. By automatically generating a polished draft, complete with acknowledgment of both praise and critique, hotels maintain a high standard of responsiveness. Clients define their tone (formal, friendly, empathetic, and the new 'Business Casual'), preferred length, and signature template, and the tool seamlessly integrates 'Property Insights' to ensure replies feel aligned with the brand's voice. AI Review Responses is not just about responding fast. It lets hotels to efficiently respond in a brand aligned voice and frees staff to focus on delivering remarkable guest experiences. The new bulk generation option takes efficiency to the next level. It allows teams to generate responses for multiple reviews at once. This helps staff save valuable time and maintain full control over the responses sent. Rafael Patiño, Senior Director of Product Management at Reviewpro Reputation Key upgrades: Tailored Tone & Structure: Users now choose from enhanced tone options—formal, friendly, empathetic, and the versatile 'Business Casual,' which blends professionalism with warmth and ensures proper pronoun use across languages. Users now choose from enhanced tone options—formal, friendly, empathetic, and the versatile 'Business Casual,' which blends professionalism with warmth and ensures proper pronoun use across languages. Workflow Visibility: The new 'AI Response Generated' icon and dedicated filters enable managers to track which reviews are draft‑ready and which are live, eliminating oversight and promoting accountability. The new 'AI Response Generated' icon and dedicated filters enable managers to track which reviews are draft‑ready and which are live, eliminating oversight and promoting accountability. Bulk Replies: One-click bulk response capability enables hoteliers to generate contextual replies for 20+ reviews simultaneously, ideal for busy teams or large properties. One-click bulk response capability enables hoteliers to generate contextual replies for 20+ reviews simultaneously, ideal for busy teams or large properties. Intentional Co‑Pilot Design: Hoteliers retain full editorial control, with every draft reviewable and editable before publishing. These enhancements arrive at a time when guest expectations are higher than ever. As travelers increasingly pay attention to how hotels respond to feedback, consistent and thoughtful replies have become a key differentiator. And since the average response time globally has dropped from 10 days in 2021 to just 3.2 days in 2025, hotels looking to stay competitive need to align with this new standard. To learn more about AI Responses, visit About Shiji Shiji is a global technology company dedicated to providing innovative solutions for the hospitality industry, ensuring seamless operations for hoteliers day and night. Built on the Shiji Platform—the only truly global hotel technology platform—Shiji's cloud -based portfolio includes Property Management System, Point-of-Sale, guest engagement, distribution, payments, and data intelligence solutions for over 91,000 hotels worldwide, including the largest chains. With more than 5,000 employees across the world, Shiji is a trusted partner for the world's leading hoteliers, delivering technology that works as continuously as the industry itself. That's why the best hotels run on Shiji—day and night. While its primary focus is on hospitality, Shiji also serves select customers in food service, retail, and entertainment in certain regions. For more information, visit View source
Hospitality Net
6 days ago
- Hospitality Net
Sasindu Don has been promoted Director of Finance at Sofitel Dubai Downtown
In the ever-evolving symphony of Sofitel Dubai Downtown, a new crescendo has been reached. With quiet determination and a mind sharpened by precision, Sasindu Don has journeyed from Financial Controller to Director of Finance, orchestrating success with the kind of clarity and calm that defines true leadership. Since joining the luxury property in the heart of Downtown Dubai 7 years past, Sasindu has been the silent force behind its financial finesse. Under his stewardship, the hotel has seen record-breaking gross operating profit, a streamlined procurement process that trimmed costs without compromising luxury, and the implementation of a real-time forecasting model that transformed the decision-making landscape across departments. But numbers alone don't capture Sasindu's legacy. A respected collaborator and mentor, he introduced dynamic reporting tools that empowered department heads with greater financial autonomy, building bridges between finance and operations in a way that felt both modern and human. His ability to balance bottom-line focus with top-tier guest experience made him not just a financial steward, but a true custodian of the brand's soul. In his new role, Sasindu will continue to chart the financial future of Sofitel Dubai Downtown, aligning commercial strategy with the hotel's audacious spirit and refined elegance. He will oversee forecasting, budgeting, compliance, and investment strategy, with an eye on long-term growth and resilience. With this new chapter, Sofitel Dubai Downtown reaffirms its belief in cultivating talent from within, honouring those who don't just manage luxury, but who live it.
