AHP has created a Digital Office dedicated to the hotel industry’s presence on digital channels in collaboration with SmartLinks.
The Portuguese Hotel Association (AHP) believes that “after two years living almost 100% online, in an increasingly digital and dynamic world, it was considered particularly appropriate to strengthen the digital performance and autonomy of members”.
AHP Executive Vice President, Cristina Siza Vieira, added that “increasingly demanding mastery of new online communication and sales tools is vital for hotels to survive rather than thrive”.
For SmartLinks CEO, Rui Martins, “the partnership with AHP is an opportunity to support the digital development of the associated hotels and help improve the competitiveness of this sector, focusing on strengthening our know-how and strategic approach to attract a higher share of direct bookings”.
Credits: AHP
The hotel sector and SmartLinks: digital connection
The pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation and the hotel sector’s presence in the digital world. SmartLinks provides consulting services and digital solutions, including Automation, Data Analytics, Creativity, Design, Strategy, Campaigns, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM), to optimize hotel operations in digital, marketing and online sales.
The partnership between SmartLinks and AHP dates back to 2018, with the launch of Hotelaria Digital by AHP. This is not the digital marketing agency’s only collaboration with the hotel sector. . From February 2022, Smartlinks will represent GIATA, the world’s largest hotel content provider, in the Portuguese market
See more here: SmartLinks is the official GIATA GMBH partner for Portugal
Applying for EU funding
AHP has also created another help desk, this one dedicated to management and investors. A partnership with NML Turismo, which will provide specialized consultancy services to AHP members. Its main area of activity will be the development and financing of projects applying for European or national funds.
Basic assistance and advice from the new offices is free of charge, in line with the disclosure of information and best practice to AHP members. Cristina Vieira da Silva believes that “these offices are the customized complement that has been missing in two increasingly crucial areas for the national hospitality industry”. The person in charge also ensures that “both offices are fully aligned with the reference frameworks of the PRR, PT 2030, Plano de Turismo +sustentável 20-23 and the instruments and programs mobilized by Turismo de Portugal and Banco Português de Fomento”.
