Festive Season is Starting in 30 Days: How wi‑Q Can Help

The countdown has begun. In a month’s time, hotels, resorts, restaurants and cafés across the world will enter the busiest period of the year. Families are booking winter getaways, companies are planning celebrations, and travelers are eager to enjoy meaningful experiences. 

Recent data shows December holiday bookings rising by 21% in Australia and 43% in Germany, with additional increases across Asia and U.S. Guests are booking earlier, staying longer and spending more. Meanwhile, 65% of hotels worldwide still report unfilled positions. With just 30 days to go, how can operators from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Greece, the Philippines, the UK and the U.S. deliver seamless service at scale? 

A Global Surge Meets Global Challenges

Across the industry, we know operators are preparing for a wave of guests that outpaces recent years. With data showing that New Year’s Eve bookings are climbing in cities like Sydney and London. Travellers are spending more on extras such as breakfast packages or upgraded rooms, increasing the number of guest touchpoints — from room service orders to poolside drinks and corporate parties. 

Delivering on these expectations is challenging when staff numbers remain low. Many venues depend on seasonal workers with limited training time. Without streamlined systems, long waits and delayed orders can erode the guest's experience and reduce revenue. 

Digital Guest Experience: No Longer Optional

Hospitality has rapidly adopted digital ordering and payments. Escoffier’s 2025 Hospitality Statistics report that 96% of hoteliers are investing in contactless technology, and 77% of guests prefer automated or digital interaction. QR code use has surged 433% since 2021, with 62% of hotels now offering fully contactless options. 

Mobile ordering is now common across quick-service, casual and fine-dining venues. Guests expect to scan a QR code, browse menus in their language, and pay instantly, whether at a pool bar in Dubai or a quick service restaurant in London. 

When guests order through wi-Q Mobile Ordering, staff spend less time on manual entry and more on guest service. Digital ordering reduces queues, increases table turnover, and creates more opportunities to highlight festive specials - crucial when every minute counts. 

How wi-Q Supports Global Venues

wi-Q’s mission is to remove friction between guests and great experiences. Our Mobile Ordering, Self-Service Kiosk, and Order Management System solutions help hospitality businesses deliver faster, more efficient service ahead of the festive rush. 

• Rapid deployment: Launch Mobile Ordering in days without complex POS setup. Ideal for seasonal venues or pop-ups. 

• Seamless integration: The Order Management System connects easily with existing POS, PMS, and payment systems, including local digital wallets, ensuring a smooth experience across restaurants, bars, and room service. 

• Multilingual menus: Guests can browse menus in their preferred language and currency - essential for venues welcoming international traveller’s. 

• Built-in upselling: wi-Q’s smart features suggest add-ons and upgrades, such as festive desserts or premium drinks, to increase average spend without extra staff effort. 

• Self-Service Kiosk: In high-traffic areas, the Self-Service Kiosk provides an additional ordering point that reduces queues, speeds up service, and offers a familiar digital interface for guests. 

• Real-time updates: Instantly adjust menus or launch last-minute promotions across all devices, without reprinting or manual communication. 

A World-Class Example

Consider a coastal resort in the Gulf, where international tourists arrive for winter sunshine while local residents celebrate the festive break. A property like this could use wi-Q to streamline service - allowing guests to order in their language, pay with local wallets, and receive faster service. With real-time menu updates and analytics, managers can see which festive items perform best and adapt instantly. The result: shorter waits, happier guests, and higher spend per head. 

30 Days to Prepare 

The window for action is closing. Booking trends show that travellers are locking in their holiday plans earlier than ever. Adoption of mobile ordering, digital wallets and contactless experiences is accelerating worldwide. At the same time, the labour shortage persists. The only way to meet surging demand without compromising service is to adopt technology that empowers guests and supports your team. 

With wi‑Q, you can be ready for the festive season in days. By providing a seamless mobile ordering experience, you’ll reduce queues, increase spending and delight guests - whether they’re celebrating in London, Riyadh, Manila or Miami. Now is the time to act. 

Get started with wi‑Q today and set your venue up for a festive season that’s both joyful and profitable, click here for a personalised demo with one of our mobile ordering experts.

References:

Source: Festive travel brings guests: Hotel bookings skyrocket globally (2024)

Source: The Latest Trends in the Hospitality Industry (2025)