In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating effect on travel, the hospitality industry banded together to launch Buy One, Give One, a "vacay layaway" program. The initiative resulted in the purchase of more than 65,000 room nights for future stays, providing immediate revenue for participating hotel partners, who then donated room nights to frontline healthcare workers as a well-deserved "thank you."

The program, launched by MMGY Global, the largest integrated marketing company specializing in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, in partnership with the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI), kicked off on April 30 and was available through July 31, 2020. It encouraged consumers to book future stays with a variety of enticing offers, from discounted stays, to gift cards, to loyalty points. In return, the more than 40 participating travel brands and properties donated room nights, gift cards and loyalty points to select charitable organizations, including the American Nurses Association and NewYork-Presbyterian. The organizations are in the process of distributing the equivalent of 8,000 room nights to healthcare workers for them to redeem for future leisure stays.

"During this incredibly difficult time, we were thrilled to see the positive impact made by the Buy One, Give One program as the hospitality industry continues its recovery and consumers start traveling again," said Katie Briscoe, President of MMGY Global. "The thousands of room nights sold are making a substantial difference not only to the hotel partners eager to welcome guests, but also to the healthcare workers who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and deserve a much needed vacation."

The travel industry has been particularly hard-hit by the pandemic, with nearly two out of three hotels at or below 50% occupancy and four out of 10 hotel workers unemployed, according to a August 31 study by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. However, the "vacay layaway" results paint a promising picture that consumers are eager to travel again as restrictions continue to ease. This is further bolstered by MMGY Travel Intelligence's Travel Safety Barometer survey, which tracks the impact of COVID-19 on the intentions of U.S. travelers. Its findings indicate that perceptions of safety in the travel industry continue to rise; interest in leisure travel reached a high in the early October update, with 45% of respondents reporting that they are at least somewhat likely to take a domestic leisure trip in the next six months.

"With countless hotels closed and hospitality professionals out of work the past several months, it was crucial that we came together as an industry to forge a path towards recovery," added Bob Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, President & CEO of HSMAI. "We take comfort in knowing that a meaningful contribution was made to the program participants who, in turn, rewarded healthcare professionals with a much-needed break."

To learn more about the program, please visit www.BuyOneGiveOneStay.com or visit the campaign's Facebook and Instagram.

Participants included (in alphabetical order):

• Affinia Hotels & Suites
• AMResorts
• Apple Vacations
• Baymont Inn
• Casablanca Hotel by Library Hotel Collection
• Catskill Seasons Inn
• CheapCaribbean
• Clocktower Inn Ventura
• Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
• Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
• Flamingo Resort and Spa
• Funjet Vacations
• Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
• Hotel Elysee by Library Hotel Collection
• Hotel Giraffe by Library Hotel Collection
• Hotel X Toronto by Library Hotel Collection
• Koa Kea Hotel & Resort
• Library Hotel by Library Hotel Collection
• NOPSI Hotel
• Outrigger Hospitality Group
• Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & SPA
• Pasea Hotel & Spa
• Rancho Bernardo Inn
• Red Lion Hotels Corporation
• Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Resort
• Rosellen Suites at Stanley Park
• STAYPINEAPPLE
• Sycuan Casino Resort
• The Beachfront Inn & Suites at Dana Point
• The Benjamin Hotel
• The Hazelton Hotel, Toronto
• The Langham Huntington, Pasadena
• The Langham, Chicago
• The Langham, New York
• The Meritage Resort & Spa
• The Moran City Centre Hotel
• The St. Clair Hotel Magnificent Mile
• Travel Impressions
• Vista Collina
• Wedgwood Manor and Glamping Retreat
• Westin Dallas Park Central
• Westin St. Louis

About HSMAI

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners and is the industry's leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as the Adrian Awards, HSMAI ROC, Marketing Strategy Conference, and Sales Leader Forum. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org, HSMAI Facebook, HSMAI Twitter, and HSMAI YouTube.

About MMGY Global

With more than 38 years of experience, MMGY Global is the world's largest and most integrated global marketing firm, specializing in the travel, hospitality, and entertainment industries. With nine operating brands across the world, the award-winning organization maintains a global communications practice in all marketing channels, serving many of the world's premier travel and tourism brands. As a company dedicated to the global travel industry, MMGY Global strives to create a connected, inclusive and peaceful world by promoting travel as a cultural bridge of understanding. For more information, visit www.mmgyglobal.com.

About American Nurses Association

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's 4 million registered nurses. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all. Founded in 1896, and with members in all 50 states and U.S. territories, ANA is the strongest voice for the profession.

About NewYork-Presbyterian

NewYork-Presbyterian is one of the nation's most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems. Founded nearly 250 years ago with the fundamental belief that every person deserves access to the very best care, NewYork-Presbyterian now encompasses 10 hospital campuses across Greater New York, more than 200 primary and specialty care clinics and medical groups, and an array of telemedicine services.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is ranked #1 in New York and #5 in the nation in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Hospitals" survey. NewYork-Presbyterian is the nation's only hospital affiliated with two world-class medical schools, Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Its 47,000 employees and affiliated physicians are dedicated to providing the highest quality, most compassionate care to New Yorkers and patients from across the country and around the world.

MMGY Global
HSMAI