Westin Hotels & Resorts reveals a powerful rally-cry for travelers to regain control of their well-being on the road.
Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR), unveiled its first global brand campaign in more than five years.
The campaign tackles the disruptions, distractions, and unpredictability of travel and empowers travelers to embrace well-being as a way to regain control of their routines and be their best while on the road.
The USD$30 million integrated advertising campaign—called Let’s Rise—communicates Westin’s commitment to its guests’ well-being before, during, and after their stay.
The Let’s Rise campaign will be featured in broadcast, digital, radio, and out-of-home channels, with print placements to follow later this year.
The Let’s Rise mantra will also anchor the wellness programs and partnerships that roll out for guests and associates throughout the year.
Westin’s Let’s Rise campaign is inspired by and illustrative of the wellness and travel trends fuelling the future of both industries, as articulated in a new global study conducted in partnership with StudyLogic that surveyed travelers in North America, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and China.
The results show a seismic shift in how travelers prioritize their well-being.
With less time and more disruptors on the road, they are reinventing business and leisure travel to put things like fitness first with new vigor to pursue mindfulness and adventure.
Westin Hotels & Resorts Global Brand Leader, Brian Povinelli, said that “Let’s Rise is perfectly positioned to connect with travelers as more of a rallying cry than a brand campaign, given today’s overscheduled and always-on culture.
“Around the world, we are seeing travelers realign their priorities to prioritize their well-being, and Westin is proud to empower our guests to rise to the occasion and be their best selves on the road.”
Brand Campaign Challenges Travellers:
“Will You Get Up, or Will You Rise?”
Westin collaborated with San Francisco-based Venables Bell & Partners to develop a multi-faceted campaign consisting of multiple executions in which travelers take control of their well-being.
Illustrating guests enabled to wake up early for a run, stay on track with healthy eating goals, and find time to revitalize with an incredible night’s sleep, the campaign aims to connect consumers to the signature programs inherent in Westin’s DNA – from the iconic Westin Heavenly Bed to its workout Gear Lending program in partnership with New Balance® – all designed to embody the brand’s Six Pillars of Well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well.
Because morning is the first and best opportunity to take control of the day ahead, the campaign uses morning light as a consistent creative device to speak to the morning’s potential. Overall, the campaign calls consumers to answer a simple question, “Will you get up, or will you rise?
Global Study Shows Seismic Shift in Travellers’ Well-being:
The unpredictability of Travel Sees Stress Skyrocket in 2017: Guests around the Globe Turn to Wellness to Regain Control
In the last three years, rising wealth and digital connectivity have prompted a significant spike in global travel and the unpredictability that accompanies it.
It is no surprise that nearly 3 in 4 travelers report having trouble maintaining their routine on the road.
More than 60% say they sleep less, 65% say they exercise less, and 15% report increased stress levels on vacation, a time traditionally considered downtime for relaxation.
Also surprising is the growing number of guests around the globe who are turning to wellness to regain control of their routines when traveling for business and leisure.
Thirty percent of those surveyed in Germany and more than 20% in the U.A.E. say well-being enables them to feel more in control, while nearly 15% globally say it reduces their stress levels.
Almost one in four of those surveyed in Germany and North America say wellness allows them to be better in business; in Mexico and the U.K., 1 in 4 say wellness enables them to feel happier.
“Around the world, we have seen a shift in the way today’s travelers are incorporating well-being into their work and travel routines: from millennials, who view fitness activities to be more social than competitive, to business travelers who are shifting their preference from country clubs to running clubs,” continued Povinelli. “We have even seen honeymooners embrace well-being more holistically; in the United States alone, 80% of couples reported being more active and health-conscious during their honeymoon than at home. And, 40% are running together as a way to decompress, disconnect, and be a tourist simultaneously.”
Westin continues evolving its programs in lockstep with the increasing global demand for well-being and its holistic role in peoples’ lives.
This year, hotels around the world will unveil updates to the signature 24/7 WestinWORKOUT® fitness studios, reflecting the way people exercise today with more stretching, strength, and core equipment.
The brand will continue to grow its Gear Lending partnership with New Balance, giving guests access to workout gear without the hassle of packing it, and introduce additional RunWESTIN™ Concierges, who encourage runners of all levels to grab a running map and join them on scenic routes through cities, along beachfront and amid rural landscapes.
Known as the premier brand committed to helping guests get a good night’s sleep, Westin will introduce a complimentary Sleep Well Lavender Balm bedside amenity infused with the calming essential oils of lavender and chamomile. This is the latest in a series of sleep offerings that promise a better slumber for travelers, including the iconic Westin Heavenly® Bed.
This follows on the heels of a refresh to the signature White Tea Aloe Bath & Body products, which have been reformulated and redesigned to be PABA-free, paraben-free, and dye-free – leaving guests rejuvenated, revitalized, and ready to take on the day ahead. The shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and body lotion feature natural ingredients, including aloe, pea extract, shea butter, tea extract, and jojoba oil.
High Octane or Balanced Breathing: Mindfulness & Adventure Travel Meet as the Next “Tribe Workout”
Once reserved for a select few, mindfulness and adventure travel have become increasingly popular for guests to disconnect, reconnect, and explore a destination. Globally, the number of travelers planning adventure excursions in the next 12 months has doubled in the last 3 years. In Mexico, it has tripled.
Surprisingly, more than 50% of global respondents plan to seek mindfulness opportunities to clear their minds and center themselves during the travel chaos.
Propelled by these trends, Westin continues introducing programs, partnerships, and hotel positions that cater to the growing demand for guests.
Recently, the brand saw a new crop of concierges emerge, who are experts in high-octane activities from heli-skiing to kite-surfing at hotels from The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa in Mauritius to The Westin Resort & Spa in Whistler, B.C.
Surprisingly, many Westin hotels have also seen a spike in travelers fusing meditation with more physical activities and approaching mindfulness with a similar communal or tribe workout mentality. Yoga and meditation have been incorporated into high-intensity hikes and cycling classes by popular demand at Westin hotels in cities like Atlanta and resorts like Bear Mountain.
Striking a chord with another emerging trend, last month, the brand rolled out various adult coloring sheets exclusively available at 50 Westin hotels and resorts across the Asia Pacific. Created by celebrated illustrator Johanna Basford, who spearheaded the worldwide adult-coloring phenomenon with her 2013 bestselling book Secret Garden debut, the drawings are designed to help travelers relax, re-center, and unwind on the road.
Let’s Rise Anchors Westin in 2017, as the Well-being Brand Continues to Accelerate Market Leadership
Westin’s Let’s Rise campaign reinforces how the brand is uniquely positioned to cater to the ever-evolving demand for well-being on the road worldwide. Scheduled to open 50 hotels in the next five years, Westin will debut in emerging destinations as diverse as Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam, following growth in established markets, including Hamburg, Dubai, and Denver.
“Looking ahead, we’re also seeing increased intention to explore smaller cities,” Povinelli continued. “This aligns closely with Westin’s robust pipeline, particularly in the Americas, with openings in Milwaukee, Chicago, Sarasota, and Cozumel on the horizon.”
