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July 17, 2025

58 posts
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  • 2 min

AI Scams Are Changing Traveler Expectations—And Trust Levels

📱 Peter Piper Pizza, in Arizona and Albuquerque, NM, has implemented SoundHound AI technology, enabling voice AI agents to process phone orders efficiently. This system is operational across all locations, handling multiple calls simultaneously and allowing staff to focus on hospitality. The AI can also provide information on store hours, party packages, and allergens. Chief Marketing Officer Genaro Perez emphasizes the convenience this offers busy families, while James Hom, Chief Product Officer at SoundHound, highlights the enhancement in customer experience.
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  • 3 min

Why Fast, Seamless Connectivity Is No Longer Optional for Hotels

📶 Jady West, Vice President of Hospitality at Hospitality Network, highlighted at HITEC that high-performing Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity are now as crucial to hotel guests as showers and pillows. Cox Business research shows 80% of cellular traffic is indoors, and younger travelers expect flawless tech experiences. Hotels often struggle with connectivity, especially in smaller venues. Investing in private networks and understanding guest expectations through data can help hotels meet these rising demands and maintain guest satisfaction.
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Short-term rentals reshaping Europe’s tourism landscape

🛠 Jul 17, 2025 – Across Europe, tourism is increasingly dominated by short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, with guest nights up by 67% since 2019, while traditional hotel stays stall. Smaller destinations in Greece and Croatia, such as Santorini with 46 guest nights per resident, are experiencing significant pressure. Local infrastructure struggles with rising rents and water shortages. Cities like Barcelona respond with rental bans. New EU data-sharing rules help, but experts call for sustainable, less extractive tourism models.
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The Web without clicks

📱 Jul 17, 2025, AI is transforming online search, impacting content creators. 69% of searches now yield no clicks, up from 56% (Similarweb). AI tools like ChatGPT provide direct answers, causing traffic declines: Health sites -31%, Reference sites -15%, Science/Education -10%. Google-driven traffic for Dotdash Meredith dropped from 60% to mid-30%. Legal battles ensue, but smaller sites struggle to defend. Google reported a decline in Safari searches in April 2025, while ChatGPT dominates iPhone downloads.
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ChatGPT enters the checkout lane

🛒 Jul 17, 2025, OpenAI plans to monetize e-commerce within ChatGPT by introducing in-chat checkout, partnering with Shopify. This move aims to generate revenue from product sales directly on the platform, impacting free users. Shopify’s technology enables seamless transactions without leaving ChatGPT. This strategy challenges Google’s advertising-driven model and prompts brands to explore “AIO” practices for AI search. OpenAI considers affiliate models but currently avoids traditional ads. Enhanced memory in ChatGPT personalizes shopping experiences.
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Booking.com to cut 1,000 jobs in global restructuring

💼 Jul 17, 2025: Booking.com plans to cut 1,000 jobs globally, with Amsterdam being the hardest hit, due to internal complexity and excessive hierarchy. Despite a 37% profit increase to $5.9 billion, the restructuring targets 7,000 employees in Amsterdam, aiming to reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency. This move follows a prior warning in a U.S. SEC filing. More restructuring details will be announced soon.
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September rising: Europe’s new favorite travel month

🗺 Europeans plan robust travel between June and November 2025, with 77% intending to take a trip, despite economic uncertainties. Older adults (55+) show the highest travel intent at 82%. A shift to lesser-known destinations is noted, with 55% preferring them due to overtourism concerns. September gains popularity, with 22% planning trips then. Intra-European travel dominates at 91%, with Spain, Italy, France, and Greece as top destinations. Travel budgets remain strong, with 62% maintaining and 22% increasing spending.
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American Express Travel ends vacation packages after 20 years

🛫 Jul 31, 2025, American Express Travel ends its 20-year flight + hotel packages, initially set up with Travelocity. Why? To enhance booking experiences and card member benefits. How? By eliminating bundles that limited perks like $100 Fine Hotels & Resorts credits. Where? Amex Travel, still powered by Expedia, ensuring no partnership fallout. Minimal financial impact expected as few card members utilized these packages.
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