Posts by author

Automatic

2871 posts

Booking.com under fire across Europe

💸 Hotel associations in 26 European countries are initiating damages claims against Booking.com following a significant European Court of Justice ruling on May 29, 2025. The ruling questioned the competitive impact of Booking.com's price parity clauses, originating from a 2006–2016 German case. Despite the ruling, Booking.com maintains these clauses aren’t automatically anti-competitive. HOTREC supports these claims, with a deadline for hotel participation set for July 31. Booking.com was not informed of broad legal action.
View Post
Share

What it takes to win in social media and travel marketing

📰 May 28, 2025, Singapore: At the Preferred Global Conference 2025, experts discussed social media's evolving role in travel marketing. TikTok's Eason Zhang and others highlighted the shift from linear travel funnels to dynamic, nonlinear journeys using platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and ChatGPT. Community and authenticity now outweigh follower count for influencer success. Experiments show creators can rapidly produce content, with a Parkroyal Pickering trial yielding 1,000+ content pieces. Meanwhile, AI influencers still struggle with engagement.
View Post
Share

Inside Booking.com: The untold story of a travel giant

📚 May 28, 2025, Amsterdam: Booking.com faced internal struggles, with CEO Gillian Tans fired in June 2019 and Darren Huston resigning in April 2016 following ethical issues. Despite its brand autonomy and use of the Netherlands' Innovation Tax credit saving $2.5 billion, public criticism arose from accepting €100 billion in pandemic aid while cutting jobs. Aggressive marketing tactics and an undisclosed 2016 data breach raised concerns. The company’s outdated tech and pervasive A/B testing culture also presented challenges.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 2 min

Global hotel giants 2025: Growth, grit, and geographic gambits

📍 May 27, 2025, global hotel rankings by MKG Consulting reveal aggressive growth and diversification. Marriott adds 123,000 rooms and reports a 4.3% RevPAR increase. Jin Jiang targets India, Europe, and China. Hilton adds 100,000+ rooms, while H World expands by 170,000 rooms. IHG acquires Ruby Hotels; Wyndham's pipeline is 58% international. Accor's profits surpass €1 billion, OYO adds 1,500 Motel 6 hotels, and Hyatt plans 138,000+ rooms.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 2 min

Trip.com’s next chapter

🗺️ May 27, 2025, Trip.com Group is transforming into a comprehensive digital travel agent by leveraging AI for personalized travel planning. Andy Washington, MD for EMEA, highlights AI-driven customer service and TripGenie tool. The company is experiencing triple-digit growth via hotel videos and influencer livestreams. China-EMEA connections offer B2B value, especially for premium hotels. Focused on a mobile-first future, Trip.com invests heavily in mobile and social commerce, supported by partnerships with brands like Hilton and Marriott.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 1 min

Designing tomorrow’s hospitality

🏨 May 27, 2025, at the Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, the 4th Hospitality Thailand Conference (HTC2025) emphasized future hotel design priorities. Hotels are moving from luxury to immersive, nature-integrated experiences, focusing on sustainability and community engagement. Christian Noret stressed local inclusion as essential, while Drew Anderson highlighted the importance of culturally sensitive, multi-generational spaces. Rory Brett advocated for Return on Experience (ROX) as a new success metric, shifting focus from aesthetics to emotional impact. Hybrid spaces must meet real emotional and functional needs.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 2 min

U.S. tourism business faces ‘perfect storm’

🗺 May 27, 2025, U.S. tourism faces a downturn during Memorial Day weekend's summer travel start. Projected $12.5 billion loss in travel revenue; international visitor spending down 7% from 2024 and 22% from 2019, recovery by 2030. Factors include a strong dollar, strict border controls, and “America First” rhetoric. New York City expects 400,000 fewer tourists, California sees a 9% drop in international visitors. Domestic travel increased 3% as Americans opt for local trips; major airlines cut schedules.
View Post
Share

Navigating new frontiers of hotel revenue

📰 May 27, 2025. Amadeus Hospitality outlines how aligning marketing, sales, and technology can drive sustainable growth and guest loyalty for hoteliers. Demand generation, a guest-centric strategy, focuses on building long-term awareness and loyalty. Key steps include market understanding, traveler attraction, and seamless booking, leveraging predictive analytics, omni-channel campaigns, and personalized experiences. Integrating data and automation enhances guest relations and revenue. Explore the full guide for insights on transforming hotel operations beyond room sales.
View Post
Share

How hotels must adapt to a changing workforce

📈 May 27, 2025, Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism: A study by Georges El Hajal and Erwin Losekoot reveals Gen Z employees prioritize flexible schedules, tech-driven training, and open communication. Focus groups suggest collaboration among schools, industry, and policymakers is crucial. These strategies could enhance recruitment, engagement, and retention in the hospitality sector as Gen Z enters the workforce. Explore more at Hotel Management for detailed insights.
View Post
Share