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Automatic

2871 posts

How Google’s new hotel bidding works

📈 Google ended commission-based bidding for hotel ads, shifting to pay-per-click as of February 20, 2025. Hotels now face increased financial risk as they must pay for ad clicks and impressions upfront. The change was prompted by stricter privacy laws and the decline of third-party cookies. Hotels are advised to leverage first-party data, prioritize direct bookings, and optimize ad campaigns to maintain profitability. Jenna Decker from Mews provides insights into navigating this transition effectively.
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The new hotel experience: blending work, comfort, and technology

🏨 On Mar 6, 2025, a shift in hotel usage reflects changing traveler preferences for multifunctional spaces, homier environments, and seamless tech integration. Hotels are adapting with versatile furniture, apartment-style rooms, welcoming lobbies minus traditional check-in desks, and personalized design themes. Businesses focus on enhancing work amenities, while leisure hotels prioritize natural, tech-free spaces for relaxation. The evolution caters to remote work and varied guest desires for efficiency and comfort in their stays. Details: [Hotel Dive](https://www.hoteldive.com/news/hotel-design-traveler-demand/741574/).
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Mexico to host debut ITB Americas B2B trade show

🏗️ ITB Americas debuts in Guadalajara, Mexico, November 10-12, 2026, announced Mar 6, 2025. Messe Berlin organizes the event to unite North, Central, South America, and the Caribbean travel professionals. 80% of exhibitors from the Americas and 20% from elsewhere. Mexico offers strong tourism infrastructure, Guadalajara boasts connectivity and modern facilities. The event reflects growing outbound travel from the Americas and features a conference with speakers, trend discussions, and networking. ITB extends its global reach after Berlin, Shanghai, Singapore, and Mumbai shows.
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Business travel trends 2024: Top destinations, routes, and emerging markets

💸 In 2024, U.S. business travel surged, with Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Chicago leading as top hubs. Texas, California, Georgia, Illinois, and Florida were the most-visited states. Business travelers frequently flew to London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, Munich, Tokyo, and Seoul, with São Paulo as Latin America's top destination. Seven European countries were among the top 10 international destinations. New York City dominated as the primary departure and arrival city domestically and for flights to London and Frankfurt.
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Sabre expands strategic partnership to drive AI innovation

💰 On March 5, 2025, Sabre announced an expanded 13-year, $1.56 billion partnership with India-based Coforge to boost AI-driven solutions and accelerate product delivery in travel technology. This builds on Sabre's 2020 alliance with Google for IT infrastructure migration and data analytics optimization. CEO Kurt Ekert highlighted Sabre's leadership in pioneering next-gen solutions.
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B2B travel set to outpace global economic growth

🌍 On Mar 5, 2025, HBX Group, parent of Hotelbeds, aims to lead the B2B travel sector, focusing on technology, strategic positioning, and long-haul travel, especially in Asia and China. HBX invests in AI and big data to improve travel experiences and efficiency. It complements OTAs by focusing on international long-haul travel. Partnerships and technology are key to HBX's strategy, with China’s rebounding outbound travel as a growth driver. [Read more](https://www.chinatravelnews.com/article/186162).
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Blended travel as a way of life

🖥 Blended travel, combining business and leisure, sees a rise from 53% in 2022 to 66% among US and UK travelers in 2025. Global YouGov survey shows 72% acknowledging its flexibility and enriched experiences. Crowne Plaza is adapting with new offerings. Benefits include remote work during travel (56%), growth and creativity (40% choosing new destinations), wellness (35% better routines and stress management) and cost-effective longer stays (70% value dual-purpose amenities).
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Amazon Alexa+ expands into travel

📌 Amazon launched Alexa+ on Mar 5, 2025, aiming to improve travel planning with advanced AI and partnerships with Tripadvisor and Uber. The U.S. sees an early access period before wider release. Alexa+ is built on Amazon Bedrock's language models, offering conversational engagement and organization, but lacks direct booking like OpenAI’s Operator. Alexa+ can book Uber rides, assist with travel research, but may not replace the human touch in experience-based travel decisions. Its potential in travel distribution, backed by Amazon’s data, remains to be seen.
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Shiji unveils comprehensive rebrand

🏠 Shiji, on Mar 5, 2025, announced a complete rebrand to unify its diverse products for the hospitality industry with 24/7 support. Embracing a "Day and Night" identity, the rebrand aims to simplify technology, enhance integration, and improve the guest experience by offering a clearer, more integrated product lineup, ensuring uninterrupted hotel operations, and a strong focus on innovation.
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Mews secures $75M to expand in DACH and U.S.

💰 On March 5, 2025, Mews, an Amsterdam-based hospitality tech company, secured $75 million in funding after a $110 million round the previous year. Investment led by Tiger Global, with Kinnevik, Battery Ventures, and Goldman Sachs Alternatives. Targeting expansion in the DACH region and the U.S., Mews plans to enhance AI-driven revenue management and guest experience, and to pursue strategic acquisitions. The company experienced a 50% year-on-year growth, processed $10 billion in payments, and made $200 million in revenue. Mews has acquired Clarity and Quotelo in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
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