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2871 posts

Inflation impact still curbing US travel demand

🏖️ Booking.com CFO Ewout Steenbergen, in a Bloomberg News interview on Dec 18, 2024, observes that U.S. consumers are delaying vacation planning due to inflation concerns, while European travelers book trips further ahead. U.S. market shows a split with luxury travel unaffected, but lower-income groups are significantly impacted, leading to a rise in budget accommodations and shorter vacations.
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McKinsey on how to build a customer-back business model in 2025

💻 On Dec 18, 2024, it was highlighted that successful digital transformation is not just about adopting new technology but also about creating a customer-centric business model. Key takeaways include the importance of having a clear vision and a roadmap to avoid digital transformation failures, breaking down the journey into manageable digital products and initiatives, and promoting collaboration between business and IT teams in small, focused groups of 8-10 members. More details can be found at McKinsey.
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U.S. travel demand reaches four-year high

🏖️ Americans plan to travel more in the next 12 months with a 7% increase from winter 2023, as per the 'MMGY Portrait of American Travelers' report dated Dec 18, 2024. Nearly 80% of U.S. adults show renewed enthusiasm for vacations, averaging a budget of $5,051 and over four trips yearly. Hotel loyalty program memberships are expected to rise by 6%, while airline programs might see an 8% boost. International travel interest hits a peak since 2020, especially during off-peak seasons for affordability and tranquility.
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How guest feedback can shape hotel pricing strategies

💰 On Dec 18, 2024, a TrustYou blog post detailed how guest reviews can inform pricing strategies and increase revenue. Insights from reviews enable hotels to adjust prices up by matching guest expectations with their experience. Integrating a PMS and RMS with a review platform can consolidate data to enhance pricing strategies and guest satisfaction. Leveraging technology helps properties refine operations, exceed expectations, and optimize revenue potential.
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Resort fees finally declared war by new FTC rules

📌 On December 18, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission enforced a Junk Fees Rule against deceptive pricing and undisclosed fees in event ticketing and short-term lodging sectors. FTC Chairwoman Lina M. Khan emphasized transparency, mandating all-inclusive upfront pricing, which prevents surprise charges like "resort" or "service" fees. The rule aims to facilitate comparison shopping, save consumers money, and encourage fair competition. Previously, total costs were often hidden on online travel agency sites until checkout, unlike many hotel chains that displayed full prices. Read more at the FTC website.
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SAP Concur’s business travel trends for 2025

📊 By December 18, 2024, AI advancements in travel and expense management will streamline processes, impacting T&E budgets and policy making. Companies aim to maintain 2024 spending levels into 2025 while leveraging slowing inflation. Key focuses include AI-driven automation to remove manual expense approvals, technology and security investments to balance innovation with minimized risks.
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  • 2 min

Influencer verlieren Einfluss auf die Urlaubsplanung der Deutschen

📷 A YouGov survey of 2,090 German consumers for Epsilon revealed only 8% want to be inspired by travel content on Instagram or YouTube. Over half (52%) find travel recommendations on social media and blogs exceed their budgets, with 18% stating costs are at least double their affordability, and 13% stating costs are thousands of euros above their budget. A third rely on friends and family for travel recommendations, with traditional travel agencies (21%) and travel media (17%) also influential. Young adults (25-34) are using AI chat recommendations (13%) and online forums like Reddit (17%) for travel ideas. CEO of Epsilon EU & Asia, Alban Villani, emphasizes the importance of realistic travel options and clear cost communication in marketing.
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  • 3 min

2025 Trends Forecast for Travel and Hospitality

🏖️ Amadeus and ILUNION Hotels report a trend towards regenerative tourism that benefits local communities and environment. Hospitality providers are adapting to "work from anywhere" by creating spaces that blend work, wellness, and adventure. There's a surge in nostalgia-driven tourism with travelers revisiting places from iconic cultural moments, and hospitality is integrating local culture to revitalize urban areas post-pandemic. Demand for hyper-personalization, wellness-driven travel, and food tourism is on the rise, with technology playing a key role in enhancing travel experiences. Sustainability-first itineraries emphasize biodiversity and water recycling, while local-first tourism focuses on authentic encounters in less crowded locations.
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The importance of digital keys in Apple Wallet for Hotels

🏨 On December 13, 2024, digital keys in Apple Wallet have transformed the hospitality industry, offering guests a streamlined check-in process and room access via iPhones and Apple Watches, eliminating the need for physical keycards. Enhanced security is provided through encrypted digital keys and biometric authentication. The upgrade to smartphone and smartwatch access aligns with modern expectations for a tech-driven guest experience. For more details, visit Fuel Travel.
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