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Automatic

2871 posts

Italy bans self-check-in key boxes

🏠 In Italy, self-check-in key boxes are banned nationwide effective Dec 6, 2024. Hosts must meet guests in person to verify identities, due to a security measure by the Italian Ministry of the Interior. Key safes are associated with overtourism, and now hosts must report guest details to police within 24 hours. The ban follows activist protests in Rome, where key safes were removed from walls.
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Luxury hotel demand grows

🏡 North American travelers flock to European luxury destinations post-pandemic; luxury in hospitality now complex and varied. Robert Mangan of Bain Capital notes trend affects all hotel tiers. "Lean luxury" exemplified by Ruby Hotels in London with 20 European locations, merges high-end amenities with efficiency. European luxury hotels see a 5.2% increase in average daily rate to $489.09, while the Middle East and Africa average $313.56, as of October 2024. - Source: HNN.
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Agentic AI top strategic tech trend for 2025, says Gartner

🤖 Agentic AI, identified by Gartner as a top strategic trend for 2025, is set to revolutionize industries by 2028 with 15% of daily workplace decisions autonomously made. Using technologies like large language models and machine learning, this AI can autonomously handle tasks, collaborate with systems, and anticipate user needs in travel and hospitality. It's reshaping workforce structures, creating new roles like AI trainers and ethics officers, while enabling humans to focus on higher-level decision-making.
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AI ticket pricing looms

📌 U.S. Senate criticizes airline fee practices; CEOs defend in D.C. (Dec 5, 2024). Delta Air Lines collaborates with Fetcherr on AI pricing algorithms; 1% of network affected. Senators question data use for price setting; airlines deny direct influence but confirm algorithmic pricing. Full story on Quartz.
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Booking Holdings cuts 60 jobs in B2B division

📌 Booking Holdings, on Dec 5, 2024, laid off 60 employees from its B2B unit, Rocket Travel by Agoda, signaling a shift in strategy. The layoffs, first since last month’s organizational change announcement, aim at streamlining operations and moving roles to an APAC tech hub, without altering the broader B2B strategy. Rocket Travel partners with over 300 companies, including American Airlines and Emirates, providing branded websites and hotel inventory solutions.
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Further solid air demand growth in October

✈ IATA reports a 7.1% increase in global air traffic for October 2024 compared to October 2023. Total demand (RPK) rose by 7.1%, and capacity (ASK) grew by 6.1%. The load factor reached 83.9%, marking a 0.8 percentage point increase year-on-year. International demand saw a 9.5% rise, with capacity up 8.6% and load factor at 83.5% (+0.6ppt). Domestic demand surged 3.5%, capacity climbed by 2.0%, and the load factor was 84.5%, up by 1.2 percentage points compared to October 2023.
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Top 2025 wellness trends according to Accor

🏠 Accor, a hospitality industry leader, forecasts 2025 wellness trends: evidence-based wellness, replacing fads with credible solutions; a rise in active wellness travel, including outdoor and sports activities post-pandemic; and heightened focus on brain health for ages 25 to 75, emphasizing cognitive function and mental clarity. Announced on Dec 5, 2024, these insights suggest a shift from relaxation to athletic experiences in wellness travel.
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The hotel guest experience of the future

📌 On Dec 5, 2024, it was highlighted that 86% of shoppers will pay more for better customer experiences. The guest journey has evolved to a continuous cycle, starting from the inspiration phase through post-stay engagement. Understanding and exceeding guest expectations at every stage is crucial for seamless hospitality and long-term profitability. Full story at Bookboost.
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Loyalty program partnerships are gaining popularity

💲 EY's 2024 Loyalty Market Study reveals 45% of corporate respondents aim to create a rewards ecosystem within the next year. Coalition loyalty programs are designed to broaden customer reach, adapt to online shopping trends, provide value amid rising prices, and appeal to younger demographics (ages 25-44) by offering personalized, multi-brand rewards. These programs are growing as a strategy to enter new markets, cross-promote, and enhance brand visibility. For more insights, visit Hotel Dive and EY.
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