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Business travelers open to AI for basic tasks

🛸 On Nov 13, 2024, an Amex GBT survey of 2,260 business travelers highlighted AI's benefits and concerns. 95% believe AI could improve travel efficiency, favoring convenience (44%), cost savings (43%), and expense management (41%). Yet, enthusiasm dips for AI handling personal in-flight services (29%) and hotel room selection (23%). Main worries are data security and accuracy.
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Hotel website personalization techniques that work

📖 On Nov 12, 2024, The Hotels Network presents an eBook on elevating hotel brands by mastering personalization techniques. The guide covers the significance of personalization in travel, various personalization tools, targeting options, and how to apply these during the booking phase to enhance guest experiences. It includes examples of effective online experiences that increase guest loyalty. Available for download at The Hotels Network website.
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Hotelplanner AI voice hotel agents take 10,000 calls per day

📢 HotelPlanner.ai's global AI-powered booking team, fluent in 15 languages, manages reservations at over one million properties. On Nov 12, 2024, it's revealed the AI agents are trained on eight million recorded calls and can handle a variety of tasks including checking availability, describing room features, and processing bookings. Supporting customers in languages like English, Hindi, and Mandarin, these agents handle 10,000 calls daily, with more languages planned for the future.
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Traveler preferences: Human interaction vs. digital in travel

🏠 On Nov 12, 2024, Phocuswright released a report indicating travelers favor human interaction for certain services, despite the rise of digital tools. Key insights reveal digital preferences for check-ins and bookings, but human assistance is chosen for tours and customer service, particularly by those under 55 and tech-savvy individuals. While mobile apps lead digital check-in methods, high-speed Internet remains the essential technology, and advanced options like facial recognition and virtual concierges are less sought after.
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The role of a Hotel General Manager is evolving rapidly

🏨 On November 12, 2024, industry experts Matthew Engel, James Flynn, Frank Otero, and Dakeya Christmas discussed the evolving role of hotel general managers. Essential skills for future GMs include a diverse skill set across various areas, proficiency in marketing, revenue management, sales, online marketing, promotions, and strong communication. These capabilities will facilitate meeting economic challenges, technological changes, and shifting guest expectations in the hospitality industry. Read more at Hospitality.net.
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Cvent’s 2025 Planner Sourcing Report

📈 On Nov 11, 2024, the 2025 Planner Sourcing Report by Cvent revealed 66% of surveyed corporate planners anticipate more meetings in 2025 compared to 2024. Over 70% manage their company's hotel program, with 87% focusing heavily on this task. Additionally, 49% spend more time on meeting room specs, 38% check peer reviews, 35% view property photos/videos, 52% rely on specs for RFPs, 47% prioritize visuals, and 80% expect RFP responses within four days.
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Expedia beats profit estimates and raises full-year outlook

📈 OTA surpassed earnings estimates and upped its 2024 bookings forecast to 5% on Nov 11, 2024. Third-quarter gross bookings hit $27.5 billion, a 7% increase from the previous year, with room nights booked rising to 97.4 million (+9%). Revenue for the quarter reached $4.06 billion, up 3% year-on-year but below the anticipated $4.11 billion. Strong international travel, especially in Asia-Pacific led by affluent Chinese travelers, contributed to growth. CFO Julie Whalen is set to resign by mid-February 2025, post CEO transition from Peter Kern to Ariane Gorin.
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Booking.com may cut jobs as part of reorganization plan

💰 Booking Holdings, after a 13.6% increase in Q3 operating expenses, is reviewing Booking.com for potential reorganization by end of 2024. The review, announced on Nov 11, aims to maintain agility and drive innovation within the competitive industry. Booking Holdings, with 23,600 employees as of 2023, is also upgrading systems and processes. Other brands like Priceline and Agoda are unaffected. Details are yet to be finalized.
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