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Automatic

2864 posts

Booking.com’s countermove to rate parity

📈 Booking.com, on July 17, 2024, employs "algorithmic persuasion" to subtly influence hoteliers, rewarding those who comply with pricing strategies, rather than imposing penalties. This approach optimizes visibility for cooperative hotels, which could increase booking costs for non-compliant ones. The strategy's success hinges on each hotel's distribution strategy, thereby affecting their profits amidst a thriving tourism industry. Full details at [Digizando](https://www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4122913.html).
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U.S. travel prices decline

🏠 In June 2024, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) revealed inflation is decreasing, with travel-related expenses leading the drop. The Travel Price Index (TPI) noted a 1.4% decrease in travel costs, including lower hotel, airline, and gas prices, outpacing the overall economy's modest 0.1% decline—the first since 2020. This marks a positive shift for travelers, with current prices more favorable when compared to previous months, last year, and pre-COVID-19 levels.
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‘Passion travel’ is the future

🏖️ Conducted on Jul 17, 2024, a survey by Thrillist, Vox Media, and The Circus involving 2,000 adults aged 18-75, spotlights Gen Z's influence on travel. 76% of Gen Z and Millennials believe travel is integral to identity, with 88% citing personal growth contributions. Financially, 89% of Gen Z and 87% of Millennials prioritize travel, opting for unique, lesser-known destinations (84%). Passion-driven experiences are preferred by 77%, and 63% prioritize activities over flights for upcoming travel.
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  • 3 min

Flexible working set to get easier with Workabout | Startups Magazine

💻 Workabout offers flexible workspace bookings in the UK without memberships or contracts, featuring over 500 local and city-based options like hot desks and meeting rooms. Sign up is free, with pay-as-you-go flexibility. Partners include Landmark, Runway East, and others. The self-funded start-up, led by CEO Jeffrey Davidson, will add Teams and HQ management tools and expand globally. The platform supports hybrid work models, evidenced by a 2024 Nature study showing such arrangements increase happiness and productivity. A remote-first company, Workabout practices flexible working internally, catering to diverse needs and locations.
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Expedia launches new One Key credit cards

📌 On July 15, 2024, Expedia Group, Wells Fargo, and Mastercard launched two new co-branded credit cards, the One Key Card and the One Key+ Card. These cards, designed for U.S. travelers, enable earning rewards usable on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo; including hotels, vacation rentals, car rentals, activities, and flights. Cardholders receive up to 20% savings at over 10,000 hotels globally, priority support, and potential perks like complimentary upgrades at VIP Access properties.
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Lufthansa adjusts to business travel weakness

✈ Facing a "new reality" of lower corporate travel, Lufthansa, on July 12, 2024, announced plans to reduce costs and scale back future projects. CEO Jens Ritter described the situation as a market normalization with high competition. The airline expects permanent low business travel levels, with increased leisure trips, particularly in summer. This shift has led to difficulties in filling planes, pressuring airlines like Delta Air Lines to issue a financial warning for the upcoming third quarter.
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The future of hotel PMS in an omnichannel world

🏨 On July 12, 2024, the hotel industry acknowledges that an omnichannel Property Management System (PMS) is essential. Modern PMS must integrate with OTAs such as Booking.com and Expedia, hotel direct booking engines, and social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to meet the expectations of travelers for a unified experience and drive hotel revenue and operational efficiency.
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  • 1 min

Two-thirds of business travelers book outside of travel policy

💲 On Jul 12, 2024, a BCD Travel survey identified a compliance gap in company travel policies. Over two-thirds of business travelers have deviated from set policies, primarily for client meetings or using non-preferred suppliers. Key findings: 20%+ find policies unresponsive or restrictive, 30% desire more booking flexibility, 25% seek higher spending limits and extra airline options, and 20% advocate for improved traveler wellness policies.
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