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Automatic
2868 posts
Why it’s time to rethink what it means to be a tourist
Tourism can simultaneously contribute to economic recovery, as seen in Iceland, and lead to the destruction of local communities and environments, contributing to global warming. McClanahan's "The New Tourist" discusses the dual impact of tourism, highlighting the balance between its benefits and the damage from over-tourism exacerbated by social media and climate change.
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How OTAs comply with California’s junk fee law
📌 In California, as of the week of July 4, 2024, Booking.com, Airbnb, and Expedia/Vrbo are adhering to a new law mandating upfront total price display, excluding taxes. Expedia.com stands out by showing the complete cost, including fees and taxes, while Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo only show the full rate and fees, not taxes, for California-based shoppers. The law applies to travel sellers and aims at junk-fee transparency.
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The smarter way to spend $1,000 a night on a hotel room
According to a Virtuoso report, luxury hotel prices have surged by 85% since the summer of 2019, making $1,000 nightly rates commonplace for basic rooms in major cities and popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast and the South of France. To get better value, travelers should consider boutique hotels that offer luxury at lower costs, with the option of larger suites that can enhance the feeling of luxury even further.
Article published on July 4, 2024.
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How “shoulder season” became popular with tourists
Travel companies are experiencing a rise in demand for off-season vacations between March-May and September-October to avoid heat waves and overcrowding. The Mastercard Economics Institute's report, based on transaction data, shows a 1.8 percentage point increase in off-season stays in the EU over the past decade, with notable shifts in Mediterranean destinations such as Croatia and Sweden.
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U.S. summer travel highlights economic divide
🏖️ On July 4, 2024, a New York Times report highlighted the economic disparity in the U.S. through summer travel trends. Wealthier Americans, buoyed by a strong stock market and rising home values, maintain travel spending despite inflation. In contrast, lower-income families face economic strain, even with a strong job market and increased wages for low-income workers. This divide is apparent as luxury hotels thrive, while budget chains anticipate declines. Summer travel showcases the widening income gap, with affluent households more likely to travel.
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IATA: Air traffic demand up 10.7% in May
🛫 The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a 10.7% rise in global air traffic in May 2024 compared to May 2023. Capacity increased by 8.5%, with a record May load factor of 83.4%. International travel surged 14.6%, with capacity up 14.1% and load factor at 82.8%. Domestic demand grew by 4.7%, while capacity slightly rose by 0.1%, resulting in an 84.5% load factor.
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Hospitality Technology Trends: How AI Is Revolutionizing Hotel Revenue Management
The hospitality industry is increasingly utilizing AI and machine learning technologies to enhance guest experiences, revenue optimization, and overall operations. The evolution of revenue management systems (RMS) has enabled automated, data-driven strategies that are transforming hotel operations, with sophisticated tools like G3 RMS proving successful in achieving significant year-over-year revenue increases.
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What’s a world without Airbnb?
🌃 Barcelona to ban short-term rentals by 2028. New York City requires registration and host presence during short-term stays starting September 2023. Berlin imposed a ban in 2014 but reinstated rentals with strict rules in 2018. Santa Monica and other California cities restrict or ban these rentals. Airbnb leads the market with over 50% of online bookings. The industry faces global scrutiny to balance tourism and local community needs. Full story on BBC.
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How to diversify hotel revenue
On July 3, 2024, guidance on diversifying hotel revenue was published, providing strategies to reduce business risks by not relying solely on room income. Key strategies include capturing blended travel, considering space as a resource, building a community, investing in food and beverage, maximizing upsells, offering unique experiences, and using hotel technology like Open APIs, security and payments systems, and data and AI.
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