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Automatic

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  • 2 min

Wooden Key Cards with Character: A New Option for Hotels

🛒 Since 2011, GCSTIMES has pioneered sustainable development, evolving from smart card R&D to sustainable material innovation. The company has five operational centers in China, the US, UAE, France, and Australia, serving over 140 countries. Their wooden cat-shaped key card offers a sustainable, tactile check-in experience, replacing traditional plastic cards. This innovation helps hotels differentiate their brand, combining sustainability with thoughtful hospitality to enhance guest experiences.
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Marriott faces backlash after Sonder liquidation

💸 Marriott faced operational risks on Nov 20, 2025, when Sonder, a partner in asset-light expansion, went into liquidation, causing guest displacements. Guests were informed that reservations were invalid, and refunds became complex since payments went directly to Sonder. This left travelers pursuing credit card disputes. The collapse resulted from Sonder’s financial decline, delayed filings, and integration issues. Critics highlight Marriott's misjudgment of Sonder’s instability, impacting its reputation.
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Wealthy travelers fuel a luxury hotel boom

💸 Nov 20, 2025: U.S. luxury hotel ADR hits a record $394, $168 above the next tier, up from a $60 gap in 2008. Luxury bookings increase by 2.5% year-to-date, with ultraluxury rates in Paris at $2,600 and New York at $1,560. Affluent travelers favor personalized experiences, larger spaces, and privacy, driving demand for villas, multi-bedroom suites, and high-touch services. Brands like Montage are expanding globally, capitalizing on heightened revenue and bookings.
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Deloitte holiday travel outlook shows rising intent but tighter spending

🗺 Nov 20, 2025: Deloitte reports rising holiday travel demand with more than 50% planning trips, but financial caution is evident as budgets shrink. High-income earners, surprisingly, are leading this conservative trend. Gen Z and millennials now make up about 50% of travelers, with the latter spending the most. Digital tools like AI and social media videos are shaping travel plans. Luxury travel persists, as some prioritize premium experiences.
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From room types to experiences — how AI is quietly rewriting the rules of hotel merchandising

🏨 November 20, 2025: AI travel assistants revolutionize hotel room selections by focusing on travelers' intentions rather than standard categories like Superior or Deluxe. Experience-based selling enhances pricing, demand, and direct bookings by making hotel rooms emotionally relatable and machine-readable. Hotels with rich experiential data gain a competitive edge, surfacing more frequently in AI recommendations. This shift offers branding opportunities, especially for boutique and design-led hotels, allowing them to showcase their unique identities and stories.
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Virtuoso’s 2026 luxury travel trends

🗺 Nov 20, 2025: According to the Virtuoso Luxe Report, luxury travel in 2026 focuses on meaningful experiences. 67% of travel advisors anticipate increased bookings, with 55% expecting higher spend per trip. Destinations are influenced by climate, with 45% of clients altering plans due to climate concerns and 76% opting for off-peak travel. Rising interest in Japan, Iceland, and Morocco highlights shifting preferences, and wellness trips rank as the second-most requested for solo travelers.
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Marriott details Sonder’s collapse and alleged safety threats

🏨 Marriott, on November 20, 2025, revealed Sonder's financial collapse, detailing rapid liquidity issues and guest risks. Sonder's cash reserves dwindled by early November, leading to potential guest lockouts. Marriott terminated their agreement on November 7 to protect guests and address global disruptions affecting 7,700 rooms. Sonder owes Marriott nearly $18 million and requested up to $28 million for wind-down support, which Marriott refused. Guest payments went directly to Sonder, complicating recovery efforts.
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  • 5 min

BodyHoliday Announces A New Global Leadership Team To Usher In A New Era Of International Expansion

🌴 BodyHoliday, a premier wellness resort, announced a new global leadership team on November 2023 to drive international expansion. The team includes executives from Fairmont Hotels, IHG, and Soho House, led by Andrew Barnard. A new property, BodyHoliday Algarve, opens in 2029 in Portugal's Algarve, featuring 175 rooms, a 40,000-square-foot Wellness Center, and more, set on 26 acres. Global wellness travel, projected to reach $9 trillion by 2028, motivates this expansion.
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Record attendance and industry insights define HOSPACE 2025 as Inspirational Leader award winners announced

📣 HOSPACE 2025, held on November 13 at Royal Lancaster London, hosted over 600 industry leaders, breaking attendance records. Led by Harry Murray and Jane Pendlebury, the event featured economic insights from Thomas Pugh and panels on hospitality leadership. Awards highlighted innovation, with winners including Jans Mazurs and Rebecca Downey. The event raised £2,403 for Hospitality Action. Supported by Access Group and Agilysys, sessions covered strategic challenges. Workshops emphasized tech advancements, available on the HOSPACE website.
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