Innovation

🍴 Wonder is acquiring Grubhub for $650 million, with the deal including $500 million in senior notes and $150 million cash. Expected to close in Q1 2025, the acquisition will integrate Grubhub's network of over 375,000 merchants and 200,000 delivery partners with Wonder's app, which features Multi-Restaurant Ordering from 30+ restaurants. Founded by ex-Walmart U.S. eCommerce CEO Marc Lore, Wonder has raised an additional $250 million. Grubhub, operating for 20 years, has a vast delivery network and loyalty programs like Grubhub+ and services over 360 universities and 10,000 companies.

💰 Decision intelligence (DI) combines traditional data-driven decision-making with AI and ML, transforming hotel strategies by predicting strategy impacts before implementation. Cloudbeds Intelligence analyzes billions of data points for dynamic rate suggestions and marketing. It integrates past decision outcomes, real-time market conditions, and predictive maintenance for operations. Cloudbeds Intelligence will be launched in 2025, aiming to unify departments for optimal decision-making across hotel management.

```html 🌍 ``` In the upcoming "2025 State of Social Media in Travel Report" by Beautiful Destinations, the travel industry's shift to digital and social media's pivotal role is highlighted. The report, publishing in January 2025, notes that online travel agencies like Expedia and Booking.com began the digital transformation, which has since been propelled by platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Beautiful Destinations itself, with over 50 million followers, illustrates this change. Studies show 77% of travelers use social media for planning, with 75% inspired by it to visit new places. With Millennials and Gen-Z expected to account for 80% of travel spending, travel brands need to focus on social media strategies to maintain relevance. Social media has surpassed search engines and traditional media as the primary source for travel inspiration, with users spending on average 176 hours annually on social platforms searching for travel ideas. Content creators on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have become the new influencers, reshaping travel trends and brand strategies.

🏆 On Nov 15, 2024, at Cvent CONNECT Europe, CEO Reggie Aggarwal highlighted the transformative recovery of the events industry. AI is advancing event planning with over 20 initiatives and 200 experts. Organizations now prioritize ROI, leveraging Cvent's platform for data-driven decisions. The experience economy thrives as demand for in-person experiences grows, driven by hybrid work trends. Reggie Aggarwal affirms the lasting impact of events for connection and community.