TOP NEWS

🛫 Business travel check-ins remain a pain point. Nearly 47% of business travelers face check-in issues, with 49% feeling stressed and 27% feeling unprepared for work due to these disruptions. Problems stem from poor communication of payment details, often sent separately, leading to confusion. With API-led payment integrations and virtual card adoption, hotels can streamline check-ins, enhancing efficiency and traveler satisfaction. The technology is available; now it's about commitment to implementation.

💸 Profit optimization is reshaping the hotel industry, moving beyond RevPAR to embrace full potential with metrics like GOPPAR and NOI. This shift requires alignment across departments, using AI and BI tools for better insights. LodgIQ, an AI-driven platform, supports over 550 hotels by integrating Revenue, Sales, and Marketing data, enhancing strategic decisions. As the focus shifts from volume to value, managers are adopting an owner's mindset to maximize profit, transforming revenue management into profit-oriented strategies.

🏨 From revenue to profit, the hospitality industry is evolving. Traditional metrics like RevPAR and ADR are being replaced by profit-focused KPIs such as GOPPAR. This shift emphasizes total revenue management, where every hotel department contributes to profitability. Utilizing AI and BI tools, hotels can now forecast profitability, not just demand. LodgIQ™ supports this transition with AI-enabled platforms serving over 550 hotels globally from its Silicon Valley headquarters.

📈 WTM, November 2025: The smallest floor yet allowed attendees to walk it in 20 minutes. Amadeus and RateGain were prominent, while others, like Cendyn and Sojern, opted for smaller booths but bigger discussions. SiteMinder hosted an in-demand party, now expanded from 50 attendees to many industry leaders, including co-founder Mike Rogers. The emphasis shifted from AI buzzwords to practical applications. The event was smaller in size but richer in meaningful dialogue.

🚨 On November 9, 2025, Marriott International abruptly terminated its licensing deal with Sonder Holdings Inc. due to contract default, affecting thousands of units. Originally a 20-year licensing deal started in 2024, it allowed Sonder properties to join Marriott Bonvoy. The sudden termination left travelers in limbo and impacted Marriott's 2025 room growth forecast, dropping it to ~4.5%. Sonder's market cap fell to under $7 million, causing its stock to plummet.

🍴 Barrière group reinvests in its F&B vertical, operating over 150 restaurants and bars in casinos, hotels, and independent properties. Hippolyte Gras, Director of Catering, and Julien Huel, Managing Director of Hotels and Catering, highlight the 2025 season's record performance. Gastronomy emerges as a central pillar of their strategy to enhance hotel unit volume and spending. Meet them at the upcoming Hospitality Asset Forum to learn more about their strategic repositioning.

🌿 Wellness in 2025 is a key focus for hotels, driving demand and boosting revenue through TRevPAR. The rise of multimodal wellness experiences, combining therapies like red light therapy and saunas, enhances guest satisfaction and increases upselling. Luxury brands like Canyon Ranch and Equinox lead this trend. IT roles are pivotal in automating wellness itineraries and improving guest personalization through CRM and AI. This synergy boosts revenue with minimal labor increase, making wellness a core strategy.

📈 On November 7, 2025, at the 8th China International Import Expo, SGS and GCSTIMES signed a strategic agreement. SGS issued their first ISO 14068-1 Carbon Neutrality Verification Statement in the hotel supplies sector. GCSTIMES now leads with a closed-loop carbon management system, impacting over 100,000 hospitality groups globally. Their sustainability efforts span five operational centers in China, the US, UAE, France, and Australia, with services reaching 140 countries. Explore GCSTIMES at Booth A2-02, Hall 7.2, CIIE 2025.

🛒 Hoteliers globally benefit from hotel dynamic pricing strategies which adjust room rates based on real-time market trends like occupancy and demand. Dynamic pricing is powered by advanced software systems, allowing quick fluctuation in rates to increase occupancy and revenue. However, frequent rate changes can lead to perceived rate integrity issues. Effective dynamic pricing implementation requires dedicated revenue managers and robust systems like SmartCONNECT and Sabee to ensure seamless integration with PMS and RMS systems and maintain competitive advantage.