TOP NEWS

1748 posts

[[ 18 ]]

Casago selects new franchise partner to manage 50+ Vacasa vacation homes in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

🏡 September 19, 2025, Coeur d’Alene, ID: Casago Unwind, led by Edward and Michele Johnson, now manages over 50 Vacasa vacation rentals. The transition follows Casago's acquisition of Vacasa and showcases their franchise model. Casago's expansion spans the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, with nearly 95% of partners as Airbnb Superhosts or VRBO Premier Partners. CEO Steve Schwab emphasizes local expertise combined with global support for enhanced guest experiences.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 1 min

Airbnb isn’t growing fast enough, says its CEO

📈 Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky plans to rejuvenate the company. By September 2025, Airbnb's growth slowed to 8-10% in Q3, missing the target of double-digit expansion. Chesky aims to expand by relaunching Experiences, adding boutique hotels with competitive 15.5% commission rates, and targeting growth in underpenetrated international markets. With 70% of business in just five markets, Airbnb seeks to diversify into a multi-business platform with 10-15 distinct offerings by 2026 and beyond.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 4 min

Winning the World Cup of Demand: A Revenue Management Playbook for Major Events – LodgIQ

🏆 World Cup host cities face a demand surge with stadiums accommodating 50,000 to 80,000 fans and local hotel capacities sometimes as low as 13,000 rooms. Revenue managers should employ strategies such as building match-day calendars, measuring supply vs. demand, enforcing strong booking policies, optimizing length of stay, packaging experiences, channel management, monitoring booking curves, analyzing competition, evaluating group deals, preparing operations, and leveraging AI. These approaches help hotels maximize revenue and ensure guest satisfaction.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 1 min

The one question that tripled our Direct Bookings… “Do you work with creators?” That was one of the first Instagram DMs I intercepted as the new Head of Marketing at a startup treehouse… | Sarah Stahl | 24 comments

🌳 Hosted creators at a treehouse resort weekly. Over two years, 93% direct bookings achieved, generating $1M+ in sales by collaborating with creators. Initial disorganization gave way to a refined strategy with structured agreements. This approach significantly accelerated brand growth. The key takeaway: embrace experimentation, adjusting strategies as you progress. This method is now being used to scale direct bookings across multiple properties.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 1 min

Digital Transformation at Pfalzblick Wald Spa Resort with Shiji

🏖 Imagine a guest checking in with a single tap in Dahn, Germany. Pfalzblick Wald Spa Resort, a four-star superior wellness retreat, revolutionized its operations by implementing Shiji’s Daylight PMS and Meridian Experiences. This transformation unified spa, dining, housekeeping, and guest engagement systems, creating one of Europe’s most connected hotel operations. The resort boasts a natural swimming pond of 1,500 m² and gardens spanning 61,000 m², enhancing personalized guest experiences. General Manager Volker Zimmermeier shared insights on this digital leap.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 7 min

What is ORM, and why does it matter to hotels (now more than ever)?

📈 In 2025, online reputation management (ORM) is crucial for hotels as fast-spreading reviews influence booking decisions. A 2024 study by Accor shows 76% of European travelers read online reviews before booking. Tools like GuestRevu help hotels manage feedback. AI-generated summaries now impact hotel discoverability, with reviews playing a significant role. Cornell University research indicates a one-point increase in review scores can raise prices by 11.2% without losing occupancy. Balancing AI tool use with personal touch is essential for effective ORM.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 2 min

Interview with Morten Dahlin, Danish Minister for Tourism

🌍 Denmark, 1 July 2025, EU Presidency: Denmark aims to boost Europe's tourism sector, emphasizing economic viability and harmony with communities and the environment. Tourism is Denmark's fourth largest export industry. The Presidency supports the EU's 2026 sustainable tourism strategy, involving SMEs and stakeholders in its development. Workforce issues in tourism are a focus, with continued dialogue on creating jobs and enhancing sector resilience.
View Post
Share

Hotels adapt to the rise of bleisure travel

🏨 Sep 18, 2025, the global bleisure market, valued at USD 685.2 billion in 2024, is set to double by 2032. Hotels worldwide are adapting to this trend by offering flexible stays with extended bookings and work-ready rooms. Wellness amenities, from gyms to meditation rooms, are becoming standard. Authentic local experiences and tech conveniences like mobile check-ins enhance guest stays. Future innovations focus on sustainability, personalization, and local partnerships.
View Post
Share

Kayak bets on AI search to change booking behavior

💻 Sep 18, 2025: Kayak will launch an AI-powered natural language search tool in two weeks, aiming to simplify travel bookings via conversational requests. Despite 80% of companies using generative AI, per McKinsey, most see no direct revenue gains. Marriott found AI helpful for engagement but not conversions. The challenge remains in shifting travelers from traditional searches to AI planning, with future prospects in autonomous "agentic AI" for managing bookings. Kayak aims to retain users within its platform.
View Post
Share