👋 Hotel CEOs Ditch Brands

🧠 Expedia’s CMO shares how AI and search innovation are reshaping marketing and trip planning strategies.

📈 Actabl launches ProfitOwner, a real-time BI platform for hotel ownership groups to boost performance.

⚠️ Barry Sternlicht warns big hotel chains: ‘indie brands are coming for you’.

📱 Mobile bookings now dominate UK travel market (46% of online bookings), pressuring hotels to improve digital experiences.

🧹 China’s Zerith H1 humanoid robot automates housekeeping, signaling rapid AI advances in hotel operations.

💰 OTAs increased Q1 2025 marketing spend, intensifying competition for direct bookings and traveler attention.

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At the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum, leaders from Hilton, Hyatt, IHG and others spotlighted key growth areas including soft brands, luxury conversions, and extended-stay offerings. CEOs emphasized the power of AI to drive efficiencies and guest personalization, while also acknowledging challenges like labor shortages, high interest rates, and rising construction costs. Despite economic headwinds, the tone was bullish, with leaders pointing to a resilient consumer and sustained appetite for travel.

🎯 Why it matters: Even independent hotels and smaller chains can jump on the same trends that the big brands are betting on. CEOs highlighted AI’s potential to streamline back-office tasks, improve guest personalization, and support revenue management. And soft brands, particularly in the "premium economy" segment — properties with streamlined service but upgraded design — are gaining traction in many markets.

🔑 Key takeaway: For owners and operators, following the money means thinking lean, smart, and niche. Growth is likely to come from repositioning older assets into branded extended stay or lifestyle offerings — supported by AI-driven operations and loyalty engines. Don’t wait to adapt; the playbook is being written now. Read More →

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned that generative AI could eliminate up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs in the next five years, potentially pushing U.S. unemployment to 20%. His concern: today’s AI systems already perform many clerical, legal, and programming tasks with human-level efficiency, and capabilities are accelerating. While some regulators and ethicists focus on long-term risks, Amodei is sounding the alarm about imminent labor market disruption, particularly for knowledge work.

🎯 Why it matters: The AI wave isn’t just a tech story — it’s a workforce upheaval. For hospitality leaders, this means entry-level functions like guest communications, reservations, and revenue management will increasingly be automated. But it also means a broader talent reset: employees may face fewer traditional pathways into corporate roles, while those who remain will need new hybrid skills combining tech fluency with human judgment.

🔑 Key takeaway: This is a wake-up call for hoteliers to rethink workforce planning from the top down. Hoteliers should move now to retrain staff, reimagine org charts, and embrace AI tools to stay ahead of the shift. Consider defining which roles truly need human interaction and work toward automating the rest. Read More →

A coalition of European hotels is pursuing a class action lawsuit against Booking.com, aiming to recover potentially billions of euros in overpaid commissions. This legal action follows a 2024 European Court of Justice ruling that questioned the necessity of the OTA's price parity clauses. While the court did not deem these clauses anti-competitive under EU law, it highlighted concerns about their impact on market competition. ​

🎯 Why it matters: This lawsuit could significantly alter the dynamics between hotels and OTAs. A favorable outcome for the hotels may lead to increased autonomy in pricing strategies and reduced dependency on dominant OTAs like Booking.com. It also signals a growing pushback against practices perceived as limiting competition and inflating costs for hoteliers.

🔑 Key takeaway: Hoteliers should monitor this case closely, as its outcome may open avenues for more flexible pricing and distribution strategies. It's an opportune moment to reassess contractual agreements with OTAs and explore diversified channels to grow direct booking share and profitability. Read More →

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✅ Canary Technologies: Powerful but simple AI powered digital guest journey platform.

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✅ MeetingPackage: Simplify MICE bookings and boost event revenue.

🎯 Hotels shift loyalty programs beyond points, focusing on personalization and lifestyle relevance to drive retention.

👥 Hotel labor market nears stability after prolonged post-pandemic shortages, easing pressure on staffing operations.

🏨 Sweden’s Pandox leads $1.48B bid to acquire Dalata, expanding presence in Ireland’s hotel market.

🍽️ AI agents are starting to shape dining choices, with potential to disrupt hotel F&B strategies.

💳 eTip rolls out debit payroll card, offering tipped hotel workers instant access to their earnings.

📉 STR and Tourism Economics downgrade U.S. hotel performance forecasts through 2026 amid slower demand growth.

🧳 Hyatt launches “Unscripted by Hyatt,” a brand targeting younger travelers seeking immersive local experiences.

🏛️ Hotels back bipartisan bill to make tips tax-free, aiming to boost worker take-home pay.

📊 Wyndham’s first Owner Trends Report cites strong brand value, optimistic long-term outlook for hotel investors.

🤖 HiJiffy debuts AI-powered hotel chatbot with instant updates and unlimited property-specific knowledge.

🧓 “Forever Guests” trend grows as hotels target long-stay and wellness-minded older travelers for higher margins.

✨ Luxury hotels embrace tech—like AR, AI, and digital twins—to redefine brand identity and guest value.

🌏 Marriott targets aggressive India expansion, aiming to operate in 90 cities by 2026.

How can technology enhance genuine human connection in hospitality? In this episode, William Costley, COO of Time Hotels, reveals how the right tech stack can empower teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences while maintaining a strong service culture.

Key Takeaways:

👉🏼 Check out the interview on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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