📈 Vegas hotels slump, Airbnb surge - data tells the story

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Despite calls for a moratorium on resort fees to boost tourism, only Resorts World Las Vegas has removed them, while major operators like MGM and Caesars stay silent. Visitor volume is down 8% year-over-year, and July alone saw a 12% decline, with occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR also slipping.

🎯 Why it matters: Resort fees — often seen as deceptive or excessive — are turning off travelers already feeling price fatigue, especially when paired with declining service standards. The result: a clear drop in demand during what should be peak travel months, even as other destinations remain competitive.

🔑 Key takeaway: Hotel operators should reassess whether hidden fees are delivering more profit or pushing away guests. With the FTC now requiring full price disclosure, transparency will become a competitive differentiator — and those who cling to outdated fee structures risk long-term erosion of trust and bookings. Read More →

Trip.com Group has unveiled Trip.Planner, an AI-powered trip planning tool offering personalized itineraries with live data on hotels, transport, and restaurants. The tool integrates existing bookings and provides context-aware suggestions via an in-app AI concierge, currently available in English for U.S., U.K., and Canada users.

🎯 Why it matters: A lot of hoteliers and tech folks in my network have taken the view that OTAs are being distrupted by AI. Trip’s numbers and these kinds of innovations are proving that OTAs may actually be acquiring more power in an AI/LLM based future. This rollout signals how OTAs are leveraging proprietary data to create vertically integrated, AI-driven experiences that general-purpose agents like ChatGPT can't yet match. With real-time inventory and user insights, platforms like Trip.com are setting new standards for seamless, on-demand travel planning.

🔑 Key takeaway: Hotel operators must anticipate tighter integration with AI-powered OTA interfaces — meaning your pricing, inventory, and amenity data must be clean, accurate, and optimized for algorithmic discovery. As these tools become mainstream, owning your property's digital presence on major platforms is now a revenue-critical capability. Read More →

A new Bernstein report argues that Airbnb is better positioned than rival OTAs to adapt to AI-driven shifts in travel booking, thanks to its differentiated inventory, strong brand recognition, and direct consumer relationships. While AI threatens to commoditize hotel and flight search, Airbnb’s model, which is centered on unique stays and experiences, gives it insulation against pure price-driven comparison.

🎯 Why it matters: As generative AI reshapes travel discovery and booking, traditional OTAs risk being reduced to interchangeable price engines. Airbnb’s brand-led positioning and proprietary supply highlight the strategic importance of differentiation beyond rates and inventory. For hotels, this underscores a broader industry shift: AI will favor platforms (and properties) that deliver distinctive value and brand stickiness over transactional sameness.

🔑 Key takeaway: For hotel leaders, Airbnb’s resilience raises an important strategic question: should hotels list on Airbnb to diversify distribution and tap into its loyal guest base? With AI potentially eroding OTA margins and differentiation, aligning with Airbnb could provide hotels exposure to a platform that’s less vulnerable to commoditization—and already primed for discovery among high-value travelers. Read More →

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🌍 Amex GBT: Global hotel rates projected for only modest growth in 2026.

💼 Ennismore is weighing a potential U.S. IPO as lifestyle hotels attract investor buzz.

💳 Radisson is rolling out standardized payment framework across 600+ properties to streamline transactions.

↔️ Major hotel chains are drifting from Booking, favoring direct channels and loyalty.

🍽️ Research shows dining loyalty programs lag, with travelers prioritizing flexibility over points.

💰 AI startup Anthropic raises $13B at a massive $183B valuation.

⚙️ Expedia execs highlight tech partnerships as the next growth driver.

🔑 Mews launches digital wallets with integrated hotel keys.

How can embracing change and technology redefine the future of hospitality? In this episode, Sven Goosen, Chief Operating Officer of Yotel, reveals the transformative power of tech in enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiency.

Key Takeaways:

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

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