🍊Are OTAs squeezing hotels even harder in 2024? Here’s what’s changing.

Insider Highlights

• Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands bought by Oyo

• Guests can now earn and redeem crypto at Accor properties

• Latin American OTA Despegar acquired for $1.7 billion

• Hyatt leans into Instagram to appeal to guests’ emotions

• AI may usher in the end of online travel listings

• 🔦 How ultra-high-end Edwardian Hotels leverages technology

+ Much more!

📊 Elevate Your Hotel’s Performance Benchmarking

Curious how your hotel stacks up against the competition? BenchDirect by The Hotels Network makes it effortless to analyze, compare, and optimize your performance—all without:

❌ Hours spent gathering competitive market data
❌ Unclear metrics that leave you guessing
❌ Missed opportunities from delayed insights

🌟 BenchDirect gives you free, real-time access to advanced benchmarking tools, empowering you with actionable insights to stay ahead in your market.

👉 Discover Smarter Benchmarking Today

3 TOP NEWS STORIES

1. Lark Hotels and Life House Team Up

Lark Hotels has announced a joint venture with Life House, forming Lark Hospitality LLC to manage nearly 100 boutique properties across the U.S., Hawaii, and Mexico. This partnership combines Lark’s lifestyle brands with Life House’s operational muscle, creating a hospitality umbrella with $1 billion in assets under management and annual revenue exceeding $150 million.

🎯 Why it matters: Scaling an independent and boutique hotel company requires operational efficiency and distinctive brand identities. This joint venture gives Lark and Life House a better chance at success by allowing each other to leverage their technology, loyalty programs, and economies of scale.

🔑 Key takeaway: Hoteliers operating in the under-150-keys segment must adapt to meet rising guest demand for unique, personalized stays. Partnerships like this demonstrate how combining operational scale with creative brand development can unlock growth opportunities while maintaining a guest-centric focus. Read More →

2. Cash In Your Crypto And Get Accor Loyalty Points

Crypto.com Pay has partnered with Accor to enable guests to convert cryptocurrency into Accor’s Live Limitless loyalty points. This partnership offers crypto users a seamless way to earn rewards while expanding Accor’s appeal to tech-savvy travelers.

🎯 Why it matters: As blockchain technology gains traction, integrating crypto into loyalty ecosystems signals the future of guest engagement. This partnership positions Accor as a forward-thinking leader in the hospitality sector, catering to a growing demographic of crypto users while enhancing loyalty program value.

🔑 Key takeaway: Hospitality executives should explore blockchain applications that align with guest trends. Initiatives like this demonstrate how crypto can drive customer engagement, attract new audiences, and future-proof loyalty programs in an evolving digital economy. Read More →

3. Hyatt Turns To Instagram For Emotional Connections

Hyatt is doubling down on Instagram to connect with travelers on an emotional level and drive global market growth. By using the platform’s visual storytelling capabilities, Hyatt is reaching younger audiences, fostering community engagement, and positioning its brands as lifestyle-driven destinations.

🎯 Why it matters: Social media, especially Instagram, has become a vital tool for hospitality brands to build loyalty and influence booking decisions. Hyatt’s focus on authentic, visually engaging content reflects a broader trend of leveraging social platforms to create meaningful connections with travelers.

🔑 Key takeaway: Hoteliers must prioritize platforms like Instagram to capture guest attention and build emotional resonance. Developing a robust social media strategy that aligns with brand values and guest aspirations is essential for staying competitive in today’s digital-first landscape. Read More →

AROUND THE HOTEL INDUSTRY

Things Worth Checking Out

🇦🇷 Prosus buys Despegar for $1.7B, expanding its footprint in Latin America's travel sector.

🔐 FTC mandates Marriott to enhance data security following breaches affecting over 344 million guests.

🏨 Oyo acquires G6 Hospitality, including 1,500 Motel 6 and Studio 6 properties across the U.S. and Canada.

🤖 AI tops restaurant trends in 2024, automating tasks from order taking to marketing, while kiosks gain popularity.

🎰 Immediately after leaving IHG Rewards, The Venetian joins World of Hyatt, allowing guests to earn and redeem Hyatt points.

👀 Will AI transform travel booking, replacing traditional listings with personalized recommendations?

🎓 Choice Hotels launches ChoiceU, offering various hotel management courses for operators.

🌎 Remote Year, a pioneer in digital nomad travel programs, shuts down after nearly a decade, following its acquisition by Collective Hospitality.

HOTELIER SPOTLIGHT
🎙 Edwardian Hotels' VP on Tech's Role in Ultra Luxury

How can luxury hotels redefine the guest experience by transforming check-in and check-out into a more personalized journey? In this episode, Kris Leszczynski, Group GM at London based Edwardian Hotels, reveals innovative strategies that blend technology with exceptional service.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover how Edwardian Hotels leverages technology to create a seamless guest journey, from pre-arrival communications to personalized in-stay experiences.

• Learn about the importance of integrating CRM and PMS systems to enhance operational efficiency and guest satisfaction, allowing staff to focus on building relationships rather than administrative tasks.

• Explore the surprising role of technology in maintaining the human touch in luxury hospitality, ensuring that guests feel recognized and valued throughout their stay.

👉🏼 Check out the interview on Apple Podcasts or Spotify