💤 Jumeirah bets big on sleep tech—gimmick or game-changer for luxury stays?

Insider Highlights

• AI tech tools for hotels broken out by department

• Expedia’s Q3 was strong but sees softness ahead

• Jumeirah’s foray into smart sleep tech

• New report on direct booking tech

• 🔦 Learn how Strawberry uses tech to empower staff

+ Much more!

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3 TOP NEWS STORIES

 1. New List of AI Tools Broken Out by Hotel Dept

HotelTechReport released a comprehensive list of AI tools broken out by hotel department to make it easy for you to identify the areas of your hotel business where AI can bring synergies.

🎯 Why it matters: AI is just a buzzword until you put it into practice. The reality is that most hoteliers are not building their own chatbots. The way you can bring AI into your business right now is through innovative software partners across the tech stack.

🔑 Key takeaway: Send this list to your department heads and peers. Make sure that your existing vendors are innovating ahead of or at least in line with others. If they’re not, hold them accountable or swap them out. Read More →

2. Expedia Reports Consumer Weakness in Hotels

Expedia delivered better-than-expected earnings for Q3 2024 but offered a reduced outlook for the year citing consumer preferences for lower-priced accommodations and headwinds from new fee transparency regulations.

🎯 Why it matters: Expedia results often mirror what’s happening in the broader hotel market and this earnings call was no different. Expedia is focused on AI and reducing its carbon footprint while facing economic headwinds and regulatory shifts just like most hotels.

🔑 Key takeaway: The gravy train of rapidly increasing ADRs over the last few years seems to be slowing down but expense reduction that comes with AI should more than offset rate pressure. Read More →

3. New Data Shows Direct Booking Comeback

h2c's new Global Hotel Direct Booking Acceleration Study reveals the top strategies and technologies hotels are adopting to capture direct bookings. From the rise of mobile-driven transactions to AI-powered booking engines, we get an in-depth look at how hotels are reshaping the direct booking landscape post-pandemic.

🎯 Why it matters: As OTAs continue to dominate booking channels, direct bookings are essential for hotels aiming to control margins and guest relationships. Hoteliers should adopt these strategies to align with industry innovation, optimize revenue, and reduce dependency on OTAs.

🔑 Key takeaway: AI-powered booking engines, mobile-first design, and loyalty-driven member rates are among the key drivers of direct growth. To stay competitive, hoteliers need to prioritize these technologies and ensure robust data integration for effective direct booking strategies. Read More →

AROUND THE HOTEL INDUSTRY

Things Worth Checking Out

🛌 Jumeirah partners with Hapbee to deliver a tech-powered luxury sleep experience.

🪑 Management companies play brand musical chairs as ’brand churn’ reaches record highs.

🔎 New Cvent report highlights finds that half of meeting planners are already using AI to help them source venues.

❌ Investors and experts troubled by New York City overregulation that has gone into effect.

🌍 Wyndham strengthens its foothold in India by focusing on digital innovation, sustainability, and spiritual and domestic tourism.

🏠 Airbnb aims for growth in “under-penetrated” markets and expansion beyond the accommodation sector.

HOTELIER SPOTLIGHT
🎙 Strawberry's SVP of Tech on Building a Culture of Innovation in Hotels

What if the key to enhancing your hotel’s guest experience lies not just in technology, but in empowering your staff? In this episode, Kariana Fiskvik, Senior Vice President of Technology at Strawberry, reveals how focusing on employee support can revolutionize the hospitality industry.

Key Points:

• Discover how Strawberry is leveraging generative AI to streamline employee training and enhance operational efficiency, ultimately improving guest interactions.

• Learn why prioritizing staff well-being and training can lead to a more authentic and engaging guest experience, challenging the conventional focus on customer journey alone.

• Explore the innovative partnership between Strawberry and Norwegian Air, which aims to consolidate loyalty points and create a seamless experience for travelers.

The Bottom Line: Strawberry leverages tech to enhance both the guest and employee experiences at the group’s nearly 250 properties.

👉🏼 Check out the interview on Apple Podcasts or Spotify