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February 17, 2026

76 posts
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  • 6 min

7 Proven Strategies to Boost Direct Bookings and Outpace OTAs in 2026

📅 In 2026, over two-thirds of travelers still use OTAs like Booking.com, but there’s a shift as one-third are open to AI travel assistants for bookings. Hotels need to leverage strategies to win direct bookings, focusing on personal connections and perks. Tactics include collecting data from OTA guests, engaging pre-check-in, using AI for visibility, offering unique perks, integrating AI agents for bookings, and leveraging guest reviews. Direct strategies must prioritize relationships, personalization, and value.
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  • 0 min

Sojern’s 2026 State of Destination Marketing Report: Measuring Economic Impact Ranks as DMOs’ Top Priority Amid AI Disruption

SAN FRANCISCO – 17 February 2026 – Sojern, the leading digital marketing platform built for hospitality and recently acquired by RateGain, today announced the launch of its “State of Destination Marketing 2026” report, examining how destination marketing organizations (DMOs) are navigating economic pressure, rising performance expectations, and accelerating AI-driven change across the travel industry.
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  • 3 min

Irene Forte Spa opens at the Carlton in Milan’s fashion district

🌿 In February 2026, Irene Forte Spa opened its eighth location in Milan, designed by Paolo Moschino and Olga Polizzi. The spa offers three treatment rooms, a Forte Vita Bar, nail salon, thermal area, relaxation suite, and gym. Treatments incorporate Irene Forte Skincare, based on 40 years of research by Dr. Francesca Ferri. Highlighted features include 3D skin analysis and advanced facials. The spa also integrates technologies such as the LYMA Laser PRO and Technogym equipment.
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  • 0 min

New data shows South Side residents earned $15M from tourism in 2025, Obama Presidential Center to bring more visitors to the neighborhood

In 2025, residents across Chicago’s South Side earned more than $15.1 million by hosting visitors in their homes1—income that approximately 60 percent of hosts say helped them stay in their homes and manage the city’s rising cost of living. Nearly 20 percent of hosts report that earnings helped them avoid eviction or foreclosure.2
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  • 5 min

One Inbox, Every Review: The Smarter Way Hotels Manage Guest Feedback at Scale

💬 Responding to guest reviews strategically boosts hotel rankings, visibility, and loyalty. Research shows hotels with review responses can receive 12% more reviews and higher ratings. 89% of travelers read responses, influencing booking decisions. Centralizing reviews in a single inbox saves time and maintains response consistency. AI tools like ResponseAI offer personalized, multilingual replies, enhancing reputation management. Ignoring reviews can erode trust and reduce visibility, while active engagement increases website clicks and fosters positive guest sentiment.
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  • 1 min

Eagles Palace – Scaling Luxury Performance Through Brand Perception

🏖 Eagles Palace, a 5-star resort in Ouranoupoli, Northern Greece, is renowned for its serene setting near Mount Athos. Operated by the Tornivoukas family's TOR HOTEL GROUP, the resort is a hallmark of Greek hospitality. Since 2024, Panadvert has spearheaded its performance advertising, focusing on brand awareness, revenue growth, and boosting direct bookings. Located in Halkidiki, this luxurious retreat offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance.
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  • 0 min

LodgIQ Partners with Quintessential Portuguese Boutique Retreat Quinta da Amendoeira to Bring Explainable AI and Operational Insight

LodgIQ, the AI-driven revenue management and commercial strategy platform for the hospitality industry, today announced a new partnership with Quinta da Amendoeira, a boutique farmhouse-style hospitality property near the historic city of Évora in Portugal’s Alentejo region. This collaboration will leverage LodgIQ’s AI-driven revenue intelligence, which not only delivers pricing and demand recommendations but also explains the underlying rationale behind each insight, supporting more confident and transparent decision-making.
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