Hotel housekeeping, all in one place. This hub aggregates the latest news, technology and best practices around housekeeping and operations, curated by 10 Minutes News. Follow innovation in the heart of hotel operations.
-
Addressing Hotel Staffing Challenges Through Long-Term Planning
·
Source:
30 October 2026Hotel operators are under growing pressure to improve labor productivity while managing rising costs and persistent staffing challenges. A recent industry report found that hours per occupied room declined in the first half of 2026, signaling productivity gains even as labor cost pressures continued. But efficiency gains alone may not be enough to sustain performance if hotels cannot consistently fill critical roles. Chris Richardson, president and general counsel at BDV Solutions, a Vanteo company, spoke […] The post Addressing Hotel…
-
Gen Z’s Travel ‘Doom Spending’: Over a Quarter of American Adults Willing to Take On Travel Debt
·
Source:
30 October 2026✈ Gen Z is prioritizing travel over traditional financial milestones, writes hospitality strategist Emma Näpänkangas. The article cites figures showing only 20% of working-age Gen Z save for retirement, while 71% of zillennials see wealth-building as increasingly out of reach. More than a quarter of American adults would take on debt to travel. Näpänkangas links this “doom spending” to financial pessimism, arguing that hospitality can offer meaningful experiences and escapism amid uncertainty.
-
Hotel Budgets Need Profit Measures Beyond RevPAR as STR Example Shows Margin Erosion Despite 9% Revenue Growth
·
Source:
30 October 2026🏨 Shiji’s Chan Wai Sun urges hotels to budget for profitability, not just revenue. As of 31 August 2026, STR and Tourism Economics covered 59 markets across Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Their 2026 RevPAR growth forecast for 16 Asia Pacific markets fell from 4.4% to 3.9%, driven by weaker occupancy expectations. Flow Through tracks incremental revenue converted into profit; Flex measures profit protection during downturns. Adaptable staffing, cost controls and scenario planning strengthen resilience.
-
Why Flow-Through Matters More Than Record Revenue
·
Source:
30 October 2026Record revenue. Higher occupancy. Stronger RevPAR. And a shrinking operating margin. For a hotel celebrating its best sales year, those results seem difficult to reconcile. But a hypothetical scenario shows how easily it can happen. Revenue climbs from $14 million to $15.2 million, an increase of 8.6 percent. Occupancy beats budget, RevPAR outpaces the competitive set, and the restaurant serves more covers than ever. Every department arrives at the year-end review with its indicators in […] The post Why Flow-Through…
-
Mews and Vingcard partnership brings wallet-based hotel keys to compatible RFID locks, including 10-year-old hardware
·
Source:
30 October 2026🔑 Mews and Vingcard are bringing Apple Wallet and Google Wallet room keys to hotels, enabling tap-to-enter access without opening an app. ASSA ABLOY’s Tess Mattisson helped launch the first mobile room key in Stockholm in 2010. Existing RFID locks, even 10-year-old models, can often support wallet keys; roughly 30-year-old locks need new electronics. ASSA ABLOY’s latest platform offers up to five years of lock battery life. Staff training is key to guest adoption.
-
Hotel budgeting beyond RevPAR: STR’s example shows 9% revenue growth alongside declining operating profit
·
Source:
30 October 2026🏨 STR and Tourism Economics’ 31 August 2026 forecast covered 59 markets across Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Across 16 Asia Pacific markets, projected 2026 RevPAR growth fell from 4.4% to 3.9% as occupancy expectations weakened; ADR growth was revised to 3.2%. Hotel budgets also need profitability measures: Flow Through tracks revenue converted into operating profit, while Flex assesses profit protection during downturns. Staffing, distribution costs and scenario planning help translate revenue into sustainable earnings.
-
Hotels Advised to Replace Seven Departmental Forecasts With One Weekly 20–30-Minute Planning Meeting
·
Source:
29 October 2026🏨 Hotel general managers can align seven departmental forecasts through one weekly, 20–30-minute meeting before rosters are set. Revenue managers should present three weeks of daily arrivals, departures and in-house guest counts, helping departments match staffing to demand. Track revenue per worked hour alongside guest-service measures, such as rooms ready by check-in, in monthly reports. The approach requires no new system and aims to improve labor efficiency without compromising service.
-
JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong Details Sustainability Challenges Facing Asia’s Hotels and Fish Bar’s Three-Star Rating
·
Source:
29 October 2026🌱 JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong earned LEED O+M Gold certification and a WELL Health-Safety Rating in August 2026. Its Fish Bar achieved a three-star Food Made Good rating in 2025. General Manager GP Yeow says departmental ESG targets, staff training and owner investment help reduce waste and conserve energy without disrupting 24/7 operations or luxury service. Level 7 showcases responsibly sourced timber furniture, organic culinary herbs and low-carbon wellness activities.
-
Hotel scheduling requires at least 4.2 full-time equivalent staff to cover one post around the clock
·
Source:
28 October 2026🏨 Hotels operating 24/7 need at least 4.2 full-time equivalents per continuously staffed post. Peak-season staffing rises 30–50%, requiring planning at least two months ahead. In Belgium, CP 302 requires schedules published five working days in advance. Payroll typically accounts for 30–40% of hotel revenue. The guide says dedicated scheduling software cuts weekly planning time from 6–10 hours to 2–3 hours while coordinating departments, tracking hours and supporting compliance.
-
Mandarin Oriental Adds Four Exceptional Homes in Greece Across Mykonos, Corfu and Lefkada
·
Source:
28 October 2026🏝 Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes is expanding in Greece with four private villas: Casa Gaia in Mykonos (sleeps 18; from €69,062/week), VAYRA in Corfu (10; €24,360/week), Villa Alice in Corfu (8; €17,059/week), and SERENAOS in Lefkada (10; €49,700/week). Highlights include Casa Gaia’s 27-metre infinity pool and SERENAOS’s private bay and boat fleet. All offer dedicated concierge services, private chefs and daily housekeeping, strengthening the brand’s personalised luxury offering across Greek islands.
-
Shiji Highlights Turning Guest Feedback Into Operational Action at 2026 Quest Workshop in Brisbane
·
Source:
28 October 2026🏨 Shiji’s Chelsia Goh highlighted faster feedback-to-action workflows at the 2026 Quest Guest Experience Leadership Workshop in Brisbane, Australia. Hotels should review feedback daily, assess trends weekly, assign owners and deadlines, and verify fixes through guest responses. Ten-minute morning reviews can help catch problems early, while in-stay feedback enables recovery before checkout. Shiji’s technology portfolio serves over 91,000 hotels worldwide.
-
Investors Emphasize Strategic Technology Investments for Hotels to Enhance Guest Experience and Boost Revenue Potential
·
Source:
27 October 2026💻 Chris Hemmeter of Thayer Investment Partners discusses hotel technology’s evolution post-pandemic in episode 96 of Matt Talks Hospitality. Hotels shifted from treating technology as a specialist concern to a business priority, focusing on revenue generation, cost management, and adaptability. Key recommendations include maintaining accurate data and adopting open systems like Mews, which serves 15,000 customers in 85 countries. Chris emphasizes choosing technology that integrates well and enhances guest experiences, ultimately improving financial performance.
-
Avalora Integrates Yipy to Streamline Hotel Operations, Enhancing Accuracy and Efficiency Across up to 50 Technology Platforms
·
Source:
27 October 2026💻 Avalora and Yipy have integrated their systems to bolster hotel efficiency. Avalora’s VAIA Agentic AI now links with Yipy’s Hospitality Standards Management System, allowing hotels to update information centrally and disseminate it across 12-50 platforms. Tim Thilleman highlights streamlining adjustments like hours and prices, reducing update time and errors. This integration enhances staff-guest interactions by providing consistent information. Mark Cederloff and Adam Tuttle emphasize enhanced service standards and operational insight, connecting standards to execution.
-
Meliá Hotels International Wins Best Practice in Employment Inclusion Award for Supporting Migrant Youth Integration in Spain
·
Source:
27 October 2026🏨 At the 9th Diversity and Inclusion Awards in Spain, Meliá Hotels International won for Best Practice in Employment Inclusion. Meliá’s collaboration with the Canary Islands Government and Fuerteventura Island Council supports employment for over 100 formerly unaccompanied migrant youth. Participants receive hospitality and language training, with 20% advancing within the company. This initiative addresses labor demand and promotes personal growth, showcasing inclusion as both a social responsibility and a smart business strategy.
-
Singapore and China Implement Pioneering Governance Frameworks for Responsible AI Deployment and Agentic AI Management
·
Source:
27 October 2026📰 In January 2026, Singapore released a governance framework for agentic AI, updated in May. China introduced its national AI policy in May, adding agents as a risk category in its AI Safety Governance Framework 3.0 by September. The EU AI Act, effective December 2, 2027, classifies recruitment AI as high-risk. In hospitality, multiple authorities control AI actions across systems, raising complex governance questions about authorization, accountability, and decision rights. Hospitality must adapt its governance frameworks to accommodate these AI…
-
Hotels Can Cut Labor Costs by 455 Hours Annually with Improved Forecasting Beyond Occupancy Rates
·
Source:
27 October 2026📊 In a 120-room city hotel, both Friday and Tuesday have an 85% occupancy rate, with 102 rooms occupied. However, Friday requires 57% more housekeeping work due to 90 departures compared to Tuesday’s 20. Housekeeping needs 48 hours on Friday and 30.5 on Tuesday. Rostering by occupancy results in 455 unnecessary paid hours annually. A more detailed forecast considering arrivals, departures, and stayovers can optimize staffing and reduce costs.
-
Zaplar Reduces Hotel Staff Walking Distance by 20% Using AI-Native Optimization for Housekeeping Scheduling
·
Source:
26 October 2026💻 On a given day, 120 hotel rooms need cleaning with 10 room attendants. Zaplar uses AI to optimize scheduling, reducing walking distance by 20% compared to manual schedules. The AI-native operating system assigns tasks considering workload, priority, and time, adjusting for early check-ins without re-solving the schedule. Hotel managers maintain control, tailoring the system to their needs, making scheduling faster and more efficient, and enhancing staff control and visibility.
-
HA Hoteles Saves €200 Per Property Monthly by Consolidating Systems with Cloudbeds, Enhancing Guest Experience
·
Source:
26 October 2026🏨 In 2019, Alex Flores joined HA Hoteles, which has since expanded to five hotels and over 50 tourist apartments in Madrid, Soria, Granada, and Málaga. The company saves about €200 per property monthly by using Cloudbeds, a comprehensive platform that supports functions like PMS, payments, and guest communication. Automation reduced reception workload by two hours daily at the Madrid property. Employees adapted to the new system within two weeks, enhancing operational efficiency.
-
Hotels Evolve into Productivity and Wellness Ecosystems, Adapting to Hybrid Work and Business-Leisure Trends
·
Source:
26 October 2026📄 Business travel in 2024 is transforming. Hotels innovate with digital solutions like Hilton’s Digital Key Share and Accor’s Wojo concept. Citizen M offers work packages with office essentials, while Marriott’s “Work Anywhere” program allows late check-outs. Wellness is prioritized, with Four Seasons offering in-room fitness gear. The Ned uses human touchpoints in an automated world. Hotels evolve into productivity hubs, wellness retreats, and remote offices, enhancing the business traveler experience with technology and human interaction.
-
Mews Unfold 2027 Expands to Two Days in Amsterdam, Focuses on Hospitality Innovations and Networking Opportunities
·
Source:
26 October 2026📅 Unfold 2027 will be held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on May 11-12. This eighth edition spans two days for the first time, offering more time for engagement and exploration. May 11 focuses on Mews customers with hands-on sessions and masterclasses. May 12 welcomes all hoteliers, featuring networking, product showcases, and industry talks. Mews, recognized for its innovative hospitality solutions, serves 15,000 customers in 85 countries and has won numerous awards from Hotel Tech Report.
-
AI Should Focus on Reducing Operational Burden, Not Adding Complexities, for Overstretched Hospitality Teams
·
Source:
26 October 2026🛌 In an opinion article by Are Morch, a Digital Transformation Coach, it highlights the operational challenges AI faces in understaffed hotels. The article underscores that AI should focus on reducing redundant tasks to free up human capacity for unexpected, meaningful gestures, termed “unreasonable hospitality.” Morch offers an AI diagnosis tool for hotels with 10-250 rooms to optimize operations, emphasizing a team-centered approach rather than technology-first. Testing and feedback ensure AI solutions genuinely alleviate workloads.
-
U.S. Hotel Revenues Rise 2.6% in 2025, But Expenses Grow 3.1%, Squeezing Profit Margins, Says CBRE
·
Source:
23 October 2026🏨 In 2025, U.S. hotel revenue grew by 2.6%, while expenses rose by 3.1%, reducing GOP margins to 34.8%. By 2026, labor costs are expected to hit $131 billion, with labor cost per occupied room up 1.8% year-over-year. First-half 2026 saw a record 11.4 million more room nights sold than in 2025, with $5.4 billion extra in room revenue. Technological advancements are aiding efficiency, with AI tools enhancing labor management, though the industry faces ongoing cost pressures.
-
405 rooms, zero doubts: How Vegas Resort is building the future of hospitality with Cloudbeds’ Open API
·
Source:
23 October 2026For Vegas Resort’s Alessio Ripanti, hospitality wasn’t the original plan. With a background in software engineering, he moved to Malta to develop mobile applications. After successfully building and selling a marketing technology company, he identified a new opportunity: investing in and developing properties. Today, Alessio manages a portfolio of six properties and nearly 580 units across Malta, with his team set to grow to over 100 employees. The biggest of them is Vegas Resort. Opened in August 2025, the resort…
-
91% of Hotels Use AI, Yet Only 28% Have a Company-Wide AI Strategy, Reveals 2026 Studies
·
Source:
23 October 2026💻 In 2026, 98% of hoteliers used AI, yet 41% lacked formal AI policies. Despite 91% of hotel chains adopting AI, only 28% had company-wide strategies. Most AI decisions occur in routine tasks: 59% believe front-desk roles should remain human-led. The “Mews Hotelier Survey” and “h2c’s AI Opportunity Study” highlight widespread AI adoption but uneven governance, emphasizing the need for careful decision-making on AI autonomy, focusing on task reversibility, cost of mistakes, and data readiness.
-
Global Soccer Tournament in North America Challenges Hotels with Over 5 Million Fans, Testing Supply Chains and Operations
·
Source:
23 October 2026🏆 Summer 2026, U.S., Mexico, Canada: A major global soccer tournament attracted over 5 million fans, testing hotel supply chains. Los Angeles will host the Super Bowl (February 2027) and 2028 Olympics, potentially generating $18 billion in economic impact and supporting 90,000 jobs. Hotels should act early, cross-train staff, and increase PAR levels to accommodate 15 million visitors. Strategic procurement and planning can ensure efficient operations and guest satisfaction during such mega-events.
