Follow Hotels.com in one place. This hub gathers the latest news and product changes around the Expedia Group booking brand, curated by 10 Minutes News from trusted sources. Keep up with a major consumer travel platform.
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Hilton for Business adds team booking and reservation management tools to program with over 400,000 members
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30 October 2026🏨 Hilton added team booking tools to its free Hilton for Business program on October 22, 2026, letting administrators book, change, cancel and track colleagues’ stays. Hilton reports over 400,000 members; its 2023 research found 75% of small-business customers manage travel in-house. Competing with IHG and Marriott, these chain-only hotel portals exclude independents. None of the three chains discloses program room-night totals, leaving their impact on bookings unquantified.
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Expedia’s October 28 release adds reservation-based AI answers and Hotels.com stay-extension offers
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30 October 2026🏨 Expedia Group’s October 28, 2026 release introduced 30+ features across Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo. Property Expert now answers questions using property details and reviews on Expedia and Hotels.com in the US; on Expedia, it also reads guests’ reservations after booking. Hotels.com’s homepage offers stay extensions near checkout. Usage figures, extension rates and hotel oversight options were not disclosed. Hotels should check AI answers against their listings and rate plans.
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Expedia Group Adds More Than 30 AI Features While European Travelers Remain Hesitant
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29 October 2026🏨 Expedia Group’s Fall 2026 release adds 30-plus AI-powered features across Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo, including natural-language search, comparison tools, a voice agent and flexible payments. Phocuswright data suggests European travelers remain hesitant about AI. Meanwhile, Are Morch’s Barcelona study of 27,360 AI answers found hotel websites supplied just 7% of information about properties. At the BLLA Boutique Hotel Owners Conference, Ariela Goharik Kiradjian’s report highlighted specificity and storytelling for independent hotels.
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Atari Hotels begins construction on debut Phoenix property, targeting completion by early 2029
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29 October 2026🎮 Intersection Development has broken ground on the first Atari Hotel in Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row Arts District, targeting completion by early 2029. Designed by räkkhaus under an exclusive Atari license, the property will feature high-tech guest rooms, creator studios, an esports and concert venue accommodating more than 2,000 people, a sportsbook, restaurants, bars and shops. Investors include Henry Cejudo and Adapt. The project marks Atari’s debut in hospitality.
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Expedia Group announces more than 30 new and enhanced features across Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo
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29 October 2026✈ Expedia Group’s Fall 2026 release introduces 30+ updates across Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo, including AI itinerary planning, hotel comparisons and natural-language search. Vrbo will soon offer eligible rentals with $0 due at booking. Expedia Gold and Platinum members plus up to nine companions can receive lounge access for eligible flight delays of 90+ minutes, covering qualifying bookings through December 31, 2027. Several AI tools are available on U.S. websites and apps.
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Vrbo launches Reserve Now, Pay Later, charging travelers seven days before hosts’ free cancellation windows close
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28 October 2026🏡 Vrbo launched Reserve Now, Pay Later in Expedia Group’s fall rollout of 30-plus features, allowing eligible vacation rentals to be booked without upfront payment. Cards are charged seven days before hosts’ free cancellation windows close, versus as late as 24 hours before arrival on Airbnb. Airbnb reported adoption above 70% of eligible bookings, while cancellations rose about 1 percentage point to roughly 17%. Other additions include multi-room bookings, AI tools and benefits for flight delays exceeding 90 minutes.
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Meyer Jabara Hotels Reorganizes 45-Hotel Portfolio Into Two Divisions, Names Jared Karras Operations SVP
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28 October 2026🏨 Meyer Jabara Hotels announced in Danbury, Connecticut, on October 28, 2026, a restructuring into two divisions to improve specialized operations and support growth. Jared Karras, with 20-plus years of hospitality experience, leads Full Service and Lifestyle, overseeing 14 hotels; James Kirkland heads Focus Service. Founded in 1977, the family-operated company owns and operates 45 hotels and 36 food-and-beverage outlets across 20 U.S. states.
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Dazzler Select by Wyndham Reaches 14 Open Hotels Across the United States One Year After Debut
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28 October 2026🏨 Dazzler Select by Wyndham has opened 14 U.S. hotels just one year after its debut. The lifestyle brand lets independent owners retain their hotels’ identities while accessing Wyndham’s distribution, technology and loyalty platforms through flat monthly fees and low-cost conversions. Its first property was Magic Moment Resort & Kids Club in Kissimmee, Florida. Participating hotels must maintain guest ratings of at least 4.0 and offer amenities including complimentary 24-hour coffee and water.
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Online travel giant launches approximately 30 new and enhanced features, including expanded natural language search, for fall 2026
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28 October 2026✈ The online travel giant launched approximately 30 new and enhanced features in its fall 2026 product release, including expanded natural language search.
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Cloudbeds Hotels to Integrate Meta’s Muse for Direct Bookings in the US Starting Early 2027
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28 October 2026📅 Cloudbeds and Meta’s Muse partnership begins in early 2027 across US hotels, enabling bookings directly into Cloudbeds’ Property Management System (PMS). Announced on October 20, the integration bypasses guest setup. Cloudbeds hasn’t disclosed pricing for Muse bookings, while Meta plans to charge a transaction fee. Rollout starts Q1 2027, with Expedia already integrated. Cloudbeds’ connection is under its Digital Marketing line, separate from their commission-free booking engine and channel manager.
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BWH Hotels Unifies 4,000 Hotels and 18 Brands Under WorldHotels with New Loyalty Program Launching in 2027
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27 October 2026💵 On October 27, 2026, BWH Hotels announced a transformation, unifying 4,000 hotels across 100 countries under the WorldHotels brand. Launching January 5, 2027, WorldHotels Rewards will combine Best Western Rewards and WorldHotels Rewards, serving 70 million members. The program features three membership tiers and a platform built on over 10,000 hours of insights. Enhanced digital capabilities and local expertise will aid in global expansion while maintaining unique hotel identities. Further details on the loyalty program release on November 16,…
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Lorenzo Antinori and Justin Shun Wah to Open Bar Camillo at Rosewood Hong Kong on 25 November 2026
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27 October 2026🍸 Who? Lorenzo Antinori and Justin Shun Wah. When? Opening on 25 November 2026. Where? Rosewood Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui. What? Launching Bar Camillo, a new cocktail bar inspired by Italian living rooms. How? The bar blends mid-century design with Italian cocktail traditions, featuring rotating, culturally inspired menus and an interactive Negroni trolley. With 50 seats, it offers an intimate, relaxed atmosphere akin to a home gathering, enhancing Rosewood’s luxury offerings.
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Preferred Hotels & Resorts Adds 28 New Members Globally Between July and September 2026, Marking Largest Quarterly Growth Since 2024
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27 October 2026📍 Preferred Hotels & Resorts added 28 new hotels globally from July 1 to September 30, 2026. Notable additions include UMusic Hotel Madrid in Spain with 130 rooms and a restored theater, Palazzo Trezza in Verona, Italy with 11 suites, and THE FUJIYA HOTEL in Hakone, Japan with 120 rooms. This expansion, the largest since 2024, highlights diverse locations like Maldives, Durham, and Wuhan, showcasing a mix of urban, historic, and island retreats.
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ChatGPT and Gemini Cite Outdated or Inaccurate Website Content at 3 Luxury Hotels, AGR Reports
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26 October 2026🏨 AGR’s study of 1,177 AI hotel answers found Google travel pages in 91.2% of Gemini responses, versus hotel/brand websites in 31.6% of ChatGPT responses. Checks on October 26, 2026, exposed misleading sources: 1 Hotel West Hollywood referenced Nashville amenities; Rosewood Mayakoba in Mexico promoted a temporarily closed restaurant and outdated meal plans; Santa Monica’s Shutters on the Beach had an accessible development website cited by AI. Inaccurate hotel content can mislead travelers and undermine bookings.
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Hilton and Marriott Implement Incentive Programs Offering Fee Discounts for High Guest Satisfaction Scores
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26 October 2026🛁 In Q2 2026, Hilton and Marriott launched programs offering fee discounts to franchisees based on guest satisfaction scores. Hilton’s RISE and Marriott’s ITR aim to incentivize staff training for improved service. Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta and Marriott CEO Tony Capuano announced these initiatives in earnings calls. A Hotels.com 2025 report revealed 70% of guests prefer in-person check-ins. Expedia’s report highlighted 37% of inspiration comes from family conversations, indicating the enduring importance of personal connections in travel planning.
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Hotel guests can split costs with BNPL; 17% of US summer travelers planned to use it in 2026
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24 October 2026🏨 Expedia Group expanded its Affirm partnership in January 2026, bringing installment payments to Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo in the US. A 2026 NerdWallet survey found 17% of US summer travelers planned to use buy now, pay later. Hotels receive payment upfront minus fees, while providers collect guest installments and assume repayment risk. Affirm reports hotel booking values can rise by up to 48%, highlighting potential benefits for hotels offering flexible payments directly.
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Preferred Hotels & Resorts promotes 24-year veteran Roberta Possenti to senior vice president for Europe
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23 October 2026🏨 Preferred Hotels & Resorts has promoted 24-year company veteran Roberta Possenti to senior vice president, Europe. Based in Milan, she will oversee member hotel relationships and strategic operations across Northern, Central and Southern Europe, where the luxury hotel group has more than 250 properties. Possenti will continue reporting to Brenda Collin, executive vice president, Europe. The promotion recognizes her leadership and impact on the company, its teams and hotel partners.
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Beyond Green Expands to 22 Countries with Addition of El Silencio Lodge & Spa and Hotel Món Sant Benet
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23 October 2026🌎 Beyond Green, a sustainable travel community, added two hotels: El Silencio Lodge & Spa in Costa Rica and Hotel Món Sant Benet in Spain. 🌍 Since 2021, the group has expanded across 22 countries, including five hotels in Spain and three in Costa Rica. El Silencio is powered by hydroelectric energy and supports local communities, while Món Sant Benet uses solar and hydroelectric energy for over 70% of its needs, reducing CO₂ by 360 metric tons annually.
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2026 GuestRevu GREAT Awards Recognize Over 750 Properties Worldwide Based on 85,000+ Guest Reviews for Excellence in Hospitality
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23 October 2026🏨 23rd October 2026, London: The 2026 GuestRevu GREAT Awards celebrated hospitality excellence at L’oscar, London. Supported by major industry players, the event featured panels on tech integration and data insights, moderated by industry experts. Over 750 properties from 60 countries participated, with 85,000 reviews analyzed via GuestRevu LITE. Qosmo Brasov Hotel, MS Collection Arouca, and L’oscar London won top European categories. The Africa winners will be announced on 26th November in Cape Town.
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Berlin-based YGO Secures €8 Million to Develop AI Infrastructure for Travel Industry, Enhancing Booking Efficiency
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22 October 2026💻 A Mews survey of 3,250 travelers across eight countries reveals 63% are open to AI monitoring room rates, while 57% prefer making travel decisions themselves. Berlin’s YGO secures €8M for AI travel infrastructure. AI sales agents see a 3-5x conversion lift, with a 30% larger average basket size and 15% repeat rate within six months. A LinkedIn poll shows 72% of 36 voters didn’t click on Google links last week.
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RoomPriceGenie: 53% of hotels use AI pricing, but only 10% of hoteliers would delegate most pricing decisions
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21 October 2026🏨 RoomPriceGenie’s 2026 survey of 450 senior revenue decision-makers across eight markets, including the U.S., found 53% use AI for hotel pricing, but only 10% would delegate most pricing decisions. Meanwhile, 47% struggle to hire revenue management talent, and 43% lack a revenue management system. U.S. hotel revenue per available room is forecast to grow 4.4% in 2026, while expenses are expected to outpace inflation in 2026–2027.
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Wymara Resort Joins Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection, Marking First for Turks and Caicos Islands
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21 October 2026🏨 Wymara Resort + Villas in Turks and Caicos joins Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection. Located on Grace Bay Beach and Sunset Cove, the resort includes 97 rooms and 15 villas. The villas are set on a 15-acre peninsula with private pools and exclusive amenities. The resort, now part of the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star properties, enhances its global luxury status. Guests can join the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program, benefiting from stays at over 700 hotels worldwide.
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Expedia Group Launches Autonomous Onboarding, Enabling Properties to Go Live in Under 24 Hours Through Existing Software
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21 October 2026💻 Expedia Group has introduced AUTONOMOUS ONBOARDING™, allowing properties to join its platform in under 24 hours. This process eliminates manual setup using existing software from partners like HotelRunner and RoomCloud. Once integrated, properties can access over 75,000 partners and 200,000 travel advisors. The platform averaged over one billion searches and 415 million room nights booked in 2025. This marks the first step toward a more streamlined autonomous distribution process.
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Booking Holdings Now Handles Payment for 73% of Bookings, While Expedia Gains Ground in Europe and US
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21 October 2026💸 Oct 21, 2026. In Europe, OTAs held 29.9% of hotel bookings in 2025. Booking Holdings collected guest payments on 73% of bookings, up from 69% last year. Expedia’s B2B segment grew 21%, reaching $10.7 billion. Expedia’s market share in Europe rose to 16.6%, while Booking Holdings fell to 68.8%. In the US, Expedia surpassed Booking.com in booking volume for the first time since 2021. Expedia sold 111.5 million room nights, Booking Holdings 325 million.
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AI Referrals Quadruple Traffic to Travel Sites Despite Staying Under 1% Across All Categories, Says Bain Report
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20 October 2026🛫 In a recent study by Propellic, AI directed 71% of travelers to book directly with operators. Bain & Company reported that AI traffic to travel sites quadrupled in a year, remaining under 1% overall. José Luis Vilar noted a shift from standby tickets to $10 million annual passes, attracting 25,000 customers. Blue Water Hotels features 70 hotels in 16 countries for open-water swimmers. Travel Trends Summit offers free sessions on October 28–29.
