Posts by author

Automatic

2020 posts
View Post
  • 3 min

OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Ads to 31 European Countries, Accessible Initially Through Sales Team and Partners

📰 August 18, 2026, Europe: OpenAI launches ChatGPT Ads in 31 countries next week for free-tier travelers, including Germany, France, and Spain. Initially, ads are sold through OpenAI's own sales team and partners, with self-service options coming later this summer. In the U.S., the self-serve Ads Manager launched on May 5, running cost-per-click campaigns. Click-through rates range from 1.6% to 1.9%, costing $3-$3.50 per click. European cost data is yet unavailable.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 4 min

Nearly One-Third of GDS Hotel Bookings Now Come from High-Spending Leisure Travelers, Reports Amadeus and Sabre

🏠 GDS hotel bookings for high-spending leisure travelers now comprise nearly a third of total bookings, a significant shift from its original corporate focus. As of July 2026, Fora, a host agency, reached a $1 billion valuation, with advisors generating $3 billion in bookings since 2021. GDS bookings saw double-digit growth in H1 2026 and are projected to double by decade's end. Luxury resorts are encouraged to engage with advisor networks like Virtuoso and Signature to maximize this lucrative channel.
View Post
Share
Laptop screen shows a Wealthsimple promo for commission-free stock trading with a gold bridge model on the display and a stock-chart phone nearby, on a light desk.
View Post
  • 3 min

Booking Holdings Reduces Customer Service Costs by Double Digits Twice in Six Months with AI Automation

💻 Aug 17, 2026, Booking Holdings cut costs for resolving guest issues by double digits twice in six months. CEO Glenn Fogel aims to eliminate wait lines using AI, reducing customer service costs per booking. Complaints often involve third-party providers. CFO Ewout Steenbergen reported a 10% cost reduction per booking since February, but guests can't rate AI service. Despite claims of preference for AI, no data was published. The impact on property scores from poor service experiences remains unquantified.
View Post
Share
Blurry screenshot of a data table listing states with columns for Total Cases and New Deaths, USA totals.
View Post
  • 3 min

Booking Holdings Consolidates Room Sales for Banks and Airlines on Agoda's Engine, Unifying Three Arms

💼 Booking Holdings is merging its hotel room sales arms from Booking.com, Agoda, and Priceline into a single operation on Agoda’s engine, announced by Skift on August 6, 2026. This merger, running into 2027, aims to streamline the supply to banks and airlines. Rocket Travel by Agoda will manage this, mixing direct and wholesale inventory. Notably, buyers like Citi and American Airlines will access these rooms via closed user groups, unseen by public rate tools.
View Post
Share
Resort pool scene with palm trees lining the pool and lounge chairs along the pool deck, yellow hotel buildings on the left, and a clear sky above.
View Post
  • 4 min

Artificial Intelligence and Intermediaries Retain Control Over Key Guest Relationships in Hospitality Industry

📅 Aug 17, 2026, resort challenges persist as the OTA, wholesalers, advisors, and AI keep essential customer data and loyalty. OpenAI, in March, altered its strategy, focusing on search and product discovery rather than direct bookings. Resorts face four intermediaries — OTAs, wholesalers, advisors, and AI, controlling data, margins, loyalty, and recommendations. The only direct guest interaction remains during the stay, highlighting the importance of customer relationships to secure future bookings.
View Post
Share
Close-up of a smartphone displaying an Instagram profile, with the circular logo and follower counts, inside a white basket next to a green plant.
View Post
  • 3 min

Expedia's $7.4 Billion Marketing Includes $5,000 Minimum for Mid-Tier Creators, Sees Demand Surge by 70%

📰 April 2026, Expedia sent livestreamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr through five Caribbean countries in 12 hours. Sint Maarten's search demand rose 70%, Guadeloupe's by 50%. Watkins boasts 50 million followers on both YouTube and Twitch. In 2025, the average creator's income was $44,000, with one in nine earning six figures. Mid-tier creator Gabby Beckford demands at least $5,000 per post. Hotels like Claridge's filter creators' requests for free stays, emphasizing creator fit over reach.
View Post
Share
Hand holding a red reflective square sign with a white L-shaped corner against a backdrop of green leaves and pale pink flowers.
View Post
  • 3 min

Mews Receives Electronic Money License from Dutch Central Bank, Handling $19.7 Billion in Transactions Last Year

💵 In 2025, Mews processed $19.7 billion, handling 42.3 million stays. By late 2026, Mews Financial Services BV will hold both guest card settlements and records, starting with a pilot in the Netherlands. On August 11, De Nederlandsche Bank granted Mews an electronic money license, allowing limited credit related to payment transactions. Mews ensures client funds are safeguarded, per EU rules, though not equivalent to bank deposits. Hotels should inquire about fund handling during the pilot in Amsterdam.
View Post
Share