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Automatic

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Doug Kennedy’s Next Staff Training Webcast: Hotel Sales Presentation Skills for Remote Buyers

📅 Doug Kennedy’s 40-minute training webcast is on Friday, November 21, at Noon EST. The session aids hotel sales teams in converting leads and mastering virtual meetings via platforms like Teams or Zoom. Webcasts are free, thanks to sponsors Travel Outlook and Track Hospitality Software, saving attendees from a $99 fee. Upcoming topics include 'The Value Pyramid Model' on December 19 and 'Hospitality IS...' on January 23, aiming to enhance sales and guest experience. Register at www.KTNwebcast.com.
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HFTP Announces 2025–2026 Global Executive Committee and Board of Directors

📈 HFTP announced its 2025-2026 Global Executive Committee and Board of Directors, led by Global President Jim Bina. The committee includes members like Andrew Buwalda, Barry Thomas, and Shannon McCallum. Established in 1952, HFTP supports hospitality finance and technology professionals with resources and events, including HITEC. HFTP's headquarters are in Austin, Texas, with offices in the EU. The association oversees publications like USALI and Hospitality Upgrade Magazine.
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Dynamic pricing expands across tourist attractions

💸 Nov 4, 2025: Dynamic pricing, common in airlines and theme parks, extends to attractions like Disney and the Empire State Building, with AI-based real-time price shifts. Even small museums and zoos adopt this system, adjusting prices daily. European sites and cities like Venice manage tourism with this method. While late bookings and peak times cost more, planning ahead or choosing off-peak visits can save money and reduce crowds.
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What Gen Z wants from hotels

💻 Gen Z travelers, as of Nov 4, 2025, are reshaping hospitality expectations. They demand seamless digital experiences, flexible check-in/out, and quick service. Key facts: only 30% of hotels effectively promote loyalty programs, missing long-term relationship opportunities. Hygiene and sustainability are crucial, with eco-friendly practices valued. Operational gaps, such as slow F&B service and inconsistent greetings, hinder experiences. Engaging Gen Z in feedback and sustainability can boost brand loyalty. Read more at Hotel Executive (subscription needed).
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WhatsApp becomes a core customer channel for travel brands

🌍 Nov 4, 2025: Travel companies are leveraging WhatsApp, used by 3 billion people worldwide, to enhance customer engagement. HolidayPirates increased its subscribers to over 625,000 via WhatsApp Channels. MakeMyTrip integrates WhatsApp throughout the travel experience. AI, like Replyr.ai, aids in customer service, especially in Asia. Despite challenges like segmentation, Meta plans to enhance WhatsApp's business functions, including AI and booking.
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Booking.com’s new Genius push reshapes loyalty expectations

📅 Nov 4, 2025: Booking.com enhances its Genius loyalty program with a no-fee rewards card, aiming for a seamless travel experience. Lifetime Genius tiers retain benefits, encouraging loyalty and consistent use. The new Genius card auto-upgrades holders to Level 3, boosting bookings. AI personalization aids targeted placements, benefiting niche hotels. The program appeals to diverse travelers, increasing bookings for different trip types and durations. Consistent perk delivery is crucial for hotels to maintain visibility and positive reviews.
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US hotel stays cost more as cities raise bed taxes

💸 Nov 4, 2025, rising hotel taxes in U.S. cities including Washington DC (15.95%), New York City (~14.75% plus nightly fees), and Las Vegas (~13%) are increasing travel costs. San Diego's Measure C allows up to a 13.75% hike to fund convention centers and homelessness programs. The trend encourages travelers to consider alternative accommodations. While some states like California set local taxes, others like Hawaii add state and county surcharges, resulting in high combined rates.
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How Claude is shaping the future of travel

🤖 Nov 4, 2025, in Abu Dhabi at Skift Global Forum East, Kate Jensen, Anthropic’s Head of Americas, outlined Claude's role in enterprise travel. Designed for hotel personalization, service automation, and operational efficiency, Claude integrates with systems like PMS and CRM for customized workflows. Emphasizing trust and data protection, Claude aids in customer service, itinerary changes, and inventory management. Its agentic systems with memory provide personalized travel experiences, supporting staff by handling repetitive tasks.
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2025 AI Adoption Report: Gen AI Fast-Tracks Into the Enterprise

📈 In its third year, a cross-sectional study, led by Jeremy Korst, Stefano Puntoni, and Prasanna (Sonny) Tambe, tracks Gen AI's transition to enterprise adoption. The study identifies common use cases and emerging returns, providing benchmarks for executives. The focus is on integrating AI into budgets, processes, and training to achieve sustainable ROI. This research, linked to Wharton Human-AI Research, highlights people and process levers essential for mainstream AI implementation.
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The Revenue Upgrade

🌍 In November 2025, many Southern European hotels are facing challenges in segmenting guest categories, leading to issues like fuzzy forecasting and revenue loss. The lack of clear market segmentation causes overlaps in group demand and transient segments, as well as conflicts between static contracts and dynamic rates. Effective segmentation is crucial for accurate forecasting and leveraging the full capabilities of IDeaS.
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