Posts by author

Automatic

3028 posts

Tripadvisor shifts toward a new core

📈 Nov 17, 2025: Tripadvisor is at a pivotal moment as Viator and TheFork—now contributing half of its revenue—drive growth. Viator has surpassed a GMV of over $4 billion, nearing $1 billion in revenue. TheFork boasts a network of over 30,000 restaurants. Management is focusing on these assets, expecting ~$85 million in cost synergies and improved EBITDA margins from 2026, signaling a shift from its traditional referral model.
View Post
Share

Europe’s fall boom reshapes the continent’s travel rhythm

📅 Nov 17, 2025: Summer in Europe is becoming less appealing due to extreme heat and overtourism, pushing travelers to favor the fall. Record demand and higher hotel prices in September-November are noted, with increased bookings from the US to Europe. Older and luxury travelers are leading the shift. Popular cities like Florence and Rome are crowded throughout autumn, with October visitor levels often surpassing September. This trend extends the travel season into November and beyond.
View Post
Share

U.S. tourism hit by continued steep drop in Canadian visitors

💸 Nov 17, 2025, U.S.: A 30% drop in Canadian visits has led to a $5.7B decline in U.S. tourism spending in 2025. Political tensions, trade policies, and new border rules deter Canadians. Tourism-dependent states face economic risks like reduced hotel occupancy and local tax revenue. The U.S. is approaching a $70B travel trade deficit. Efforts to attract Canadians include discounts, as Canadian spending in some towns drops nearly 40%.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 10 min

Google Agentic Commerce This changes everything. Not today. But really soon. This stuff is the future of Google. Its probably good news for some and really bad news for many others. One of the… | Christian Watts

💻 In spring 2025, Google introduced an AI-driven feature called Agentic Commerce, now widely available, enhancing search with agentic capabilities. This AI mode, using Google's Gemini, performs deep, real-time searches across 351 sites, such as Yelp and OpenTable, for restaurant reservations in San Francisco. Though still in testing, it aims for seamless, in-window bookings, potentially changing travel discovery by reducing intermediary reliance. Google may monetize through transaction fees and promotional listings.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 12 min

AIO Impact on Google CTR: September 2025 Update

📈 In 2025, Google's AI Overviews (AIOs) dramatically impacted search click-through rates (CTR). Organic CTR decreased from 2.74% in June 2024 to 1.62% by September 2025, a 41% drop. Paid CTRs showed a 68% decline for AIO queries, from 19.70% to 6.34%. Being cited in AIOs improved performance: organic clicks rose by 35%, paid clicks by 91%. Google’s AI Overviews are reshaping search behaviors significantly as we move into 2026.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 2 min

Luxury stands its ground — but it is not immune

🏨 Nov 14, 2025: U.S. hotels face mixed fortunes. Economy and mid-scale segments struggle with RevPAR barely above zero, while luxury hotels see over 5% RevPAR growth through August 2025. Luxury ADRs are up 5% year-on-year, but demand from younger travelers and value shifts pose risks. Luxury-hotel growth forecasts show 4-5% CAGR in major regions, with investment favoring premium assets. Hoteliers must enhance brand value and manage costs amid a tightening market.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 2 min

Airbnb widens its lead as hotels hit a 2025 slowdown

📈 Nov 14, 2025. Airbnb sees 13% Y/Y revenue growth in Q2 2025, while U.S. hosts face ~50–56% occupancy due to increased supply, particularly in suburban and rural areas. Short-term rentals (STRs) increase ADR by nearly 7% Y/Y and 24.9% over a longer period. U.S. hotel RevPAR growth is nearly stagnant at ~0.1%. Rising operational costs squeeze hotel margins. STRs thrive in suburban/rural areas, with urban regulations supporting hotel competition.
View Post
Share

US short-term rentals end the year on a surge

📅 Nov 14, 2025, US short-term rental market sees strong December with RevPAR up 7% YoY and ADR 6% higher. November ADRs rise 5%, showing demand despite shorter stays. New England, Hawaii lead with 5% RevPAR gain; Rockies, Midwest at 4%, Southwest 3%, and Southeast -1%. December stay length drops 9%, booking windows tighten 5%. Managers use dynamic pricing, automation for last-minute bookings. Confidence returns as sector stabilizes into 2026.
View Post
Share

Fixing group business

📅 Nov 14, 2025, the article highlights that while hotels have advanced in transient direct bookings, group sales remain outdated, relying on legacy systems and intermediaries. Existing technologies like digital ads and UX-led experiences could modernize group bookings, reducing commissions and acquisition costs, thereby improving profitability. Automation can enhance conversion rates by speeding up responses and streamlining workflows. Emphasizing direct bookings for groups could replicate the success seen in transient sales, offering hotels valuable first-party planner data.
View Post
Share

OTA demand reshuffle accelerates

📊 Nov 14, 2025. Early 2025 data shows Expedia's room-night volume increased by nearly 12%, signaling stronger traveler acquisition. Meanwhile, Trip.com, Hotelbeds, and Despegar surged by over 35% each, impacting Booking.com, Agoda, and Vrbo negatively. This indicates a shift towards demand diversification, with travelers using multiple platforms. Hotels need to recalibrate channel mix, commissions, and source-market patterns in response to the evolving OTA landscape.
View Post
Share