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ChatGPT ads are coming – and they won’t look like Google Ads

📰 Nov 12, 2025, OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman plans a new advertising model for ChatGPT, contrasting Google Ads. Instead of “pay-to-play” methods, ChatGPT will prioritize user trust by earning commissions only when users act on genuinely helpful recommendations. The model supports transparent commissions from actions like booking hotels, aligning incentives with user benefits. Advertising isn't OpenAI’s main revenue focus, but a trust-based model could redefine online ads.
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Hotels get smart about food waste

🥗 Nov 12, 2025: Hotels are employing AI and behavioral science to reduce food waste, a major sustainability issue. AI systems like Winnow and eSmiley track food waste, which contributes 8-10% of global emissions. Smaller plates decrease waste by 20%. Radisson uses carbon labels to guide eco-friendly choices. In Malaysia, black soldier fly larvae convert waste into compost. Hilton Vienna Park saved $35,000 annually, cutting emissions by 17.5 tons. By 2030, the EU mandates food waste reduction in corporate decarbonization plans.
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Apple expands its digital wallet into travel

🏠 Nov 12, 2025, Apple is embedding its digital wallet into travel experiences, integrating Apple Pay for payments and essentials like car keys and boarding passes. Currently accepted in 800 cities' transit systems and major chains like Starbucks, Uber, and Lyft, Apple Wallet aims to streamline travel expenses. Airlines such as American and Alaska have integrated Apple Wallet, though Apple’s impact on travel spending remains undisclosed, facing competition from giants like American Express and Visa.
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Rethinking hotel pricing in the age of data

💸 Nov 12, 2025, hotel pricing strategies focus on maximizing revenue while maintaining guest perception and competitive positioning. Core principles include understanding room perishability and cost structures. Dynamic pricing models driven by real-time data enhance performance, while guest segmentation boosts revenue and satisfaction. Techniques like anchoring and urgency cues impact booking behavior. Future trends highlight AI-driven revenue management and sustainable pricing. Flexible, iterative systems based on continuous learning are essential to adapt to market changes.
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Sonder shuts down after Marriott deal collapse

💸 Nov 11, 2025, U.S.: Sonder ends all operations, filing for bankruptcy after Marriott ends their licensing agreement. Interim CEO Janice Sears cites tech challenges and high costs. Marriott distances itself, focusing on guest care. Sonder's lease-based model collapses, worsened by the pandemic. The company, which raised $680 million and went public via SPAC in 2022 with a $1.9 billion valuation, faced a leadership and liquidity crisis, culminating in Marriott terminating the deal on Nov 9, 2025.
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Booking.com leads Asia’s cashless travel revolution

💳 Nov 11, 2025, Asia-Pacific: Digital payments are revolutionizing travel, with 60% of Southeast Asian consumers favoring cashless options. China leads with 82% e-commerce through digital wallets, while Japan and the Philippines still prefer cash. Platforms like GrabPay and ShopeePay are essential, surpassing Western credit card use. In 2024, Booking.com processed 59% of bookings globally via e-wallets and BNPL. Cashless systems promise financial inclusion but must balance innovation with accessibility.
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Amex GBT unveils next-gen Egencia for 2026

🚀 American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) on Nov 11, 2025, achieved 13% Q3 revenue growth to $674 million, aided by the CWT acquisition. Amex GBT plans to launch a next-gen Egencia platform in early 2026 with "agentic AI search" and SAP Concur integration. Total transactions increased by 19%, with a $155 million synergy savings target by 2028. Revenue projections for 2025 and 2026 forecast 12% and 20% growth, respectively. Net loss reduced to $62 million.
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Amadeus sees agentic AI as an expansion, not a threat

💻 Nov 11, 2025, Amadeus CEO Luis Maroto discusses the impact of agentic AI on the travel-tech sector. Maroto asserts AI platforms won't become merchants due to the complexity of pricing and logistics. Amadeus aims to remain the intermediary, offering infrastructure and data. AI agents present opportunities for demand in real-time pricing and dynamic content. Quality content aggregation and managing travel complexities underscore the value of Amadeus in the evolving AI landscape.
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Klook files for US IPO after strong revenue growth

🗺️ Klook, a Hong Kong-based travel platform, filed for a U.S. IPO on November 11, 2025, reporting a 24% revenue increase in 2024, totaling $417.1 million. Amid post-pandemic tourism recovery, the World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts the sector to hit $11.7 trillion in 2025. Klook targets young travelers with its mobile-first model in Asia-Pacific, facing competition from Booking.com and others, while analysts highlight risks like profitability pressures.
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Amadeus revenue and profit rise on air and hospitality gains

🗺 Amadeus, on Nov 11, 2025, reported a €1.6 billion Q3 2025 revenue, a 6.4% YoY increase, with a nine-month revenue of €4.9 billion and profits up 10% to just over €1 billion. Airline IT revenue grew to €1.7 billion, while hospitality rose to €776 million. Over €1 billion was invested in R&D, up 10% from 2024, with a focus on AI and tech advancements. The company anticipates continued growth and innovation into Q4.
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