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2832 posts

Unpacking the $15 trillion opportunity in leisure travel

🗺 Leisure travel is set for a massive expansion by 2040, with spending projected to triple from $5 trillion to $15 trillion. Spending will grow annually by ~8% until 2029, then ~7% through 2040. Emerging markets like China and India are leading this growth. Millennials and Gen Z are key drivers, with a rise in solo and "bleisure" travel. Destinations are diversifying, with new tech being used to enhance travel experiences.
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Agoda’s loyalty strategy is simple — and that’s the point

💸 Jun 26, 2025: Agoda prioritizes price as the key loyalty driver for hotels, opting for upfront discounts rather than complex loyalty programs. Leveraging AI-driven conversion, Agoda optimizes pricing and listings to match the right guests at the right time. With a localized approach, Agoda enhances hotel positioning in crucial markets like India and Southeast Asia. This strategy supports all hotel segments, from budget to luxury, and ensures Agoda remains a low-friction, effective OTA partner.
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How Uber’s algorithm decides what you’ll pay

🛫 Jun 26, 2025, Columbia Business School reveals Uber's US algorithmic price discrimination since 2022/2023, boosting profits but reducing driver pay. Uber's US take rate jumped from ~32% to over 42% by 2024, and UK rates rose from 25% to 29%, with some trips exceeding 50%. Despite a dramatic profit increase, from a $303 million loss in 2022 to a $6.9 billion gain in 2024, Uber denies claims of unfair pricing. Full story at The Guardian.
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How Chatlyn wants to become the AI brain of hotel operations

💻 Jun 26, 2025, Vienna: Chatlyn, a hotel-tech startup, raised €8 million (~$9 million) Series A for its AI-driven platform, enhancing multilingual guest communication. The global hotel industry loses around €10 billion annually due to fragmented communication. Chatlyn integrates 10+ messaging channels and 20+ PMS, achieving a 98% message open rate on WhatsApp. Since late 2022, it serves over 1,000 properties in 30 countries, automating 70%+ guest inquiries, boosting efficiency and revenue.
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How corporate hotel programs are adapting to a new era

Blog Post Excerpt 💸 Jun 25, 2025: Corporate hotel programs transform with 77% of travel managers using dynamic pricing, and 60% opting for hybrid models. Gen Z and Gen Alpha influence noted by 78%. Location remains crucial at 82% prioritization. Sustainability gaps persist at 57%. Online booking tools grow, with 74% expecting increases. 62% find value outside GDS, though audits are low at 39%. 77% predict steady or increased travel spend next year.
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America hits the brakes on travel

🛫 Jun 25, 2025, the U.S. sees fewer airport passengers over 90 days compared to 2023. TSA reports the first decline since COVID-19. Airline tickets and hotel prices dropped between April and May. Bank of America highlights lower-income Americans cutting travel spending, while wealthier travelers stick to luxury. Canadian travel to the U.S. fell 25% in May. Vacations are shorter and cheaper. Hyatt and Booking Holdings cite economic and political unease, suggesting upcoming economic challenges.
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Airlines pay the price as conflict zones multiply

✈️ Jun 25, 2025, global conflicts are altering flight paths, notably due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Middle East tensions, causing longer routes and higher costs. GPS spoofing incidents rose 500% in 2024, affecting up to 1,500 flights daily near conflict zones. Detours add 3.5 hours to some routes, increasing operating costs by 19–39% and CO₂ emissions by 18–40%. Despite safety, pilots face heavier workloads, adapting to system failures and unexpected geopolitical events.
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Super.com: The fintech-flavored OTA making waves in hotel distribution

📈 Jun 25, 2025, Super.com, the evolved form of SnapTravel (founded in 2016), is disrupting the OTA market dominated by Booking Holdings and Expedia. Rebranded in 2022, it offers travel deals and fintech services, targeting price-sensitive users. Super.com competes on Google Hotels, leveraging European DMA regulations and AI search summaries. It sources inventory through global bedbanks and direct partnerships. Super+ membership provides unpublished rates, challenging hotel parity and presenting an opportunity for mobile-first travelers.
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U.S. hotel occupancy declines for third month

📈 U.S. hotel occupancy fell 0.7% year-over-year to 65.3% in May 2025, marking a third consecutive month of decline. While ADR increased 0.8% to $162.72 and RevPAR rose 0.1% to $106.30, demand remained weak. STR and Tourism Economics downgraded their 2025–2026 forecasts due to economic uncertainty. New York City had the highest occupancy at 87.9%, while New Orleans had the lowest at 60.1%. June occupancy is expected to improve, though July and August may lag.
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Google Hotels faces competitive & regulatory headwinds

📈 Jun 25, 2025 - The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Google's AI Overviews are reshaping metasearch, impacting Google Hotels’ market share. Key players like Expedia, Trivago, TripAdvisor, and Super.com are leveraging these changes to gain traction. Despite Google's continued relevance, competitors are making significant gains, marking a potential shift in industry dynamics. Industry stakeholders express concerns over the volatility and risk in forming long-term distribution agreements amidst these regulatory and technological shifts.
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