Automatic - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 164

ChatGPT introduces advertising to expand access

💰 Jan 19, 2026, in the U.S., ChatGPT initiates ad tests on its free and USD 8/month Go tiers, maintaining Pro, Business, and Enterprise plans ad-free. Ads won't affect answers and remain distinct. Privacy is protected, with no data-sharing to advertisers. Users have control over ad settings. Tests focus on logged-in adults, excluding health and politics, and avoid users under 18. The aim is to expand AI access affordably while prioritizing trust and experience.

Younger travelers turn away from social media hotspots in 2026

🗺 Jan 19, 2026, KAYAK's 2026 WTF Report reveals a shift in travel trends among 14,000 Gen Z and Millennial travelers. AI is pivotal, with many trusting its recommendations over personal networks. Emerging destinations like Cork and Chongqing are gaining popularity for their authenticity. Flexible payment options and experience-led travel, such as wellness trips, influence decisions. Travelers prefer smaller, slower trips, avoiding social media hotspots and choosing off-feed, less crowded destinations.

Airbnb accelerates its push into hotel distribution

🏨 Jan 19, 2026: Airbnb creates a new hotels leadership team to expand its influence in the hotel sector and compete against online travel agencies. Appointing Jesse Stein as head of hotels and hiring Lou Zameryka from Booking.com, alongside ex-Radisson CEO Jim Alderman, strengthens Airbnb's position. The strategy targets boutique hotels initially, and aims to diversify amidst regulatory pressure on home-sharing. Hotel listings' integration with home rentals remains undecided, impacting customer perception and conversion.

Tripadvisor faces growing competitive and financial pressure

🛰️ Tripadvisor faces challenges with slowing growth as of January 19, 2026. The company reports low single-digit revenue growth and declining bookings, while competitors like Expedia, Booking Holdings, and Airbnb gain market share. Restructuring plans aim to improve margins, but struggle against demand and brand relevance issues. Despite growth in the Viator segment, high cancellation rates and competition limit gains. Diminishing adjusted EBITDA margins further pressure profitability, impacting Tripadvisor's investment appeal.

3 min

Hotels lost metasearch. They lost mobile. AI doesn’t have to be next.

🌐 Expedia and Booking.com, day-one partners of ChatGPT's App marketplace, spend $14 billion annually on marketing to capture early-stage travelers. Nearly 40% of travelers use AI tools for trip planning, with over half using AI in some capacity. AI is altering OTA economics, reducing their influence as travelers shift to AI interfaces. Connect AI enables hotels to engage directly with travelers on AI platforms, offering direct bookings and full control over guest relationships, bypassing OTAs and their 15-25% commissions.

3 min

U.S. hotel results for week ending 10 January

📈 U.S. hotel industry, 4-10 January 2026, saw year-over-year declines. Occupancy fell to 48.1% (-2.4%), ADR to $142.85 (-0.9%), and RevPAR to $68.69 (-3.3%). Tampa had sharp declines: occupancy 60.9% (-23.2%), ADR $156.81 (-12.0%), RevPAR $95.44 (-32.4%). San Diego's ADR dropped to $161.76 (-9.5%), RevPAR to $82.72 (-22.5%). St. Louis improved with occupancy 46.9% (+18.1%), ADR $117.19 (+14.2%), RevPAR $54.92 (+34.9%), aided by the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

3 min

Shiji Japan launches full-scale rollout of Reviewpro Reputation to elevate Guest Experience across hotels and restaurants in Japan

📑 Shiji launched Reviewpro Reputation in Japan, enhancing guest experience across hotels and restaurants. Since 2018, Shiji Japan introduced tech solutions like Daylight PMS. Japan's national GRI™ improved to 84.20% in Q3 2025, below Asia's 89.60% but near the global 86.80%. Reviewpro supports over 60,000 hotels globally and integrates with Daylight PMS for real-time feedback. Shiji serves 91,000 hotels worldwide. The launch aids Japan’s hospitality sector in strategic, data-driven service improvement.

2 min

Meliá Hotels International Arrives in Paradise: Maldives Welcomes Meliá Whale Lagoon in January 2026

🌊 Meliá Hotels & Resorts will open Meliá Whale Lagoon Maldives in January 2026 in the South Ari Atoll. The resort features 100 oceanfront villas, offering Water, Sunset Suite, and Beach Villas. Guests reach the resort via a 30-minute seaplane from Malé International Airport. Visitors can enjoy activities like snorkeling and diving in the nearby South Ari Marine Protected Area, home to whale sharks and manta rays. The resort includes four dining options, two infinity pools, and a spa.

4 min

IHG Hotels & Resorts to scale India presence to over 400 open and in development hotels within five years

📍 IHG Hotels & Resorts plans to triple its presence in India by 2030, adding 80 hotels and nearly 12,000 rooms. By 2025, IHG will have 400 hotels, supported by strong owner confidence. The Vignette Collection will debut in 2026, enhancing luxury offerings. Holiday Inn Express leads signings in Q3 2025, while Crowne Plaza represents 25% of hotels in development. New Garner hotels will open in Etawah, Kathua, Kutch, and Bhiwadi.

4 min

Now Accepting Reservations: Timeless Heritage Meets Modern Luxury at the New Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena

🏨 Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena opens this spring in the vibrant Getsemani neighborhood. It features 131 rooms, including 27 Spanish colonial-style and the luxurious two-bedroom Catroux Suite. Guests can enjoy eight dining concepts, two rooftop pools, and wellness at UMARI Spa. Designed by François Catroux, the hotel integrates historic restoration with modern luxury, offering panoramic views and access to Cartagena's rich cultural sites. There are also 15 private residences and event spaces with two ballrooms.

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