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Automatic

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Booking.com launches first U.S. credit card

💳 Booking.com launched the Genius Rewards Visa Signature in the U.S. on August 7, 2025, to boost direct bookings. Cardholders earn travel credits, not points, with 6% back on hotel/rental bookings via the app and 5% on other services. Benefits include no annual fee, Genius tier 3 perks, and $150 travel credits for $1,500 spent in 90 days. A $100 bonus is earned annually for $15,000 spent. The initiative aims to increase U.S. market presence.
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Booking.com CEO suggests lottery system to curb overtourism

🗺 Aug 7, 2025, Booking.com CEO Glenn Fogel suggests a lottery system and higher travel costs to reduce overtourism in cities like Venice and Barcelona. This proposal aims for sustainable travel and equitable access. The idea prevents exclusive access by wealthy travelers and involves partnerships with governments. Similar systems are used in US National Parks and Glastonbury Festival. The priority is on 'honeypot' destinations overwhelmed by tourists.
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2025 SOCIETIES Quaterly 3

📈 Societies Quarterly July - September 2025 outlines key hospitality trends. Luxury, design, technology, and AI are now central, not peripheral, in shaping the future of extraordinary places. This quarterly benchmark explores the transformations in the hotel experience, focusing on innovations and cultural shifts that will significantly impact the industry.
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The strategic imperative of agentic AI in hotel distribution

💻 Aug 5, 2025, in the hotel distribution sector, early adoption of Agentic AI is crucial for market dominance. Companies investing in this technology report a 15-20% rise in average daily rates. Enhancements include faster response times, personalized recommendations, and a seamless booking process, boosting customer satisfaction and retention. Operational costs are reduced by automating processes, allowing staff to engage in strategic tasks. First movers gain a strategic advantage, overcoming regulatory challenges.
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Faster-growing SMEs link business travel to culture

💰 Aug 5, 2025: A report by American Express Global Business Travel shows that 66% of high-growth SMEs engage in international travel, compared to 52% of slower-growing companies. These growth leaders prioritize travel for staff development (55% vs. 45%) and conferences (58%). Travel's role extends beyond client work, focusing on team-building, and fostering company culture. High-growth firms also tend to innovate and seek external advice on AI, automation, and market insights.
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U.S. OTAs hit a growth plateau

🌎 The U.S. OTA market is slowing as of Aug 5, 2025, with sales at $108.5 billion in 2024, showing minimal growth. OTAs hold 22% of the market, trailing supplier-direct (42%) and offline (36%) bookings. Expedia faces increased competition, while Booking.com is less affected. Hotels remain key for OTAs, but demand is cooling. Technology, including AI, is vital for competitiveness. Direct bookings via airlines and hotels are rising, potentially reshaping the market through 2028.
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Accor reports flat business travel demand

🏠 Aug 5, 2025, Accor reported a 2.5% revenue increase in H1 2025, reaching €2.7 billion, driven by leisure travel. Systemwide RevPAR grew 4.1%. Business travel remained flat, impacting the key European markets, especially the U.K. and Germany, amid economic challenges. Paris showed strong performance compared to regional France. Accor anticipates slower revenue growth in H2 due to post-Olympic effects but maintains its full-year RevPAR growth guidance of 3-4%.
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The new shape of American travel in 2025

📰 August 5, 2025, Skift's report on U.S. Traveler Trends 2025 reveals evolving travel habits: 66% of Americans embarked on leisure trips focused on relaxation and experiences. AI tools like ChatGPT aid nearly 33% in trip planning, while over 50% book via social media. Direct bookings fell to 41%, favoring OTAs for convenience. Rising costs lead to mid-range lodging choices. The report also compares U.S. trends with China, India, France, and the UK.
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Amadeus sees slowing airline bookings growth in q2

✈ Aug 5, 2025, Amadeus experienced a slowdown in global travel demand, with air bookings increasing by only 1.5% in Q2, compared to 2.5% in Q1 and 9% in Q4 2024. Asia-Pacific bookings grew 10.8%, while Latin America declined by 5.3%. Distribution revenue rose 6.1% to €786.7 million, and net profit grew 11.3% to €372.1 million. Seventeen new airline agreements were signed, totaling 74 NDC agreements.
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Booking Holdings beats expectations with strong Q2 growth

🗺 Company reports double-digit gains in bookings and revenue as of July 31, 2025, driven by European and Asian markets. Who? Booking Holdings. When? Q2 2025. Where? Europe, Asia, U.S. What? Room nights up 8% to 309 million; gross bookings $46.7 billion (+13%); revenue $6.8 billion (+16%); EBITDA +28%. How? AI initiatives like Priceline’s Penny and Kayak.AI; $45 million Q2 savings from restructuring. Why? Steady travel demand; increased AI contributions.
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