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Automatic

3019 posts

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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Chase Travel Group: The quiet giant shaping hotel distribution

📅 Jun 24, 2025, JPMorgan Chase expands its travel platform, Chase Travel Group, into a full-spectrum service, ranking among the top 10 U.S. travel sellers. Acquisitions like cxLoyalty, Frosch, and Valerie Wilson Travel enhance its capabilities. Supported by Travelport, this platform offers curated, loyalty-driven travel experiences. Hoteliers benefit through high-value bookings. Chase Travel targets premium experiences, including culinary and wellness stays, and integrates with Travelport for improved visibility, offering a new channel for high-spending travelers.
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How OTAs are shaping hotel distribution in 2025

📈 Jun 24, 2025: The World Parity Monitor by 123Compare.me highlights that Booking.com and Expedia lead Google rankings globally, with Booking's paid visibility dipping slightly. Expedia boosts its paid ad presence, especially in North and Latin America. Regional OTAs like MakeMyTrip and Despegar.com frequently undercut hotel-direct prices in their markets. Strategic shifts necessitate hotels to reassess distribution costs and digital advertising to protect direct bookings. Read the full report on 123Compare.me.
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Agoda under fire in Japan over ongoing booking failures

🗺 June 24, 2025, Japan: The Japan Tourism Agency urges Agoda Japan to resolve persistent booking issues causing complaints and disruptions. Despite corrective measures in April, problems persist, including missing reservations and price discrepancies, possibly due to partner firms reselling rooms. Hotels like Toyoko Inn warn against booking with Agoda. The agency threatened administrative penalties without improvement. Agoda claims prompt customer service responses. Further details are available at Kyodo News.
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