Posts by author

Automatic

2830 posts

Google’s new travel AI features could drive major growth in search volume

🌍 Google, on April 1, 2025, boosted AI in travel with new Search, Maps, and Gemini AI features, targeting earlier user engagement and rivaling AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Perplexity now partners with TripAdvisor and Selfbook, and may add more services. Google Gemini might collaborate with OTAs for agentic AI. Expedia and Booking.com are enhancing their own AI tools, relying on customer data and loyalty programs. AI platforms prefer aggregator partnerships, with potential shifts anticipated as AI evolves. Full story at Benzinga.
View Post
Share

AI in travel marketing use sparks backlash

🏖️ On Apr 1, 2025, Icelandair launched a campaign for authentic destination marketing, responding to a study showing 12% of Americans use AI for travel planning, while 16% support AI in tourism marketing with 52% opposed. The campaign targets AI companies to promote real images of Iceland.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 4 min

After more than 10 years, I'm back in the SaaS. ✨ We are launching… | Peter Fabor

📱 Pingotel, a SaaS tool for small hospitality businesses like Airbnb, guesthouses, and bike rentals, has been launched to manage bookings. It's free, simple, flexible, and ready in less than 2 minutes. The idea was explored in January, prototype in February, and now it's fully functional with users onboard. Daniel, along with a little help from Cursor, wrote all the code. The founders have big plans and are transforming Surf Office into a multi-product company.
View Post
Share

The new standard in hotel branding

🏨 On Mar 31, 2025, the hospitality industry is shifting to prioritize emotional connection, cultural integration, and sustainability. Guests, particularly Millennials and GenZ, demand personalization, with hotels needing to provide immersive local experiences and community-driven social spaces. Sustainable practices and technology such as AI for service personalization are crucial. Successful hotels will be those that foster emotional bonds, engagement, and shared values, transforming into lifestyle destinations.
View Post
Share

UK: Direct hotel bookings gain ground

💰 As of March 31, 2025, a BVA BDRC survey notes a rise in domestic business travel and a shift in booking preferences, with 32% now believing hotel websites offer better rates, up from 28% in 2018, and OTA trust dropping to 36% from 41%. Gen X still prefers OTAs at 45%, while Premier Inn leads in website traffic and bookings. Despite this, OTAs maintain an edge in convenience.
View Post
Share

Airlines cut seats to the U.S.

✈️ In April 2025, Canadian airlines like Air Canada and Flair Airlines cut U.S.-bound flight seats by 7% and 25% respectively, reacting to a 70% plunge in advance bookings for Canada-U.S. routes from April to October. Political tensions and boycotts due to President Trump’s policies, alongside unfavorable exchange rates, led to a 13% drop in Canadian visits to the U.S. in February year-over-year, with car border crossings falling from 1.5 million to 1.2 million. Florida's airports, such as Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, and Orlando, experienced up to 30% fewer seats from Canada. United Airlines canceled a Toronto–Los Angeles route and scaled back others.
View Post
Share

The rise of analog travel

🏖 Mar 31, 2025: Travelers are increasingly embracing analog travel for tech-free experiences, such as phone-free retreats and using printed maps and Polaroid cameras. Luxury redefined as time, silence, and simplicity; digital detox retreats, sensory-rich activities, slow travel, and handcrafted luxury are key trends. Despite the low-tech approach, sophisticated technology still supports personalization, booking, service, safety, and sustainability behind the scenes. The concept of "discretionary tech" is emerging, integrating smart systems unobtrusively. Full details at Spa Executive and Global Wellness Summit.
View Post
Share

U.S. travelers are spending more in 2025

🏖 U.S. travelers in 2025 plan to spend an average of $5,138 on vacations, taking 4.2 trips—the highest in five years. Around 34% are using AI for planning, up from 31% in 2024, with 35% planning international trips in the next six months. Off-season travel and alternative accommodations help budget management. Climate and political shifts affect destination choices, while eco-friendly options are preferred if they don't raise costs.
View Post
Share