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Automatic

2825 posts

The shift to RevPAG

🏩 On Feb 12, 2025, a global study reveals the hospitality industry's shift from Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) to Revenue Per Guest (RevPAG) for better financial performance analysis. Hoteliers see RevPAG as more accurate, yet face challenges in data collection and integration. Success with RevPAG depends on data analytics, guest profiling, and personalized experiences, enabled by CRM systems, AI platforms, and data visualization tools. Download the full report from Agilysys.
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Marriott projects ‘sturdy’ business travel for 2025

📌 Marriott International, after witnessing a 3% YoY increase in Q4 business transient RevPAR, anticipates growth in 2025, with forecasts of "low single digits." On Feb 12, 2025, executives reported robust 2024 performance and a rebound to pre-pandemic levels, albeit large corporate client travel remains below 2019 figures. Growth is primarily driven by rising average daily rates rather than occupancy.
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Marriott’s strong travel demand fuels growth into 2025

🏨 Marriott's performance in Q4 and full-year 2024 showcased global RevPAR growth. On Feb 12, 2025, CEO Anthony Capuano highlighted strong demand in leisure, business transient, and group travel. Leisure led with 44% of global room nights and a 6% RevPAR increase, while business transient made up 33% with a 3% rise globally. The company's development pipeline reached over 577,000 rooms after a record number of deals in 2024. Marriott also plans to introduce an outdoor hotel collection in 2025, following an organizational restructuring that included over 800 layoffs.
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Insider Secrets to Increasing Your Hotel Direct Bookings – Zerf I Travel & Hospitality Software Development

🏨 Hotels should focus on direct bookings to avoid high OTA commissions, control their brand, and personalize guest experiences. Challenges include website ownership, system integration, and conversion optimization. Improving conversion rates through A/B testing and ongoing optimization can increase revenue. Essential tools are PMS, CRS, and communication systems. Zerf offers website optimization, system integration, and data insights to help hotels boost direct bookings.
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Marriott bans DeepSeek?

🔒 On Feb 11, 2025, Marriott International may have instructed employees to uninstall the Chinese AI app DeepSeek to prevent data breaches, reflecting a shift from tech innovation to data security. Despite facing major breaches from 2014 to 2020 and a $52 million settlement, Marriott's potential move seems to address data risks associated with AI tools rather than targeting a specific provider or country. Full details remain unconfirmed, with no evidence of market discrimination against Chinese technology.
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Google Search Ads is now connected to Travel Feeds

📣 Google introduced Hotel Center Feeds on Feb 11, 2025, to streamline hospitality marketing. This feature integrates real-time data into Google Search Ads, enhancing their relevance with automatic updates of rates and availability. Campaigns using this tool reported up to a 20% increase in click-through rates since May 2024. The service is available in major countries, including the USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Japan, and supports multiple languages.
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Did Airbnb overcharge evacuees after L.A. fires?

🔥 Over 3,200 cases of price gouging in L.A. reported by Better Neighbors LA following the January Eaton and Palisades fires. California's price gouging law, activated on Jan. 7, limits rent hikes to 10%, but 1,450 city listings and 1,750 nearby listings surged, some tripling prices. L.A.'s City Attorney sued Blueground for over 50% rate increases. Airbnb, facing accusations, claims to block illegal price hikes but has yet to provide evidence. Criminal charges filed against violations.
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Where have all the cooks gone?

🍴 Faced with BOH staffing shortages, the restaurant industry adapts post-pandemic by offering higher wages, tip-sharing, health insurance, and bonuses to attract and retain cooks. Improving training, career growth opportunities, work culture, and open communication are key tactics. Rising living costs and competitive labor markets since COVID underscore the urgency for these changes (Feb 11, 2025).
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How ‘The White Lotus’ is changing travel

🎬 TV-inspired travel, known as "set-jetting," spurred by series like 'The White Lotus' and 'Yellowstone', is peaking, with ⅔ of travelers influenced by media. Following 'The White Lotus', Four Seasons locales like the San Domenico Palace in Sicily and Maui resort witnessed availability checks surge by up to 386%. Resorts like these, including Koh Samui managed by Jasjit Assi, offer experiences steeped in local culture, from cooking to Muay Thai, complementing on-screen tourism. Despite the show's satire, luxury-seeking fans are drawn to these destinations, encouraging resorts and tourism boards to consider more structured fan experiences.
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TikTok’s growing role in travel

🏖 Feb 11, 2025 - TikTok emerges as a significant player in the travel industry, influencing trip planning and bookings, especially among 70% of Gen Z users. It ranks as the world’s fourth-largest search engine. Brands partner with TikTok to create authentic content that drives direct bookings or app downloads. TikTok's viral trends, like “Skip to the Good Part,” lead to a flywheel effect, spurring spontaneous travel, particularly in Southeast Asia.
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