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Automatic

2825 posts

Start driving more direct bookings through Google

📡 On January 17, 2025, Google announced that hotels can add free booking links to display direct rates alongside OTA rates on Google's hotel search module. This targets hotels over-reliant on OTA, which might constitute over 70% of their bookings. Metasearch engines like Google, TripAdvisor, Trivago, and Kayak are popular for accommodation searches. Millions daily use Google for such searches, and being listed is free, with no commission on referrals. More details available on Lighthouse's website.
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US vacationers find booking travel stressful

🛫 Over 70% of Americans find vacation booking stressful, particularly with air travel. As of Jan 17, 2025, the primary stressors include airport transfers (46%), flight bookings (45%), and baggage allowance (41%). YouGov's 'Booking Burnout: US Travel Stress' report indicates Booking.com leads in customer satisfaction at net +63.9, with Trivago and choicehotels.com trailing closely. CheapTickets improved most in 2024, with a +7.3 year-over-year change. Despite AI and mobile advancements, travelers still face booking challenges according to YouGov America's VP, Kenton Barello.
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Airbnb is ramping up lobbying to overturn NYC’s rental restrictions

🏠 Airbnb, in response to New York's September 2023 registration law cutting over 18,000 listings, is investing $5 million to support pro-homesharing candidates in NYC and state offices in 2025. The law, aimed at illegal rentals, has cost Airbnb millions in revenue, prompting the company's state-specific political spending, overshadowing many larger tech firms' policy influence efforts. City officials defend the law for safety, rent control, and neighborhood peace. Full details on Bloomberg (subscription required).
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The hidden battle over hotel pricing with OTAs

🏨 On Jan 17, 2025, research showed hotels with OTA undercut rates see a 50% increase in PPC advertising costs, with a cost per click of $0.97 versus $0.66 for hotels with better direct rates. Despite rate parity, costs remain high at $0.89. SHR recommends hotels to focus on direct bookings and balanced OTA relationships to minimize costs and enhance growth.
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Kayak’s ‘What the future’ report

🗺 On Jan 17, 2025, The Future Laboratory, collaborating with KAYAK, released the WTF Report based on research and insights from 9,100 individuals across 9 countries. By 2030, 66% prefer multi-city trips, 38% value flexibility, 37% want customized itineraries, and 17% use AI for planning. Social media influences 36% of travelers for inspiration, expected to grow. Travelers seek wellness amenities and eco-friendly destinations; 29% and 32% desire adaptable loyalty programs, respectively. Full details at the Financial Times.
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Five trends shaking up travel retailing in 2025

📍 A Travelport research report dated Jan 16, 2025, reveals trends that will shape the travel industry. 44% of consumers see travel companies as offenders for hidden fees, just below credit card companies at 45%. Comparing travel to fintech's streamlined services like Venmo, Monzo, and Revolut, the report suggests travel brands need agile, API-driven technology for simpler shopping experiences. Subscription models gain momentum in travel, akin to OTAs and loyalty programs. AI adoption in travel exceeds other industries, potentially impacting Google's search dominance and improving NDC management. Full report at Travelport.
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Green Lodging Trends Report 2024

🌳 In the 2024 Green Lodging Trends Report (GLTR), 20,000 hotels from 50 countries assessed their sustainability practices. Over 90% now track greenhouse gas emissions and monitor them monthly with reduction plans. Carbon credit purchase is offered by nearly 90% of hotels, but only 5% buy credits themselves. Towel reuse programs are in place at more than 90% of hotels. The biennial survey indicates a rise from 43% tracking emissions in 2022 to over 90% in 2024.
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Italy seeks to protect hotels from fake and paid reviews

📝 Italy proposes a law requiring online reviewers to show ID and proof of visit, aiming to tackle fake and paid reviews. Reviewers have 15 days to post after a visit, and businesses can request removal of false or irrelevant reviews older than two years. The Italian Antitrust Authority is responsible for monitoring and fines, but the bill lacks clarity on determining fake reviews. 🇮🇹
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EasyJet to take on Tui and Booking.com

✈ easyJet, under new CEO Kenton Jarvis, aims to transform city breaks into package holidays. As of Jan 16, 2025, city breaks make up 47% of demand, increasing from 42% post-travel restrictions but below pre-Covid levels of over 50%. Top destinations include Amsterdam, Krakow, and Paris, with a notable rise in visits early in the year. A trend toward 'small city seekers' is emerging, with travelers looking for quieter, more unique experiences. 🏙️
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The state of the American traveler in January 2025

💰 Survey by Future Partners in December 2024 found that 31.7% of 4,000 American travelers feel their financial situation has improved from the last year. A high travel spending sentiment is observed, with 36.9% considering it a good time to spend on travel—the highest since February 2022 at 37.8%. Americans expect to take an average of 3.9 leisure trips in the upcoming year, up from 3.5 trips the previous year.
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