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Automatic

2817 posts

Traveler preferences: Human interaction vs. digital in travel

🏠 On Nov 12, 2024, Phocuswright released a report indicating travelers favor human interaction for certain services, despite the rise of digital tools. Key insights reveal digital preferences for check-ins and bookings, but human assistance is chosen for tours and customer service, particularly by those under 55 and tech-savvy individuals. While mobile apps lead digital check-in methods, high-speed Internet remains the essential technology, and advanced options like facial recognition and virtual concierges are less sought after.
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The role of a Hotel General Manager is evolving rapidly

🏨 On November 12, 2024, industry experts Matthew Engel, James Flynn, Frank Otero, and Dakeya Christmas discussed the evolving role of hotel general managers. Essential skills for future GMs include a diverse skill set across various areas, proficiency in marketing, revenue management, sales, online marketing, promotions, and strong communication. These capabilities will facilitate meeting economic challenges, technological changes, and shifting guest expectations in the hospitality industry. Read more at Hospitality.net.
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Airbnb, Expedia latest to signal holiday-season uptick

🏖️ On Nov 11, 2024, Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia countered earlier predictions of a travel slowdown, reporting upbeat projections and growth. Airbnb expects its bookings to increase beyond an 8.5% growth rate from the previous quarter, while Expedia revised its annual gross bookings growth forecast from 4% to 5%. Booking.com's positive guidance boosted its shares. These indicators suggest a strong U.S. economy despite past concerns.
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Cvent’s 2025 Planner Sourcing Report

📈 On Nov 11, 2024, the 2025 Planner Sourcing Report by Cvent revealed 66% of surveyed corporate planners anticipate more meetings in 2025 compared to 2024. Over 70% manage their company's hotel program, with 87% focusing heavily on this task. Additionally, 49% spend more time on meeting room specs, 38% check peer reviews, 35% view property photos/videos, 52% rely on specs for RFPs, 47% prioritize visuals, and 80% expect RFP responses within four days.
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Expedia beats profit estimates and raises full-year outlook

📈 OTA surpassed earnings estimates and upped its 2024 bookings forecast to 5% on Nov 11, 2024. Third-quarter gross bookings hit $27.5 billion, a 7% increase from the previous year, with room nights booked rising to 97.4 million (+9%). Revenue for the quarter reached $4.06 billion, up 3% year-on-year but below the anticipated $4.11 billion. Strong international travel, especially in Asia-Pacific led by affluent Chinese travelers, contributed to growth. CFO Julie Whalen is set to resign by mid-February 2025, post CEO transition from Peter Kern to Ariane Gorin.
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Booking.com may cut jobs as part of reorganization plan

💰 Booking Holdings, after a 13.6% increase in Q3 operating expenses, is reviewing Booking.com for potential reorganization by end of 2024. The review, announced on Nov 11, aims to maintain agility and drive innovation within the competitive industry. Booking Holdings, with 23,600 employees as of 2023, is also upgrading systems and processes. Other brands like Priceline and Agoda are unaffected. Details are yet to be finalized.
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Amadeus reports strong third quarter results

🏨 Amadeus reported double-digit growth in the first nine months of 2024, including strong Q3 results announced on November 11, 2024. Marriott International, Choice Hotels, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts hit record pipeline levels in Q3 due to robust signings, with IHG Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt also expanding. Hotel conversions boosted room growth, offering a quicker alternative to new construction, and group travel lifted Q3 RevPAR for major hotel brands like Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG.
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Hoteliers see demographics as key to travel’s future

📍 On Nov 7, 2024, top executives from IHG, Accor, Hilton, and Marriott predicted influential trends for the hotel industry. Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta highlighted the expected rise to over five billion people in the middle class by 2030. Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano discussed utilizing consumer spending data from branded credit cards to target this demographic. Accor CEO Sebastien Bazin advocated for economy and midscale hotels to capitalize on local demographics, suggesting luxury hotels should delay entering new destinations. Read more at Skift (subscription required).
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How RPA is Transforming Hotel Operations: Boost Efficiency in Finance, Customer Service, and Housekeeping

🔧 RPA is transforming the hospitality industry, offering efficiency boosts and better business outcomes. Five Steps to RPA Adoption include: assessing operational processes, creating a business case, defining capability targets, mapping execution path, and executing with continuous optimisation. Key areas for automation are finance, customer service, and housekeeping. RPA reduces manual data entry and processing times, leading to error reduction and cost savings. Continual performance monitoring is crucial for long-term success and alignment with evolving business needs. Infographic by techtalk.travel.
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