Automatic - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 246

AmexGBT takeover of CWT could hike prices and worsen service

🛫 On August 26, 2024, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) began to scrutinize American Express Global Business Travel's (GBT) £444 million acquisition of CWT, a corporate travel services provider. The CMA highlighted potential risks of reduced service quality, higher prices, and less innovation for global corporate travel customers. If GBT and CWT fail to alleviate these concerns, a "Phase Two" investigation might ensue, as per Mike Walker, CMA's Chief Economic Advisor.

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The new way to sell hotel rooms to business travelers

💳 Business travelers targeted by hotel groups offering personalized options through direct booking, aiming to lure clients away from third-party platforms with technology-driven exclusive deals. As of August 26, 2024, hotels are adopting attribute-based booking, akin to "Build a Bear," for a customized experience and better expense tracking, while confronting challenges such as the absence of industry standards for this booking method.

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Accor looks to the future of business travel

💸 Accor established the Global Leadership Council (GLC) with 17 corporate travel managers on August 26, 2024, to reshape business travel post-pandemic. The GLC, uniting finance, engineering, and technology sectors, represents over 2.7 million business travelers. Priorities set: enhancing traveler experience and well-being using technology, optimizing travel costs, and promoting sustainability and inclusive practices.

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Hotels top choice for travelers in Europe

🏨 Booking.com's 2024 survey reveals hotels as top accommodation for European travelers, with Spaniards most likely to stay in hotels. French less inclined, with less than half favoring hotels, preferring family stays or apartments. Italians opt for bed & breakfasts as a second choice. Full details on Statista, dated August 26, 2024.

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Hospitality retail technology aims to deliver the “ultimate guest experience”

🏨 Hotel guests increasingly use retail platforms for recommendations, mirroring the past role of hotel concierges. In the hospitality industry, there's a shift from just selling rooms to embracing ancillary sales and expanding revenue metrics to RevPAM—revenue per available meter. Despite potential, the uptake of attribute-based selling (ABS) is slow. A key challenge is staffing for these enhanced services. For more details, visit PhocusWire (published on Aug 23, 2024).

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Expedia vet building an AI agent for business travelers

💰 On August 23, 2024, a seven-person startup, Otto, led by CEO Michael Gulmann (former Expedia executive), unveiled an AI-powered virtual assistant for business travel booking, designed to assist travelers in booking flights and hotels. Using OpenAI's GPT-4, Otto's chatbot learns user preferences and suggests options based on calendars and specific criteria. It can also process payments, targeting business travelers who manage their own bookings instead of relying on travel management companies.

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American Express reveals business travel trends

📅 American Express's Amex Trendex report on Aug 23, 2024, reveals five trending U.S. business travel destinations: Princeton, New Jersey; Durham, North Carolina; Southwest Michigan; Sacramento, California; and Honolulu, Hawaii. The rise of blended business and leisure travel, particularly among younger travelers, is noted post-pandemic. Traveler comfort is increasingly prioritized, with many paying extra for enhanced experiences. AI integration in business travel is anticipated to improve operations, reduce costs, and upgrade the travel experience.

Hoteliers explore marketing strategies for different generations of travelers

📌 Baby Boomers often use Facebook and Google (80%) for online searches, while Gen Z is swayed by social media influencers and word of mouth for travel decisions. Gen Z allocates about 50% of disposable income to travel. With Baby Boomers retiring, they're redefining retirement, staying active post-retirement. (Published on Aug 23, 2024).

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Booking.com warns of up to 900% increase in travel scams

🚬 OTA's Marnie Wilking reported a 500-900% increase in travel scams due to AI, with a rise in phishing over the last 18 months. At Toronto's Collision technology conference, Wilking urged the use of two-factor authentication to combat phishing. AI helps Booking.com remove fake hotels. Full story on BBC.

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There’s a boom in smaller meetings and events

📌 Thousands of companies shifted to remote work, prompting changes in business travel. On August 23, 2024, it was noted that travel managers and hotels are adapting their services for in-person team meetings. Administrative assistants increasingly manage meeting logistics, and some hotels now offer a dedicated contact point for business clients' changing needs. 🏨

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