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Automatic

2931 posts

Hoteliers accuse Booking.com of ‘unfair business practices’

🏨 In a Hotrec 2024 study, European hoteliers report unfair treatment by OTAs, including price undercutting—43% affected, 16% frequently. OTAs are accused of high commissions, monopolistic practices, and unauthorized discounts. Nearly half of the hotels (48%) depend on OTAs for over a third of bookings, with 20% relying on them for more than half. Issues like poor OTA communication and booking errors impact hotel operations. The study occurred on Jul 18, 2024, reflecting widespread discontent among Europe's hoteliers.
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PwC US selects KAYAK for Business

📌 On July 18, 2024, KAYAK, in partnership with Blockskye and PwC, enhanced its Enterprise solution for over 75,000 PwC US employees, allowing business travel planning and booking through various platforms and streamlining expense management. The update provides interoperability, eliminates employee expense reports, and creates new revenue opportunities.
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Accor repositions Pullman for blended travel

🏢 On July 18, 2024, Accor repositions Pullman Hotels & Resorts to cater to the blended travel trend, aiming for 'softer productivity' to merge work and leisure. Pullman adapts spaces for dual use (e.g., meeting rooms by day, entertainment by night) and introduces Pullman Happenings—cultural and entertainment events, in collaboration with C2 Events, reinforcing innovation and social engagement. Read more at Skift.
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Business travel is booming back

📅 Deloitte's 2024 Corporate Travel Study reveals business travel spending may match or exceed pre-pandemic levels by year-end. Surveying 104 U.S. corporate travel managers between May 16-28 and 1,389 business travelers from May 28-June 3, findings include: 74% of managers predict increased company travel spend in 2024, with 58% expecting growth in 2025, forecasting around 15% spending growth annually. Cost-saving measures include 50% of managers encouraging cheaper flights and 38% cheaper hotels. Business travel frequency rises, with 20% planning 6-10 trips in 2024, up from 15% in 2023. Conferences and trade shows drive travel for over 60% of travelers.
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The dynamic nature of business travel

💲 In the post-pandemic era as of July 17, 2024, business travel is reshaped by new corporate strategies and sustainability rules. At Phocuswright Europe, experts highlighted the shift to event-driven travel for team unity, slow updates in travel policies due to emerging risks, industry consolidation seen in American Express GBT's intent to acquire CWT, and a gradual rise in sustainability as a corporate priority amidst evolving regulations.
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IHG debuts ‘low carbon’ hotels

🌱 IHG launched the Low Carbon Pioneers program on July 17, 2024, targeting energy-efficient hotels with zero on-site fossil fuel combustion and renewable energy backing. These hotels feature high-efficiency heat pumps, fully electric kitchens, and hold sustainability certifications like Green Key, LEED, BREEAM, or EDGE. The initiative aims to encourage more hotels to adopt similar practices and utilizes the Green Engage platform to monitor energy use.
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Booking.com’s countermove to rate parity

📈 Booking.com, on July 17, 2024, employs "algorithmic persuasion" to subtly influence hoteliers, rewarding those who comply with pricing strategies, rather than imposing penalties. This approach optimizes visibility for cooperative hotels, which could increase booking costs for non-compliant ones. The strategy's success hinges on each hotel's distribution strategy, thereby affecting their profits amidst a thriving tourism industry. Full details at [Digizando](https://www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4122913.html).
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U.S. travel prices decline

🏠 In June 2024, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) revealed inflation is decreasing, with travel-related expenses leading the drop. The Travel Price Index (TPI) noted a 1.4% decrease in travel costs, including lower hotel, airline, and gas prices, outpacing the overall economy's modest 0.1% decline—the first since 2020. This marks a positive shift for travelers, with current prices more favorable when compared to previous months, last year, and pre-COVID-19 levels.
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‘Passion travel’ is the future

🏖️ Conducted on Jul 17, 2024, a survey by Thrillist, Vox Media, and The Circus involving 2,000 adults aged 18-75, spotlights Gen Z's influence on travel. 76% of Gen Z and Millennials believe travel is integral to identity, with 88% citing personal growth contributions. Financially, 89% of Gen Z and 87% of Millennials prioritize travel, opting for unique, lesser-known destinations (84%). Passion-driven experiences are preferred by 77%, and 63% prioritize activities over flights for upcoming travel.
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