Automatic - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 33

1 min

Booking.com built agentic AI before ’agents’ existed: Here’s how it scaled with small models for speed, big models for trust

💻 In a VentureBeat podcast, Booking.com's AI product development lead, Pranav Pathak, discussed how Booking.com utilizes a hybrid AI approach to enhance their services. Their strategy, combining small travel-specific models with larger LLMs, has doubled accuracy in key tasks. They report a 2X improvement in topic detection and a 1.5 to 1.7X increase in agent bandwidth. Focused on personalization, they balance specialized and general agents, aiming for efficient, non-invasive recommendations.

2 min

Premier Inn Opens Its Doors in Hastings Town Centre

🛒 Premier Inn, operated by Whitbread plc, opened a new 84-bedroom hotel in Hastings Town Centre, England. Located on Cornwallis Street, the hotel was built in 15 months, replacing an under-utilised car park with a 3,000 sq m building. The launch enhances Premier Inn's presence in Hastings to two hotels, with 25 new staff members. The brand plans more openings in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton. Whitbread contributed £9,000 to local charities and organized community volunteer events.

2 min

Vijay Patel Named Tourism Champion of the Year

🏝️ Vijay Patel, President of A-1 Hospitality Group, received the Kris Watkins Tourism Champion Award from Visit Tri-Cities for enhancing the region’s tourism. Since 1997, Patel has developed A-1 Hospitality, now managing 20 hotels across five states. AAHOA, with 20,000 members, owns 60% of U.S. hotels, contributing 1.7% to GDP. Patel, a former Vice President of the Oregon Lodging Association, advocates for sustainable growth and community support in tourism.

3 min

U.S. hotel results for week ending 6 December

🏨 U.S. hotel industry data through December 6, 2025, reveals key declines. Occupancy was 57.2% (-3.2%), ADR was $160.11 (-0.5%), and RevPAR was $91.57 (-3.7%) compared to 2024. Tampa showed the biggest drops: occupancy at 66.1% (-20.5%), ADR at $155.68 (-10.2%), and RevPAR at $102.91 (-28.7%). Seattle followed with significant decreases. Overall, 17 out of the Top 25 Markets experienced occupancy declines. CoStar's global hotel sample includes over 90,000 properties and 11.8 million rooms.

CHTA Highlights the Biggest Takeaways from CHIEF 2025, Signaling a New Era for Caribbean Hospitality

🏝️ Barbados hosted the 2025 Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), highlighting strategies reshaping Caribbean hospitality. CHIEF 2026 is set for November 16–18, 2026. The forum emphasized climate resilience as a business priority, smart sourcing to cut costs, and the acceleration of digital transformation. AI and cybersecurity are crucial, with technology enhancing operations while maintaining personal touches. Embracing community-focused, cultural experiences, and innovative workforce strategies like a four-day workweek are key for future competitiveness.

2 min

Hozpitality Group Celebrates the 11th Middle East Hospitality Excellence Awards & GM Powerlist 2025 at Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Dubai

🏛 DUBAI, UAE – On December 2025, the 11th Middle East Hospitality Excellence Awards and GM Powerlist took place at Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Dubai. Hosted by Hozpitality Group, key winners included Mark Kirby (One&Only Resorts), Fredrik Reinisch (Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek), and Taj Dubai (5-star Hotel of the Year). Gold sponsor was Nestlé Professional, with beverage partners like Heineken. The event celebrated leadership, innovation, and excellence in hospitality.

3 min

From Lift Station to Spotlight: Val d’Isère’s Newest Culinary Stage

🍳 La Folie Douce transformed a disused ski lift station at 2,400 meters into La Petite Cuisine - Gare Centrale in Val-d'Isère, France. Over two years, a 30-meter kitchen piano centerpiece—France's largest—was installed to create a culinary theatre. Chef Christophe Lancelot leads the team, ensuring all dishes are made in-house with fine dining ingredients. This immersive experience blends food and performance, reinventing self-service dining into an interactive, theatrical event.

1 min

Sonesta Opens Dry Creek Inn, MOD Collection by Sonesta in Healdsburg, CA

🏨 Sonesta International Hotels Corporation opened the Dry Creek Inn, part of the MOD Collection by Sonesta, in Healdsburg, California. Located at 198 Dry Creek Road, this upscale hotel features 103 rooms. The MOD Collection caters to modern travelers with an emphasis on creativity, flexibility, and eclectic design. Guests can participate in the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program to earn or redeem points. For more details, the hotel can be reached at +1 707-433-0300.

2 min

Skift Global Forum East 2025: 9 Takeaways for the Future of Travel

🗺 The 2025 Skift Global Forum East was held in the Middle East, highlighting the region's influence in global tourism. Leaders discussed the Middle East's role as a travel hub, driven by increased air connectivity and high-spending visitors. Key topics included luxury travel growth, short-term rentals, and AI's impact on trip planning. Skift partnered with Abu Dhabi's Department of Tourism and Culture to deliver insights. 🏙️

2 min

Luxuria Hotel Management to Open Ramada Plaza by Wyndham in Dubai’s Al Barsha District, Strengthening the City’s Hospitality Landscape

🏨 Luxuria Hotel Management LLC announced plans to open a new Ramada Plaza by Wyndham in Dubai's Al Barsha district. The hotel will feature 137 guest rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, rooftop pool, gym, and spa. Located near Mall of the Emirates and Sheikh Zayed Road, this development is part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' expansion in the UAE where they currently operate 19 hotels.

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