Mark Fancourt - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

The Take by TRAVHOTECH – CES 2026 Day One

🤖 Flying vacuums like the MOVA Pilot70, smart clothing with self-regulating temperature by Mode Wearables, and Dutch solar city cars by Squad Mobility showcased on Day One of CES 2026, highlight a future of autonomy. Amazon's Project Kuiper aims to enhance B2B infrastructure in remote areas. Innovations such as intelligent planters, personal automated cocktail bars, and smart toilet consoles exemplify the shift toward automation in hospitality and lifestyle sectors.

6 min

🛌 Bed Time Stories by Testbed Vegas 💡 – 1 Dec 2025

💻 Las Vegas is navigating economic challenges by integrating AI into its core industries. RCG Economics reports that up to 95% of hospitality jobs in Southern Nevada are at risk by the end of next year. Despite a 4% visitor drop, tech conventions boosted October attendance. NoMad Las Vegas will be rebranded in early 2026. The Culinary Union guarantees six-month notices for tech affecting jobs. AWS re:Invent 2025 introduced Marengo 3.0, enhancing video analysis. Zoox expands its robotaxi fleet, enhancing Las Vegas transportation.

1 min

Is your hotel distribution model ready for 2030?

📈 Hotels, by 2030, must embrace AI-Native, API-first models to stay visible in AI-driven travel systems. Key strategies include investing in Unified Data Architecture for real-time data via robust APIs, leveraging loyalty programs as algorithmic currency, and strengthening direct booking channels to reduce OTA reliance. Speed, data completeness, and strategic control are crucial to avoid the "AI Transaction Tax" and maintain market control. The transformation is essential for competitive advantage in the evolving hospitality landscape.

1 min

🚀 The Take by TRAVHOTECH – 18 Nov 2025 | Mark Fancourt

📰 Marketing Convergence: A significant tech acquisition merges demand intelligence and performance marketing. Distribution Defense: A major GDS is countering the rise of Agentic AI. Operational Integrity: Essential tech ensures high-volume casino cash flow. Automated Service: A fast-food giant launches an AI and robotics-driven restaurant model. Travel Infrastructure: Advances in sub-orbital tech aim to shrink global distances. The Smart PMS: A cutting-edge PMS acquires intelligence for autonomous hotel operations. #HospitalityTech #TravelTech

6 min

🛌 Bed Time Stories by Testbed Vegas – 17 Nov 2025

📰 MGM Resorts plans to implement digital keys across U.S. hotels next quarter, enhancing the guest experience. Harry Reid International Airport tests AI for smoother passenger flow, reducing wait times. Nevada lawmakers propose a blockchain study for casino auditing. A Las Vegas restaurant partners with a vertical farm for local ingredients. A local plant secures a lunar rover contract, boosting tech jobs. The Sphere debuts an augmented reality app. These initiatives showcase Las Vegas's integration of tech, hospitality, and sustainability.

4 min

The Take – 11th August 2025

🚀 Delta Air Lines' AI airfare tool faces scrutiny over pricing, sparking a public relations challenge. United Airlines invests in Dfinitiv to enhance loyalty and media revenue streams. NYC's "Safe Hotels Act" indicates a wider regulatory shift in hotel operations. Space tourism market projected to grow 40.6% annually by 2032. San Antonio's TownePlace Suites hotel offers a "value enhancement" investment opportunity. The key takeaway: innovation is crucial, integrating tech like AI and advanced platforms into strategic, customer-focused models.

5 min

Bed Time Stories by Testbed Vegas – 2 Sep 2025

📊 Las Vegas faces a sixth month of declining tourism, despite strong gaming revenue. Report highlights rising costs as a concern. Rick Harrison attributes the decline to "COVID hangover" and high prices. Virgin Hotels partners with William Hill for sportsbook operations. Zoox resumes robotaxi testing after a recall. Cyberattack hits Nevada's government systems, underscoring cybersecurity needs. The restaurant industry sees closures due to economic pressures. Las Vegas remains a key innovation hub, hosting over 42 million visitors annually and nearly 150,000 rooms.

2 min

The Take by TRAVHOTECH – 28th July 2025

🛑 Google Gemini integrates hotel ads into AI travel summaries, enhancing personalization and efficiency. Humanoid robots are increasingly used in hotels for guest services, sparking debate. Automation in hotel finance improves cash management. Chatlyn secures $8.6 million to centralize hotel communications. Buffalo Run Casino uses QCI Go for personalized guest engagement. The focus is on strategic integration and human augmentation to enhance services rather than replace human interaction. #HospitalityTech #AITrends

6 min

Bed Time Stories by Testbed Vegas – 18th August 2025

🎯 Las Vegas faces declining tourism, with LVCVA reporting drops in visitor numbers due to economic uncertainty. Hotels offer promotions like waived fees to attract guests. Rideshare drivers notice fewer tourists amid high costs. Despite this, a $512,000 win at Caesars Palace highlights ongoing casino allure. Bazaar Meat relocates, auctioning its assets in a notable transition. SpaceX's 10th Starship test reflects progress in space travel, while Amazon's Zoox resumes robotaxi tests in Las Vegas, showcasing tech adaptability.

2 min

Shafted

🏠 Spain recently removed 60,000 apartments from the rental market to address housing concerns. In Las Vegas, short-term rentals under 30 days are banned, influenced by casino lobbying to curb competition. This affects property owners seeking to rent their assets, as digital platforms face increased scrutiny. The debate centers around balancing property rights against corporate interests, challenging the traditional practice of holiday rentals in the platform economy era.

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