💻 Yesterday, at the Skift AI and Data Summit in New York, a key discussion emerged: technology isn't the problem—humans are. Key companies such as Booking.com and Expedia highlighted organizational and cultural barriers in decision-making. Skift Research analyzed 170 AI job listings across 13 major travel companies, revealing most lack genuine AI implementation. Fewer than 25% of travel companies have scaled generative AI effectively. Leaders are urged to commit to AI integration and align it with business goals.

🏕️ Barcelona plans to ban short-term rentals by 2028, despite evidence showing such bans don't alleviate housing crises. For instance, New York's rentals increased after Local Law 18, and Berlin reversed its ban after two years. AI automation paradoxically increases workload, as shown by Dan Shipper's experience at Every. A CapTech survey revealed 52% of consumers hesitate to share data, yet 40% prefer personalized experiences. ChatGPT ads currently appear in 1-2% of travel-related prompts.

🛑 In May 2022, Google shut down "Book on Google" for hotels due to low uptake. Google ended "Buy on Google" in retail the following year. However, in May 2026, Google plans to reintroduce hotel bookings using Gemini's Universal Commerce Protocol. Booking.com, Expedia Group, Marriott International, and IHG Hotels & Resorts support this initiative. The strategy focuses on frictionless experiences with Google Pay but questions remain if this approach will succeed.

💻 Berlin, June 2, 2026 – Shiji partners with Omniboost to integrate Daylight PMS with various POS and accounting platforms, unifying hospitality data and streamlining workflows. Omniboost, with over 10,000 integrations globally, enhances data transfers, reducing manual reconciliation. Shiji’s tech supports 91,000+ hotels, while Omniboost connects 5,500+ businesses in 100+ countries. This collaboration improves financial accuracy and operational efficiency in hotels, allowing them to focus on guest experiences.

💻 In 2025, Google revamped hotel marketing with AI integration, shifting from keyword control to signal management. Key changes include AI Overviews replacing traditional search results and the introduction of the AI-powered travel planning tool, Canvas, in November. AI Max for Search increased conversions by 14-27%. The Power Pack, including AI Max for Search, Performance Max, and Demand Gen, optimizes campaign performance. Google enforces price accuracy, effective September 22, 2025, for listings. Independent hotels face increased competition from OTAs.