The Columns

📊 Sixty years since its inception, ITB in Berlin celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026. Initially launched in 1966 with nine exhibitors from five countries, it has evolved into a global travel industry gathering. The event now hosts 100,000 attendees, reflecting vast technological progression over the decades. The European tech sector has expanded significantly, now occupying three halls at the expo. The event underscores the human need for face-to-face interaction amidst growing automation.

I was at HEDNA the other week – the gathering of the distribution tribes – and one of the topics firmly on the table was ‘Ancillary’ revenue. Every time I…

The other night in Miami, I found myself in a position that is one of the distinct privileges of a life in hospitality. I was assisting an old friend and…

The other day, chatting with my friend Andrzej Mateusz Wajda, we landed on something that only sounds obvious to those who haven’t quite grasped the present moment: UI is dying.…

💻 In an article by Mark Fancourt, the misuse of technology to fake expertise is highlighted. This modern trend undermines genuine professional experience, treating it as a public commodity. People now prioritize polished outputs over hard-earned skills, risking the loss of true expertise. The article warns against this trend, emphasizing that real knowledge and wisdom cannot be algorithmically replaced. True expertise requires years of dedication and is essential for genuine innovation and problem-solving.

I was twelve years old, wearing a pair of torn Converse All Stars (because that’s what Dee Dee Ramone would’ve wanted), and every Saturday I’d hop on bus 105 to…

💻 Hyatt refused to pay ransom after a data breach, prioritizing reputation over customer data security. Industry applause for this stance overlooks the risk to customer data, auctioned on the dark web. Companies often suffer minimal financial impact, with fines as low as 15 cents per record, as seen in past breaches like Marriott's. The decision, deemed noble, leaves guests vulnerable to identity theft, revealing a disconnect between corporate integrity and customer protection.

I finally figured out why the Stranger Things finale felt so underwhelming. In a recent behind-the-scenes documentary, the Duffer Brothers were shown working with three ChatGPT tabs open. Next to…

💻 The new Model Context Protocol (MCP) simplifies AI interactions by reducing thousands of API connections to a single interface, enhancing efficiency and integration. However, it adds complexity and costs, as software providers will likely adopt provider-specific MCPs, creating new revenue streams through transaction fees or subscriptions. While aiming for simplicity, this approach results in a more intricate backend. Mark Fancourt questions the layers added to achieve this simplified digital future.

📣 Loyalty always was about recognition, not digital points or tiered statuses. Before card programs, genuine hospitality thrived on knowing and valuing guests. Today, many hotels swap real connection for rewards systems like Gold, Platinum, and Diamond tiers. The best hotels, however, excel without complex systems, focusing on human connections. True loyalty is built on personalized recognition, not technology. Mark Fancourt emphasizes that genuine loyalty remains profoundly analog in a tech-driven world.