TOP NEWS

📈 Phocuswright's data projects global gross bookings to grow from $1.6 trillion in 2024 to $1.72 trillion in 2025. Online gross bookings will increase from $1.0 trillion in 2024 to $1.2 trillion by 2026, capturing 65% of the market. In 2024, online short-term rental bookings hit $176.3 billion. Over 75% of online air ticket sales were direct from airlines. North America's gross bookings are expected to reach $568.5 billion in 2025. Funding for travel startups fell to a 10-year low in 2023 at $5.2 billion, with $4.3 billion by 3Q24. B2B startups are outpacing B2C in funding, and 50% of travelers anticipate using GenAI within the next year.

🍔 Killer Burger added a second KDS screen, reducing wait times by 78%, with 90% of orders now under 10 minutes. They partnered with ezCater for catering, including a Burger Box of 12 sliders. They're piloting self-serve kiosks to enhance guest experience, particularly for the 70% of first-time visitors. Marketing relies on word of mouth and social media, with influencer partnerships for new openings, like November’s in San Antonio, Texas. Future expansion may include more drive-thrus; currently, two locations have them.

🏫 Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, launches an ambitious £12M roof restoration to be completed by 2026, to protect its heritage. Starting Spring 2025, visitors can enjoy three exclusive experiences: 'Roof Top View,' 'Life Below Stairs,' and 'Family Treasures.' These provide unique perspectives, uncover servant history, and reveal private treasures. Group tickets start at £39, with discounts for 15+ visitors, free access for group leaders, and perks for coach drivers. Restoration addresses water damage, beetle infestation, and preserving the ceiling fresco by Sir James Thornhill. The project also aims to improve environmental controls, safety, and energy efficiency. Contact for group bookings: 01993 815600 or email [email protected].

🏦 Sloan Dean, CEO of Remington Hospitality, discusses the merits of smart growth over rapid scaling in a podcast episode. On February 3, 2025, insights into building a people-first company and the significance of food and beverage in the hospitality industry were shared. This episode is featured among the "Most Popular Episodes" on the Hospitality Daily Podcast.

🏨 - **Who:** Donte Johnson and Jason Bass, previously from Hotel Revival in Baltimore, now at Thompson Atlanta Buckhead. - **What:** Developed a concept called "impact hospitality" and produced a textbook on the subject. - **Where:** Baltimore and Atlanta. - **When:** Events mentioned occurred in late 2019; the timeframe of the interview is not specified. - **How:** By creating events and leveraging community engagement, they transitioned their hotel into a community hub and sparked industry interest. - **Key Facts:** - Donte was impressed by Jason's event management skills and creativity. - In October 2019, they collaborated on a successful event. - By December 2019, Jason proposed an innovative mobile beverage experience. - Their unique approach to hospitality was highlighted at an annual meeting, leading to Jason's involvement in consulting. - The duo emphasizes building community alongside business for better outcomes. - Their transition from Baltimore to Atlanta maintained their momentum. - In Atlanta, they formed an advisory board of community leaders to ensure their hotel initiatives align with local needs. Summary: Donte Johnson and Jason Bass, known for their unique approach to hospitality through community engagement at Hotel Revival in Baltimore, have taken their expertise to Thompson Atlanta Buckhead. They've produced a textbook on "impact hospitality," a concept that integrates hotels into their communities for mutual benefit. Their success began with events in 2019 and has since evolved into

🏆 iSeatz released its annual U.S. travel loyalty report analyzing behavior, program design, and tech adoption data from 256 decision-makers and 4,341 consumers. Findings show 55% of U.S. consumers are in travel rewards programs, a majority for the first time. Brands now use customer lifetime value (47%) and net promoter score (43%) to measure success. Savings remain the top priority for 44% of consumers, yet 62% find booking experiences frustrating. Only 29% of brands are enhancing user experience, revealing a disconnect. AI use is reported by 47% of consumers, with 45% of brands seeing AI integration as a challenge. Personalization is key, with high demand among luxury members (84%) and households with children (76%). 📥 Download the full 2025 report for more insights.

🏨 Hotel Property Management Groups (PMGs) are struggling to keep up with modern traveler preferences, economic pressures, and commercial optimization challenges. PMGs are underperforming in guest service/experience and owner revenue/profits. Factors include the demand for personalized and digital experiences, unique stays, global economic fluctuations, rising operational costs, and intense competition from alternative accommodations. Successful PMGs must integrate technology, offer unique experiences, and have a strong commercial strategy. Net Operating Income (NOI) is the critical metric for hotel real estate profitability, yet PMGs are often found lacking in this area. Owners and investors are seeking better management options that can adapt to evolving guest expectations and maintain asset profitability.

🍴 Dominique Crenn to be inducted into MenuMasters Hall of Fame in May 2025, alongside past inductees like Thomas Keller and Wolfgang Puck. The ceremony, sponsored by Ventura Foods and presented by Nation's Restaurant News, will take place at Morgan MFG, Chicago, on May 17, 2025. Crenn, the first female chef in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars (2018), owns Atelier Crenn, opened in San Francisco in 2011, and the Michelin-starred Bar Crenn. In 2024, she was listed in Time's "100 Most Influential People in the World." Atelier Crenn became the first U.S. restaurant to serve cultivated chicken in 2023.

💻 IKEA launched a new loyalty program, acknowledging its late entry into the trend with a humorous ad campaign. Barry Sternlicht is revitalizing Starwood under SH Hotels & Resorts, aiming to innovate with 14 hotels and expansion plans. Google's hotel metasearch redesign focuses on visual elements, with larger images and maps to enhance user experience. LLMs (large language models) in AI are becoming a commodity, soon to be integrated into various digital platforms, rendering provider debates irrelevant. Users will expect AI-driven interactions, with the focus shifting to the quality of integration and context understanding rather than the AI brand.

💾 Data-driven hotel operations lead to less manual work, deeper insights for targeting profitable guests, and enhanced guest satisfaction. Automation of data processing allows hotel staff to focus on strategic, revenue-generating tasks through centralized data sharing. Advanced analytics help identify lucrative micro-segments and tailor marketing to increase revenue. Robust data analysis results in personalized services, higher satisfaction, and the ability to charge premium rates. A strong business intelligence (BI) tool centralizes data and automates analysis, guiding better decision-making and competitive differentiation. Key takeaways include automation to liberate staff, leveraging guest insights, enhancing guest satisfaction, and investing in the right BI platform.