TOP NEWS

🍴 Adam Robinson, CEO of Hireology, shared insights on hospitality hiring trends in 2024, revealing that about 50% of job inventory disappeared since January, with hotels hiring at replacement rates, not expanding capacity. Research indicates that job seekers prioritize flexibility and well-being over maximum earnings. Effective referral programs can contribute to 40% of hires, reducing costs and improving retention. Streamlined application processes are critical, with a 70% drop off when login creation is required. Communication is key, with 69% of candidates expecting updates every few days. Offer acceptance declined from 67% to 49% in 2023, with candidates looking beyond pay to culture and career paths. Lastly, 81% of hospitality workers would consider returning to previous employers, highlighting the importance of maintaining relationships and leveraging technology for recruitment automation. 🍴

🏨 Multi-user systems in hotels allow various departments to collaborate, breaking down operational silos and enhancing guest experiences. Demand Calendar exemplifies these systems, with daily logins from 5 to 10 users across roles such as marketing, sales, revenue management, and operations. This approach promotes real-time data sharing, seamless communication, and data-driven decision-making. Multi-user platforms are essential for hotels to adapt, innovate, and maintain a competitive edge in today's market.

🂱 Nevin Reed, Senior Director of Casino Services, emphasizes the importance of a casino-centric revenue management strategy, including technology for analyzing supply, demand, worth data, and total profit. Key strategies involve segmentation, forecasting, open pricing, leveraging loyalty programs, and dynamic reinvestment to optimize each booking and maximize revenue. Casinos can increase profitability by adjusting offers for various customer segments and dynamically customizing rates based on total customer value, ultimately enhancing the guest experience.

💰 Airobot, founded in 2018, simplifies airline and airport ancillary sales for travel agencies and airlines with services like Automated Check-in, boosting ancillary revenue. They will attend the Phocuswright Conference in Phoenix, November 19-21. Virgin Atlantic considers separate loyalty programs for US and European customers, addressing the high point accumulation from US credit cards and the need for fixed points for European customers. McKinsey highlights Travel Tuesday's growth, after Cyber Monday, as a prime time for travel deals. Booking Holdings, Expedia, and Airbnb report Q3 results with room night bookings up by 8%, 9%, and revenue growth by 10%, respectively. Paid services to skip lines at theme parks and airports are on the rise, with GetYourGuide noting a fivefold increase in sales of such experiences since 2019. Phocuswright's top 25 travel startups to watch in 2025 include companies recommended by Travel Investor Network in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Travel Tech Essentialist Job Board lists positions like Senior AI Engineer in New York City with a salary range of $185k - $220k plus equity. Newsletter sponsorship opportunities for 2025 are now open for travel tech professionals.

📌 Hospitality Hued, led by founder Ashli Johnson, aims to elevate Black and Brown leaders into positions of leadership and ownership in the hospitality industry. The initiative provides hospitality professionals with tools, networks, and insights for success. Ashli emphasizes the transferability of hospitality skills to other industries, noting the sector's attractiveness for its mix of business and heart. She credits the late Ray Bennett of Marriott International as a formative influence, highlighting his dedication to accessible leadership and creating opportunities for others. Hospitality Hued is actively changing recruitment strategies to address the lack of diversity in hotel executive leadership. Ashli Johnson's work exemplifies a commitment to a more inclusive and equitable hospitality industry.