TOP NEWS

🎨 VIN + OMI showcased their sustainable fashion collection at art’otel London Hoxton this year, transforming the hotel into a cultural hub. The art’beat programme includes exhibitions, workshops, and events, aiming for an immersive cultural experience. Upcoming initiatives feature artist residencies, a digital exhibition, and a Film House launch. The hotel houses a 135m² art gallery and a 60-seat auditorium. Sustainability and cultural relevance remain key, with curated design projects by Muza Lab further enhancing authenticity.

📈 Hotels are leveraging AI, as seen with Google's AI Mode in the EU, to transform operations and guest engagement. Booking demand for Christmas rises from August, peaking in autumn. Authentic reviews are crucial, with AI prioritizing genuine feedback. Ensuring clear, structured content aids AI visibility. Monitoring online reputation is vital, as AI can amplify impacts. Hoteliers should market Christmas packages early, encourage guest reviews, and maintain up-to-date data on platforms like TripAdvisor.

🏨 McKeever Hotels, a family-run business, unveiled its 'Beyond Now' strategy for growth and sustainability in Ireland and Scotland. By 2027, a £3m investment will help achieve four-star accreditation for The Lodge in Coleraine and Armagh City Hotel. The company plans a 10% occupancy increase, supported by a central reservations system. By 2030, McKeever aims for a £45m turnover and 600 employees, focusing on community engagement and sustainability. Their 40th anniversary is in 2026.

🏖 Chet Pipkin, founder of Belkin, has ventured into hospitality with Desolation Hotel in South Lake Tahoe and Hope Valley, California. His one-page business plan emphasizes staff development, guest experience, environmental education, and community engagement. The hotels aim to provide immersive experiences, leveraging the locations’ natural beauty and activities. Previously, the South Lake Tahoe site was a 1950s motel. The hotel offers easy access to hiking, beaches, and dining, embodying Pipkin’s values of simplicity and connectivity.

🌐 Earlier this month, ChatGPT launched Apps to 800 million users, a 133-fold increase over the iPhone App Store's 2008 debut. Booking.com and Expedia have integrated with ChatGPT, allowing travelers to ask AI assistants for hotel recommendations and bookings. Anthropic's MCP protocol underpins these Apps, providing real-time data channels. Hotels must connect to AI to control their digital identity and visibility; those who delay will struggle as AI-driven travel searches dominate. Lighthouse offers solutions to ensure AI discoverability.

🛫 Business travel check-ins remain a pain point. Nearly 47% of business travelers face check-in issues, with 49% feeling stressed and 27% feeling unprepared for work due to these disruptions. Problems stem from poor communication of payment details, often sent separately, leading to confusion. With API-led payment integrations and virtual card adoption, hotels can streamline check-ins, enhancing efficiency and traveler satisfaction. The technology is available; now it's about commitment to implementation.

💸 Profit optimization is reshaping the hotel industry, moving beyond RevPAR to embrace full potential with metrics like GOPPAR and NOI. This shift requires alignment across departments, using AI and BI tools for better insights. LodgIQ, an AI-driven platform, supports over 550 hotels by integrating Revenue, Sales, and Marketing data, enhancing strategic decisions. As the focus shifts from volume to value, managers are adopting an owner's mindset to maximize profit, transforming revenue management into profit-oriented strategies.

🏨 From revenue to profit, the hospitality industry is evolving. Traditional metrics like RevPAR and ADR are being replaced by profit-focused KPIs such as GOPPAR. This shift emphasizes total revenue management, where every hotel department contributes to profitability. Utilizing AI and BI tools, hotels can now forecast profitability, not just demand. LodgIQ™ supports this transition with AI-enabled platforms serving over 550 hotels globally from its Silicon Valley headquarters.

📈 WTM, November 2025: The smallest floor yet allowed attendees to walk it in 20 minutes. Amadeus and RateGain were prominent, while others, like Cendyn and Sojern, opted for smaller booths but bigger discussions. SiteMinder hosted an in-demand party, now expanded from 50 attendees to many industry leaders, including co-founder Mike Rogers. The emphasis shifted from AI buzzwords to practical applications. The event was smaller in size but richer in meaningful dialogue.

🚨 On November 9, 2025, Marriott International abruptly terminated its licensing deal with Sonder Holdings Inc. due to contract default, affecting thousands of units. Originally a 20-year licensing deal started in 2024, it allowed Sonder properties to join Marriott Bonvoy. The sudden termination left travelers in limbo and impacted Marriott's 2025 room growth forecast, dropping it to ~4.5%. Sonder's market cap fell to under $7 million, causing its stock to plummet.