TOP NEWS

📈 In February, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) appointed Mews as its official property management system (PMS), impacting nearly 20,000 hotel owners in the U.S. Mews President Mike Coscetta emphasized this partnership as a major growth opportunity, highlighting Mews’ ability to aid hotel owners with cost reduction and profitability through integrated solutions. The industry is shifting towards cloud-based systems and AI integration to enhance hotel operations, with Mews positioned to leverage these advancements.

🏨 Julie Kee, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Belize Collection, attributes the company's success to owning diverse real estate that ranges from jungle to reef to private islands. The organization collaborates authentically with local communities, enhancing their appeal.

📑 Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, many years ago: A handwritten welcome note from the General Manager made a lasting impression, highlighting the power of emotional connection over mere amenities. In 1980, Harvard's Michael Porter introduced differentiation strategy, emphasizing unique experiences. AI can aid in personalizing guest experiences by anticipating needs. Hotels should focus on authentic human interactions and intentionally crafted guest journeys, drawing inspiration from the film industry to evoke memorable emotions and foster guest loyalty.

📈 Vi Phan, Sales Lead at Shiji Vietnam, spoke at the Duetto Revenue Strategy Seminar in Vietnam 2026. Hotels face evolving traveler behaviors and distribution channels. Operational agility is crucial for adapting to these changes. Integrated technology systems enable fast responses with real-time data, which is vital for capturing new demand. The hospitality market across Southeast Asia is shifting, with changing source markets and guest expectations. Hotels investing in adaptable strategies will thrive in this dynamic environment.

🏆 In 2026, the FIFA World Cup will bring new hotel guests to the U.S., challenging hospitality operators to convert one-time visitors into repeat customers. Traditional loyalty programs fail due to infrequent hotel stays, unlike frequent restaurant visits. To overcome this, instant perks and personalized offers are needed. AI-driven data can tailor experiences by connecting operational and loyalty data, turning context into actionable decisions, ultimately optimizing guest retention.

💸 Outsourcing hotel revenue management, known as fractional revenue operations, connects properties with elite strategy teams, enhancing revenue without adding fixed salaries. This model actively manages daily pricing, channel distributions, and tech integrations. It covers seven core areas, including dynamic rate distribution and competitor analysis. Unlike pure AI systems, it combines technology with human oversight for contextual decision-making. Key indicators for adopting this model include reactive pricing, administrative overwhelm, and stagnating market share.

An article published by Hospitality ON this week highlighted an unexpected source of inspiration for one of the world’s biggest football clubs. Speaking at Topliner 2026, Richard Heaselgrave, Chief Revenue…

💳 Leading hotel chain IHG Hotels & Resorts launched co-branded debit cards in the UK with Revolut and Visa. Available in two tiers, these cards offer enhanced loyalty point earning rates. The Essential card has no annual fee, while the Elite card costs £18 monthly, providing Silver Elite and Platinum Elite status, respectively. This initiative targets the demand for instant loyalty rewards and allows members to unlock perks such as room upgrades and reward night discounts.