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  • 2 min

Lost in Loyalty

📣 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.
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  • 3 min

The Margin Defense Strategy: Why Operational Efficiency is Your Competitive Advantage

💸 At The Lodging Conference in Phoenix last month, leaders highlighted stagnant revenues and rising expenses. ADR lagged inflation in 23 of the last 36 months, with GOP per available room down 3.6% year-to-date, per CBRE. Utility costs are a major concern; water conservation can reduce consumption by 25%-40%, natural gas by 15%-25%, and electricity by 20%-30%. Rebate programs like SoCalGas Hotel Program offer $250 per guestroom. Federal tax deductions can cut implementation costs by over 50%.
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2026 Is Not About Adding AI to Hotels

🏨 In 2026, hotels will face a structural shift as AI changes decision-making. The guest journey moves from websites to AI-driven answers, prioritizing data certainty over visibility. AI will initiate many bookings, making machine-readable data essential. Hotels must integrate AI across systems for operational efficiency. The focus shifts to predictive management, aligning marketing with operations, and AI governance. Clarity and consistency will be key as AI recommendations depend on data accuracy and reliability.
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The power of response: how Milan hotels can prepare for the Winter Olympic Games

🏆 Milan, set to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, presents hotels a golden chance. Q3 2025 data shows 4-star hotels respond to 50% of reviews, 3-star at 28.7%, and 5-star at 24.7%, against Europe’s 61.7% average. Paris 2024 revealed a 90% short-term rental surge, with hotel rates peaking at €530, dropping to €274. Milan hotels must enhance review management with AI tools and staff training, ensuring every review is addressed, building lasting loyalty and justifying higher rates.
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  • 7 min

What’s Next for Hospitality in 2026?

📈 In 2025, the hospitality industry saw a modest growth in average daily rates, while occupancy weakened. AI adoption increased revenue by 7.2%. 67% of family travel decisions are influenced by children. Luxury hotels' RevPAR grew by 5.3% year-over-year, while the economy segment declined by 1.8%. The Fed lowered interest rates to 3.50%-3.75%, encouraging hotel investments. Loyalty programs influenced 70% of travelers' choices, and 71% planned a road trip, highlighting a trend toward nature-focused stays.
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  • 2 min

PwC Report: AI at the heart of tourism and hospitality – powering personalisation, efficiency and growth

💻 PwC's latest report highlights AI's transformative impact on the Middle East's tourism and hospitality sectors. With 91% of industry leaders piloting AI, only 3% have achieved full deployment due to legacy issues and talent gaps. AI drives efficiency, with 85% seeing cost improvements and 74% establishing AI budgets. Key areas of impact include guest experiences, workforce development, and operations. AI aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and UAE’s digital strategy, enhancing sustainable and personalized travel experiences.
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  • 1 min

A detailed review of the Top Ten of the Hospitality Awards 2025

🏨 The Hospitality Awards 2025 recognized ten Corporate category winners for their innovation and best practices in hotel management. The awards showcase global hotel groups' efforts and achievements, emphasizing the importance of their work. The jury reviewed numerous applications, highlighting the need for more awareness beyond the brief descriptions shared during the ceremony.
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Indian Hotel Sector: 2025 in Review

🏨 In 2025, India's hotel sector thrived on domestic tourism, driven by short breaks, pilgrimages, and social events. Coldplay's concerts and the Maha Kumbh Mela attracted millions. The sector signed over 47,000 keys by November, a 31% increase from the prior year. GST reform aimed to boost midscale demand, though diluted by input tax changes. Challenges included geopolitical tensions, erratic monsoons, and IndiGo's operational crisis affecting December travel. The rupee's weakening may enhance inbound travel competitiveness.
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What Phocuswright’s 2026 predictions mean for hotel operators

📰 Jan 8, 2026 – AI and shifting demand are set to redefine the hotel industry. AI tools are becoming essential for hotel discovery and booking, emphasizing the need for visibility in AI-driven flows. Hotels with structured data and rich content will excel as AI agents recommend inventory. Personalization, digital identity, and real-time pricing are reshaping guest experiences. Growth in markets like India and South Korea underscores the importance of adaptive strategies to meet evolving traveler expectations and economic pressures.
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  • 2 min

Hunter Advisors Debuts Strategic Rebranding

📈 Hunter Advisors launched a strategic rebrand in 2024, simplifying its name from Hunter Hotel Advisors. This rebrand includes a new visual identity and websites, HunterAdvisors.co and HunterConference.co, unifying its advisory and conference platforms. Teague Hunter, CEO, emphasized the focus on growth while honoring family values. Lee Hunter, COO, highlighted the brand's scale and roots. The rebrand strengthens Hunter's mission to connect hotel owners and investors, supporting long-term growth and legacy.
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