TOP NEWS

🛌 Hotels globally are facing staffing shortages, straining operations. Modern technology offers a solution: let guests opt out of housekeeping for a $10 rebate. This reduces room cleaning, lowers costs, and satisfies eco-conscious guests. Current booking systems often compel unwanted services due to outdated tech and poor personalization. Progressive hotel tech allows “no” choices, yielding better margins and happier clientele. Can your tech adapt to a less-is-more strategy? #HotelTech #GuestExperience

🛑 In Boston, more than 50% of hotels on Expedia offer member discounts between 10% and 25% for next Tuesday. Independent hotels (95%) are mainly affected, as they must display higher rates due to parity agreements. Expedia's OneKey Member Pricing undermines these rates. Since the EU restricted Expedia's parity agreements in 2015, over 60% of its lodging revenue comes from the U.S. Hoteliers are advised to create fenced rates or move to markets with fewer restrictions.

📅 This week at the Delphi Summit, 15% of global travelers were shown to choose destinations based on events, according to the Amadeus Travel Dreams survey. Held at Silverstone with Compass Group, the event explored MICE's impact on travel. Innovations included AI dashboards, CRM advancements, and sustainability strategies aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030. Key partners like Cvent and IDeaS Revenue Solutions contributed to discussions on automation, lead time variability, and more.

🏨 Ander Elortegi, once a bellboy at Hôtel Lutetia, now leads Hotel Palacio Arriluce. At Villa Soro, he pioneered the 'hotel manager without an office' approach, enhancing guest satisfaction. Radisson Collection Bilbao earned the highest LEED Platinum score, leveraging technology for sustainability. Elortegi emphasizes technology to free staff for guest interactions, ensuring luxury remains personal. For hotel launches, he stresses teamwork and technology. His leadership blends local culture with tech, focusing on emotional intelligence and empathy.

🚀 Mews' AI Smart Tips feature now surpasses 5 million weekly consultations across over 6,000 hotels globally, revolutionizing guest personalization. In Belgium, Hotel St Pol and the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel in Aruba report improved service and guest satisfaction. AI Smart Tips integrates into existing systems, streamlining operations and enhancing guest experiences. This milestone illustrates AI's transformative impact on hotel operations, marking a new standard in personalized service and operational efficiency.

💰 RoomRaccoon's RaccoonRev Plus, an AI-powered tool, is launching. It offers RMS-level pricing intelligence to independent hoteliers, predicting rates up to 90 days ahead. It considers competitor rates, historical trends, and weather. CEO Tymen van Dyl highlights its affordability and integration into existing systems. Future updates may include full automation. Currently in beta, it's set for general release later this year, marking RoomRaccoon's step towards broader AI use in hotel management.

🏨 Josiah recently attended the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum in New York, where industry leaders discussed the shift in consumer spending towards experiences. With tens of millions of new consumers, the hospitality sector remains robust against AI-induced job loss fears due to its inherently human nature. The industry shows resilience and potential for growth, with innovations in guest experiences and collaborations. As digitalization increases, demand for human interaction in hospitality rises, promising exciting opportunities.

🌍 Jun 2, 2025: Gen Z travelers are opting for all-inclusive resorts, influenced by stress reduction (41%), ease of booking (39%), and perceived luxury (38%). 42% view these resorts as their preferred choice, with one-third reporting improved perceptions. Major hotel chains like Hyatt and Marriott are responding by expanding offerings. Social platforms, especially TikTok, enhance the appeal of these resorts among the younger demographic. Access the full Expedia report [here](https://www.expedia.com/unpack-travel-trends/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Unpack-25-Trend-Report_US-EN_B2C.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com).

🍳 Chef Douglas Keane closed his top-rated restaurant out of burnout, but returned a decade later on June 1, 2025, with Cyrus 2.0. Located in the heart of sustainable hospitality, the new venture includes a $75,000 annual salary for each employee and a four-day workweek, achieving higher profit margins than most in fine dining. Harvard Business School took note, creating a case study on his innovative approach.

💸 Hotel profit margins declined in 2023-2024 due to rising expenses. CBRE forecasts this trend will continue in 2025. In 2024, hotel operating expenses increased by 4.1% above GOP and 3.6% below GOP, exceeding a 2.3% revenue increase. Labor costs rose by 4.8%, and insurance premiums by 17.4%. Property tax payments increased by 4.3%. Management fees grew by 1.1%. A sample of 2,600 U.S. hotels indicates cost control is crucial for profitability.