TOP NEWS

🏨 Crestline Hotels & Resorts will manage Hotel Spero Vignette Collection, an IHG Hotel, in Union Square, San Francisco. The property features 236 guestrooms, conveniently located near dining, shopping, and the cable car turnaround. Crestline's CEO, James Carroll, emphasized their commitment to expanding their luxury hotel portfolio. This addition increases Crestline's presence in California to nine hotels.

📱 Tambourine, a leader in hotel marketing technology, launches Tambourine One, integrating website and booking engine tech. Key features: no booking engine transaction fees, built-in mobile wallets, room & air packaging, personalization, and accessibility protection. Mekell Barker, SVP, highlights cost reduction and improved performance. Existing clients upgrade at no extra cost. Trusted by hotels in 50+ countries, Tambourine offers a seamless switch with dedicated support for smooth implementation and long-term value maximization.

📖 In 2026, hoteliers explore innovative strategies through 20 must-listen hospitality podcasts. "Matt Talks Hospitality" hosted by Mews CEO Matt Welle features episodes on AI, automation, and luxury pet experiences. "Hotel Tech Insider" discusses tech transformations, while "Hospitality Mavericks" showcases 200+ conversations with industry leaders. "The Modern Hotelier" covers commercial strategy and branding. Other podcasts focus on sustainability, Airbnb tips, guest psychology, and global hospitality trends, providing diverse insights for modern hospitality challenges.

📈 Los Angeles hotel occupancy was over 70% in 2023, below pre-pandemic upper-70% levels, due to strikes, soft travel demand, and 2025 wildfires. In 2026, eight FIFA World Cup matches from June 12 to July 10 will boost tourism. International travel through LAX was 10% below pre-pandemic in 2025, despite a 26% increase from Japan, attributed to Shohei Ohtani's influence. Filming days fell 16.1% in 2025. ADR growth is expected, aided by global events and luxury accommodations.

💰 84% of leisure travelers engaged in gaming behaviors with travel loyalty programs in the last year. 20% flew to maintain airline status, and 25% chose hotels solely for status retention. 39% used gift cards to earn points, and 16% manufactured spending. Despite loyalty, 57-68% used alternative brands. Brands must align product, pricing, and programs for true loyalty. Phocuswright’s research explores travelers' perceptions and loyalty engagement.

📈 In 2026, Andrew Farrow from RBH Hospitality Management emphasizes strategic positioning for independent hotels. At The Met Hotel Leeds and The Milner York, strategic repositioning and investments led to record revenues and guest satisfaction. Strategic branding guided investment decisions, ensuring alignment between digital and physical touchpoints. Future focus areas include market understanding, internal alignment, and rate resilience over volume. Clear strategies, driven by data and cultural alignment, differentiate hotels in competitive markets.

LONDON, 20 January, 2026 – Hotels that allow guests to curate and book experiences alongside their room reservation can increase Average Order Value (AOV) by as much as 95%, according to a…