TOP NEWS

💰 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…

🏨 SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts, a leading Canadian hospitality company, revamped its financial planning by adopting FairPlanner and FairPayroll from Fairmas, enhancing accuracy and efficiency. Previously reliant on error-prone Excel spreadsheets, SilverBirch now enjoys improved forecasting, budgeting, and labor cost planning. Key benefits include increased budget accuracy, faster scenario comparisons, and enhanced decision-making. Fairmas, founded in 2003, serves over 5,500 hotels globally, expanding its presence beyond Europe.

📈 European hoteliers, 2026: Focus on hyperpersonalization, tech stacks, data privacy. Africa's hospitality: $25.29B revenue in 2023; 7.31% growth by 2030. Travel Trends Report 2026: AI impact, emerging behaviors. China's travel: premium demand. AI investment ROI crucial in 2026. Accor's prediction: 25% search by 'mood' in 2026. Maestro PMS unveils roadmap January 14, 2026. Revenue Analytics' new integration in Atlanta. Sydney, December 2025: 81.3% occupancy, ADR AUD349.06. Paris, December 2025: 76.7% occupancy, ADR EUR371.87.

🏨 In a recent SMACK episode, Florian interviews Lennert De Jong, CEO of Another Star and ex-citizenM legend, about significant hospitality industry moves. CitizenM sold its brand to Marriott International while keeping operations, a strategic scaling decision. Lennert's team executed a record-speed tech integration in four months. Discussions cover AI's role in booking and loyalty programs, highlighting Marriott Bonvoy’s impact on major cities. This episode challenges perceptions about traditional hotel chains.

📚 roommaster, a leading hospitality software firm, published "The 2026 Hotel Operations Blueprint." This guide helps hoteliers tackle rising guest expectations and operational complexities through digital workflows, automation, AI, and connected tech stacks. roommaster serves over 100 countries, emphasizing innovation and simplicity. The guide aims to streamline front desk, housekeeping, and maintenance operations for efficient hotel management by 2026. Download it at roommaster's website for practical strategies.

📈 Airbnb's role is more about resolving issues than hospitality, addressing failures like refunds and cancellations. Sonder, once valued at $2.2 billion, liquidated via Chapter 7 by November 2025. Vacasa, valued at $4.5 billion in 2021, was sold to Casago in April 2025 for $130 million, a 97% decrease. Inspirato's gross margins fell from 71% to 31%, leading to a $59 million acquisition by Exclusive Resorts. These failures highlight the operational challenges of short-term rentals.

💻 2026 is pivotal for hospitality as AI becomes integral, impacting guest communication, housekeeping, and booking. 18 experts predict AI will transform hotel operations. Around 33% of travelers use AI for hotel searches. Ancillary services like parking and spa access become strategic revenue sources. Reviews are essential for AI accuracy. IT leaders must rethink procurement for scalability and AI readiness. Despite AI’s growth, human interaction remains crucial, highlighting soft skills. Mews, powering 12,500 hotels globally, leads in this transformation, raising $410 million.