TOP NEWS

🚿 Independent hotel operators are adopting technology, such as an all-in-one property-management system (PMS), to assist housekeeping teams amid rising guest expectations and efficiency demands. The Hotel Association of Canada cites labor shortages as a key challenge for 2025, with 64% of hotels reporting staffing issues, according to an American Hotel & Lodging Association survey. Four ways PMS improves housekeeping include: enhancing communications, granting control over guest experience, providing tools for growth, and rewarding workers. A 2024 study found that digital tipping through PMS can result in an additional $375 in weekly earnings for associates. Companies increased training budgets by 14% in 2023 to support staff development. Flexible work schedules are a top priority for 77% of workers, according to the "Flex Work Nation" report.

👨 Leanne Harwood's hospitality career started in New Zealand where she became the first female hotel concierge, leading to roles across eight countries in sales, operations, and management. Emphasizing "freedom within a framework," Harwood encourages risk-taking and innovation. At IHG, she actively promotes diversity, mentoring women and supporting IHG's LGBTQIA+ group, Out & Open. While noting progress in women's leadership in hospitality, Harwood acknowledges the need for more initiatives to close the senior-level gender gap.

📱 In the media revolution, hotels are shifting to become media-first companies. Social media enables deep connections with potential guests, transcending just promotional content. Successful brands are integrating media into their strategy to form unbreakable loyalty, focusing on guest connections rather than price competition. Embracing this change requires immediate action, investment, and strategic planning, as it's essential for hospitality brands to thrive in today's attention economy.

🎡 In Paris, during Fashion Week, hotels, particularly high-end ones, experience significant occupancy due to the event's prestige. MKG Consulting provides insights into the hospitality trends for 2025. Paris transforms into a hub of fashion, greatly benefiting local hotels, contrasting with the lesser performance of the Salon International de l'Agriculture.

🏨 In 2025, private equity firms dominate hotel asset acquisitions with strategies like buying distressed assets and repositioning them for stronger returns at exit. They invest with a horizon of 6-10 years. The hotel industry is shifting to accommodate experiential group travel and corporate events, where urban hotels excel, especially with unique characteristics. Non-urban resorts outperform expectations, attracting boutique and high-end retreat demand. Deal volumes are influenced by high interest rates, economic uncertainty, and remote work trends. Catalysts like easing interest rates and improved financing conditions could revive transactions. Family offices and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are becoming significant in the market, often with longer-term investment horizons and less reliance on debt. Interest grows in select-service hotels for their lean operations and luxury hotels for their premium returns and long-term appreciation. Monitoring these trends is key for stakeholders in the evolving hospitality sector.

📝 In the hotel industry, the trend is leaning towards all-in-one solution providers to streamline services, buying power, and integration despite not always offering the best features individually. Discussions reveal that hotel technology still faces challenges with integration. Elsewhere, Sesame’s voice AI shows promise with human-like interactions but lacks purpose, particularly in tasks like hotel room booking. Key insights also highlight the importance of system design over graphic design in multi-product company rebranding, suggesting that true solutions are often simple and unflashy, and that internal buy-in is crucial.

🏡 SiteMinder's 2025 Changing Traveller Report identifies the 'everything traveller,' focusing on accommodation preferences and behaviors. Luxury hotel guests, willing to pay for enhanced experiences and convenience, plan to increase travel budgets, with 59% spending more than the previous year. Event travel is a key growth area, with 68% traveling for events like family celebrations (34%), music (34%), or sports (23%). Millennials lead upscale bookings at 21%, with high-end room must-haves being views (55%) and quality bedding (53%). Add-on preferences include breakfast (51%) and airport transfers (34%). Spa treatments and gourmet experiences rank high (43%), with 45% working during trips. Despite cost-consciousness, 27% state rising costs don't affect their plans. James Bishop, SiteMinder's VP, highlights the 'save to spend' approach, with 59% favoring package deals. Digital savvy luxury travelers expect online efficiency, starting searches on search engines (31%) and OTAs (21%), preferring third-party booking platforms (49%). AI use is anticipated for 52% during accommodation exploration and 43% for pre-arrival communication. Luxury hotels are urged to enhance digital experiences to attract these guests and capitalize on a market with significant millennial influence.

🍽 🍴 Christine has over 21 years of experience in hospitality tech, focusing on standalone food and beverage spaces and now food and beverage tech in hotels. As Director of Solutions Engineering at Shiji Group, she bridges technology with industry challenges. Shiji Group offers end-to-end hospitality technology solutions, enhancing guest experiences from pre-stay to post-stay. They tackle common industry issues like labor force challenges and aim to streamline operations. Christine emphasizes the importance of technology in improving efficiency and guest services, such as through mobile ordering applications which can result in significant revenue increases, like a 17% profit increase observed in some properties. Shiji also explores the potential of leveraging existing kitchen operations beyond traditional restaurant hours to boost on-property guest spending and counteract the convenience of food delivery apps.

🏨 Hong Kong-based Langham Hospitality Group, with its flagship hotel in London since 1865, operates 32 hotels across four brands and has over 40 hotels and residences in operation or development worldwide. They aim to expand their portfolio to 100 properties by 2040, including anticipated openings in Bangkok (2026) and Venice’s Murano Island (2027). The CEO, Bob van den Oord, discussed the future of luxury hotels, noting the evolution towards ultraluxury and lifestyle luxury. Langham has set a goal for a net-zero environmental impact by 2045 and is trialing an AI temperature control system in Hong Kong. They also launched Ying’nFlo for Gen Z, offering affordable rooms with shared spaces. The Langham, Venice, is set to open on Murano Island in 2027. The group is exploring AI technology, including an AI butler system and dynamic pricing models, while emphasizing the importance of the human touch in hospitality.