TOP NEWS

🎊 Concord Hospitality, founded in 1985 in Ohio and now based in North Carolina, celebrates its 40th anniversary. With a portfolio including Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG, the company has 145 hotels and 23,696 rooms across 25 states and two Canadian provinces, plus over 30 bars and restaurants. In 2024, Concord opened The Westin Atlanta Gwinnett, a 348-room hotel. For 2025, they plan to open 14 hotels and six restaurants, indicating ongoing expansion and investment in the hospitality sector.

🏦 Accor's Luxury & Lifestyle division sees double-digit growth, with the Luxe & Lifestyle division closing in on the Premium Midscale Economy division's lead. In 2024, Accor's gross operating profit hit a record €1.12 billion, a 12% increase from 2023. The group opened approximately 280 hotels and improved margins on management and franchise contracts. The Luxury & Lifestyle division's current EBE was €427 million, up 21% from 2023, while the PME division's EBE was €809 million, an 8% increase. Net profit was €610 million for 2024, slightly down from €633 million in 2023. Each new room added to the portfolio has seen a 90% increase in value over five years, against a 12% volume growth.

🏨 In 2025, revenue managers in hospitality are navigating four major trends: AI for revenue optimization, productivity improvements to cut costs, shifts from OTAs to direct bookings for higher net revenue, and adapting to hybrid/extended stay models for increased RevPAG. AI is key for demand forecasting and personalization, while automation helps with operational efficiency and labor cost management. Direct bookings are being reclaimed via AI search tools, and long-term stay models are reshaped by remote work. These strategies aim to maximize hotel profitability and guest retention.

🔐 Equeco, a PPC marketing agency, helped Tictactrip, a multi-modal OTA, achieve profitability and grow by +73% on Search Ads. Tictactrip's CEO Simon Robain recognized Equeco for shaping their marketing strategy toward sustainable travel accessibility. Airbnb's Q4 2024 results showed significant growth: Gross Booking Value at $17.6 billion (up 13%), Revenue of $2.5 billion (up 12%), Net Income at $461 million (recovering from a net loss of $349 million in Q4 2023), Adjusted EBITDA of $765 million (up 4%), Free Cash Flow of $458 million (18% margin), and Nights and Experiences Booked reaching 111 million (up 12%). Despite previous speculations, Airbnb's stock increased by 22% year-to-date in 2025, displaying market momentum. HubSpot experienced a decline in organic traffic, dropping from 13.5 million visits in November to 8.6 million in December, potentially due to Google core updates and AI Overviews targeting 'SEO-first content'.

🛈 A 2020 study revealed that 61% of Germans used mobile apps while traveling, yet many avoid downloading hotel service apps due to the hassle. HiJiffy's Guest Communications Hub, which uses AI Aplysia supporting over 130 languages, offers a download-free experience boosting hotel efficiency and revenue through upselling and direct bookings. Hotel apps with intuitive interfaces, system integration, and a focus on essential features are preferred. Web-based solutions are seen as less intrusive compared to native apps requiring downloads.

🏨 In 2024, the U.S. Select-Service and Extended-Stay Hotel sector saw a record RevPAR of $78, 14% above 2019. Demand increased by 232,000 room nights, nearly matching 2019 levels. The number of sector brands grew from 184 in 2000 to 214, capturing 74% of the room supply. Since 2021, the sector generated $62.6 billion in liquidity, 50% of U.S. hotel investment volume, showcasing low yield volatility over 16 years. Banks lead in lending, with more diversity from investor-driven lenders, insurance companies, and CMBS.

📍 KALDEWEI's panel at Bulgari Hotel, Knightsbridge London on 5th February discussed "Luxstainability™"—the melding of luxury and sustainability. Notable panelists included Roberto Martinez from Kaldewei, designer Stefan Diez, Amy Nelson-Bennett, CEO of Positive Luxury, and Siobhan Kelly of David Collins Studio. The Bulgari Hotel, which has used Kaldewei's sustainable bathtubs for 13+ years, showcased the new OYO DUO bath by Diez—100% recyclable and water-efficient. Kaldewei, a family business for over 100 years, emphasizes sustainability through EPDs tracking products since 2009, and uses Bluemint green steel, aligning with the Paris Agreement's science-based targets. Approximately two-thirds of their materials are sourced from Germany, and the rest mainly from Europe, ensuring a circular lifecycle. The luxury sector's influence on sustainability and the importance of educating consumers on long-term value were highlighted, with an emphasis on the EU's net-zero goal within 25 years.

🌸 "HBO's 'The White Lotus' Season 3 is set to air on Sunday, showcasing Koh Samui, Thailand. The series' portrayal of luxury resorts has previously boosted tourism in Maui and Sicily. Koh Samui, home to about 68,000 residents, is featured on the New York Times' 52 Places to Go in 2025 and is Travel+Leisure’s 2025 destination of the year. The cast includes Lalisa Manobal from K-pop group Blackpink. Local anticipation and 'White Lotus' effect are expected to attract a significant number of visitors.

🎥 Simon Andrews and Anthony McGuire, marketing and media experts, discuss Burberry's refreshed TikTok campaign. Burberry features British talents like Richard E. Grant, Joanna Lumley, Sosa, Grime Granny, Cara Delevingne, and Cole Palmer, generating millions of views, with Palmer's video hitting 11m. In 2024, Burberry underwent leadership changes with a new CEO and announced cost-cutting measures amidst declining sales. The brand aims to redefine "British luxury" for Gen-Z, leveraging authentic storytelling and entertainment on TikTok.

🏨 Hotel general managers leverage technology to streamline operations, increase revenue, enhance guest experiences, empower staff, and prepare for the future. Automation reduces time on tasks like reservation management and check-ins, while cloud-based PMS provides remote oversight. Automated payments and integrated upselling solutions improve financial operations and increase revenue with dynamic pricing and personalized offers. Technology also supports staff training, retention, and job satisfaction. Data-driven insights from cloud-native systems help managers make informed decisions, ensuring properties remain competitive and sustainable.