TOP NEWS

🌎 In 2026, 26% of global travelers start hotel searches on OTAs, up from 18% in 2025, surpassing search engines which fell to 21% from 36%. In the UK, 26% use OTAs, rising from 16% in 2024, while 24% use search engines, down from 40%. AI use for travel planning rose to 4%, with 80% of travelers seeking AI features like price alerts. Dynamic pricing is supported by 65% globally and 55% in the UK.

📰 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, reports on culinary trends. He hosts the podcast "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn." Thorn studied at Tufts University, Le Cordon Bleu, and in China. He was a columnist for The New York Sun (2005-2008) and won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. Inducted into Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014, Thorn specializes in French and Asian cuisines. He resides in Brooklyn, NY.

📦 Tina Necrason, global head of branded residences at Hyatt, discusses the sector's growth drivers and future opportunities. Hyatt is adapting its portfolio to align with evolving demands.

Forward-looking data from Key Data points to pricing strength and renewed stability across the US short-term rental market Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., 13 November 2025 — The US short-term rental market…

📉 January to July 2025, global hotel trends show Expedia's room-night volume grew by 12%, while Trip.com, Hotelbeds, and Despegar surged over 35%. In Asia Pacific, international arrivals rose 9%. ADRs dipped by 10% on Vrbo and 5% on Hotelbeds. Latin America led with a 4.6% increase in TRevPAR. Flex/Flow rates indicate all regions achieved positive flow. Length of stay decreased, with Airbnb's ADR down 2% and room nights up 4.1%.

💸 Black Friday 2024 (Nov 20–Dec 3) shows: sales spread across key days, with Nov 25–26, Nov 29, and Dec 1–3 highlighted. Direct channel cancellations are lower (28%) compared to Booking (48%). Direct channels excel in long stays (6+ nights) and pre-selling summer. Campaign spend increased +21%, boosting revenue 82%, with ROAS of 29. Peak sales hours are 10 a.m.–9 p.m., with a direct channel focus late afternoon. Ensure website offers best price and conditions to maximize direct bookings.

📝 More than 300 UK hospitality businesses, including BWH Hotels GB and Greene King, have urged the government to act before the Autumn Budget. The sector faces £3.4 billion in additional annual costs from the last Budget, leading to over 80,000 job losses. They request lower business rates, reduced NICs, and a VAT cut. Access Hospitality seeks digital transformation support and AI adoption funding. The Budget's impact is described as immediate and socially regressive.

🛫 Business travel check-ins remain a pain point. Nearly 47% of business travelers face check-in issues, with 49% feeling stressed and 27% feeling unprepared for work due to these disruptions. Problems stem from poor communication of payment details, often sent separately, leading to confusion. With API-led payment integrations and virtual card adoption, hotels can streamline check-ins, enhancing efficiency and traveler satisfaction. The technology is available; now it's about commitment to implementation.

📱 Contactless hospitality involves technologies like mobile check-in, digital keys, and room service apps to enhance guest experience, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. Key benefits include improved safety amid Covid-19, personalization, and operational efficiency. Challenges involve tech integration and cybersecurity. Mews offers solutions like digital check-in kiosks and virtual concierge. To optimize the experience, hotels should blend tech with a personal touch and automate processes for a seamless, efficient stay.