Follow every move from Amadeus Hospitality (BME: AMS) in one feed. This hub gathers the latest news, product launches and partnerships across Amadeus’ hotel platform — from central reservation and property management systems to its business intelligence and media solutions — as reported by trusted sources worldwide. A quick way for hoteliers to keep tabs on one of travel technology’s heavyweight players.
-
Google Initiates AI-Driven Hotel Booking Test in the U.S. with Amadeus, Partners with Booking Holdings
10 August 2026🌐 On August 7, 2026, Google confirmed a limited test of AI agent hotel booking in the U.S., partnering with Amadeus. The Ask Maps feature provides actual prices and availability. Booking Holdings, a partner, sees less than 1% of bookings from conversational agents. Studies show a 10-25% drop in Google referral traffic from May-June 2025. Despite traffic declines, AI-assistant bookings remain stable. Hotel loyalty programs like Marriott’s Ask Bonvoy and IHG’s ChatGPT apps aim to maintain customer relations.
-
Travel Agency Hotel Bookings Surge 11.8% in H1 2026, Outpacing Booking.com and Expedia Growth by Over Double
10 August 2026🏨 Aug 10, 2026: Hotel bookings via travel agencies rose 11.8% in early 2026, while Booking.com and Expedia grew around 5%. A third of GDS hotel bookings now come from high-spending leisure travelers. GDS bookings are restricted by permissions, not price. AI and consumer platforms can’t change this system due to entrenched agreements. GDS growth is mostly unnoticed because it lacks promotional efforts, unlike OTAs. Connected hotels benefit from this silent expansion, while unconnected ones remain absent.
-
Google Tests AI-Driven Hotel Booking in US with Booking, Expedia, Marriott; Partners with Amadeus and Sabre
10 August 2026💼 August 10, 2026: Google is testing agentic hotel booking in the US with partners like Booking, Expedia, Marriott, Wyndham, and IHG. This allows users to book hotels directly through AI search. Amadeus and Sabre are working with Google to integrate global distribution systems (GDS) into this process, providing a pathway for independent hotels. The test is limited, focusing on integrating existing booking channels rather than becoming an OTA. The independent hotels gain access via OTAs or GDS.
-
Diving deeper: Hidden insights from Travel Dreams 2026
7 August 2026Travel Dreams 2026: From data to delight has been one of the most ambitious hospitality research projects we’ve taken on at Amadeus. Together with our partners, we spoke to 6,000 travelers across key markets, connected with 500 senior hoteliers, and heard directly from select destination management organizations around the world. What stood out to me is just how rich the insights are. The full report brings many of them to life, offering a 360-degree view of where hospitality is today,…
-
HSMAI DC to Host State of the Industry Event on August 19 Focusing on 2027 Budget Planning
7 August 2026📈 On August 19, in Washington D.C., a panel of experts will gather at the Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf for the annual State of the Industry event. Registration starts at 4 p.m. Early-bird registration is available until August 10, costing $90 for HSMAI members and $115 for non-members. After August 11, fees increase to $105 and $130, respectively. Sponsored by multiple organizations, attendees are encouraged to donate backpacks for middle school students in the DMV area.
-
Unifocus Workforce Management Solutions Cut Hotel Labor Costs by 6-8% Through Demand-Based Scheduling and Mobile Tools
5 August 2026🏨 Hotels face financial strain due to rising wages, high turnover, and inefficient scheduling. Labor costs can decrease by 6-8% with demand forecasting tools. Modern workforce management tools, such as Unifocus, enhance efficiency through real-time labor tracking and mobile-friendly solutions, reducing unnecessary expenses and improving guest satisfaction. Unifocus is trusted by hotel brands in 68 countries, offering a unified platform for labor planning and operations with over 350 years of combined industry expertise.
-
Amadeus Reports 5.1% Revenue Growth in H1 2026, Reaches €3.3 Billion Amidst Geopolitical Challenges
5 August 2026📈 H1 2026, Amadeus reported a 5.1% revenue increase to €3,334.9 million, with a net profit of €700 million. Revenue sources included Air IT Solutions (€1,206 million, +8.7%), GDS Air Distribution (€1,584 million, +1.1%), and Hospitality & Other Solutions (€544 million, +9.2%). CEO Luis Maroto highlighted strategic AI partnerships, including with Google, and ongoing projects like replacing Accor’s TARS system with a new central reservation system for 5,600 hotels.
-
Agency Commissions Rise 13% in First Half of Year Due to Increased Volume, Not Price Changes
5 August 2026📈 Commission payments from hotels to agencies rose by 13% in the first half of the year compared to last year. Onyx CenterSource reported an 11.8% increase in commissionable room nights and a 1.4% rise in ADR. The average commission per room night increased by 0.8%. Booking Holdings and Expedia both saw a 6% growth in room nights in the first quarter. The agency channel’s growth was volume-driven, with stable pricing and commission rates.
-
Expedia Acquires AI Travel Platform Layla to Enhance Conversational Trip Planning and Booking Capabilities
4 August 2026💻 Expedia acquired Layla, an AI-native travel planning platform founded in 2023, enhancing AI trip planning and booking. Radisson and IHG had integrated AI interfaces just a week earlier. Global business travel spending is projected to hit $1.71 trillion by 2026, with only a 1.3% trip volume increase. Meanwhile, 69% of travelers trust AI for booking, and the AHLA Foundation’s anti-trafficking fund reached $10 million. Hilton’s Canopy Bangkok Sukhumvit opened in Southeast Asia.
-
OpenAI Halts Direct Travel Transactions in ChatGPT, Shifting to Agentic Commerce Protocol; Expedia and Booking Stocks Rise
3 August 2026📈 March 2026, OpenAI removed its Instant Checkout from ChatGPT, shifting to third-party apps via Agentic Commerce Protocol. Stock prices for Expedia and Booking rose. Between September 2025 and February 2026, major companies like Google, Expedia, and Booking launched new payment protocols and apps, influencing stock prices. AI-driven booking models lack a standard commission structure. ChatGPT began showing ads in February 2026, with Expedia and Marriott involved. Control of traveler interaction, not transaction handling, is the focus.
-
How Do Hotels Build a Corporate Sales Strategy
1 August 2026This article was written by Revfine. Click here to read the original article Hotels build a corporate sales strategy by identifying companies with recurring room night demand, negotiating rates that maintain both volume and yield, and managing those accounts as a portfolio rather than a stack of one-off RFP responses. A hotel corporate sales strategy is the organized plan a property uses to win, price, and grow bookings from corporate travel programs. Key Takeaways: Corporate business is won through account…
-
Amadeus and Google Highlight AI’s Influence on Travel, with 25 Million Hours of Travel Videos Watched Daily
30 July 2026💻 Last week in Mountain View, Amadeus and Google hosted an industry seminar. Key insights: 25 million hours of travel videos are watched daily; travelers spend 45 days and over 300 queries researching trips, even with AI; brand.com enhances conversion rates; digital ads must provide answers; and SEO still matters, though AI is changing keyword importance. Digital wallets, UCP, and AI are reshaping travel dynamics. Special thanks to Jill B., Joe Spirito, and Lalit Gupta for hosting.
-
Google Launches AI-Powered Direct Offers Program with IHG as First Hotel Partner, Expanding Travel Advertising.
27 July 2026💰 Google’s AI-powered ad system, AI Max, is now serving over 500,000 advertisers after its beta phase. New features include Highlighted Answers and Direct Offers, with IHG being the first hotel partner. Google reports a 15% increase in conversions and a 20% boost in ad relevance. The AI Max initiative, initially predicted to be auction-based, currently operates as an invitation-only program, offering valuable ad space within AI recommendations. Highlighted Answers is in testing, showing “early traction.
-
Panel of Experts to Discuss 2027 Budget Planning at HSMAI DC’s State of the Industry Event on August 19
27 July 2026📈 On August 19, in Washington D.C., the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International’s local chapter hosts an event at Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf. Industry experts like Blake Herring and Jennifer Hill will discuss 2027 budget planning. Registration costs range from $50 to $140. Participants are encouraged to donate backpacks for local students. HSMAI DC, part of a 5,000-member global organization, focuses on hotel revenue growth.
-
European Commission Fines Google €890 Million for Favoring Its Own Services Under Digital Markets Act
24 July 2026💸 Brussels fined Google €890 million on Thursday for breaching the Digital Markets Act by favoring its own services. €460 million of this covers search ranking violations, giving Google Flights, Hotels, and Shopping unfair prominence. Google must now adjust its results to ensure fairness. Despite testing changes, Google hasn’t confirmed an appeal. This affects European travel searches, where intermediaries like Booking.com gain prominence, potentially costing hotels more for visibility. Google made over twenty changes in March 2024, including new formats…
-
Hyatt Appoints Eduardo Schutte as SVP to Lead Commercial Strategy for Inclusive Collection’s 150+ Resorts
23 July 2026🏨 Hyatt Hotels Corp. has appointed Eduardo Schutte as SVP, Commercial, for the Inclusive Collection. Schutte, with 30+ years in hospitality, will oversee commercial strategy across 150+ resorts and nearly 58,000 rooms in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Reporting to Javier Águila and working with Mark Vondrasek, he aims to enhance commercial performance. Recent openings include resorts in St. Lucia and Aruba, with future expansions planned by the end of 2026 in Punta Cana and Los Cabos.
-
Eduardo Schutte Appointed Senior Vice President, Commercial for Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, Overseeing 150 Resorts Globally
23 July 2026🏨 Eduardo Schutte appointed as Senior Vice President, Commercial, at Hyatt Inclusive Collection, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Schutte brings 30 years of experience, having last served at Cross Border Xpress. Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection includes over 150 resorts with nearly 58,000 rooms across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Recent expansions in key destinations include new resorts and extensive renovations, with future openings planned before 2026.
-
US Hotel Development Pipeline Projects 832 New Openings by 2028, Indicating 1.5% Supply Growth Rate
23 July 2026📈 US pipeline projects 832 hotel openings in 2028, a 1.5% supply growth rate. Canada saw a 3.5% occupancy drop in June 2026, despite ADR rising 5.4% to CAD 252.63. Cloudbeds launched real-time reporting via Insights. Hoteza and Shiji Daylight PMS integrated to streamline hotel desk operations. Wyndham Rewards ranked top for 2026-2027. Eduardo Schutte appointed SVP at Hyatt. Songtsam opened a new retreat in Kunming, and $10 million renovations completed at Franklin Marriott Cool Springs.
-
Emerging Travel Group’s Felix Shpilman Unfazed by AI’s Role in Travel Booking, Focuses on Wholesale Distribution
20 July 2026🛫 In March, OpenAI’s ChatGPT shifted focus from completing travel transactions to discovery. Felix Shpilman of Emerging Travel Group, behind B2B wholesaler RateHawk, isn’t worried about AI; it brainstorms travel ideas but isn’t yet trusted for purchases. The agent acts as a new buyer, plugging into existing wholesale systems. AI doesn’t replace middlemen; it integrates with them. Independent hotels miss out on GDS networks due to lack of awareness, not size.
-
Spain Hotel Bookings Surge 76% and ADR Increases 85% Due to Upcoming Total Solar Eclipse in August
17 July 2026📈 Spain is experiencing a 76% increase in hotel bookings and an 85% rise in ADR due to the August 12 total solar eclipse, the first from mainland Spain in 120 years. 🚀 Connectivity is vital for hotels to enter the AI commerce layer, as per hospitality.today and reconline AG. Despite rising costs, 56% of Americans plan summer trips. Global guest satisfaction reached 87.3% in Q2 2026, with response times improving to 3.7 days. Faraway Hotels launched simultaneously in the…
-
Hilton Connects Directly with Navan, Bypassing GDS, for Real-Time Booking and Content Integration
9 July 2026📱 Hilton connected its reservation system to Navan on July 9, 2026, bypassing traditional intermediaries like Amadeus and Sabre. This direct API provides real-time rates and content, with Navan as the first travel-management company to access it. Hilton controls connections and presentation, impacting the competitive landscape by determining access and terms. This system is a precursor for AI booking agents, signaling a shift in how travel bookings are managed and controlled.
-
Amadeus Unveils AI-Powered Interconnected Platform to Transform Hospitality Distribution and Revenue Management
6 July 2026🏨 Amadeus, a key player in travel technology, is transforming its offerings with an AI-powered platform to address the fragmented hospitality sector. The new platform, DAIS, aggregates data across five layers, including demand, operational, and guest profile data. Notable systems like ACRS and iHotelier are now interconnected, allowing hoteliers to manage bookings and availability seamlessly. This transformation aims to enhance personalization and address challenges in guest experience and data management.
-
Major Hotel Chains Misalign AI Investments by Focusing on Direct Booking as Traveler Discovery Shifts Elsewhere
1 July 2026📈 Hotel chains’ AI investments focus on direct bookings, missing the shift to discovery platforms like ChatGPT and Google AI Overview. Oracle VP Tanya Pratt emphasizes cloud over AI as transformative in hospitality tech. Alliants deploys its Experience Platform across Premier Inn’s 95,000 rooms in the UK and Germany. Coolcation searches rise 74% YoY in H1 2026. WTTC and UNEP sign a sustainability MoU through June 2028. New hotel openings in the Faroe Islands, Northern Thailand, and Vienna.
-
Amadeus’s 2026 RFP Playbook Reveals 63% of Hotels Struggle with Qualified Leads Amid Shrinking Corporate Shortlists
1 July 2026📈 Jul 1, 2026, Amadeus published its 2026 RFP playbook targeting hotel accounts with data. About 63% of hotels struggle to find qualified leads. The playbook advises targeting accounts, building visibility, and managing contracts, stressing the importance of known relationships. Despite expert guidance, hotel programs are consolidating, and big corporate bookings have stalled, leaving fewer spots for new entries. Bids from independents often go unrequested as the corporate guest list narrows.
-
Accor and H World Partner to Enable 430 Million Loyalty Members to Book Across Nearly Two Million Rooms
30 June 2026📈 Accor and H World are collaborating through targeted interoperability, not merging their ecosystems. ALL Accor and H Rewards have a combined membership of 430 million. Accor’s premium brands in China will open to H Rewards, while H World hotels in Europe and the Middle East will be available to Accor members. This aims to boost direct bookings over OTAs, benefiting from nearly two million rooms globally. The partnership leverages Accor’s global reach and H World’s 13,000 Chinese hotels.
