Follow Tripadvisor (NASDAQ: TRIP) in one feed. This hub gathers the latest news, product changes and reviews-business moves around the travel guidance platform, curated by 10 Minutes News. Stay on top of a key reputation and booking channel.
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First investors expands portfolio with the acquisition of The Cambria Hotel Milwaukee Downtown
20 July 2026Chicago – First Investors , the investment arm of First Hospitality , has acquired the Cambria Hotel Milwaukee Downtown, marking another strategic investment and reinforcing the firm’s continued focus on acquiring hospitality assets with long-term growth potential. First Investors acquired the property from a financial institution and plans to renovate and reposition the property over the next year. Originally opened in 2019 as the first Cambria hotel in Milwaukee, the property features 132 thoughtfully designed guestrooms, including king rooms, double…
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Multi-Channel Distribution Strategy for Independent Hotels
20 July 2026This post was originally published on this site. Mastering a Balanced Mix For independent hotels, distribution is a double-edged sword. On one hand, global visibility has never been easier to attain. On the other, the cost of that visibility can quickly erode your profitability. As a hotel revenue management consulting firm, we see many independent properties fall into the trap of “lazy distribution”—relying on one or two dominant Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) to fill 70% or more of their rooms.…
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Hotels See 30% Increase in Average Order Spend with Mobile Ordering, Enhancing Guest Experience and Revenue
17 July 2026📱 Digital mobile ordering boosts hotel F&B operations by enhancing service efficiency and increasing revenue. Guests spend an average of 30% more per order with digital menus, accessing QR codes for seamless ordering anywhere in the hotel. This integrated system minimizes order errors, ensures menu accuracy, and offers multi-lingual options, improving guest satisfaction and loyalty. By reducing friction, hotels can better compete with third-party apps and maintain brand consistency across multiple properties.
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AI Search Platforms Like ChatGPT and Gemini Revolutionize Hotel Discovery and Booking Strategies
17 July 2026📈 Hotels must optimize for AI search across platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Claude. These AI tools rely on data from websites, review sites, and trusted sources. A consistent, clear, and accessible online presence helps hotels improve visibility. Using structured data, accurate Google Business Profiles, and relevant content is key. Hotels should focus on generative engine optimization (GEO) to enhance their AI search rankings and increase direct booking opportunities. Adapting now builds trust and visibility across multiple platforms.
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Koddi Launches ‘Occupancy Insights’ Feature to Mitigate Budget Skewing in Hotel Metasearch Bid Automation
17 July 2026📈 Jul 15, 2026, Koddi launched Occupancy Insights to optimize hotel campaigns on platforms like Google and Expedia. Koddi argues traditional bid automation favors already-popular properties, pushing budgets towards these winners. The feature lets hotels adjust bids based on occupancy and other metrics to avoid overspending on high-demand dates. Koddi provides no evidence for their claim, urging hoteliers to analyze their data for effective spending rather than relying solely on automated systems.
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ChatGPT Fails to Use Connected Travel Apps Like Booking.com and Expedia, Delivering Generic Results Instead
9 July 2026🛫 Jul 9, 2026, a traveler requested ChatGPT to find a hotel near Times Square under $400. Despite having Booking.com installed, ChatGPT returned generic results, citing false reasons for not using connected apps like Expedia. Claude, another assistant, successfully utilized similar apps. Expedia acknowledged the issue as a ChatGPT bug. This highlights the inconsistency of AI platforms, affecting hotel visibility. The test by Skift underscores the discretionary nature of AI app usage and the challenges for hotels.
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AI Misleading Travelers with Outdated Hotel Information, Resulting in Guest Disappointments and Increased Front Desk Burden
8 July 2026🛌 Jul 8, 2026, a couple arrives at a hotel for their anniversary, expecting a restaurant based on past AI-generated reviews, only to find it changed to a coffee bar six months earlier. AI’s outdated information also misdescribes ongoing renovations, nightlife, and spa status. Guests trust AI’s confident recommendations from old data, creating discrepancies that hotel staff must address, often compensating guests for misrepresented amenities. Updating hotel details regularly can help ensure AI uses current information.
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AI and Social Proof Transform Hotel Group Sales by Prioritizing Reviews Over Traditional Marketing Strategies
7 July 2026📝 In the competitive hotel group sales landscape, social proof is a key advantage, as planners prioritize feedback from peers over marketing promises. Susan Tucker and I discussed this on the InnSync Show. AI now influences venue choices, relying on reviews over brochures. Half of corporate meetings are handled by non-professional planners, who depend on reviews. Implementing a structured review process is essential; timing and reciprocity enhance outcomes. The focus should be on demonstrating exceptional team experiences, not just products.
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Prism to List on Bombay Stock Exchange by Year-End, Secures $150 Million Pre-IPO; Reports €650M Revenue
1 July 2026💰 Prism, OYO’s parent company, is set to list on the Bombay Stock Exchange by year-end, having raised $150 million through a pre-IPO placement. Founder Ritesh Agarwal and SoftBank hold two-thirds of the company. In fiscal 2025/2026, Prism reported €650 million in revenue and €70 million in profit. It ranks as the sixth-largest global hotel group, operating 32,750 hotels with 950,000 rooms. The US market, led by G6 Hospitality, significantly boosts profitability.
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Alliants Enhances Guest Experience by Streamlining Pre-Arrival Services and Digital Key Solutions Across Hotels
1 July 2026📱 In Resorts World, Vegas, Alliants employs a digital key system, eliminating front desk stops by enabling online check-ins. Andrew Pirret from Alliants notes 40% of luxury hotel guests book restaurants via on-property teams. He emphasizes seamless guest recognition using PMS, CRM systems, enhancing brand loyalty. The 17-year-old company, built by ex-hoteliers, integrates AI for guest services, facilitating personalized communication and streamlined operations across platforms like WeChat and KakaoTalk.
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Guest Satisfaction Continues Its Recovery as Hotels Raise the Bar
29 June 2026The global hotel industry continues to make steady progress in guest satisfaction, with the latest Q1 2026 Guest Experience Benchmark, by Shiji Reviewpro showing that overall quality has now moved well beyond the immediate post pandemic recovery period. The Global Review Index (GRI) reached 86.3%, compared with the post reopening average of 84.3%, illustrating that hotels are no longer simply rebuilding operations. They are improving them. While comparing against the difficult years immediately after COVID may no longer be the…
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Iconic Hybrid Hotel Opening: Waldhuus Bellary, or how economy hospitality reinvents Alpine heritage
26 June 2026This article was written by HospitalityOn. Click here to read the original article A chalet steeped in history Built in 1886 by Indian missionaries, the Waldhuus Bellary, formerly known as the Waldhotel Bellary (a blend of Wald, meaning forest in German, and hotel), was named after the town of Bellary in India. Taken over in 1936 by the Nakajima-Schild family, the building underwent its first major alteration in 1984 with the addition of a third floor. In 2024, after four…
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Award-Winning Hoteliers Share Seven Key Strategies for Enhancing Guest Experience in 2026 Hospitality Industry
25 June 2026📈 2023 GuestRevu GREAT Awards celebrated top hotels based on guest reviews from Google, TripAdvisor, and Booking.com. Marius Botes of Thaba Eco Hotel and Eugenia Danilikhina of Hotel Indigo St. Petersburg emphasized authentic experiences and data-driven personalization. John Rogers of LUX South Ari Atoll highlighted staff empowerment and communication. Hotels focus on removing friction, offering unique local experiences, and leveraging feedback for continuous improvement. Entries for the 2026 GREAT Awards close on June 30, 2026.
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GetYourGuide Achieves Over €1 Billion in Revenue, Leading Experience-Focused OTAs Like Tripadvisor and Klook
24 June 2026🌎 In 2023, GetYourGuide, Tripadvisor, and Klook are leaders in the online experiences category. Europe’s GetYourGuide reported over €1 billion ($1.1 billion) revenue. Tripadvisor, based in the U.S., is selling its dining platform to focus more on experiences, while Klook in the APAC region derives most of its revenue from experiences. Despite their lead, these companies face challenges due to smaller revenue from experience bookings compared to accommodations and competition from offline single-day tour operators.
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Alila Kothaifaru Maldives Wins TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2026, Ranking in Top 10% of Global Hotels
24 June 2026🏖 Alila Kothaifaru Maldives received the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2026, placing it in the top 10% of hotels globally, based on traveler reviews over the past year. Located in the Raa Atoll, the resort is praised for its attentive service, tranquil setting, and vibrant marine life. Guests cherish personalized experiences and encounters with sea turtles, manta rays, and dolphins. This recognition follows a similar award in 2025, reinforcing its status as a premier luxury retreat.
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Low Wood Bay Completes £500,000 Spa Expansion; Earns Tripadvisor Top 10% and Good Spa Guide Luxury Rating
24 June 2026🏨 A £500,000 investment at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa in the Lake District has upgraded indoor and outdoor spa facilities, introducing a balcony bridge and additional lounge and treatment spaces. Recognized in the top 10% of Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travellers’ Choice Awards and awarded the Good Spa Guide’s ‘Five Bubble Luxury’ rating, the project involved DV8 Designs and Cubby Construction. This initiative supports the spa’s dedication to luxury relaxation and wellbeing.
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Travelers trust AI enough to start. Not enough to book
24 June 2026The Adobe data from May 2026 showed something that doesn’t resolve cleanly. AI-referred visitors to travel sites spent 70% longer per visit than visitors from other sources. They bounced 41% less. By every engagement measure, they arrived with more intent than the average visitor. And they converted 28% less. High engagement, low conversion. The instinct is to look at the booking path — the rate presentation, the booking engine, the checkout flow. Something in there isn’t closing. That instinct may…
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AI-Referred Visitors Spend 70% Longer on Travel Sites But Convert 28% Less, Highlighting Verification Loop Issues
24 June 2026📚 In May 2026, Adobe data showed AI-referred visitors to travel sites spent 70% longer per visit, bounced 41% less, yet converted 28% less compared to other sources. Yext’s March 2026 survey of 1,120 US adults revealed 62% verified AI recommendations via Google. Fractl and Search Engine Land’s Q2 2026 study reported a decline in consumer trust in AI search recommendations from 82% to 54%, despite rising usage. This highlights a significant verification process before decisions.
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AI Assistants Cite Hotel Websites as Sources in Under 10% of Recommendations, Favoring OTAs and Review Sites
24 June 2026📈 Jun 24, 2026 – New research by Tharro reveals AI assistants cite hotel websites under 10% of the time when recommending hotels. Out of 695 unbranded searches, hotel domains were cited as sources less than 10% of the time, with AI favoring OTAs like Booking and Expedia, and review platforms. Even top-ranking hotel sites were sourced only 20-37% of the time. AI recommendations rely on intermediaries, challenging the direct-booking strategy focused on controlling guest relationships.
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AI Assistants Cite Hotel’s Own Website as Source Under 10% of the Time, Favoring Intermediaries Instead
24 June 2026📚 June 24, 2026, Tharro’s study reveals AI assistants cite hotel websites under 10% of the time, favoring OTAs, review sites, and guides. From 695 searches on ChatGPT and Google’s AI Mode, hotels’ own sites are cited 20% even with top Google ranks, and 37% for top 10 listings. AI uses intermediary sources, challenging direct-booking strategies. The study is a June 2026 snapshot, highlighting association, not causation, with a commercial interest.
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Hotel Marketing Evolves with Technology, Personalization, and Social Media for Sustainable Business Growth in 2023
23 June 2026🏨 Leveraging digital platforms like Tripadvisor, hotels can enhance visibility and trust through user-generated reviews. Personalized digital strategies, driven by big data and analytics, allow for targeted marketing. Mobile technology and augmented reality tours enhance guest interaction. Cultivating loyalty programs and local partnerships boosts growth and customer retention. Social media platforms, such as Instagram, are crucial for engagement, showcasing unique offerings, and fostering community. Personalization, driven by AI, ensures tailored guest experiences, enhancing satisfaction and loyalty.
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AI-Referred Visitors Spend 70% Longer on Travel Sites but Convert 28% Less Due to Verification Loop
23 June 2026📈 AI-referred visitors to travel sites in May 2026 spent 70% longer per visit but converted 28% less. From a Yext survey of 1,120 US adults in March 2026, 62% verified AI recommendations via Google. Trust in AI search recommendations fell from 82% to 54% in Q2 2026. The verification loop often directs travelers through OTAs like Booking.com. The conversion gap shrank from 86% to 28% since late 2024. AI visibility invites; verification closes.
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Salesforce Acquires Finn for $3.6 Billion to Leverage Its Proprietary AI Customer Support Infrastructure
19 June 2026💰 Amex acquired TheFork from TripAdvisor for $700 million, raising questions about its relevance. Yum! sold Pizza Hut for $1.5 billion, aiming to leverage nostalgia despite franchise struggles. Salesforce bought Finn (formerly Intercom) for $3.6 billion to capitalize on its AI infrastructure. In May, the leisure and hospitality sector added 70,000 jobs, significantly surpassing the 12-month average of 14,000, with food services contributing 48,000 jobs, indicating industry growth.
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Priceline Integrates Anthropic’s Claude Into Penny for Seamless Travel Booking, Keeping Transactions Within Its Platform
17 June 2026📅 Jun 3, 2026: Priceline launched an updated version of Penny, its travel assistant, now integrated with Anthropic’s Claude, Google Cloud, and OpenAI for seamless travel planning and booking. This marks Priceline’s first consumer product use of Claude, retaining the booking process within its platform. In contrast, Anthropic previously enabled Claude to connect directly with Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and Viator. While discovery shifts to conversational agents, Priceline aims to maintain control over transactions and bookings.
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American Express Acquires TheFork for $700 Million, Expanding Dining Network to 75,000 Venues Across 11 Countries
16 June 2026💵 American Express agreed to buy TheFork, Tripadvisor’s European restaurant-reservation platform, for $700 million on June 15, 2026. TheFork operates across 50,000 restaurants in 11 countries, generating $232 million in revenue over 12 months. Amex’s acquisitions, including Resy in 2019 and Tock in 2024, expand its dining network to 75,000 venues. This strategic move enhances Amex’s position in dining discovery, aligning with cardmember engagement trends, with dining spend growing over 20% in Q4.
