Wed.Aug 07, 2024

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Airbnb CEO: A New AI-Powered App Will Take ‘Years’

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky originally predicted that a fully redeveloped app — with AI at the center — would already have been released. Now, he's saying it'll take years.

Travel 331
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2024 Guide to Franchising

Lodging

With the brand landscape quickly evolving and offering more choices for hotel owners, LODGING‘s annual Guide to Franchising serves as a resource to help hoteliers understand the market with important information about brands in the hotel industry. This online guide provides data on each brand within a company’s portfolio, covering chain scales, franchise fees, and the number of properties in their network.

Scale 264
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Saudi Takes 2 Million Photos of Neom in ‘Ground X’ Project to Build Investor Trust

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Saudi has launched a global drive to bring in more investors and it wants to demonstrate progress. "Show, don't tell," says Neom.

Tourism 336
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Hilton Releases Q2 2024 Results

Lodging

MCLEAN, Virginia—Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. reported its second quarter 2024 results. Highlights include: Overview Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, said, “We are pleased to report a solid second quarter, with an increase in RevPAR of 3.5 percent, driven by growth in all segments, with particularly strong group performance.

Pipeline 261
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Dont Let AI Pass You By: The New Era of Personalized Sales Coaching & Development

Speaker: Brendan Sweeney, VP of Sales & Devyn Blume, Sr. Account Executive

Are you curious about how artificial intelligence is reshaping sales coaching, learning, and development? Join Brendan Sweeney and Devyn Blume of Allego for an engaging new webinar exploring AI's transformative role in sales coaching and performance improvement! Brendan and Devyn will share actionable insights and strategies for integrating AI into coaching and development - ensuring personalized, effective, and scalable training!

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Top Aviation Leaders on Stage at Skift Events this Fall

Skift Blog

Skift Take: CEOs from American, JetBlue, Southwest, Turkish, and United will join Skift Airline Weekly editors on stage for in-depth discussions on the sector’s future and their takes on what’s next.

Events 305
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Try a Triage Approach to Customer Complaint

Hospitality Net

Recently, I had the privilege of being a keynote speaker on customer experience at a company’s quarterly event. Following the speech, the CEO shared an insight into their approach to customer service and CX, comparing it to a medical emergency room. Our response to handling customer complaints and issues is akin to triage, he said. We effectively diagnose the problems, yet find ourselves treating similar cases repeatedly as if sending them to an emergency room that never addresses the underlying

Events 278

More Trending

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Banyan Group Expands Multi-Brand Presence in Vietnam

Hospitality Net

Entwined with abundant biodiversity and a pristine coastline, Angsana Quan Lan is a natural paradise embracing Bai Tu Long Bay, a more secluded gateway to Ha Long Bay.

Branding 246
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Hilton: U.S. Leisure Travel ‘Definitely Softening’ – High-End Still Have ‘Fat Bank Accounts’

Skift Blog

Skift Take: While Hilton's outlook remains broadly positive, the moderating growth trajectory bears watching. Next year hotel operators may need to work harder to drive growth. Luxury and lifestyle brands could be key differentiators.

Travel 299
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Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort Expected to Debut in Early October 2024 After $115M Renovation

Hospitality Net

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch will transition to the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Arizona, with transformative renovations of accommodations, pool, suites, and food and beverage concepts.

Resorts 246
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Cathay Pacific Signs Big Plane Order as it Scrambles to Regain Dominance

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Cathay Pacific was hit harder than most during the pandemic, and remains a relative laggard on the international stage. Bosses see 2024 as the year that its rebuilding plan really starts to gathers pace.

Business 297
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How to Stay Competitive in the Evolving State of Martech

Marketing technology is essential for B2B marketers to stay competitive in a rapidly changing digital landscape — and with 53% of marketers experiencing legacy technology issues and limitations, they’re researching innovations to expand and refine their technology stacks. To help practitioners keep up with the rapidly evolving martech landscape, this special report will discuss: How practitioners are integrating technologies and systems to encourage information-sharing between departments and pr

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In Canada, Lodging Econometrics Reports a 54% Increase in Projects Under Construction at Q2 2024

Hospitality Net

The Q2 2024 Canada Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE) reveals that at the close of the quarter, there are 322 projects/40,297 rooms in the country’s total pipeline. These record-high project and room counts represent a 17% increase in projects and an 8% increase in rooms year-over-year (YOY).

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Inside AlUla’s Strategy to Build a Tourism Destination with Sustainable Growth

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Known as the crown jewel of Saudi tourism, AlUla is building a "light-touch tourism" model that focuses on cultural preservation to attract travelers interested in authentic experiences while capping visitor numbers to preserve its unique landscape.

Tourism 295
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IHCL Adding Two Taj Hotels In Bahrain

Hospitality Net

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, announced the signing of a luxury hotel and boutique resort in the Kingdom of Bahrain, both under its iconic Taj brand. These greenfield projects mark a significant milestone as IHCL becomes the first Indian hospitality company to establish a presence in the Kingdom of Bahrain, further cementing its footprint in the Middle East.

Hotels 246
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Former American Airlines Exec Vasu Raja on Where the Industry Is Going — and Why He’s Still Bullish on Direct Selling

Skift Blog

Skift Take: In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with Skift since he left American Airlines, Raja discussed the future of the airline industry.

Travel 312
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Beyond the Basics: How to Develop and Retain a Top-Performing Sales Team

Speaker: Brendan Sweeney, VP of Sales at Allego

Maximizing sales rep performance is no easy task. 📈 Traditional sales training methods focus heavily on the first few weeks in the sales role. Companies dedicate time, resources, and budget to onboarding new hires, only for them to forget what was learned in those first few weeks, lose motivation, and struggle to come to grips with their role.

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102-Key Radisson Hotel Reims Opens in France

Hospitality Net

Radisson Hotel Group is delighted to announce its debut in the heart of the Champagne region with the opening of Radisson Hotel Reims. This contemporary hotel bolsters the upscale Radisson brand in France, marking its second location in the country. Situated just steps away from the vibrant Halles du Boulingrin and directly opposite the Reims Arena, Radisson Hotel Reims is poised to become a premier destination for travelers seeking a harmonious and enriching travel experience.

Hotels 261
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How Procurement Enhances the Employee Experience in Hospitality

Skift Blog

Skift Take: As hospitality procurement leaders become increasingly important strategic partners, advanced technologies can help procurement teams tackle industry complexity, increase efficiency, and deliver measurable value back to the business.

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35 Ways to Implement Your New Hotel Profit Optimization Strategy

Hospitality Net

Rising costs are outpacing revenue growth across hospitality, forcing innovative hoteliers to adopt data-driven, profit-focused strategies to sustain success. Hotel leaders in every department across the industry are focused on new metrics, benchmarks, and strategies to optimize profitability. By leveraging accurate data and personalized insights, hoteliers across all departments can make informed decisions that drive revenue to the bottom line, ensuring sustainable growth and improved margins.

Revenue 246
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Maui One Year After the Wildfires: Tourism Recovery Still Far Off

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Maui's tourism sector hasn't been able to shake off the impact of last year's wildfires despite extensive marketing.

Tourism 299
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ABM Evolution: How Top Marketers Are Using Account-Based Strategies

In times of economic uncertainty, account-based strategies are essential. According to several business analysts and practitioners, ABM is a necessity for creating more predictable revenue. Research shows that nearly three-quarters of marketers (74%) already have the resources needed to build successful ABM programs.

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Five Key Hospitality Trends for Attracting Tomorrow’s Travelers

Hospitality Net

Picture this: As you step up to the check-in counter at a hotel, the receptionist asks, ‘Have you stayed with us before?’ This seemingly simple question reveals a critical flaw in the hotel’s operations and shows that the hotel is falling behind in the way the industry is moving. Let me explain.The travel and hospitality industries were some of the most impacted industries by recent world events.

Travel 260
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Disney CEO Sees ‘Flat-ish’ Theme Park Revenue and ‘Slowdown’ in Coming Months

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Disney's theme parks — one of the world's most popular tourist attractions — face a domestic slowdown.

Revenue 306
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US Open Finals Weekend Drives 16% Spike in New York City Hotel Rates: SiteMinder

Hospitality Net

Hotel rooms for the finals weekend of the US Open Tennis Championships have been snapped up for 16% more than the average banked by New York City’s hotels this summer. This is according to new data from the world’s leading distribution and revenue platform SiteMinder, which analyzed bookings for the two-week-long tournament commencing at the end of August.

Revenue 245
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Reasonable Care: Two Cases That Illustrate Its Vital Importance

Lodging

A hotelier’s duty of reasonable care has already been established. The following incidents show how deficiencies in reasonable care can result in guest injury and consequent liability for negligence. Case No. 1 At a limited-service property flagged by a major franchisor, motel guests were enjoying the indoor pool. An adult female moved to join an unrelated couple seated in the whirlpool spa.

Motels 173
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Diving into Diversity: Decoding the Foundations of Inclusion in Hospitality Talent Acquisition

Speaker: Lauren Fernandez - CEO & Founder, Full Course

Companies all over the world, including Marriot International and Hilton Worldwide, are aware of the value of including DEI in their talent acquisition strategy. However, despite these initiatives, there is still plenty that the hospitality sector can do to promote DEI. When comparing the hospitality industries in India, Iraq, the UK, and the US, you will see that there is a consistent underrepresentation of persons from different ethnic, gender, and disability origins across all levels of the i

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From order takers to revenue makers: Empower your hotel reservations team

Hospitality Net

What if instead of just handling incoming calls, your reservations team became an integral part of your sales operation? What if they didn’t simply take orders but could anticipate needs, drive direct bookings, and cultivate guest loyalty?

Revenue 245
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Aimbridge Names Christopher Tatum Full Service Division President

Lodging

PLANO, Texas—Aimbridge Hospitality announced Christopher Tatum as the new divisional president of its Full Service division. Tatum will be a member of the company’s executive leadership team and report directly to CEO Craig S. Smith. As President – Full Service, Tatum will provide oversight and leadership for the Aimbridge Full Service division portfolio, which includes Full Service, Evolution Lifestyle, Luxury, and Resort properties in destinations in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbea

Services 162
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Maximum Hospitality Unveils Sheraton Nashville-Brentwood Hotel’s Stunning Transformation

Hospitality Net

Maximum Hospitality, an affiliate of Hotel Equities, proudly announced the completion of the Sheraton Nashville-Brentwood’s extensive renovation and conversion. The hotel underwent a comprehensive transformation to enhance guest experiences and establish a new benchmark for upscale hospitality in the region.As the most global brand within Marriott International’s portfolio, Sheraton Hotels has always been a brand rooted in its’ communities and Sheraton Nashville-Brentwood now emulates this visio

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Valor Hospitality Partners Assumes Operation of Hilton Garden Inn Haymarket

Lodging

ATLANTA, Georgia—Valor Hospitality Partners continued to grow its global portfolio, assuming operation of the Hilton Garden Inn Haymarket in Haymarket, Virginia. “The addition of the Hilton Garden Inn Haymarket to the Valor portfolio, a hidden gem within the Piedmont region of Virginia proximate to both the Manassas National Battlefield Park and downtown Washington D.C., will allow us to demonstrate our obsession to both creating memorable guest experiences and delivering exceptional commercial

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ABM Success Recipe: Mastering the Crawl, Walk, Run Approach

Shifting to an account-based marketing (ABM) strategy can be both exciting and challenging. Well-implemented ABM motions build engagement with high-value accounts and drive impactful campaigns that resonate with your audience. But where do you begin, and how do you progress from crawling to running? Watch now as Demand Gen experts delve into the essentials of each stage of the ABM process.

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Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island Completes First Phase of Renovation

Hospitality Net

Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island recently completed phase one of a comprehensive resort renovation program, unveiling its 340 redesigned guestrooms during a July 9th "Find the Light"-themed ribbon-cutting celebration. Inspired by the island’s natural beauty, guestrooms now feature several stylish upgrades and enhancements, serving as a serene backdrop for a breathtaking island escape.

Resorts 244
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Airbnb’s Slow Growth, IHG’s Good Growth and Travel’s Recession Worries

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Today's podcast looks at Airbnb’s rather normal earnings, IHG’s strong showing, and the state of global travel stocks.

Travel 162
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Saudi hospitality ADR and RevPAR rise in first half of 2024

Hospitality Net

In the second quarter of 2024, Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector demonstrated robust growth, reflecting the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to enhance its tourism and travel industry. According to the latest CBRE Middle East Real Estate Market Review, key performance indicators (KPIs) for all major hospitality markets in Saudi Arabia have surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

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Budgeting Tips for Maximizing ROI in Social Media Advertising

Social Hospitality

Running a business in today’s social media world is quite competitive, to say the least. Social media advertising has become a powerful marketing tool that achieves the desired outcomes. This blog post will discuss all the actionable budgeting tips for maximizing ROI in social media advertising campaigns. Key Factors Of A Social Media Budget Staffing and labor costs Staffing and labor costs are the first factors to consider.

ROI 130
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A Buyer’s Guide to Future-Proofing Your Restaurant Tech Stack

The race to 100% digital is on. With the restaurant industry still in the early innings of its digital transformation, brands need an airtight strategy when it comes to building out their tech stack. Download the buyer’s guide to learn where to prioritize your efforts and get the most out of every investment.