Wed.Aug 28, 2024

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United Airlines Flight Attendants Take Step Toward Strike — 99.9% Vote Yes

Skift Blog

Skift Take: United flight attendants are the latest to vote overwhelmingly for a strike as flight attendant negotiations have become particularly contentious this past year.

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AAA: Seattle Remains Top Labor Day Weekend Destination

Lodging

WASHINGTON, D.C.—According to AAA booking data, Seattle, Washington, ranked as the number one Labor Day weekend destination, up nearly 30 percent from last year when it also topped the list. Anchorage and Juneau, Alaska, are also on the top ten list of Labor Day destinations. “This is the time of year to go on an Alaska cruise,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president, AAA Travel.

Travel 254
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The Next Battleground in Short-Term Rentals: Amenities

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Short-term rental hosts are increasingly relying on amenities – like pools, hot tubs and mini golf – to make their listings stand out from the competition, and some say the end result is an “amenities arms race.

Travel 329
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Sage Hospitality Adds Mercantile Dining & Provision to Portfolio

Lodging

DENVER, Colorado—Sage Hospitality Group welcomed Mercantile Dining & Provision to its portfolio, joining the roster of more than 50 restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues under Sage Restaurant Concepts (SRC). Mercantile will be an owned restaurant concept for Sage, alongside brands such as Urban Farmer and Departure, with plans to grow the brand in suitable standalone restaurant locations.

Dining 162
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Smart Tools & Strong Teams: A People-First Approach to AI in Sales

Speaker: Matt Sunshine, CEO at The Center for Sales Strategy

AI isn’t replacing salespeople—it’s empowering them. The most forward-thinking sales organizations are using AI to enhance human performance rather than eliminate it. From coaching and messaging to prospecting and pipeline accountability, artificial intelligence is giving managers and SDRs the new tools they need to work smarter, sell better, and close more.

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Air France-KLM Now Owns 20% of SAS: 3 Big Changes to Watch

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Air France-KLM’s significant stake is more than just a strategic move—it's the latest stage of deepening consolidation in Europe's airline industry. With SAS defecting to the SkyTeam alliance and expanding cooperation with new partners, expect tighter network integration in the months ahead.

Business 328
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The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach Launches Sky Collection

Lodging

WAIKIKI BEACH, Hawaii—The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach introduced its Sky Suite Collection, including a new Sky Penthouse. The residential resort updates also include a reimagined pool experience with locally inspired experiences designed to immerse travelers in Hawaii’s culture. “Since opening our doors in 2016, we continue to evolve our Waikiki resort to offer new and elevated experiences to our discerning travelers,” said Ms.

Resorts 147

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Choice Hotels Shares Details of First SOAR Program Contract

Lodging

NORTH BETHESDA, Maryland—Choice Hotels International, Inc. announced its first contract under the recently reintroduced SOAR (Supporting Ownership Access and Representation) program, designed to create hotel ownership opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Damon Healey of Eternal Companies executed a contract to convert two hotels in Georgia to Suburban Studios, one of Choice’s four extended-stay brands.

Hotels 147
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Five Years Since Opening for Tourism, Saudi Says it Is a Destination ‘For All’ in New Campaign

Skift Blog

Skift Take: In its race to welcome 150 million tourists, Saudi Arabia's new tourism campaign promises to offer just about everything to everyone.

Tourism 325
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IHG Develops New InterContinental Orlando to Open in 2028

Lodging

ATLANTA, Georgia—IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a new InterContinental Hotels & Resorts property in Orlando, Florida. Developed in partnership with owner Flag Luxury Group and Unicorp National Developments, InterContinental Orlando will welcome guests with amenities and cultural experiences that show the InterContinental brand’s evolution.

Resorts 147
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Is Vrbo’s Nick Saban Ad Trolling Airbnb Rooms?

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Just in time for U.S. football season, Vrbo comes out with a hilarious ad about the vacation rental host in a shared space that you never want to meet. Even if it's in an Airbnb Room.

Travel 322
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How to Coach Reps on Overcoming Sales Objections with Confidence

Speaker: Brendan Sweeney, VP of Global Sales and David Phelan, Account Executive

In a world where buyers are more informed and objections are more nuanced, confidence isn't optional—it’s a competitive advantage. In high-stakes conversations, knowing how to handle pushback can make or break the deal. Join industry experts Brendan Sweeney and David Phelan for a behind-the-scenes look at how teams are transforming sales coaching with real-time feedback, objection-handling role plays, and pre-call preparation that actually sticks.

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Wendy Hoekwater launches Net Growth Marketing LLC

Hotel Business

Hospitality industry veteran Wendy Hoekwater has formed Net Growth Marketing LLC , a marketing and sales consulting firm specializing in scaling small- to mid-sized companies in hospitality, travel and tourism. “Having led sales and marketing initiatives for some of the most respected brands in the hospitality industry, including Marriott International, Choice Hotels International and Great Wolf Resorts Inc., I’ve gained a deep understanding of what drives success in this competitive market,R

Marketing 111
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Travel Agency Giant Flight Centre Notches Record Revenue

Skift Blog

Skift Take: For Flight Centre, key risks to continued growth include the pace of business travel recovery and the execution of productivity initiatives. If airfares drop in price, it will be crucial to shift to a higher-margin product mix.

Travel 322
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Premier bathroom fittings for Premier Inn in Al Garhoud

Hotel Designs

Hotel Designs Premier bathroom fittings for Premier Inn in Al Garhoud Premier bathroom fittings for Premier Inn in Al Garhoud SANIPEX GROUP has collaborated with Premier Inn Hotels to supply high-quality bathroom fittings for the Premier Inn Hotel in Al Garhoud, located just a stone’s throw from Dubai International Airport… Set for completion in September 2024, the Premier Inn Al Garhoud is designed to provide everything needed for a comfortable stay, featuring refurbished and modernised g

Scale 106
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Visit Florida on LGTBQ Travel Page Removal: ‘Our Marketing … Must Align With the State’

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Visit Florida finally responded to a question about why it removed its LGTBQ Travel page. But there are still plenty of unanswered questions.

Travel 313
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New Research-Backed Strategies to Empower Managers as Culture & Engagement Leaders

Speaker: Beth Sunshine, SVP, Up Your Culture

When culture isn’t consistently lived out across the organization, engagement suffers—and it often starts with a disconnect at the top. In this session, Beth Sunshine, SVP of Up Your Culture at The Center for Sales Strategy, will reveal how HR and executive leaders can close the gap between vision and execution by equipping frontline and mid-level managers to become culture carriers.

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Redefining hospitality – KOKO3 and Bob W create a modern travel destination in Helsinki

Hotel Designs

Hotel Designs Redefining hospitality – KOKO3 and Bob W create a modern travel destination in Helsinki Redefining hospitality – KOKO3 and Bob W create a modern travel destination in Helsinki In a complete transformation, the award-winning design firm KOKO3 has reimagined Bob W Kaarti, blending bold aesthetics, sustainability, and local culture… Bob W Kaarti apartments cater to next-generation travellers seeking both short and long stays, bridging the gap between traditional hotels and Airbn

Travel 105
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Travel Innovators, Parks Vs. Overtourism and China’s Senior Travelers

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Today's podcast looks at summer’s travel innovators, overtourism in U.S. national parks, and free-spending older Chinese tourists.

Travel 313
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The Mille Club: exploring SoCal luxury at El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel

eHotelier

From the moment the team welcomes guests, their goal is to allow them to unwind, relax, and soak up the tranquil atmosphere.

Hotels 98
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Skift Global Forum East Venues Announced

Skift Blog

Skift Take: We are excited to announce that this year’s Skift Global Forum East is set against the backdrop of two extraordinary Address Hotel venues that embody the luxury and innovation Dubai is known for.

Hotels 307
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Welcome to the Future of Hospitality: Smart Rooms Start Here

Speaker: Jady West, VP of Hospitality & Chris Bennett, Head of Sales & Engineering

The modern hotel room is no longer just a place to stay—it’s an experience to remember. Today’s guests expect seamless 5G connectivity, personalized comfort, and high-tech convenience. From AI-powered smart room controls to in-room entertainment and app-based services, technology is redefining hospitality from the inside out. In this new session featuring industry pros Jady West and Chris Bennett, we’ll explore how high-speed, high-bandwidth connectivity powers the innovations that are enabling

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Boost Hotel Profits: A Collaborative Approach for GMs and RMs

Demand Calendar

Outdated approaches may have served you well in the past, but they are no longer sufficient in today's fast-paced and competitive market. The hospitality industry is evolving rapidly, and to stay ahead—or even to keep up—hotels must embrace data-driven decision-making. By adopting advanced technology and analytics, hotels can unlock new opportunities to optimize pricing, improve occupancy, and elevate room revenue.

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How Travel Brands Can Drive Bookings From Anonymous Visitors 

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Understanding consumer preferences is essential for travel brands to create effective marketing strategies, but how can they capitalize on anonymous traffic? We sat down with Wunderkind's head of travel and ticketing to explore how brands can boost loyalty with contextual identity resolution and unlock the power of first-party data.

Branding 304
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Tech and Trust: The Digital Path to Sustainability in Hospitality

Hospitality Tech

From data management to certifications, discover the trends shaping the future of sustainability in hospitality and how your hotel can lead the way.

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The Evolution of Religious Tourism in India – India Report

Skift Blog

Skift Take: The importance of religion to tourism in India is well known. India is now investing in marketing and tourism infrastructure - think technology, hotels and other amenities – to attract more visitors.

Tourism 299
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State of AI in Sales & Marketing 2025

AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.

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Asia’s F&B Landscape: Key Markets to Watch

HotStats

As 2024 progresses, the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector in Asia shows signs of steady recovery, offering a glimpse of strategic opportunities for investors and hotel operators. A detailed comparison of profit margins from 2019, 2023, and 2024 year-to-date (YTD) reveals critical trends in key markets across the region.

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Recast: Build intelligent operations and let data drive direct bookings

Revinate

Hotel Moment WITH KAREN STEPHENS Episode 94 In this week’s episode of the Hotel Moment podcast, we’re re-sharing a favorite episode with Patrick Norton, Chief Marketing Officer at Brittain Resorts & Hotels, that first aired last year. Karen Stephens, then-Revinate CRO, and Patrick advocate for making a data-centered tech [.] The post Recast: Build intelligent operations and let data drive direct bookings appeared first on Revinate.

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JLL: $200M+ hotel deal volume at highest level in eight years

Hotel Business

Large hotel transactions are on the rise, with total single-asset hotel transaction volume for deals larger than $200 million reaching its highest level in eight years, according to JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality group, Year-to-date, there has been a 59% increase in transaction volume for single-asset deals larger than $200 million compared to the same period in the prior year, with a total of $4.0 billion recorded.

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HotelierÕs Handbook: 7 Surprise & Delight Tactics to Improve Hotel Guest Satisfaction

Hotel News Resource

In todayÕs competitive travel landscape, independent hotels face a unique challenge: standing out from the crowd and capturing the hearts (and wallets!) of travelers. ThatÕs where surprise and delight tactics come in.

Travel 53
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Don't 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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Red Roof opens first new-prototype HomeTowne Studios

Hotel Business

Red Roof has opened the HomeTowne Studios Tampa – Airport in Tampa. Developed in conjunction with owner and operator Dhruv Management , the hotel has 124 extended-stay suites and is the brand’s first property to feature its new prototype. Guest suites feature kitchenettes with refrigerators, microwaves, stove tops, sinks and dining space, as well as Serta beds and HD flat-screen TVs.

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Trailborn expands with new hotel in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains

eHotelier

Castle Peak Holdings, the investment and development company behind Trailborn, the first vertically-integrated hospitality brand specializing in designing and operating boutique hotels with full-service restaurants and bars exclusively located in the country’s most extraordinary outdoor destinations,

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Hotel Herringbone debuts in Waco, TX

Hotel Business

Hotel Herringbone, an upscale boutique hotel, is now open in downtown Waco, TX. San Diego-based RAD LAB partnered with FreeForm Development , Lucky Find Hospitality and local chef and restaurateur Corey McEntyre to acquire and reimagine what was once a vacant shipping container development occupying a full city block. The property offers 21 art-deco-inspired hotel rooms, as well as more than 30,000 sq. ft. of programmed and activated space for food, beverage, music, art, events and retail.

Retail 59
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Redefining luxury travel in Fiji – Royal Davui Island Resort unveils refurbishment

eHotelier

Royal Davui Island Resort, a jewel in the picturesque archipelago of Fiji, has after 7 months, unveiled a stunning, multi-million dollar refurbishment, leading the way in redefining luxury and exclusivity in the South Pacific.

Resorts 52
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The GTM Intelligence Era: ZoomInfo 2025 Customer Impact Report

ZoomInfo customers aren’t just selling — they’re winning. Revenue teams using our Go-To-Market Intelligence platform grew pipeline by 32%, increased deal sizes by 40%, and booked 55% more meetings. Download this report to see what 11,000+ customers say about our Go-To-Market Intelligence platform and how it impacts their bottom line. The data speaks for itself!