Mon.Jul 29, 2024

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Meta Says Its Newest AI Model Rivals ChatGPT. We Tested it for Trip Planning

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Meta AI was useful as a starting point for finding things to do in a new destination — an improvement from its first model but nothing new compared to competitors. Beyond that, a traditional search is far superior for trip planning.

Travel 329
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The New Face of Hospitality: Facial Recognition Set to Further Streamline the Guest Experience

Lodging

With the hospitality industry’s ongoing move to facilitate the guest journey through digitization and self-service, it’s natural that hoteliers should consider leveraging biometrics for check in/check out, including payment of the final bill. But the last few years have mainly seen elevated interest in this technology with relatively little adoption, according to Terry Schulenburg, VP, business development, CyberLink.

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The Future of Casinos in UAE: Which Brands Have the Edge?

Skift Blog

Skift Take: While Vegas heavyweights like Wynn and MGM made headlines for entering the UAE, the reality of the country's gaming industry could be a lot more local, favoring companies already in the country.

Casinos 325
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3 Customization Features That Can Increase Revenue for Hotels

Lodging

When it comes to design and functionality, few industries highlight the balance between aesthetics and features as clearly as hospitality. For every element in a hotel—décor, service, theming, amenities, and more—hoteliers have keen eyes for detail. But are they overlooking a critical piece in their rooms? What about the TV—the biggest screen in the room?

Revenue 263
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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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India’s Move to Make Payments Easier for International Visitors – India Report

Skift Blog

Skift Take: International visitor spending in India in 2023 was 14% below pre-pandemic levels. UPI One World wallet eliminates the need for international travelers to carry currency, and could boost tourism spending in India.

Tourism 322
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Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Reports Q2 2024 Results

Lodging

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust reported Q2 2024 results. Highlights include: Hotel Operating Trends Portfolio Updates & Capital Repositioning 2024 Outlook “Second quarter demand was in line with our expectations, with healthy business group, transient and leisure boosting the urban markets, and strong weekday and weekend demand positively affecting our resort portfolio.

Hotels 146

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AHLA Releases Statement on Postponed Hearing for NYC Hotel Licensing Bill

Lodging

WASHINGTON—American Hotel & Lodging Association Interim President and CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement after the New York City Council postponed a planned July 30 hearing on a bill that would harm the city’s nearly 700 hotels and their roughly 265,000 employees. “Over the last ten days, NYC’s hotel industry and the tourism economy have rallied to speak with one voice and resoundingly make clear that the Hotel Licensing bill introduced in the City […] The post AHLA Relea

Tourism 146
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The Airlines Taking Olympic Sponsorship to New Heights

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Gold medals aren't the only prize in contention at Paris 2024. Airlines from around the world are using the Olympics to bolster brand recognition in a big way.

Branding 313
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InterContinental Bellevue at the Avenue Opens as Brand’s First in the Pacific Northwest

Lodging

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, announced that InterContinental Bellevue at the Avenue is open. This 208-room hotel, situated within the Avenue Bellevue complex developed by Fortress Development, marks the brand’s debut in the Pacific Northwest. General Manager Haje Roger Thurau, a 30-year international hospitality veteran, stated, “We welcome guests with extraordinary amenities and contemporary comforts, reflecting B

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Unlocking the Power of AI Innovation in Airline Retailing

Skift Blog

Skift Take: As travelers seek more customizable options, airline retailing is modernizing to offer AI-powered ancillary offer management. This shift enhances the passenger experience and provides airlines with new revenue streams through targeted and personalized offerings.

Retail 311
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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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Hotel Erwin Updates and Reorganizes High Rooftop Lounge

Lodging

LOS ANGELES, California—Situated along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, Hotel Erwin, a family-owned establishment for nearly 50 years, debuted the transformation of its High Rooftop Lounge. The rooftop space has undergone a décor refresh in partnership with designer Tara Bean; a reorganization of the rooftop atmosphere and service to create a more elevated lounge experience; and the debut of a new, reimaged food and beverage program by Consultant Christian Krasteff. “We are thrilled to welcome

Hotels 146
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AI Trip Planning, Olympic Branding and UAE Gaming

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Today's podcast looks at Meta's new AI tools, airlines and the Olympics, and gambling in the UAE.

Branding 291
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How can your hotel ensure guests sleep well?

eHotelier

By focusing on sleep quality, hotels can greatly improve the guest experience and satisfied guests are more likely to return and recommend your hotel.

Hotels 119
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Five Make or Break Moments in the Guest Experience

Webrezpro

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” When working to create an exceptional guest experience, hoteliers would do well to remember Maya Angelou’s wise words.

Services 109
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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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HB on the Scene: Leslie D. Hale in conversation at NABHOOD

Hotel Business

One of the highlights each year at NABHOOD’s International African American Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit & Trade Show at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay is the Thomas J. Baltimore Jr. Distinguished Speaker Series. At this year’s 28th annual edition of the event, Leslie D. Hale , president/CEO, RLJ Lodging Trust, took to the stage to have an intimate conversation about her career in hospitality with Dr.

Events 105
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Want to Sell to Hotels? Your Website Could Be Working Against You

Lure Agency

Why & How Many Hotel Vendor Websites are the Reason […] The post Want to Sell to Hotels? Your Website Could Be Working Against You appeared first on Lure Agency.

Hotels 105
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Silentnight – staying ahead of the curve

Hotel Designs

Hotel Designs Silentnight – staying ahead of the curve Silentnight – staying ahead of the curve As one of the UK’s leading sleep brands, Silentnight is constantly looking at new ways to expand its product portfolio… Whether through introducing new collections, ranges or materials, Silentnight prides itself on staying ahead of the curve when it comes to what it offers customers.

Branding 103
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10 ideas to take your hotel’s amenities to the next level

Hotel Speak

Your guest experience is a sum of many parts, including everything from your location to your staff’s attitude, but perhaps the one that’s most easily quantifiable is your amenities. Whether you just provide a bar of soap and a single pillowslip, or you pack the minibar with your guests’ favourite champagne to be enjoyed in a complimentary robe and slippers, your amenities play a key role in setting the tone for the guest’s stay.

Services 102
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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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Why Hotels should Maintain their Brand Independence

Guest Centric

Reading Time: 5 minutes An independent hotel starts with a unique vision and concept. Unlike standardized chains, independent properties and collections have the opportunity to distinguish their brand in the market and deliver truly memorable experiences to guests at all stages of their journey. But, as the world of online travel and hospitality rapidly evolves, with everything from algorithm.

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AI in Hospitality: The Opportunities & Challenges

Hospitality Tech

Explore how AI-driven tools are helping hotels improve their online presence, attract more guests, and increase revenue.

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YourSpace Partners Breaks Ground on the First YourSpace Extended Stay Hotel in Chesapeake

Hotel News Resource

Article - YourSpace Partners Breaks Ground on the First YourSpace Extended Stay Hotel in Chesapeake - YourSpace Hotel brand to redefine extended stay accommodations

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The best overwater villas in the Maldives

Hotel Designs

Hotel Designs The best overwater villas in the Maldives The best overwater villas in the Maldives With hotels continuing to stake a claim in the archipelago, we take a deep dive straight off the deck and into some of the best overwater villas in the Maldives… The Maldives, a constellation of islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, is synonymous with luxury and unparalleled natural beauty.

Resorts 59
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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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Hospitality Financial Leadership: The Early Arrival Program

Hotel News Resource

With my workshops and speaking, I often do an exercise where I challenge each leader to find a minimum of $250 in next month's forecast. That can be savings in the form of reduced payroll or expenses. It can also be a source of new revenue.

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Bojangles Leans Into Catering, Influencer Marketing

Hospitality Tech

Market 59
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Velipoja Grand Europa Resort in Albania joins Affiliated by Meliá Portfolio

Hotel News Resource

Velipoja Grand Europa Resort Affiliated by Meliá boasts a privileged seaside location in one of the country's most popular coastal destinations, which with its long and wide beaches is perfect for enjoying a Mediterranean holiday.

Resorts 75
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AHLA reacts to hearing delay on NYC hotel licensing bill

Hotel Business

Kevin Carey, interim president/CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) released the following statement after the New York City Council postponed a planned July 30 hearing on a bill that, according to the association, would harm the city’s nearly 700 hotels and their roughly 265,000 employees. “Over the last 10 days, NYC’s hotel industry and the tourism economy have rallied to speak with one voice and resoundingly make clear that the hotel licensing bill introduced in the City Counc

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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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Travel Investors on the Next Innovation Wave

Hotel News Resource

Article - Travel Investors on the Next Innovation Wave - Travel investors are hoping for the next innovation wave to hit soon as they decide where to channel their funds.

Travel 59
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Intercontinental Bellevue at the Avenue debuts

Hotel Business

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has opened the InterContinental Bellevue at the Avenue in Washington. This 208-room luxury hotel, situated within the $1-billion Avenue Bellevue complex developed by Fortress Development , marks the brand’s debut in the Pacific Northwest. The hotel’s design is inspired by Bellevue’s natural beauty, featuring organic aesthetics and a neutral color palette.

Resorts 59
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How to Spend a Day in Nashville – 24 Ways

Hotels by Day

Nashville is more than just bachelorette parties and country music. It’s a city overflowing with history, live music, and southern charm. Here are the 24 ultimate ways of how to spend a day in Nashville, Tennessee! Embrace Nashville’s Music Scene Spending a day in Music City wouldn’t be complete without immersing yourself in its world-famous […] The post How to Spend a Day in Nashville – 24 Ways appeared first on HotelsByDay.

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Lighthouse names Laura McDonough SVP, business operations

Hotel Business

Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight) has appointed Laura McDonough as SVP, business operations. Most recently, she was VP, cloud business operations at NetApp. “As we scale to serve over 70,000 hotels worldwide, we’re excited to have Laura join our team,” said Sean Fitzpatrick, CEO, Lighthouse. “Her extensive experience in scaling B2B SaaS businesses will have a significant and positive impact.

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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!