Tue.May 14, 2024

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Expedia’s New CEO: Fixing Vrbo, Loyalty, and the Outlook For International Growth

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Expedia Group's new CEO, Ariane Gorin, wants to build a great product and accelerate growth. The rest would take care of itself.

Travel 338
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Explore 24: Expedia Group launches industry-first AI booking tool

Hotel Management

Expedia Group is leveraging the power of artificial intelligence with the launch of an industry-first conversational trip planning tool, among a collection of over 40 new products and features. Launched on Tuesday (May 14) in Las Vegas at Expedia Group’s annual partner conference, Explore, Romie – named in honour its ability to ‘roam’ the world with travellers – is designed to offer a highly personalised travel booking experience, engaging with travellers before, during and after their trip.

Shopping 264
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Qantas Pulls Out of Mainland China, CEO Admits Some Flights are ‘Half Full’

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Despite being Australia’s national airline, Qantas couldn’t compete effectively with a torrent of competition from Chinese carriers.

Tourism 330
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CBRE: Commercial Real Estate Lending Market Slowed in Q1 2024

Lodging

DALLAS, Texas—The commercial real estate lending market slowed in Q1 2024 due to high interest rates and limited credit availability, but a tightening of credit spreads indicated signs of stabilizing, according to the latest research from CBRE. The CBRE Lending Momentum Index, which tracks the pace of CBRE-originated commercial loan closings in the United States, decreased by 11 percent from Q4 2023.

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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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Google Takes Next Step in AI Trip Planning

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Google is fully in its Gemini era. That’s what executives repeated as they showcased how AI pulls information from across its products to create detailed trip plans and more.

Travel 320
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Choice Hotels Opens Everhome Suites in Nampa, Idaho

Lodging

NORTH BETHESDA, Maryland—Choice Hotels International, Inc. announced the opening of Everhome Suites in Nampa, Idaho, marking the midscale extended-stay brand’s third opening, with more than 10 open hotels forecasted within the next year. The Nampa hotel includes the brand’s Closer to Home design package. The property is anticipated to meet hotel demand resulting from the commercial development and population growth in the Boise, Idaho area. “With over 60 Everhome Suites in vari

More Trending

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Omni Hotels & Resorts Names Michael Innocentin as Chief Marketing Officer

Lodging

DALLAS, Texas—Omni Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Michael Innocentin as its chief marketing officer. Innocentin will oversee the planning, development, and execution of all brand marketing initiatives, including advertising, public relations, social media, the website, and digital campaigns. Additionally, he will direct Omni’s customer engagement and Select Guest Loyalty programs.

Resorts 146
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Longer Trips in Cheaper Destinations — And Why Albania Is Getting So Popular

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Travelers are still booking flights despite inflation. Where some of those flights are headed may be different, though.

Travel 303
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Wyndham Partners With Decameron All Inclusive Hotels & Resorts

Lodging

PARSIPPANY, New Jersey—Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Decameron All Inclusive Hotels & Resorts announced a newly formed alliance, giving Wyndham Rewards members access to more all-inclusive offerings, including nine new resorts across Mexico, Panama, and Jamaica. The latest in a growing list of industry collaborations, the deal expands Wyndham’s all-inclusive offerings to more than 50 resorts globally while connecting Decameron to Wyndham’s marketing, technology, and distribution platforms

Resorts 146
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Boeing Breached 2021 Settlement Related to Fatal Max 8 Crashes, Justice Department Says

Skift Blog

Skift Take: The Justice Department has determined that Boeing violated the terms of its deferred prosecution agreement related to the Max 8 fatal crashes. It’s unclear whether the DOJ will now pursue a criminal prosecution into the plane maker.

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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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Qantas upgrades domestic Australian menus with delights aplenty

Hotel Management

Qantas domestic economy customers will be able to enjoy a more substantial selection of hot items ranging from gourmet brekkie burgers to cauliflower bites and Mediterranean pizza with the national carrier expanding its domestic onboard food service. Customers travelling in economy on domestic flights over two hours will now be offered a hot menu item, replacing current lighter snack options such as cheese and crackers and sweet slices.

Dining 130
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Air India-Vistara Merger Picks Up Steam – India Report

Skift Blog

Skift Take: The merger of Air India and Vistara combines India’s two full-service carriers, creating the only domestic full-service airline.

Services 295
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Skye Suites partners with Australian Fashion Week for fourth year running

Hotel Management

Skye Suites has partnered with IMG as the official accommodation partner of Australian Fashion Week (AFW), for the fourth consecutive year. Taking place at Carriageworks Sydney from May 13-17, AFW connects the fashion industry with consumers over a week-long program, This year, Shark Beauty, an innovator in hair styling tools, has transformed a Skye Suite into a special hair suite which will host international fashion media, stylists and influencers for a styling session and pre-show refreshment

Consumer 130
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Exploring the Rise of Day Tours and Experiences in Travel: New Skift Research

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Day tours are a common yet growing trend, highlighting the need for diverse, immersive experiences offered at competitive prices to attract customers.

Travel 274
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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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Behind the Scenes at The Darling with Jo Loves

Hotel Management

Celebrating the iconic partnership between Jo Loves and The Darling, Jo Malone CBE hosted an intimate, sensorial experience with the team from The Darling, the accommodation jewel of The Star Sydney. Celebrating the iconic partnership between Jo Loves and The Darling, Jo Malone CBE hosted an intimate, sensorial experience including canapes, storytelling, and fragrance tapas with the team of The Darling, the accommodation jewel of The Star Sydney.

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AI-Powered Travel Updates Will Make Translation Easier

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Today's podcast looks at AI-powered travel tools, airlines suing to protect junk fees, and Booking's European challenge.

Travel 170
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Wyndham expands all-inclusive offerings

Hotel Business

A newly formed alliance between Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Decameron All Inclusive Hotels & Resorts will add nine resorts across Mexico, Panama and Jamaica to the Wyndham portfolio. The deal expands Wyndham’s all-inclusive offerings to more than 50 resorts globally while connecting Decameron to Wyndham’s marketing, technology and distribution platforms, including the Wyndham Rewards program.

Resorts 111
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Wyndham Adds All-Inclusive Resorts in Franchise Brand Deal

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Surf's up. The partnership will add nine Decameron properties across Mexico, Panama, and Jamaica to Wyndham's portfolio, bringing its total all-inclusive offerings to more than 50 resorts worldwide.

Resorts 159
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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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7 Trending revenue streams for your hotel in 2024

STAAH

As the hospitality industry continues to evolve in response to shifting consumer preferences and technological advancements, hotels are redefining their approach to revenue generation. Recognizing the need to adapt and diversify, forward-thinking hoteliers are exploring new avenues to bolster their bottom line and enhance guest experiences in 2024. Let’s explore 7 trending new revenue streams that can boost your hotel’s profitability. 1.

Revenue 111
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From data to decisions: how tech tools help navigate hotel management challenges

eHotelier

Not all data is created equal; only relevant information should guide business decisions. So, how do you know which data is relevant in different situations, and how can automation help you surface insights to support better decisions?

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Mews Acquires HS3 Hotelsoftware to Bolster German Expansion

Hotel Speak

[Detmold, 14 May] Mews , a leader in hospitality technology and cloud-native property management systems (PMS), today announced its acquisition of HS3 Hotelsoftware, the German-founded on-premises property management system. The acquisition bolsters the presence of Mews in Germany, bringing significant market penetration of Mews in the market. The acquisition comes as more hotels adopt cloud technology, where Mews has grown its customer base by 93% as the post-pandemic digitalization in Germany

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Cloudbeds and Cendyn partner to enhance hotel revenue and guest experience

Cloudbeds

The integration of Cloudbeds’ property management system (PMS) with both Cendyn CRM and Cendyn Digital Marketing Platform (DMP) provides cross-channel connectivity, digital advertising management, robust marketing automation, and insightful analytics. San Diego, CA, May 14, 2024 – Cloudbeds , the premier hospitality management software platform, and Cendyn , a global integrated hotel technology and services company, have today announced a strategic partnership dedicated to driving revenue growth

Revenue 105
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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!

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RMS Cloud Appoints New CEO, Ushering In An Age Of Growth

Hotel Speak

Melbourne, 13 May 2024 – RMS Cloud , a leading global provider of property management software, is pleased to announce the appointment of David Murray as Chief Executive Officer, effective June 2024. Bringing a wealth of leadership experience and a track record of success in growing businesses, Murray has previously held key roles at renowned enterprises such as IBM and Amdocs.

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Miniview: Finca la Gloria – connecting guests with the heart of Andalucia

Hotel Designs

Hotel Designs Miniview: Finca la Gloria – connecting guests with the heart of Andalucia Miniview: Finca la Gloria – connecting guests with the heart of Andalucia The newly opened Finca la Gloria offers a transformative retreat that combines traditional Spanish farmhouse accommodation with a profound commitment to ecological stewardship… Encapsulating hotel design trends that are focussing on the experience as much as the design, this boutique accommodation and permaculture estate offers gu

Dining 100
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Hotel Industry Mourns the Loss of Klaus Tenter

Hotelier Magazine

By Rosanna Caira TORONTO — The hotel industry in Canada is mourning the loss of hotelier and consultant Klaus Tenter, who passed away on May 11 at age 80 after dealing with a series of health issues. The bulk of Tenter’s illustrious career was spent with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, where he worked for 26 years. He joined the iconic brand in 1976 and worked as GM at several of the chain’s various properties, including its Calgary location, the Inn on the Park, the Four Seasons Toronto and

Hotels 98
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Roundtable: Can technology aid sustainable improvements in design?

Hotel Designs

Hotel Designs Roundtable: Can technology aid sustainable improvements in design? Roundtable: Can technology aid sustainable improvements in design? In collaboration with Spanish KNX company Zennio, Hotel Designs Editor, Sophie Harper, hosted a vibrant discussion alongside Zennio Director, Vidar Thomassen and Head of Commercial, Lee Nunn on the usefulness of technology in aiding sustainable goals with a group of renowned design and architecture experts.

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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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Manoir Hovey’s Le Hatley Restaurant Receives AAA’s Five Diamond Designation

Hotelier Magazine

NORTH HATLEY, Que. — Manoir Hovey’s Le Hatley Restaurant has received the coveted AAA Five Diamond Designation for the first time. This honour places Le Hatley among a group of only five Canadian restaurants to receive this accolade. “We’re deeply honoured to receive the AAA’s Five Diamond Designation,” says Jason Stafford, managing director of Manoir Hovey.

Dining 98
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Orlando, FL is the Top Meeting Destinations in the U.S. for 2024

Hotel News Resource

Article - Orlando, FL is the Top Meeting Destinations in the U.S.

Hotels 85
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LE: China’s Q1 construction pipeline grows

Hotel Business

Lodging Econometrics’ (LE’s) Q1 2024 Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report reveals steady growth in China’s construction pipeline, with 3,775 projects encompassing 695,212 rooms. The total pipeline in the country continues to expand, increasing 3% by projects and 2% by rooms year-over-year (YOY). At the close of the first quarter, China has 2,691 projects and a record-high 488,560 rooms under construction.

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What It Really Takes To Book More Groups, Meetings, and Events These Days - By Doug Kennedy

Hotel News Resource

Today's hotel and event salespeople work in completely different environments than most of their leaders experienced. Meeting and event booking sites have created a flood of leads, which can be overwhelming for those working in a sales role equipped and staffed for the era when leads came in by phone or website inquiry forms.

Events 81
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5 Ways You Can Win Faster with Gen AI in Sales

Incorporating generative AI (gen AI) into your sales process can speed up your wins through improved efficiency, personalized customer interactions, and better informed decision- making. Gen AI is a game changer for busy salespeople and can reduce time-consuming tasks, such as customer research, note-taking, and writing emails, and provide insightful data analysis and recommendations.