Thu.Jun 05, 2025

article thumbnail

White House Considers $1,000 Fee to Speed Up Tourist Visas, Memo Says

Skift Blog

Skift Take: While fast tracking visitor visas would make travel easier for some travelers, it might not do much to solve the pressing issue of lengthy wait times for interviews.

Travel 210
article thumbnail

Major milestone: Hilton’s luxury and lifestyle brands reach 1000th hotel globally

Hotel Management

With recent openings in Paris, Cape Town, Dallas, Osaka, Costa Rica, Jordan, and more, Hilton’s luxury and lifestyle brands have opened their 1,000th hotel globally. This milestone follows a record year of growth for Hilton, punctuated by strategic partnerships, acquisitions and nearly 100,000 rooms added to Hilton’s portfolio. With almost 500 luxury and lifestyle hotels in the pipeline, including the latest announcement for NoMad Detroit revealed at this week’s (June 2) NYU International Hotel

Branding 147
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Booking Holdings Hedges Google Disruption, Wants to 'Be Close' to AI Hyperscalers

Skift Blog

Booking Holdings CFO Ewout Steenbergen wants the company to "be close" to all of the major large language model developers to hedge its bets.

Closing 166
article thumbnail

The Crest Collection adds 1,200 units in six months as demand for luxury, heritage stays grows

Hotel Management

The Ascott Limited is expanding its European-born luxury brand, The Crest Collection, to key locations across Asia and the Middle East in response to growing demand for heritage-rich stays. Over the past six months, the brand has added over 1,200 units from four new signings and one opening, taking the portfolio to 16 properties with over 2,700 units, both operational and in the pipeline, across 11 countries and 13 cities.

Branding 165
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Wizz Air Maps Major Ukraine Comeback, But Peace Remains Elusive

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Wizz Air wants to seize a once-in-a-generation vacuum left by defunct national carriers and sidelined Russian firms. Peace in Ukraine can feel distant, but thats not stopping airlines from priming their post-war plans.

174
174
article thumbnail

Sonesta Los Angeles Airport becomes LAX’s hottest layover hotel

Hotel Management

The Sonesta Los Angeles Airport hotel has completed a US$42 million transformation, making it the top property at LAX for a layover for business and leisure travellers at the bustling hub. The transformation includes redesigned guest rooms, a modernized lobby, 14,000 square feet of reimagined event spaces – including the cutting-edge Sonesta Work Suite – and four distinctive dining venues offering a variety of curated culinary experiences.

Dining 130

More Trending

article thumbnail

Red Roof Partners With Bridge to Provide Access to Growth Capital

Lodging

COLUMBUS, OhioRed Roof announced a partnership with Bridge, a digital financing platform built to simplify, accelerate, and increase access to capital for hotel owners and developers. Through this partnership, Red Roof owners and operators can submit a loan request in as little as 10 minutes and tap into Bridges network of more than 150 accredited lenders.

article thumbnail

Travel Managers Are Fed Up With Their Corporate Booking Tools

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Corporate travel managers are done making excuses for legacy booking tools. With low adoption, clunky interfaces, and limited inventory still plaguing the user experience, companies are moving fast to rethink their tech stack.

article thumbnail

Four Seasons Announces Plans for Luxury Hotel and Residences in Charleston’s Historic District

Lodging

TORONTOFour Seasons, in partnership with Strategic Property Partners, announced plans for a new luxury hotel and private residences in Charleston, South Carolina. The upcomingFour Seasons Hotel and Residences Charleston will include 139 guestrooms and 36 branded residences, and it will be located in the city’s historic district, within walking distance to attractions and cultural sites such as King Street, the Historical Charleston City Market, and the Gibbes Museum of Art.

Hotels 130
article thumbnail

Two celebrated British brands unite for luxury hotel experience

Hotel Management

The Langham Melbourne is collaborating with British lifestyle brand Laura Ashley, on a limited-edition Afternoon Tea this winter. Taking place at the hotel’s Aria Bar and Lounge, every Tuesday to Thursday from 1 July to 14 August 2025, the afternoon tea experience aims to deliver “timeless elegance through both taste and presentation”. Langham Hotels and Resorts Regional Director of Marketing, Pacific and Director of Sales and Marketing at The Langham, Melbourne, André Jacques, described the par

Branding 130
article thumbnail

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

article thumbnail

JLL Secures Refinancing for Aloft Tampa Downtown

Lodging

NEW YORK CITY, New YorkJLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group announced that it has arranged a refinancing for the Aloft Tampa Downtown, a 130-key hotel located in Tampa’s urban core. JLL worked on behalf of Newbond Holdings to secure a five-year, floating-rate loan provided by funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group. The Aloft Tampa Downtown is within walking distance of attractions such as Water Street, the Convention Center, Amalie Arena, Armature Works, the Univers

article thumbnail

AI, AR & VR: The Future of Hotel Contact & Reservation Centers is Here – Are You Ready?

Are Morch

The Hospitality Industry’s Wake-Up Call Let’s be brutally honest: hotel contact and reservation centers are stuck in the past. Clunky processes, slow response times, and missed revenue opportunities drain potential profits. Meanwhile, today’s travelers demand instant, frictionless, and immersive experiences—and they’re not getting them. But here’s the kicker: AI is already fixing this.

Revenue 100
article thumbnail

QantasLink launches two new east-west routes

Hotel Management

QantasLink is set to launch two new routes from Perth to Newcastle and Hobart this year, offering further support for the Western Australia resource sector and greater connectivity for travellers to and from Western Australia. Taking off in September, QantasLink will be the only airline offering a direct flight between Perth and Newcastle. Operating three times a week, the new flights will provide over 45,000 seats each year between the two cities, supporting FIFO workers and mining customers wi

Tourism 147
article thumbnail

Carey Hires New CEO, Pushes Strategy Shift for Elite Limo Service – Exclusive

Skift Blog

Skift Take: New top boss Alex Mirza aims to modernize luxury ground transportation company amid pressure from ride-sharing apps.

Hiring 180
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Plantation Island Resort hosts week-long oceans awareness program

Hotel Management

Fiji’s Plantation Island Resort has launched a World Oceans Week initiative celebrating its commitment to sustainability and community collaboration. Coinciding with World Oceans Day on June 8, the week-long program features a series of events, including marine biology workshops, snorkelling tours and educational activities for kids. It comes one year on from the launch of coral restoration project, the Bula Reef, developed in partnership with local NGO Corals for Conservation as part of the UNE

Resorts 130
article thumbnail

How Independent Hotels Can Cater to Solo Travelers

Webrezpro

If the term solo travel conjures a vision of backpackers in a youth hostel, you may need to update your definition! While solo travel certainly attracts adventurous types, its no longer a niche pursuit but a movement. According to Airbnb, searches for solo travel have increased by 90% from last year, and Forbes says solo […] The post How Independent Hotels Can Cater to Solo Travelers appeared first on WebRezPro.

Travel 84
article thumbnail

STAAH Product Updates You Can’t Miss – May 2025

STAAH

May We Upgrade You? Our May product update is here – think of it as your hospitality toolkit hitting the refresh button! We’ve tightened screws, polished features, and added a few clever tricks across the Booking Engine, InstantSite and more. Basically, your operations just got a glow-up. Ready to see whats new? Booking Engine Update SwiftBook – Pay Later SwiftBook – Flexible Fees SwiftBook – Abandoned Cart Re-Targeting InstantSite Update Horizontal Calendar in Acco

B2B 79
article thumbnail

New Zealand cricket legend Scott Styris to headline AHICE Fiji

Hotel Management

New Zealand cricket commentator and former cricketer, Scott Styris, will take to the stage in a keynote session at the upcoming AHICE Fiji Islands Investment in Tourism Summit, hosted by HM Magazine. Speaking as part of a full-day conference program at Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on Thursday June 26, Styris will talk ambition and leadership, on and off the field, in a conversation with AHICE Group President, James Wilkinson.

Tourism 130
article thumbnail

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!

article thumbnail

The Insights & Misconceptions of Social Selling in Hospitality

Refine

Question for Our Hotel Marketing Expert Panel What is the impact of social selling in hospitality? What are the best practices for success? Are there any misconceptions about it and if so, why? (Question proposed by Cory Falter) Our Marketing Expert Panel Cory Falter - Partner, Lure Agency The post The Insights & Misconceptions of Social Selling in Hospitality appeared first on Revfine.com.

article thumbnail

Hotel commercial strategy: Solutions and optimisation guide

SiteMinder

What is a hotel commercial strategy? A hotel commercial strategy is a coordinated business approach that integrates sales, marketing, revenue management and distribution efforts to maximise total hotel revenue. It aims to drive profitability and improve competitiveness in the market for a hotel business. Rather than operating in silos, a hotel commercial strategy ensures everyone is rowing in the same direction, working collaboratively and productively to drive revenue, enhance profitability and

Hotels 52
article thumbnail

RoomRaccoon Introduces RaccoonRev Plus: AI-Powered Pricing To Make Independent Hotels More Profitable

Hospitality Tech

Skip to main content Subscribe Subscribe Restaurants Hotels RTN Research & Reports Events CX Point of Sale More Operations Data & Analytics News Briefs The Point Webinars HT Advisory Boards Advertise Contact Us Call for Speakers form News Briefs Most recent 6/5/2025 RoomRaccoon Introduces RaccoonRev Plus: AI-Powered Pricing To Make Independent Hotels More Profitable RoomRaccoon , a hotel management system for independent hoteliers, is gearing up to launch RaccoonRev Plus, an advanced, AI

article thumbnail

Hotel ad: Monitoring, compliance and parity

SiteMinder

What is a hotel ad? A hotel ad is any paid placement used by a hotel to promote its rooms, offers or brand, typically through online platforms like Google Hotel Ads , OTAs (online travel agents), metasearch engines, and social media channels. These ads are designed to appear in front of potential guests at the moment they’re planning or booking travel.

OTA 52
article thumbnail

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!

article thumbnail

A.F. Canta launches University Hotels

Hotel Business

At the Boutique Hotel Investment Conference in New York, A.F. Canta launched University Hotels. Blending the experience of a boutique luxury hotel with the exclusive atmosphere of a private club focused on health and wellness, the brand is designed to serve university and hospital communities. The California developer will co-manage the properties with Reliance Hospitality.

article thumbnail

Amadeus and UN Tourism report provides comprehensive look at Asia Pacific travel market

Amadeus Hospitality

Amadeus, a leading provider of travel technology solutions, and UN Tourism , have released a new report with comprehensive data on travel in Asia Pacific. The Market Insights report – Asia & subregions offers in-depth insights into passenger traffic, hospitality market indicators, top-performing destinations, and new routes in the Asia Pacific region.

Tourism 52
article thumbnail

Staypineapple Hotels Names Bob Spear as Chief Operating Officer

Lodging

BELLEVUE, Washington—Staypineapple announced the promotion of Bob Spear, formerly senior vice president of operations, to chief operating officer. As a key member of Staypineapple’s executive leadership team, Spear will oversee all facets of operations during a critical phase of strategic growth. “Over his tenure, Bob has shown exceptional dedication, unwavering hard work, and remarkable vision,” said Dina Belon, president of Staypineapple. “These qualities have been inst

article thumbnail

Sabre Hospitality partners with Golden Chain to increase revenue and drive sustainability by providing digital gift cards

eHotelier

For Hotels For Professionals For Education Solutions Courses Certifications Immersive Learning Baseline Integrations Ritrovo Integration Maestro Integration Pricing Hotels and Education Individuals Resources News and Insights Tech.Ex Suppliers Research Podcast Careers Events All Insights Podcasts eLearning Tech.Ex Global News Suppliers Properties People Events Education Subscribe Log In Suppliers Sabre Hospitality partners with Golden Chain to increase revenue and drive sustainability by providi

Revenue 52
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Difference between a hotel and a motel: A core guide

SiteMinder

When travellers are weighing up where to stay, the terms “hotel” and “motel” might seem interchangeable. But for you as a hotel operator, the difference is more than just a matter of semantics. It’s a business decision. Understanding what sets hotels and motels apart isn’t just useful trivia. It helps define your property’s value, clarify your brand positioning, and attract the right type of guest.

Motels 52
article thumbnail

avid hotels by IHG Celebrates 80th Milestone Opening

Lodging

ATLANTA, Georgiaavid hotelsbyIHG celebrated the opening of its 80thproperty withavid hotel Coralville Iowa City. This marks the brands second property in Iowa and the fourth dual-brandedavid hotelsandCandlewood Suitesin the United States, following the prototypes launch in 2021. As IHGs second-largest contributor to system size, avid hotels is the companys fastest-growing new-build brand, and the brand has 131 hotels in the pipeline.

Pipeline 130
article thumbnail

Gen AI Becoming Top Source For Travel Discovery

Hospitality Tech

Skip to main content Subscribe Subscribe Restaurants Hotels RTN Research & Reports Events CX Point of Sale More Operations Data & Analytics News Briefs The Point Webinars HT Advisory Boards Advertise Contact Us Call for Speakers form News Briefs Most recent 6/5/2025 Gen AI Becoming Top Source For Travel Discovery Accenture’s latest Consumer Pulse survey of 18,000 consumers in 14 countries, presented in the report, “ Me, my brand, and AI: The new world of consumer engagement ,” expl

Travel 52
article thumbnail

This Week’s Comings & Goings

Lodging

AHF Products announced the appointment of Brent Emore as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Emore most recently served as the companys chief financial officer and interim CEO. Langham Hospitality Group has named Kevin Robinson as chief operating officer. Palette Hotels announced that it has named Joseph Yi chief investment officer. Yi will oversee the firms investment platform, grow the companys corporate-owned and third-party asset management portfolio, and lead Palettes strategic

article thumbnail

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.