2024

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Revolutionizing The Hotel Guest Experiences of Tomorrow with Velma: The AI-Powered Assistant

Are Morch

In the ever-evolving landscape of the hospitality industry, the quest for higher revenue, enhanced productivity, and greater guest satisfaction is relentless. Leading the charge in this digital transformation is Velma, an AI-powered assistant designed specifically for hotels. Velma is not just any virtual assistant; it’s a game-changer, transforming online visitors into loyal guests through a […] The post Revolutionizing The Hotel Guest Experiences of Tomorrow with Velma: The AI-Powe

Revenue 331
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Remote Year Collapse: What We Know

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Remote Year said it was closing, upsetting many customers who had paid for future trips as digital nomads. Two CEOs are pointing fingers at each other.

Closing 317
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Meet, Connect, Inspire: Your Ideal MICE Venue at Amora Hotel Brisbane

Hotel Management

Fresh from its $30 million hotel refurbishment in January this year, Amora Hotel Brisbane has reemerged as a premier destination for MICE planners and delegates, boasting newly transformed spaces. As Brisbane rises as a leading destination for both MICE and sporting events, the hotel’s renovation comes at the perfect time to capitalise on these thriving sectors.

Events 264
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Best Practices to Reduce Hotel Chargeback Disputes

Lodging

With both fraudsters and guests engaging in bad behavior, chargebacks are becoming all too common for hotels—to the point where many merchants have given up the fight in combatting them. But now more than ever, hoteliers have the tools to protect and earn back revenue, and it starts with proactive preparation. Missteps can affect a merchant’s bottom line, but easy changes can have a significant impact.

Revenue 299
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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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Accor to operate Perth Airport’s first hotel following $5 billion redevelopment

Hotel Management

Perth Airport is set to introduce its first hotel on the estate in 2027, under a management agreement with Accor, as part of a $5 billion capital investment program. The new hotel will operate under Accor’s premium hotel brand, Pullman Hotels and Resorts, making it the fourth Pullman in the Pacific. The 240-room Pullman Perth Airport, designed by DKO Architecture, will feature a rooftop restaurant and bar, lobby lounge café, gymnasium, sauna, meeting facilities and co-working spaces.

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Buttigieg on Boeing 737 Max 9’s Return: ‘Until It Is Ready, It’s Not Ready’

Skift Blog

Skift Take: The safety of the traveling public tops all other concerns when it comes to Boeing's 737 Max 9 plane, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.

Travel 362

More Trending

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Executives, Meet Your New Intern: Artificial Intelligence

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Organizational shifts prompted by AI are already happening. It’s only a matter of time before it leads to job cuts.

Travel 350
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JetBlue and Spirit to Appeal Decision to Block Merger

Skift Blog

Skift Take: JetBlue and Spirit said they are appealing the decision to block their merger with the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Building Better Travel Loyalty Programs With Insights From Amazon and Expedia Group’s One Key Program

Skift Blog

Skift Take: As brand loyalty and consumer retention become increasingly important business metrics, travel brands must find new and innovative ways to reach and engage consumers.

Travel 348
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FAA Orders Temporary Grounding of Certain Boeing 737 Maxes 

Skift Blog

Skift Take: The FAA is requiring inspections of all Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft after a sudden decompression aboard an Alaska Airlines flight on Friday.

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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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Expedia to Layoff Nearly 9% of Workforce in Latest Downsizing

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Expedia Group is still trimming its workforce three year into its companywide reorganization.

Travel 345
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FIFA World Cup 2026: Big Reveal of Host Cities Is Coming Soon

Skift Blog

Skift Take: FIFA's 2026 World Cup schedule announcement on February 4 will shape the future of tourism in 16 North American cities.

Tourism 345
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Taylor Swift Might Be the Most Powerful Person in Travel

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Taylor Swift is a modern day Midas - everything she touches turns to gold. Fans can’t get enough of the Eras Tour, brought to cities around the world by one of the shrewdest business minds of a generation.

Travel 344
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5 Hotel Physical Security Tune-Ups with Key Control for 2024

Lodging

The security and safety of all guests, employees, and visitors at hotels is top priority for hotel security management teams. Investing in upgrades to security and safety technology helps hotels stay compliant, manage assets, and prevent security incidents. One component of security technology that hotels invest in is key control and asset management solutions.

Hotels 344
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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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France Sees Rise in TV Tourism

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Like other destinations, France is benefiting from being a location for popular TV shows and films.

Tourism 342
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Tripadvisor Says It’s Entering the Metaverse: ‘Try Before You Buy’

Skift Blog

Skift Take: While some experts have no hope that the metaverse will last, some travel companies still see its potential, even if only as a marketing ploy.

Marketing 342
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Taylor Swift Uses Carbon Credits to Offset Private Jet Travel. Do They Work?

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Swift has come under scrutiny for her private jet usage as the wider aviation industry grapples with uncomfortable environmental questions.

Travel 340
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Luxury Travel Boom to Continue in 2024, Say Travel Advisors

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Luxury travelers show a growing interest in particular types of travel, such as multi-generational private group trips, according to some of the leading agencies.

Travel 340
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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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Booking.com Hit With $530 Million Fine From Spanish Regulators

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel said the company would appeal the Spanish competition authority's $530 million draft decision if it becomes permanent.

Travel 339
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Expedia’s New CEO Ariane Gorin Starts May 13

Skift Blog

Skift Take: It will be a new era at Expedia Group with Ariane Gorin taking charge.

Travel 338
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Delta Sees Seattle Boost as Boeing 737 Max 9 Grounding Hits Alaska

Skift Blog

Skift Take: For airlines unaffected by the Boeing 737 Max 9 grounding, there's money to be made.

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The New Sound of Luxury

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Sound is an opportunity area that luxury hoteliers haven't fully capitalized on. But they are perfect places to create unique, rarified experiences.

Tourism 337
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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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China Eases Visa Rules for U.S. Tourists

Skift Blog

Skift Take: China's opening up, but if the airlines don’t step up their flight game, we might be looking at even crazier airfare hikes with all these eager travelers.

Travel 338
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FAA Pauses Boeing 737 Max 9 Inspections, Unclear When Planes Can Return to Service 

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Given the further delay in inspections of the Boeing 737 Max 9, it’s increasingly unlikely that the aircraft will be able to return to service mid-week.

Services 338
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Tripadvisor Sale: Apollo’s Interest and Possible Scenarios

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Even Tripadvisor would agree that the sum of its parts is likely worth more the the whole. That's what a potential buyer is likely thinking.

Sales 336
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Vacasa to Lay Off 320 – 5% of Workforce; COO to Leave

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Vacasa is trying to get cash flow positive in 2024 by almost any means necessary.

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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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Hilton Adds ‘Glamping’ Via Loyalty Licensing Deal With AutoCamp

Skift Blog

Hilton said it plans to make stays at AutoCamp part of its loyalty program, popularizing amenity-filled tents, cabins, and Airstreams.

Hotels 336
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Airbnb Privacy Update: A Ban On Indoor Security Cameras

Skift Blog

Indoor cameras have been allowed in common areas of homes. They had to be disclosed to guests, visible, and not in private spaces.

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American Airlines to Fly Special Taylor Swift Flight AA1989

Skift Blog

Skift Take: This zero-cost marketing move by American helps associate the brand with the Super Bowl buzz in a fun way.

Branding 336
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Marriott vs. Hilton: What Their 2024 Hotel Pipelines Reveal

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Hotel execs gathered this week to compare the sizes of their hotel pipelines. The companies with the largest hotel development forecasts were Marriott and Hilton, and the types of properties proving popular says a lot about their strategic directions.

Pipeline 336
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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