By Max Starkov
Expert Views (21)
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Agentic AI: Internet or Metaverse, Direct Bookings Generate 60% More Revenue Than OTAs, Saudi Tourism GDP Hits $178 Billion
A new viewpoint asks whether agentic AI will reshape hospitality as profoundly as the Internet did or fade like blockchain and the metaverse. SiteMinder data shows direct bookings generate 60% higher revenue per reservation than OTAs, and BookBetterDirect found direct rates beat OTA rates in 59% of cases. WTTC reports Middle East tourism GDP reached $385.8 billion in 2025, with Saudi Arabia leading at $178 billion and regional business travel spending up 23%.
Digital Employees Are Already Here. Hospitality Just Hasn’t Fully Noticed Yet.
Unlike basic AI tools, digital employees integrate directly into hotel systems to execute full workflows from reservations to follow-ups without human intervention.
By Ira Vouk, Hospitality Technology and Revenue Management consultant, Ira Vouk Hospitality 2.0 Consulting
Latest
Saybrook Point Resort & Marina Unveils Multi-Million Dollar Transformation of the Inn
Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, a family-owned boutique resort, today announced the ongoing transformation of all accommodations at the Main Inn, marking the latest investment in the luxury property’s continued commitment to thoughtful reinvestment, environmental stewardship and a refined coastal experience.
Villa San Michele, a Belmond Hotel, Florence, Reopens: The Legendary Renaissance Retreat Returns, Ushering in a New Era of Slow Luxury and Mindful Living
Perched high in the Fiesole hills, overlooking Florence in all its splendour, Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, reopened on 28 April 2026 following a meticulous 18-month renovation. Once a Renaissance convent, the legendary retreat — renowned for its Michelangelo-inspired façade, terraced gardens and one-of-a-kind sweeping views — begins a new chapter as a destination for wellbeing and reconnection.
Renovation of Intercontinental Miami’s Meeting Spaces to Begin Summer 2026
Downtown Miami’s luxury destination and one of the city’s top meeting hotels, InterContinental Miami has announced that its meeting and event spaces will be offline this summer as part of a multi-million dollar major renovation, which will be completed in September 2026. In 2024, the iconic property completed a major renovation to its guest rooms and suites as well as its concierge level Club Lounge.
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Luca De Giorgi has been appointed as Regional Director, Italy at Leonardo Hotels
Minor Hotels introduces Tivoli President Milano, expanding its luxury presence in Italy
Minor Hotels, international hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of more than 640 hotels and resorts in 63 countries, announces the official debut of Tivoli President Milano, the new five-star property of Tivoli Hotels & Resorts in Italy.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts Expands Global Portfolio with 20 New Members
The brand added properties across six continents, from Balinese villas to Colorado dude ranches, with bonus points offered to loyalty members.
The Ivory Debuts in Koreatown: A 48-Room Boutique Hideaway Reimagines Modern Boutique Hospitality in Los Angeles
A new hospitality concept is quietly redefining the landscape of Los Angeles boutique hotels. Located in the heart of Koreatown, The Ivory is an intimate, 48-room urban sanctuary designed to offer guests a sense of belonging and considered design within one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods.
When Hotels Become Ecosystems: The Real Impact of Mixed-Use Development
Mixed-use hospitality projects are reshaping hotel development by integrating hotels with residential, retail, and wellness components to create resilient revenue ecosystems.
By Alice Sherman, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Americas, HVS
Canada’s Hotel Construction Pipeline Signals Future Growth as Key Chain Scales Record Highs in Q1 2026
Ontario leads with 190 projects, while upper midscale properties dominate the pipeline at 137 projects, both reaching record highs in Q1 2026.
Supplier News
View allCommemorating Anniversaries: The Strategic Utility of Wooden Key Cards
Wooden key cards with custom anniversary engravings provide hotels a professional tool to enhance guest recognition while supporting brand positioning and sustainability goals.
Laundris Partners with Lure Agency to Expand Adoption of AI Linen Management Platform
Laundris uses RFID technology to track linen usage and reduce loss, helping hotels optimize inventory and cut costs.
Tambourine & Hyatt Launch Hyatt Wedding Guide to Revolutionize Digital Wedding Planning
Tambourine and Hyatt partner to create an AI-enabled digital wedding guide that centralizes planning resources and replaces static PDFs for hotel wedding specialists.
Agentic Hospitality’s TravelOS MCP + ChatGPT App is Putting Brands, Not Intermediaries, at the Center of AI Bookings
The company's ChatGPT app connects directly to hotel PMS systems, eliminating intermediaries and enabling hotels to own AI booking conversations from start to finish.
How new OTA tax rules in Mexico are reshaping hotel operations in 2026
Mexico's 2026 tax updates change how OTAs withhold and report existing taxes, requiring hotels to overhaul reconciliation processes and integrate systems for compliance.
RMS Partners with PoB Hotels to Strengthen UK Luxury Hotel Offering
RMS will provide integrated reservations, operations and payments technology to over 50 Pride of Britain luxury independent hotels across the UK.
Safemark Expands Marshall Portable Speaker Lineup for Hotels
Safemark adds three Marshall Bluetooth speakers to its hospitality lineup, offering hotels portable premium audio solutions for pools, spas, and event spaces.
70% of travellers already scan for cleanliness and bed bug safety before booking. This week, ChatGPT became the first AI that can answer them
Valpas integrates 350 bed bug-safe certified hotels into ChatGPT's booking system, backed by new research showing 70% of travelers check cleanliness before booking.
HEI Adds Westin Poinsett in Greenville to its Portfolio
HEI takes over management of the 200-room historic Westin property, marking its first operation in South Carolina.
Why Autism-Friendliness Matters in Hospitality
The guide provides step-by-step protocols for training hotel staff to serve autistic guests, with certified properties reporting triple-digit increases in bookings.
By Nasir Zahir, Founder and President, NZ Hospitality
The Soul of the Machine
Meta's approach to capturing employee workflows as AI training data could transform hotel operations by preserving tribal knowledge and expertise, but raises significant trust and governance concerns.
By Terence Ronson, Hospitality Professional, Technology Consultant, Public Speaker, Inventor, and Hospitality Technology Hall Of Fame Inductee - 2024, Pertlink Limited
Hotel 1550: Ditching the flag and turning independence into revenue growth
A San Bruno hotel moved from Days Inn franchise to independent operation, then consolidated multiple tech vendors into Cloudbeds' unified platform.
Make a splash this summer: 10 ways mobile ordering transforms poolside profitability
IRIS shares tips for using mobile ordering to boost poolside revenue, with case studies showing 51-60% F&B increases at Sheraton properties.
By Kate Fuller, Senior Marketing Manager, IRIS
Hospitality Benchmark Report leadership series: Unlocking revenue from the guest data you already have
Revinate webinar explores how unified guest data drives repeat bookings, featuring Casa de Campo's success with VIP guest segmentation.
Karen Stephens, Chief Marketing Officer, Revinate, Inc.
Operational Consistency Is the New Standard for Multi-Property Success
The article argues that manual, disconnected hotel operations create communication gaps that hurt guest experience and advocates for centralized digital systems to ensure consistency across portfolios.
By Allison Briggs, Manager, Customer Success, Quore
Expedia Group Study Reveals Travelers Are High-Value Consumers, Spending $500+ Per Trip On Non-Travel Purchases
Survey of 3,500 travelers reveals they spend an average of $500 on non-travel purchases per trip, creating marketing opportunities for brands outside the travel industry.
How Today’s Asset Managers Are Changing the Game
HotStats and Duetto's integrated platform helps asset managers move beyond revenue metrics to focus on profit optimization and benchmarked operational performance.
Radisson Hotel Group leads with Verified Net Zero hotels and highlights Think People, Community, and Planet actions in its 2025 Responsible Business Report
The Group achieved 23% emissions reduction while growing its portfolio 20%, and launched first Verified Net Zero hotels in Manchester and Oslo.