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Agilysys VP Tim Hansen on 19% Growth, Tech Consolidation, and the Magic of Human Hospitality | By Simone Puorto and Tim Hansen
Tim Hansen, Vice President of Sales – Hotels & Resorts at Agilysys, joined us at HITEC 2025 to talk about the company’s impressive growth, the evolution of tech stacks in hospitality, and the delicate balance between automation and human connection.
Interview with Ryan King (Shiji Group): Why Experience Is the New Currency | By Simone Puorto and Ryan King
At HITEC 2025 in Indianapolis, we sat down with Ryan King, Senior Vice President for the Americas at Shiji Group, to unpack how hotels can measure, interpret, and act on guest experience data. Ryan explained why reputation now depends as much on real-time feedback analytics as on human service, and how tools like the Guest Review Index (GRI) are helping hoteliers identify both standout moments and systemic breakdowns. He also weighed in on AI’s growing role in the industry - not as a replacement for people, but as a tool to enhance guest experience and operational focus.
IDS Next: First Global Hospitality ERP to Deploy Autonomous AI Support
IDS Next, a global leader in hospitality technology, has collaborated with Salesforce, the world’s #1 AI CRM, to transform customer support by deploying Agentforce, Salesforce’s autonomous AI agent. With this integration, IDS Next becomes the first hospitality ERP provider to embed autonomous AI directly into its product portfolio, ushering in a new standard for intelligent, always-on support in the industry.
Mylos Hotel Cargese - A Well-Integrated Project, Signed Orma Achitettura And Dorothée Meilichzon
Mylos Hotel will shortly be opening in Cargèse, the most authentically Greek of Corsica's villages. This modern auberge, which has been designed and constructed by the Orma Architettura consultancy and embellished by interior decorator Dorothée Meilichzon, is committed to operating with full consideration for the environment and is fully integrated into the surrounding landscape.
Leed Certification for Santo Mine Shines Light on Sustainability for Santorini | By Serafim Karouzakis
As the longtime General Manager of TUI Magic Life Candia Maris Resort in Crete and the recently appointed General Manager of Santo Collection on Santorini – both under Metaxa Hospitality Group, I’ve seen firsthand that no matter a hotelier’s reason for embracing sustainability, the rewards – for the property, our guests, and the broader community and culture – are well worth the effort.
STR/TE Market Forecast Assumptions – June 2025
The top-line U.S. RevPAR forecast has been downgraded 80-basis points to +1.0%. The downgrade is driven by a combination of calendar shifts, weakening macroeconomic indicators, and uncertainty caused by erratic tariff implementation and large-scale federal job losses as well as increasingly soft international inbound travel.
Hilton Surpasses 500 Hotels in Florida, Fueled by Multi‑Brand Expansion and Deepening Coastal Footprint
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announces a major milestone, surpassing 500 open hotels across Florida - marking a new chapter of growth fueled in part by its expanding portfolio of lifestyle brands, including the upcoming debut of Tempo by Hilton in the Sunshine State. With this achievement, Hilton reinforces its commitment to delivering unforgettable stays in some of Florida’s most iconic and emerging coastal and urban destinations.
U.S. Firms Could Unlock $2.4 Trillion in Sales by Optimizing Business Travel, New GBTA Study Finds
U.S. companies are missing out on more than $2.4 trillion in potential new sales revenue because they may be underinvesting in business travel, according to a new report exploring the return on investment (ROI) of corporate travel. Despite a strong post-pandemic rebound, the study found that real travel and entertainment (T&E) spending in the U.S. remains $66 billion below 2019 levels. The analysis shows that a modest 8.3% increase in T&E could yield a 6% increase in sales – even taking into consideration post-COVID investments in virtual meeting platforms. These are some of the key findings from the report, T&E and the Bottom-Line: Quantifying the Return on Investment of U.S. Business Travel, released today by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and made possible in partnership with the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).
From Dream to Departure: What Drives Travelers to Book | By Mirja Sickel
When you dream about your next big adventure, what transforms that daydream into action? What takes you from “That would be amazing, someday” to “Let’s book it now”? Maybe it’s a stunning photo on social media that sparks your imagination, a captivating blog post, or an inspiring conversation with a friend or family member. Whatever the trigger, something shifts – and suddenly, the idea of travel starts becoming a plan.
Belfry Boosts Staycation Demands This Summer with New Rooms and Fitness & Leisure Opening
The Belfry Hotel & Resort, is set to open 149 new bedrooms at its award-winning resort this August. Launching ahead of schedule, their opening could not be more timely. With research showing that UK staycations are becoming increasingly popular as holidaymakers seek to avoid extreme heat, the resort is the perfect location for a refreshing summer getaway.
From AI to the Open Road: MMGY’s Summer Survey Captures How Americans Are Traveling Amid Global Headwinds
New research from MMGY reveals that American travelers remain deeply committed to leisure travel, even as economic headwinds and global uncertainty shape their choices. According to the 2025 “Summer Edition” of Portrait of American Travelers®, U.S. travelers are increasingly hitting the road, turning to artificial intelligence for planning support and embracing evolving definitions of luxury, lifestyle and wellness.
Why It’s Time for Boutique Hotels to Flip the Tech Stack | By Pedro Colaco
Independent hoteliers are bombarded daily with technology vendors pitching miracle solutions. Everywhere you turn, there’s another acronym, another platform, another promise to "transform" your property—if only you buy their product first.
Connecting the Dots: Shiji’s Approach to Seamless Data | By Adam Mogelonsky
Hotel technology can get complicated. If I had to explain why this is to a kid or a golden retriever, I would say it’s because we used the best tools at our disposal at the time, stitching things together as best we could over years or even decades, and then tried to continuously pivot to newer, better systems while keeping the engine running.
IDeaS Accelerates Expansion in Saudi Arabia with Elaf Group Partnership
IDeaS, a SAS company and the world’s leading provider of hospitality revenue management software and services, has announced a new partnership with Elaf Group, a leading hotel group in Saudi Arabia, for the implementation of IDeaS’ G3 Revenue Management System across an initial four hotels in the Elaf Group portfolio.
The GINTO Model: Boutique Hotel Substance Meets Scalable Growth | By Henri Roelings
In a hospitality industry where boutique often means niche and scale often means compromise, GINTO Hotels is quietly proving that the two can coexist. On a recent trip to Paris, I had the opportunity to meet with Brice de Puymorin, Julien Kiefer, and Emmanuelle Pochat, the visionary trio behind GINTO, and to experience their philosophy firsthand during a stay at PILGRIM, their bold Left Bank property. What emerged from our conversation was more than a brand story—it was a blueprint for a new kind of urban hospitality: one that preserves the charm and substance of a neighbourhood hotel while delivering a business model designed for growth across Europe.
Preferred NextGen Leadership Council Celebrates Milestone First Year, Uniting Tomorrow’s Stars of the MICE Industry
Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, is proud to celebrate the first anniversary of the Preferred NextGen Leadership Council (PNLC), a forward-thinking initiative offering insights into the future of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) segment through the leadership of the next generation of decision makers. Marking a successful inaugural year – with its innovative approach and strategic importance – the PNLC addresses the rapidly changing dynamics of the industry by empowering and nurturing the next generation of leaders through education, mentorship, community, and purpose. Designed to accelerate professional growth, expand influence, and equip talent with the tools needed for long-term success, the PNLC represents the future of the industry through the vision, insights, and innovation of its members.
U.S. Hotels State of the Union July 2025 Edition
After 1Q25’s forecast release, CBRE cut its 2025 GDP outlook to 1.3% from 1.9%.In June, CBRE reduced its 2025 and 2026 GDP growth estimate to 1.3% and 2.0%, respectively, below the long-run average of 2.1%. Inflation is now expected to increase in 2026 to 3.6% up from 2.7% previously, which could put sustained pressure on profits and margins.
Winning the click: Best practices for hoteliers to design irresistible display ads
In today’s digital world, your potential guests are just a click away, but so is every other hotel. With travelers being bombarded by distractions across the web, your hotel display ads need more than just beautiful photos and a catchy tagline. They need to perform.
Fix the Data First: Why AI Alone Cannot Solve Hospitality’s Content Challenges | By Simone Puorto and Natalie Kimball
At HITEC 2025 in Indianapolis, we sat down with Natalie Kimball, Vice President of Strategic Accounts for Americas and EMEA at Shiji Group, to explore the evolving role of hotel content management, data accuracy, and distribution, particularly in the complex Chinese market. Natalie also shared her candid views on AI in hospitality, the importance of operational control, and the risk of losing the entry-level roles that built today’s industry leaders.
Helix Hospitality Announces the Acquisition of Element by Westin - Bentonville, AR
Helix Hospitality, a Chicago-based hotel investment and management company, is proud to announce the acquisition of Element by Westin - Bentonville, located at 3401 Medlin Lane in Bentonville, Arkansas. The acquisition continues their expansion into the rapidly growing Northwest Arkansas region and underscores their continued commitment to investing in high-potential, secondary growth markets. As part of the Pii Capital family, Helix will bring extensive resources and industry expertise to the property with a proven track record of more than 30 years of successful development, repositioning and investment management in commercial real estate.
U.S. Travel Welcomes Confirmation of Bryan Bedford as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued the following statement on the Senate’s confirmation of Bryan Bedford to serve as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
Hospitality is not an island | By Vanguélis Panayotis
For a long time, accommodation, which evolved into hospitality, was a key component of the travel chain. It was an essential link, certainly, but it came at the end of the transportation chain and served as the starting point for the chain of tourist or business activities. This travel chain created – and still creates – a variety of ecosystems with their specialized actors: transport providers, accommodation providers, receptive agencies, leisure sites, restaurants... Solid by nature, yet often rivals, even antagonistic, when it comes to sharing the value chain.
Is Your Hotel Ready for an AI Agent? Signs It's Time to Automate | By Mayela Lozano
After three decades in hospitality technology, we've watched countless operational trends come and go. But AI concierge tools represent something different, they're not about replacing the human touch that makes hospitality special. Instead, they're about freeing your team to deliver more of it.
The Land Paradox: How Financial Stress is Creating Tomorrow's Development Goldmine | By Jeff Woolson
Today's challenging capital environment has created an unexpected opportunity: a surge in land offerings for ground-up hotel and resort development. While sellers may face financial pressures that drive these offerings, buyers confront elevated construction and capital costs that fundamentally reshape land valuations. This dynamic often stems from internal organizational changes that forces land sales yet creates a paradox. With both cost of capital and construction expenses expected to remain elevated, land values have declined significantly from previous peaks.
Hannah Ricketts: Staying at The Weirdest Hotel in London! W Hotel
In her detailed review of the W London Hotel in Leicester Square, Hanna Ricketts offers an honest and light-hearted assessment of her one-night stay at the trendy, centrally located five-star property. The stay, which cost £570 for a Saturday night including breakfast, showcased the hotel's playful, high-energy design with mirrors, disco balls, and a tech-forward room setup, including iPad-controlled lights and entertainment. The room itself was small but well-designed, with a king-size bed, city view (though underwhelming), modern decor, and spotless cleanliness. Hanna appreciated touches like the complimentary biscuits, quality bedding, face wash amenities, and a Marshall Bluetooth speaker. However, she found the hard mattress uncomfortable and the tiled flooring too cold. The lack of a bath, limited storage, and awkward bathroom lighting were also noted downsides. Room service was pricey but surprisingly tasty, with the cold club sandwich still earning praise for its flavour. The real highlight was the exceptional service. From the doormen to the restaurant staff, every team member went above and beyond to create a welcoming atmosphere. The breakfast offering was generous and well-executed, with guests able to choose from multiple hot and cold items, juices, smoothies, and sides—adding significant value to the stay. Ultimately, Hanna concludes that the W London is a love-it-or-hate-it experience. It is best suited for guests looking for a vibrant, modern, and central base in London. While not ideal for longer stays or those seeking quiet luxury, it delivers solid value in its location and atmosphere, particularly for a one-night city break.
Leora Halpern Lanz Anticipates the Release of the First of Her Two Marketing Books: Developing Your Marketing Mindset: Real-World Lessons from Hospitality
Leora Halpern Lanz, a multi-award-winning hospitality marketing expert and distinguished faculty member at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, announces the release of her debut book, Developing Your Marketing Mindset: Real-World Lessons from Hospitality, available September 15, 2025. This is the first in a two-part series, with a companion title scheduled for release on February 2, 2026.
Curacity Launches Cruise-Optimized Features on Its Demand Platform
Curacity, the leading demand creation platform for luxury and lifestyle travel brands, today announced an expansion of its platform optimized for the cruise industry. With this release, cruise lines can now reach affluent, opt-in travelers through trusted media outlets – including AFAR, Food & Wine, and Travel + Leisure – eliminating reliance on broad, inefficient mass-market advertising and gaining revenue-based ROI tracking.
Hilton Milwaukee Transformation Reaches First Milestone with New Guest Rooms
Hilton Milwaukee, the city's largest hotel, announced today that its historic guest room renovations are complete and open for bookings. The completely revitalized and restyled guest rooms marry the hotel's 1920s aesthetics with today's modern style and luxuries. The next phase of the renovation, which began last month, will transform the hotel's 34,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces, as well as its exquisite lobby and bar.
TRIBE Krakow Old Town Opens in Poland as Essendi Strengthens Its Position in Eastern Europe
Essendi, a leading hotel owner and operator in Europe, announces the opening of TRIBE Krakow Old Town, a four-star hotel located on Worcella Street, just steps from Krakow's historic centre. This is the first hotel in Poland under Accor's bold, design-led TRIBE brand and represents one of Essendi's key strategic investments in its continued European expansion.
Getting Your Outdoor Spaces Summer-Ready | By James Kuester
Ah, summer! What a wonderful time of year. The sun is warm, the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and people are getting away to spend time with family and friends. There always seems to be a lot of activity and energy surrounding summer, no matter what is said about the “lazy days of summer.”
Essendi: A New Identity to Foster Responsible Leadership in European Hospitality
Accor Invest is changing its name and becoming Essendi. This change completes the transformation initiated in 2020 to make Essendi the European leader in responsible hospitality. This new identity embodies the group's ambition: to actively contribute to a more sustainable and higher-performing hotel industry.
From Data to Voice: How Revinate Is Rethinking Hospitality Personalisation | By Simone Puorto and Karen Stephens
At HITEC 2025 in Indianapolis, we caught up with Karen Stephens, Chief Marketing Officer at Revinate, to talk about how changes in leadership are fuelling product innovation, particularly around guest data, AI, and voice. With a fresh team of tech and data leaders on board, Revinate is doubling down on efforts to unify guest profiles and rethink how technology supports human connection in hospitality. Karen also shared insights on AI’s role in luxury travel, the future of voice, and why hospitality is safe from the AI job scare.
Naumi Hotels Prepares for Brand Expansion with Cendyn
Cendyn, a global integrated hotel technology and services company, is delighted to announce a partnership with Singapore-based boutique hospitality company – Naumi Hotels – as it prepares for expansion with a brand refresh and investment in its digital real estate.
GBTA Cites Business Travel Benefits Within Recently Passed U.S. Reconciliation Bill
On July 4, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Reconciliation Bill, otherwise known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” which is a budget reconciliation law passed by the 119th United States Congress and includes tax and spending policies. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is pleased to see items it had advocated for included in the final bill signed into law. GBTA has worked closely with policymakers to put in place measures to strengthen the efficiency and safety of U.S. and international inbound business travel and sees these policies as positive and a necessary step forward. The new law delivers on these GBTA advocacy priorities for business travel, as recently shared with U.S. policymakers: