How small hotels can use technology to outpace chains
The GM of The Gallivant, a MICHELIN-key boutique hotel in East Sussex, explains how independents can outmaneuver chains using agile tech stacks, AI tools, and fast iteration cycles.
News
196+ forum Munich: 24 hotels from eleven countries compete for the European “Hotel Property Award 2026”
24 hotels from 11 European countries are competing for the Hotel Property Award 2026, with the ceremony set for 7 October at Hotel Bayerischer Hof Munich.
Should Hotels Abandon Google Search Because of Zero-Click, Wholesalers Aren't Worried About AI, APAC Hotel Investment Up 54%
Tuesday opened with a World Panel viewpoint asking whether zero-click search makes Google marketing obsolete for hotels, hospitality.today's argument that wholesalers are structurally unbothered by AI booking agents, and JLL data showing APAC hotel investment volumes up 54% to $6.8 billion in H1 2026. Lighthouse eclipse pricing data, Curacity on earned media as the only AI-proof distribution strategy, and openings from Mykonos to Shanghai rounded out the session.
Introducing HSMAI Europe Pop-Up
HSMAI Europe launches a new member benefit called Pop-Up: short-notice, small-group gatherings for senior commercial leaders to discuss timely industry topics across European cities.
HVS Europe Hotel Transactions Bulletin - Week Ending 17 July 2026
HVS weekly bulletin covering eight European hotel transactions across Ireland, France, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, and the UK, totalling hundreds of millions in deal value.
Independence Is Mile One, Not the Finish Line
As AI increasingly drives hotel discovery by citing OTAs and third-party editorial over hotel websites, independent owners must prioritize earned media to build discoverable, brand-proof reputation.
By Patrick Burkhardt, Senior Director, Sales, Curacity
America’s Real World Cup Win? The Welcome—81% of Americans Say It Made Them Proud
A U.S. Travel Association poll of 2,205 Americans finds 81% felt proud seeing international visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with 70% supporting pursuit of more major global events.
How much are hotels in Spain and Iceland charging along the path of the 2026 solar eclipse?
Lighthouse data shows hotel rates in Reykjavik averaging $1,012/night and A Coruña facing 186% YoY demand growth ahead of the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse.
By Joe Hanly, Writer and Content Creator, Lighthouse
Prioritization will be the winner in Hotel Marketing vs AI
Cendyn argues hotels are drowning in data but lacking direction, and positions AI-powered actionable intelligence as the next leap in hospitality tech, surfacing priorities rather than just reporting metrics.
By Nicola Graham, Chief Marketing Officer, Cendyn™
The Nordics’ “Luxury Tourism Pivot”: A Bold Bet Worth Thinking Twice About
Drawing on 2025-2026 Nordic and Saudi data, the author argues that ultra-luxury tourism-as-national-strategy risks oversupply, pointing to falling Riyadh ADR and sub-60% Arctic occupancy as warnings.
By Dr. Tong Yin, Founder and doctoral researcher, InsightBridge Global LLC
Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Volumes Surge 54% in Historic First Half Performance
JLL data shows APAC hotel transaction volumes hit $6.8B in H1 2026, with Japan, China, and Australia leading growth and full-year volumes forecast to rise 15-20% over 2025.
Healing Unevenly: Kerala's Path Toward Regenerative Hospitality
Kerala's Ayurveda-led wellness economy offers a working model of regenerative hospitality, but unequal benefit distribution and fragile knowledge transmission limit its regenerative claim.
By Taran Patel and Chirag Patel
Recognising hospitality vs hotel admin
A podcast episode exploring how Kenilworth Hotel used Eccobell's Belle platform, deployed via in-room QR codes in August 2025, to shift front desk workload from admin tasks to genuine hospitality.
Ryan Haynes, Director/Lead Consultant, Hoteliers' Voice Podcast/ Haynes MarComs Ltd
Beyond Star Ratings: How Online Reviews Can Forecast Restaurant Survival
PolyU researchers analyzed 500,000+ Yelp reviews across 3,000 Boston restaurants, finding that review variance and Elite reviewer ratings are stronger predictors of survival than average star ratings.
HVS Asia Pacific Hospitality Newsletter - Week Ending 17 July 2026
HVS weekly roundup covers four hotel transactions across Malaysia, Australia, and the US, plus AirBorneo's regional launch connecting Kuching to KL and Singapore.
Travelers Are Redefining Value as Competition for Every Trip Intensifies
MMGY's 2026 Portrait of American Travelers Summer Edition finds 49% of Americans plan a leisure trip in 3 months, but spending has softened as travelers grow more selective about destinations.
First investors expands portfolio with the acquisition of The Cambria Hotel Milwaukee Downtown
First Investors acquired the 132-room Cambria Hotel Milwaukee Downtown from a financial institution and plans a renovation and repositioning over the next year under First Hospitality's management.
International Hotel Industry Coalition Calls for Long-Term United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Extension
AHLA, Hotels Canada, and Hoteles Por México jointly urge a long-term USMCA extension, citing $176B+ in combined US visitor spending and 9M+ hotel-supported jobs across North America.
Your wholesaler isn't worried about AI
Wholesalers like RateHawk's parent Emerging Travel Group appear unfazed by AI-driven booking agents that are reshaping how travelers plan and book hotels.
By Markus Busch, Editor/Publisher, hospitality.today
The Big PMS Debate: a closed-door discussion between the world's leading PMS CEOs and hotel CIOs
The CIOs and CTOs of hotel groups including Radisson, citizenM, Mandarin Oriental, Wyndham, Aimbridge and Choice sat down with the CEOs and founders of Oracle, Mews, Shiji, Infor, Apaleo and HotelKey. Off the record at HITEC San Antonio, they debated AI, data ownership, integration costs, and the widening gap between what operators and suppliers are each optimizing for.