Last year, Booking.com delivered 400.4 million nights booked at short-term rentals (STRs), which was 80% of Airbnb’s total nights. At the same time, Booking.com generates almost twice as many nights per listing on its platform as Airbnb. Growth rates for a number of STR listings on the Booking.com platform were 17% vs only 4% for Airbnb.
Technology no longer sits quietly in the background of hospitality — it is the business. And at the intersection of this transformation stands the modern CIO: no longer a systems custodian, but an architect of change, a translator of complexity, and increasingly, a strategist at the very core of decision-making.
Mews Unfold 2025 opened with a different tone than previous editions. Instead of product features or welcome applause, Mews founder Richard Valtr and CEO Matt Welle spoke openly about the state of the world. In a time of political uncertainty and unpredictable travel patterns, they challenged the industry to stop asking why and start acting on the how.
Held as the grand finale of this year’s Mews Unfold conference, the 2025 Mews Unfold Awards were a fantastic way to wrap up an already energizing day. It was great to be there in person as the Mews team shined a spotlight on some of the most forward-thinking people and brands in hospitality. This was all about sincere recognition for the people and ideas driving hospitality forward.
Exactly one week ago, we had the pleasure of attending Mews Unfold 2025 in Amsterdam. Now in its sixth edition, Unfold has grown into one of the most anticipated hospitality events in Europe, drawing over 700 hoteliers, tech partners, and innovators from around the world. What began in a single room just a few years ago has evolved into a multi-floor experience, full of energy, insight, and meaningful connection.
As was explored in a recent article about how Bolt Business can get used to offer guests courtesy rides in a frictionless manner, what I want to tie this back to is the psychological principle of the ‘peak-end rule’ put forward by Daniel Kahneman and Barbara Fredrickson.
Last week, we had the chance to attend the inaugural CIO Summit EMEA, hosted by HFTP at the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel. Against the vibrant backdrop of Barcelona, the event brought together hospitality technology leaders for 24 hours of open conversations and valuable insights, all in a refreshing non-sales environment.
Last week, a client contacted me in visible perplexity: "We received a booking for a two-bedroom suite that does not exist." There was no record to corroborate this reservation: no website transaction, OTA listing, or direct inquiry. The source was eventually traced to an obscure AI-driven booking platform, whose name we withhold for professional discretion, which had fabricated an entirely plausible yet wholly fictional description of the property. The guest arrived altogether convinced. The staff? Utterly baffled...
On paper, hotel management often looks at labor as a cost center. I’m not saying they shouldn’t look at this way; only that there is a bigger concern nowadays than pay scale – lack of replacement labor altogether.
In a recent conversation Simone Puorto and Brian Reeves, Founder and CEO of the roomangel Foundation they shared his thoughts on how hotel distribution has evolved, and why it needs a serious rethink.
As the hospitality industry faces ongoing economic challenges, shifting guest expectations, and rapid technological change, there is a growing need for operators to rethink how they work. Mews Unfold, a one-day event taking place on Wednesday, April 30 at the Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam, is here to help turn that into action.
A recent post on LinkedIn claimed that hoteliers should not be bidding on their branded keyword terms on Google (Ex. Luna Hotel New York, Luna Hotel NYC, Hotel Luna Manhattan, etc.), since a multitude of other channels like social, content, various media channels, etc. are driving the actual demand for those branded Google searches for your hotel.
There have been a lot headlines that traditional search is dead due to the rise of AI Search via the generative AI platforms ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, etc. Some experts herald the end of Google's monopoly on search and claim that traditional search marketing is becoming obsolete.
AI is no longer just a buzzword—it's transforming hospitality at a rapid pace, and Cendyn's Michael Bennett believes the biggest AI breakthroughs are already here. Speaking at ITB, Bennett highlighted AI-powered call centers and contextual chat agents as two of the most impactful innovations, boosting efficiency while reducing labor costs.Through Cendyn's partnership with Poly AI, hotels can now fully automate voice reservations, allowing human agents to focus on high-value guest interactions.
For more than 25 years, Hospitality Net has been at the center of the global hotel and hospitality industry. Over this time, it has built a unique and trusted ecosystem where professionals come to share knowledge, insights, and perspectives. As a neutral and independent platform, Hospitality Net is respected by industry leaders worldwide for providing reliable information and a space where diverse voices in hospitality can be heard.
There have been a lot of headlines that traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is dead due to the rise of AI Search via the generative AI platforms. Some experts herald the end of Google's monopoly on search and claim that traditional SEO practices are obsolete. Others believe that SEO based on best practices is required not only for increased revenues from the direct online channel, but to ensure good positioning of the hotel website in AI search results as well.
Recently Revfine asked its Panel of Digital Marketing Experts the question “What are your top suggestions and best practices for using AI in hotel marketing activities (e.g., communication, data analysis, etc.)?”
AI in hospitality isn't just about chatbots—it's about automation, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making. At ITB, Chris Egan of Cendyn emphasized that the most impactful AI applications are often behind the scenes, streamlining revenue management, marketing optimization, and business intelligence. Instead of just enhancing guest experiences, Cendyn is using AI to cut routine tasks, speed up decision-making, and maximize profitability.
Hospitality is all about creating unforgettable guest experiences, yet sound quality is often overlooked. Michael Kinzel, Global Segment Manager Live & Entertainment Venues at d&b audiotechnik, reveals how their world-class speaker technology—trusted by music icons like Coldplay and Taylor Swift—is now enhancing hotel and restaurant soundscapes.
The role of revenue managers is evolving from manual pricing decisions to a broader commercial strategy role, integrating marketing, sales, and operations. Speaking at ITB Berlin, Lighthouse CRO Dave Collier highlighted key trends shaping the future of revenue management and how AI is transforming hotel decision-making.