The hotelier’s guide to growing group business in 2026
A practical guide for hoteliers on winning group business in 2026, covering proposal quality, planner relationships, and data-driven targeting of corporate and SMERF accounts.
News
Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques Debuts Design Shop, A New Era of Hotel-Inspired Living
Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques launches Design Shop, a hotel-inspired home décor line anchored by W Hotels and Westin collections, with JW Marriott and destination-themed drops planned for late 2026.
The Real Cost of Booking.com: Five Practical Steps for Southeast Asian Hotels
Hotels in Southeast Asia pay up to 28% in hidden OTA fees beyond headline commissions, making direct booking strategies essential for profitability.
By Dr. Tong Yin, Founder of InsightBridge Global LLC and a doctoral researcher, InsightBridge Global LLC
The F-Word Costing Hotels Millions in Group Sales (And It's Not What You Think)
Hotels lose millions in group bookings by designing sales processes for their own convenience rather than meeting planners' needs.
By Susan Tucker, Partner & COO, The Lure Agency, Lure Agency
Mobile only price: What it means and how hotels can use it
An explainer on mobile-only pricing on OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia, covering setup, strategic use cases, revenue trade-offs, and rate parity risks for hoteliers.
By Laure Cremers, Content Specialist, Lighthouse
Where hotel decisions form in 2026
Hotel distribution budgets still follow the old search funnel, but traveler decisions now form upstream via creator content, AI tools, and word of mouth before reaching any surface the stack was built to intercept.
By Markus Busch, Editor/Publisher, hospitality.today
Hotel information is broken... and so is discovery
Analysis argues that rising specific hotel searches reflect Google's failure at discovery, not AI success, with social media and creators driving inspiration instead.
By Markus Busch, Editor/Publisher, hospitality.today
Where Value Lives When Problems Die: The New Rules of Competition in Travel
A revenue manager in Austin discovered guests booking at 2-4 AM to capture lower rates, revealing new competitive dynamics in hotel pricing.
By Jacqueline Nunley, Global Industry Strategist, Salesforce, Inc.
How to Close the Deal without Giving the House Away: Minor Point Close
The technique involves offering a small concession like comp rooms or waived fees to secure agreement when clients show buying signals but hesitate to commit.
By Chuck Kelley, Lodging Operations Consultant & Partner with Cayuga Hospitality consultants, Cayuga Hospitality Consultants
Fandom Travel: Travel Trend Shaped by Passion and Experience Led Tourism
HBX Group's 2026 report identifies fandom tourism as a major trend driving hotel demand through concerts, TV shows, and cultural events that create booking spikes.
By Javier Cabrerizo, Chief Strategy, AI & Transformation Officer, HBX Group
Hotel OTAs: Their Business Model Explained [With Complete List]
The comprehensive guide covers OTA business models, commission structures, and strategic advice for hotels to balance OTA distribution with direct booking initiatives.
By Emma Näpänkangas, M.Sc. Student in Hospitality Management, EHL
The hotel ranking game has a new playing field
Google's March 2026 core update now rewards original content over templated listings, giving hotels an advantage over OTAs in AI-powered travel discovery.
By Markus Busch, Editor/Publisher, hospitality.today
Centara Unveils New Brand Experience Touchpoints Designed to Elevate Every Stay
Centara introduces signature touchpoints including sleep rituals, family activities, and local cultural collaborations across its Thailand-based hotel portfolio.
A World That Calls You Closer: 2028 Four Seasons Private Jet Experience Journeys Connect Travellers to New Destinations
Four Seasons unveils 2028 private jet journeys featuring new hotels in Cartagena, Puerto Rico, and Venice with luxury expedition packages.
Does a Hotel Press Release Impact AI Discoverability?
Press releases may gain new relevance as AI tools increasingly influence hotel discovery and recommendations.
By Stephanie Sparks Smith, CEO & Digital Matriarch, Cogwheel Marketing, Cogwheel Marketing & Analytics
Safestay launches strategic partnership with Zostel, India's largest hostel network
The partnership creates a hostel alliance spanning 8,000+ beds across Europe, UK and India, targeting growing demand from multi-destination travelers.
Influence Society Expands Into Ecuador With First Client Win at Hacienda La Danesa
The Paris-based agency will manage website, SEO, and digital marketing for the 500-hectare luxury hacienda located one hour from Guayaquil.
Why Organic Social Media Matters for Branded Hotels
The article argues branded hotels should prioritize organic social media to showcase unique property personalities beyond standardized brand messaging and support guest booking decisions.
The Hotel Industry Has Been Waiting for AI to Save It From the OTAs.
Argues that AI will strengthen rather than disrupt OTAs like Expedia, as these platforms already control the massive datasets and connectivity that power AI recommendations.
By Andrew Paul, Managing Director, Americas Great Resorts
What ChatGPT’s decision to move away from in-platform transactions means for hotels
OpenAI's shift away from in-platform booking creates opportunities for hotels to capture AI-driven traffic through optimized content strategies.
By Apollos Gause, SEO & Growth Innovator, Cendyn™