Global Hotel Alliance reports strong start to 2026
Q1 revenues reached $921 million with 35 million loyalty members, as international stays drove 69% of room revenues across the independent hotel alliance.
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Five ways hotel marketers are turning summer traffic into direct bookings
Hotels are using AI-driven personalization and behavioral targeting to convert summer website traffic into direct bookings rather than relying on generic seasonal offers.
By Paige Lopez, Content marketer, Lighthouse
Loyalty — Gone in 60 Seconds
Argues that guest loyalty is determined in the first 60 seconds of arrival through human connection, not technology or loyalty programs.
By Terence Ronson, Founder & Managing Director, Pertlink Limited
Global Hotel Alliance Research Reveals Loyalty Programmes Drive Hotel Choice as Demand for Transformative Travel Rises
Survey of 9,000 travelers shows 87% prefer hotels with global loyalty programs, with generosity valued over novelty and 71% wanting lifestyle benefits beyond core rewards.
Is hospitality distribution the modern RM swingers club?!?
Bartnick argues modern hotel distribution resembles casual dating rather than committed relationships, with guests constantly comparing options across multiple platforms.
By Fabian Bartnick, Founder, Infinito
A CX Lesson from Spider-Man
Research shows 79% of customers value personalization and 63% will pay more for it, but companies must use AI-powered data responsibly to avoid the "creepiness factor."
By Shep Hyken, Customer Service and Experience Expert, Keynote Speaker and Bestselling Author, Shepard Presentations, LLC.
The Earn and Burn Challenge for Aspirational Flagged Hotels
The article explores how luxury hotels face revenue challenges when loyalty program members earn points at cheaper properties but redeem them at high-end hotels, reducing ancillary spending.
By Adam Mogelonsky and Larry Mogelonsky
How Luxury Hotels Are Expanding Into Yachts and Airlines To Grow Their Brands
Luxury hotel brands like Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, and Aman are launching yacht and private jet services to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market.
By Nikolas Skrivanos, Contributor, HFTP
From concept to culture: How passion shapes hotel design & guest loyalty
Diego Calvo shares how Concept Hotel Group achieves 43% direct bookings by prioritizing cultural storytelling and brand identity over traditional marketing tactics.
Dylan Cole, Managing Director EMEA, Revinate, Inc.
Centara Hotels & Resorts and OR partner to Launch New Budget Hotel Brand
Centara and OR will invest THB 700 million to develop six budget hotels adjacent to PTT stations, with 69-120 rooms priced from THB 800-1,300 per night.
Bahia Principe Introduces new audience-centric sub-brands and refreshed visual identity
The refresh creates two sub-brands (Escape for adults-only, Explore for families) and adds 20+ resorts to World of Hyatt loyalty program.
Bahia Principe and Hyatt
RBC and HTS (Hopper Technology Solutions) Come Together to Elevate the Travel Booking Experience for Canadians
RBC partners with Hopper Technology Solutions to upgrade Canada's largest loyalty program with enhanced booking features and price insights.
The Overlooked Component of Healthspan: Joyspan
The concept of "joyspan" - sustained joy over time - offers hotels a framework to create transformational experiences that build emotional loyalty beyond traditional metrics.
By Laszlo Puczko, CEO & Co-Founder, Health Tourism Worldwide
Global Hotel Alliance and the Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts Spotlight India’s Rising Global Travel Potential as Indian Guests Stay and Spend More at Home and Abroad
GHA DISCOVERY India membership hit one million with $75mn spent globally in 2025, while The Leela announces expansion into Coorg and Jaisalmer.
IHG Hotels Resorts Focuses on Three Leading Commercial Engines to Build a New Business Travel Ecosystem
IHG launches three commercial engines in Greater China to capture business travel recovery, combining network expansion with digital tools and loyalty benefits.
Trust and Rewards Top the List of What Matters Most to Travelers, New Choice Hotels International Research Shows
Survey of 2,142 travelers shows 83% prioritize trust over price, with rewards programs and thoughtful service gestures driving value perceptions more than basic amenities.
From Greece to Thailand, Here’s Where Hilton is Opening and Renovating This Season
Hilton announces major expansion with 4 new Greece properties, Thailand debuts including first Canopy, and brand launches in Kenya, India, and Saudi Arabia.
The Top 10 Reasons Customers Leave a Brand or Business
The report identifies rudeness, inconsistent support, and time-wasting experiences as the primary drivers of customer defection based on survey data.
By Shep Hyken, Customer Service and Experience Expert, Keynote Speaker and Bestselling Author, Shepard Presentations, LLC.
Inside the Paradores Approach to Guest Experience
Paradores integrates heritage authenticity with data-driven guest experience management, achieving an NPS near 65 while investing €300 million in modernization.
Florencia Cueto Pedrotti, Director, Global Engagement & Sales Enablement, Shiji
When Customer Experience Becomes Customer Transformation
The article argues businesses should help customers achieve aspirations rather than just deliver services, citing examples from fitness equipment to Disney parks.
By Shep Hyken, Customer Service and Experience Expert, Keynote Speaker and Bestselling Author, Shepard Presentations, LLC.