OpenAI's ChatGPT Ads launch across 31 European countries next week, but hotel advertisers must go through agency partners until self-serve access opens, and ads appear below AI responses without influencing them.
Cogwheel Marketing shares hands-on results from the ChatGPT Ads beta for hotels, including targeting options, CPC benchmarks ($3–$3.50), CTRs of 1.6–1.9%, and July 2026 platform updates.
Google's new Direct Offers format places sponsored promotions inside AI-generated travel recommendations, with IHG named as the first hotel partner in an invitation-only program.
Dubai-based In2 Consulting acquires a 50% stake in Hospitality Net, with plans to expand the platform's AI capabilities, launch Hospitality Net LABS, and establish a new head office in Dubai.
A practical breakdown of Google's Demand Gen campaigns vs. Paid Search and Display, covering placements, targeting, creatives, and when to use each in a hotel marketing mix.
Jeremy McCarthy, former Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons executive, launches Leisure Alchemy, a free weekly digital briefing and platform for resort, wellness, and leisure industry leaders.
Study of 179 luxury hotel guests shows 94.25% tablet usage rates, with 29% engaging with sponsored content compared to less than 1% for traditional digital channels.
The partnership will make HCN's in-room tablet inventory available through programmatic platforms and direct sales to reach travelers in hotel rooms.
HCN's new advertising model covers tablet costs through revenue sharing, expanding from luxury to all hotel segments with 90%+ guest engagement rates.