As Congress slashes Brand USA funding by 80%, international visitors continue to flee the U.S., leaving destinations like Hawaiʻi exposed just when global marketing matters most.
The Hotel Geeks’ Nirvana
Heading to HITEC and HSMAI’s Commercial Strategy Conference this week for a deep dive into hotel tech, AI, and commercial trends, recap coming with all the useful and eyebrow-raising takeaways.
If I hear the word one more time…
Trump’s tariff whiplash fuels market uncertainty and travel slowdown fears, raising the risk of fewer international visitors, shaky consumer confidence, and a possible recession—omelets aside.
More Layoffs At Expedia
Expedia Group cuts hundreds of marketing roles in its latest reorg, signaling a deeper shift toward AI-driven content and performance marketing after last year’s major layoffs.
Tripadvisor’s Bold Move: No More Rounding
Tripadvisor shifts to tenth-point ratings, ditching half-stars to highlight subtle guest satisfaction differences—raising the stakes for hotels in an increasingly competitive review landscape.
The Trump Effect
Trade tensions tied to President Trump spark worries for Hawaiʻi tourism, with Canadians canceling trips and forecasts warning of billions in potential U.S. travel losses.
Tripadvisor’s Bid for Relevance in the AI Era
Tripadvisor partners with AI engine Perplexity to share exclusive review data, a strategic move for a company long struggling for relevance amid shifting, AI-driven travel search.
HEDNA Conference Takeaways
Insights from HEDNA San Diego spotlight shifting traveler behavior and staggering OTA marketing spend, raising big questions about how hotels stack up in their own distribution strategy.
