TripAdvisor is laying off 20% of its staff as it pivots toward experiences and AI, but years of overmonetization and declining trust mean the platform’s bid for relevance may already be too late.
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Sonder Went Bust. Marriott Went Missing
Sonder’s collapse was predictable, Marriott’s mishandling wasn’t. The failed SPAC burned through cash, dissolved 7,700 licensed rooms, and left guests stranded, exposing major cracks in Marriott’s due diligence and partnership strategy.
K-Shaped Recovery Joins the HHH Dictionary
Travel’s “K-shaped recovery” is here, premium airlines and luxury spend are booming while midscale hotels and budget travelers pull back, splitting the industry between those climbing and those sliding.
Wyndham Solves Loyalty by Charging for It
Wyndham launches a $95/year “Rewards Insider” subscription, part hotel perks, part travel club, joining IHG and Outrigger in the pay-to-play loyalty trend as brands chase recurring revenue and new ways to keep guests engaged.
Flat Is the New Up? Q3 hotel earnings are out, and 2025 just got downgraded, again.
Q3 hotel earnings show U.S. RevPAR slipping, group and government travel weakening, and 2025 forecasts flattening across Hilton, IHG, and Wyndham, while Accor remains the lone bright spot.
Save Your Way (AKA Give your customer away)
Hotels.com’s new “Save Your Way” feature lets OTAs give big “loyalty” discounts funded by hotels—while keeping the customer, data, and relationship for themselves.
Shutdowns, Sick Days, and a Billion Bucks a Week
The federal shutdown is costing the U.S. travel sector $1B a week, and with Canadian and other international arrivals plunging, Hawaiʻi faces mounting headwinds despite parks and airports remaining open.
From Enshittification to Bifurcation
Two forces define today’s hotel scene: enshittification, the decline in value, and bifurcation, the widening gap between travelers. Which side is your property on?
Ace in the Hole: Prince Hotels Goes Lifestyle
Seibu Prince Hotels is acquiring Ace Hotels for $90M, adding nine properties and fresh lifestyle cred to the brand.
Recession-Proof, or Just Enshittified?
Luxury hotels are thriving while the mid-market weakens. Hawaiʻi luxury RevPAR is up 9% YTD, raising questions about inequality in travel demand.
