A quick explainer on how hotels really work—owners, brands, and managers often operate separately, with guest-facing flags masking the complex mix behind Hawaiʻi’s biggest properties.
HotelTonight Adds a Twist—Earn Airbnb Credit While You Book Hotels
HotelTonight now offers 10% Airbnb credit on hotel bookings, a quirky cross-promotion from Airbnb that blurs the lines between hotels and vacation rentals—though its impact may be minimal.
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.
HBX Group’s €5B IPO: A Distribution Giant Might Go Public
HBX Group, the wholesale giant formerly known as Hotelbeds, is gearing up for a €5B IPO—putting one of distribution’s biggest players on the Spanish stock exchange.
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.
Resort Fees
With the FTC set to require upfront pricing by April, resorts may lose the incentive behind add-on fees—raising questions about the future of resort fees and OTA commissions.
