Future of Lodging

Airbnb hosts and short-term rental operators are facing renewed questions around platform security after third-party research from Saily and NordStellar, cited in recent press coverage, claimed a sharp increase in…

Accor's AI strategy spans discovery, distribution, loyalty, and operations, but its boldest bet is the one focused on people. The company believes automating the invisible half of hotel work is what will let the visible half feel more human.

The asset-light model has been good for operators and their shareholders. The pressure it creates for the owners who carry the assets is only now being openly discussed — and the operators best placed to respond are the ones who have stood on both sides of that equation.

Asia’s hotel pipeline is still growing, but an increasing share of that growth is coming from existing properties rather than new builds, as owners tap global brands like Accor for distribution, loyalty, and pricing power.

Bloom's insistence on profitability before scale runs counter to the growth-at-all-costs orthodoxy that defined the last decade of travel tech investment in India. As it enters a new phase of expansion, the company now faces the challenge of sustaining product and profit while scaling up.

Hotel loyalty programs are evolving from points systems into commercial engines that influence booking behavior, guest spend, and brand choice. New data shows travelers want simplicity, relevance, and meaningful value, not complexity or novelty.

As hotel brands compete on scale, technology, and loyalty ecosystems, Accor is positioning culture as a long-term source of differentiation. By investing in heritage preservation and creative partnerships, the group is betting that cultural credibility will shape hospitality’s next phase.

All-inclusive vacations are becoming more popular with travelers, who are seeking highly personalized experiences and a wide range of activities that maximize their travel investments. New data proves that this is more than a trend.

Travel companies are increasingly using AI to facilitate travelers’ booking experiences, but overuse could end up over-standardizing brands and, crucially, eroding human connection.

The bad news is that global uncertainty will dent hotel demand. The good news is that Hyatt can reroute guests to properties elsewhere.