U.S. hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) fell 0.5% for the week ending 16 August with significant influence from the difficult year-over-year comps in Houston. Houston, which accounted for 5 basis points of the national RevPAR decrease, was not alone as 47% of all markets saw RevPAR decline by more than half a percentage point—the most of the past four weeks. Falling occupancy drove the nationwide RevPAR decline, while average daily rate (ADR) rose a mere 0.4%.
AI-Powered Booking and Concierge Systems: A Strategic Lifeline for Independent Hotels
Independent and boutique hotels in the U.S. face unprecedented challenges. Labor shortages continue to strain daily operations, with over 60% of hotels reporting difficulties in filling staff positions. At the same time, reliance on Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) cuts deeply into profitability, with commissions averaging 20–30% of gross bookings. For small operators, these dual pressures create an unsustainable environment.
GCSTIMES Unveils Leather Writing Pen Collection for Luxury Hospitality
In the world of high-end hospitality, attention to detail remains the hallmark of exceptional guest experiences. Today, GCSTIMES announced the release of its new Leather Writing Pen Collection, designed to bring refinement and comfort to everyday guest touchpoints.
A New Era of Elegance and Exclusivity with Brand New Luxury Suites at NEMA Design Hotel & Spa, Crete
NEMA Design Hotel & Spa is excited to announce the upcoming unveiling of 35 brand-new luxury suites in Spring 2026. Nestled along the Aegean coastline, NEMA continues to distinguish itself as an adults-only boutique retreat for discerning travellers seeking refined luxury in the heart of Crete, just 20 minutes from Heraklion International Airport. At NEMA, guests are invited to truly disconnect from the demands of daily life, stepping away from screens, routines and constant noise to rediscover stillness, simplicity, and the restorative rhythm of nature.
5 key steps to optimize your hotel website for AI search
More and more travelers gravitate towards generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to assist in trip planning. Their ability to provide straightforward answers to complex questions makes them function almost as a travel agent – only much faster.
Rotana Expands Sustainability Commitment Across Operations and Guest Experience with Ecolab and Stella Hospitality
We are pleased to announce a new multi-faceted sustainability partnership with Ecolab, a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions, and Stella Hospitality, a provider of sustainable guest amenity packaging.
RateTiger Achieves Favoured Connectivity Partner Status with Trip.com Group
RateTiger by eRevMax, a leading hotel connectivity and distribution management solution, has been recognized as a Favoured Connectivity Partner by Trip.com Group, a leading global travel service provider.
Abercrombie & Kent Expands Nordic Presence with Strategic Acquisition of Borealis DMC
Abercrombie & Kent (A&K), the global leader in luxury travel, announces the acquisition of Copenhagen based Borealis DMC, expanding its position as the world’s largest network of luxury Destination Management Companies (DMCs) with an international network of more than 3,000 staff, in over 65 offices and 40 countries.
Beaverbrook Joins Leading Hotels of the World
Beaverbrook, the quintessentially British country estate located an hour outside of London in the picturesque Surrey Hills, is proud to announce that it is joining Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), the exclusive collection of independent, luxury hotels. This distinction places Beaverbrook among the world’s finest properties, recognized for exceptional quality, service, and authentic experiences.
Loyalty in action: How these hotels optimized their programs to drive direct bookings
To kick off the loyalty program optimization track of the Direct Bookings Mastery Certification, we shared our exclusive guide on how you can go beyond the basic points-based hotel guest loyalty program model to meet rising guest expectations and drive more direct bookings. But what can you expect when you put those core strategies into practice?

