Two Dutch consumer groups said on Wednesday they are seeking affected customers for a legal claim against Booking.com (BKNG.O), opens new tab, one of the world’s largest online travel agencies, over what they described as inflated hotel prices since 2013.The Consumer Competition Claims Foundation (CCC) and the Consumers’ Association said in a statement that Booking.com had allegedly been charging consumers too much for hotel rooms for years, leading to “hundreds of millions of euros in damage to Dutch consumers”.
Hotel activity: Paris saves the day, but for how long?
The French hotel industry presents a contrasting picture as we enter 2025. On the one hand, Paris is shining brightly, buoyed by exceptional momentum. On the other, the regions, including the Capital Region outside Paris, are struggling to keep pace, revealing economic weaknesses to date.
Three Critical Clauses Hotel Owners Overlook in Their Management Agreements
As a hotel consultant, I have reviewed and negotiated hundreds of hotel management contracts. Each agreement contains hundreds of clauses and provisions that require negotiation. Because hotel companies negotiate these agreements all the time, owners are at a disadvantage and often overlook important clauses that need to be included in their contracts. This newsletter will cover three significant provisions most owners don’t even realize are available to them. These are just three of many overlooked clauses that I will discuss in future newsletters.
Marketing That Moves: Why Storytelling is Hospitality’s Hidden Revenue Engine
The hospitality industry has long relied on aesthetics, amenities, and service as its primary marketing differentiators. Yet, in an age where digital attention spans are shrinking and customer acquisition costs are rising, these traditional approaches are no longer enough. Marketing that simply showcases rooms or lists amenities is easy to scroll past. With countless options available to travelers, visual appeal alone can no longer command loyalty. For hotels to stand out, they must connect with potential guests on a deeper, more emotional level.
The Next Era of Hotel Technology: Agentic, MCP & Multi-Modal AI
Massive developments are happening in AI. Just this week the popular Hotel Tech Insider innovation newsletter covered a story about Hyatt laying off 30% of it’s US Call Center staff and we’re seeing major tectonic shifts like this across the industry each week but most hotels are only just beginning to explore its potential. In many cases, individual hoteliers and staff are experimenting with tools like ChatGPT for writing content or answering questions. Some hotels have added basic AI features into their operations – think of voice-activated assistants in rooms or simple text chatbots on their websites that answer guest FAQs. Others use AI behind the scenes for tasks like summarizing guest feedback or generating reports. These early uses are valuable, but they barely scratch the surface of what’s coming.
K9 desktop laser engraver
Are you looking for an entry-level laser engraver for beginners? Do you want to send personalized gifts as a lasting memory to your guests for birthdays, Oktoberfest, Easter, Christmas, and other events? Here it is – GCSTIMES K9 desktop laser engraver.
La Chambre Du Marais Reached 51x ROAS With Google PMax for Travel Goals
By leveraging the advanced capabilities of the Cendyn DMP and the AI-powered targeting and automation of Google PMTG, the property aimed to reach high-intent travelers at the right time and across the right channels. The goal was to boost online visibility and drive stronger performance for direct bookings.
Meliá named Most Sustainable Hotel Company in Europe by TIME and Statista
Meliá Hotels International has been recognized as the most sustainable hotel company in Europe and the second worldwide in the newly released World’s 500 Most Sustainable Companies 2025 ranking, published by the prestigious TIME magazine in collaboration with data analytics firm Statista. Meliá is also listed among the top 20 Spanish companies in this global index, which highlights organizations with the strongest commitment and progress in sustainability.
How hotels should be thinking about their visibility on AI platforms
Travel companies’ ability to gain visibility in the travel discovery process has become more challenging as users across the globe move from traditional search tools like Google to artificial intelligence (AI)-powered search.
Cloudbeds publishes first-ever study on AI hotel recommendations as generative AI reshapes travel industry
Cloudbeds, the AI-powered platform fueling hotel growth, has today released The Signals Behind Hotel AI Recommendations, the hospitality industry’s first comprehensive study examining how generative AI platforms recommend hotels to travelers.

