Author: Admin

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.

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.

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. ​ ​

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.

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 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 (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, 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.

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?

AI isn’t just improving corporate productivity and efficiency. It’s poised to reshape how value is defined, delivered and captured with its ability to create content, ideas and logic, and solve problems autonomously. The result: new AI-fuelled business models are challenging long-standing business assumptions and further blurring industry boundaries, contributing to massive new value pools and growth opportunities that will emerge over the next decade and beyond.