In a first for major hotel groups, Marriott hosted 75 loyalty members at HQ to preview an AI chatbot for travel booking and gather customer feedback on other innovations.
There were dozens of people waiting in line to speak with Dan Blanchard after his hour-long HITEC presentation, half of which was an audience Q&A. He has learned a lot over his four years as chief tech officer for IHG, and people were clearly interested in hearing about it.
No, Brian Chesky isn't necessarily talking about launching flights on Airbnb when he refers to becoming a "cross-vertical company." Google Flights, relax.
Hopper's termination of its partnership with Booking.com reveals the deeper challenges the travel app is facing, forcing it to focus on direct hotel relationships as it tries to become profitable.
To book a flight through the Expedia app is certainly sleeker and more transparent than through Hopper. Still, Hopper claims to be winning market share.
Hotels have made enormous investments in recent years to improve in-room entertainment options for their guests, which won't slow down anytime soon as travelers expect to have the comforts of home in their guest rooms.