Hospitality & Tourism

Nightclubs are dying. It’s telling hotels what comes next. As Marko Hytonen put it: nightlife isn’t vanishing. It’s shifting. From techno to jazz. From midnight chaos to golden-hour vibes. Sunset rituals. Rooftop lounges. Vinyl over DJs. Every 20 years, culture reinvents how we gather. This is one of those moments. The rhythm of social life has changed. But most hotel spaces haven’t. One Barcelona hotel just reimagined its lobby. - Coworking by day - Coffee tastings by late afternoon - Live music by night F&B revenue went up. And bookings started to rise. No rebrand. No tech overhaul. Not faster check-in or kiosks. Just a sharper understanding of the guest. Today’s traveler wants rhythm: – Spaces that shift with their mood – Booking that feels personal – Journeys that adapt, not push – Brands that connect, on screen and on site Some still call this the soft stuff. The most successful ones? They know: Relevance is revenue. Spaces that shift with guests earn more, too. So ask yourself: Are you designing for the guest you used to know? Or the guest they’ve already become? Because these shifts don’t require a new brand. Just the right mindset to adapt online and on-site. #BoutiqueHotels #HospitalityTrends #HotelInnovation #BrandExperience #DirectBookingMatters #Hypercommerce #DesignForConversion Guestcentric --------- If you like my posts and articles follow me and follow Guestcentric so that your boutique hotel brand is not just seen, but is chosen. Build the guest journey they’ll never forget.

This will be the hottest hotel brand of the next decade. Aman, the world's most exclusive hospitality group, just launched Janu. And it's about to shake up the industry. Since 1988, Aman has dominated ultra-luxury hospitality with 34 resorts across the world. $2,000+ per night rates. Ultra-private experiences. Sanctuaries built for escape and solitude. Experiences completely unattainable for most travelers. Until now. Meet Janu, Aman's first sister brand in 36 years. It's a complete shift from typical Aman properties. Instead of isolated retreats, Janu creates vibrant cultural centers built for social interaction. Group fitness classes and wellness experiences. Same luxury design and standards, but a completely different philosophy. Plus, Janu is up to 30% cheaper than Aman properties, attracting a younger, affluent demographic that can eventually age into the Aman brand. Why did Aman choose to do this now after nearly four decades? They noticed trends in luxury travel that were impossible to ignore. 1. Modern luxury travelers want experiences over escape. They no longer seek isolated retreats where the highlights are luxury finishes and white-glove service. They want one-of-one experiences that become stories they can share for years. 2. They crave social connection to local culture. Today's travelers want their stay at the heart of local culture, offering authentic connections to their destination's energy through social experiences rather than Aman's signature isolation. Janu Tokyo opened in March 2024 and immediately proved the concept works. 122 rooms with private balconies (rare in Tokyo), 8 restaurants designed for social dining, and Tokyo's first hotel boxing ring. Located in Azabudai Hills, the city's most energetic neighborhood. Janu doesn't just put you in the city… it connects you to its soul. Learn ancient silk braiding from Tokyo's oldest artisans. Create bonsai with contemporary masters. Join guided tours through the city's creative scene. And they're not stopping at one property. Janu plans to add 8 new hotels within the next 10 years. A strategy as selective as Aman, but focused on vibrant, culturally significant destinations. Dubai and two Saudi Arabia properties open in 2027, with 12 other locations under consideration. The strategy is brilliant. Janu captures the next generation of luxury travelers seeking experiences and authentic connection at 30% lower rates than Aman, all without disrupting the Aman experience at existing properties. When a brand this powerful launches their first sister brand after 36 years of operations, you have to pay attention. Janu signals they see changes in the luxury travel industry they can't ignore. The Modern Traveler doesn't just want luxury anymore - they want meaningful connection. What are your thoughts about Aman’s new brand?

Here are 8 hospitality revenue strategies that actually work. Too many brands are still recycling lazy upsells and pretending it is innovation. Charging for Wi-Fi, bottled water, or early check-in is not strategy, it is desperation. The properties that will own the next decade are the ones that flip the script and turn ancillary revenue into experiences worth paying for. 1. Room selection as revenue. Guests want transparency. Show them the exact view, the layout, and the differences in real time. The more you let them see, the more they will spend. Hidden room maps are leaving money on the table. 2. Cancellation freedom. Stop punishing guests for life happening. Clear credit or voucher systems transform resentment into loyalty. Flexible policies drive more bookings and increase long-term revenue. 3. Loyalty on autopilot. Loyalty should be built into every booking, not treated like a side program. Auto-enroll, deliver instant benefits, and make guests feel valued the moment they confirm. This is how you build lifetime customers. 4. Empty space monetization. Lounges, rooftops, and ballrooms sit idle for most of the day. Turn dead space into revenue with co-working options, private dining, pop-up events, or micro-weddings. It is low-cost, high-return, and adds vibrancy to the property. 5. Wellness on demand. Stop limiting wellness to the spa. In-room yoga mats, meditation kits, and recovery tech should be easy upsells. Guests want to feel good everywhere, not just in a treatment room. 6. Personalization paywall. Control is the ultimate luxury. Let guests choose the scent of their room, pre-stock their minibar with what they love, or have their playlists waiting when they walk in. People will pay for experiences that feel like theirs. 7. F&B as content. A restaurant should not just be a dining room, it should be a stage. Offer chef’s tables, cocktail labs, kitchen tours, or immersive tasting menus. Guests spend more when they feel like insiders. 8. Sustainability as value add. Guests are willing to pay to be part of something bigger. Give them the option to fund local initiatives, support carbon offsets, or contribute to visible green upgrades. When done authentically, this builds both revenue and reputation. And let me be clear. The one thing that needs to end immediately is charging for Wi-Fi. It is insulting and outdated. The first hotel brand to step up and say “We have the fastest free Wi-Fi in the world” will not only win guests, they will own the global conversation. That single decision would be worth more than any upsell you are currently clinging to. Hospitality is not broken. It is uninspired. The future belongs to the brands that stop nickel-and-diming and start designing upsells that guests actually celebrate. So the real question is this. Are you building revenue strategies that create loyalty, or fees that create resentment? --- If you like the way I look at the world of hospitality, let’s chat: scott@mrscotteddy.com

Tesla has finally applied for a ride-hailing permit in California, something they’ve talked about doing for a while. The move could put it in direct competition with Uber, Lyft, and Waymo – but for now, all they’ve done is take the first regulatory step. One thing I learned at Tesla and Lyft is that scaling a transportation network is all about utilization, efficiency, and driver/rider experience. Whether it’s human drivers or autonomy, the companies that nail those three will lead the industry. This will be fascinating to watch. Fleet ownership changes the economics, pricing models matter more than ever, and customer adoption will determine success. Will Tesla run this like a traditional ride-hail service? Or is this the first step in training a future robotaxi network? But what’s really interesting is the bigger shift happening in ride-hailing. Uber and Lyft gave up on building their own self-driving cars years ago. (Now, Uber is partnering with Waymo to integrate driverless rides into their platforms and Lyft is evolving its car rental locations into depots for robotaxis). Instead of competing, they’re evolving into the infrastructure that supports AV fleets. Waymo, meanwhile, has doubled its weekly robotaxi rides in less than a year and is taking meaningful market share in key cities. In San Francisco alone, it’s already at 22% of the ride-hailing market. China is an interesting case study for rideshare networks as they are about 12-18 months ahead in this journey.  As Baidu rolled out its Waymo-like robotaxis, the market share of the existing rideshare networks like Didi fell precipitously.  Tesla, on the other hand, is just starting down this path. Tesla has a Level 2 product on the road (hands off, eyes on for the driver)  and Waymo has a Level 4 product (no one in the driver’s seat).  The real question is whether Tesla will be able to catch up. Many point to data, but data is like fuel: if the engine can’t execute, the product won’t be successful no matter how much fuel you pour in.  Mobility is evolving fast, and Tesla is doubling down. So while this is an interesting step for Tesla, the road to autonomy is long, and others are much further down the path. The companies that get utilization, efficiency, and experience right - whether through partnerships or their own fleets - will define the future of mobility. What do you think? Will Tesla be a serious challenger to Waymo?  What’s the evidence of that?  And what will happen to Uber and Lyft?

AI Is Rewriting Travel Marketing. Hotels Must Rethink Direct Strategy Or Risk Disappearing. At Phocuswright’s New Age(nts) Trend Series, leaders issued a blunt warning. AI isn’t reshaping travel marketing. It’s replacing it. Moderator Mike Coletta from Phocuswright, Panelists: John Lyotier from TravelAI™, An UpNext Company, Brennen Bliss from Propellic - Travel Marketing, and Michael J. Goldrich Goldrich from Vivander Advisors and HSMAI New York City explained the shift. Search is fading fast. AI assistants like Google’s AI Overviews and ChatGPT now provide single answers. If your hotel isn’t that answer, your direct channel no longer matters. Hotel marketing is no longer about driving guests to your website. It is about ensuring your hotel is visible inside the AI ecosystems where decisions are now made. AI is rewriting travel marketing. Hotels must rethink direct strategy or risk disappearing. ➡️ Search is over. Guests now ask AI where to stay. Browsing is no longer part of the journey. ➡️ AI Overviews have replaced organic search. SEO alone will no longer protect your visibility. ➡️ Marketers must evolve. AI agents now handle campaigns. Your role is to direct and manage them. ➡️ Direct bookings are under new threat. AI assistants intercept guests before they reach your site. ➡️ Structured digital identity is now survival. Machine-readable data will decide if AI recommends your hotel. 📢 Hotels that delay action will disappear from view. What hotel commercial teams must learn from this shift. This is not just a trend. It is a total reset of how bookings happen. Guests now discover hotels through AI-generated answers. If your hotel isn’t present in those answers, your website and your SEO investment won’t matter. Protecting your direct channel now depends on your AI readiness. Your teams need AI literacy and an AI-first mindset to stay competitive. Five action steps for hotel commercial teams to protect their direct business. 1️⃣ Own your digital identity. Treat your hotel’s content and data like a product. Make it structured, accessible, and AI-ready. 2️⃣ Upskill teams on AI literacy. Train your staff to manage AI agents. Move from content production to AI orchestration. 3️⃣ Focus on answer engine optimization. Stop chasing search rankings. Focus on getting included in AI-generated answers. 4️⃣ Track AI visibility instead of clicks. Measure how often your hotel appears inside AI answers and recommendations. 5️⃣ Prepare for machine-to-machine commerce. Build structured data pipelines so your hotel can participate in future AI-to-AI bookings and negotiations. If you need help increasing revenue, improving productivity, or building AI skills across your commercial team, reach out. Think of me as a gig member of your team. Ready to help when you are. View the full discussion writeup on the Vivander Advisors website. We have a blog post about it.

Recently, Hospitality Net asked their Digital Marketing in Hospitality panel how hotels could use AI to shift bookings from OTAs to their direct channels. You might find this answer interesting: In the near term, the biggest opportunities AI provides for driving direct revenue revolve around creating richer, more personalized experiences at each stage of the guest journey. Hotel marketers can use AI to better segment potential guests based on behaviors and deliver content and offers — at scale — that match those segments’ intent. Increasingly, you can let the AI select and orchestrate campaign messages, images, and offers that align with the needs of potential guests, and drive conversion. Similarly, these tools can provide intelligent rate displays and offer attractive upsell opportunities to guests to improve the revenue you achieve during each stay. Real-time guest service during the booking process, including chat, can help improve that experience and increase conversion rate.  Of course, the guest journey doesn’t end at time of booking. Again, savvy hotel commercial teams are beginning to put AI to work to upsell and cross-sell on-property experiences during the pre-arrival and on-property stages of the guest journey to drive greater share of wallet. And, of course, intelligent, automated post-stay campaigns are beginning to produce results in driving repeat bookings from past guests.  In the longer term, we’ve not yet seen how universal access to AI assistants will shape guest behavior. These tools are likely to shift the way guests interact with information and experiences every bit as much as the internet, mobile, and social media have. We should expect to see new marketing and distribution channels that make it easy for us to reach guests directly — and new gatekeepers who seek to insert themselves into that process. Every silver lining comes wrapped in its own cloud.  Regardless, these benefits come with a cost. Hoteliers must take a serious look at their existing tech stack and team skills to ensure they’re ready to put these tools to work. Take a look at the partners you work with. Do they make it easy to connect with new sales and marketing partners? Do they have a well-articulated vision for how they’ll incorporate AI into their products? Have they begun to deliver on that vision? If so, you’re in great shape. If not, it may be time to start looking at alternatives.  And, finally, don’t ignore your people. Does your team have the skills, the resources, and the vision needed to adapt to a changing customer and technology landscape? You will want to give them the support they need to quickly adjust as guest behaviors — and those of your competitors — evolve. The hoteliers who are able to learn the fastest, and put those learnings to use, are the ones most likely to succeed at driving more direct business as AI becomes more common. And there’s nothing artificial about that. #AI #hospitalitymarketing

Hospitality Operators: Bottle service is out. Sauna socials, rooftop DJs, and wellness-driven nightlife are in. For decades, real estate developers chased the same formula: build a high-end club, pack it with VIP booths, and let overpriced cocktails drive the margins. But Gen Z and Millennials aren’t showing up like they used to. Instead of spending $1,000 on a bottle of vodka in a dark club, they’re spending $50 on a rooftop breathwork session followed by a DJ-led sauna party. Just look at HEIMAT in LA. It’s not a nightclub. It’s a private social club where wellness meets nightlife. By day, members hit the gym, take a yoga class, or work from the co-working lounge. By night? They’re at a rooftop pool party, a guided sound bath, or a high-end cocktail experience—without the chaos of a nightclub. This isn’t just a trend. It’s a real estate shift. 🏢 Luxury buildings are adding private event spaces and curated social programming—giving tenants nightlife alternatives without ever leaving home. 🌆 Underutilized rooftops are being converted into DJ-driven social lounges with wellness elements. 🏨 Hotel bars are shifting from loud, crowded clubs to intimate, high-ticket membership experiences. The economics make sense. Traditional clubs rely on high overhead, alcohol sales, and inconsistent foot traffic. But these new spaces? They operate on memberships, premium experiences, and curated access—creating predictable, high-margin revenue streams. The takeaway? The next generation isn’t looking for nightclubs. They’re looking for community-driven, exclusive experiences in unique spaces. The real estate winners in 2025 won’t just be leasing space. They’ll be curating culture. 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔! 𝐼 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑟𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝, 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑗𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑦. 𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑛𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑦, 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠. #realestate #hospitality #commercialrealestate #luxurylifestyle #experientialmarketing #genztrends #millennialmoney #nightlife #hotelinvestment #rooftoplounge #wellness #capitalmarkets #urbanliving

Hotels are betting on longevity. Let’s break it down: High-end hospitality is evolving. Guests aren’t just coming for rest, they’re also coming for optimization. The rise of "wellness tourism" means the top hotel brands are becoming centers for diagnostics, recovery, and peak performance. But creating a true health destination takes more than just a "sauna" or "juice bar". Here’s the real model: ✅ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿 Bloodwork, biological age testing, VO2 max, microbiome kits. Low infrastructure, high insight. It’s the unlock for personalization, and loyalty. ✅ 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻-𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 MDs, NPs, and functional health pros alongside movement and nutrition experts. Guests don’t want a list of services, they want a plan that makes sense. ✅ 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 Hormone therapy, hyperbaric, NAD+ IVs, red light, breathwork. From luxury to longevity, this is what turns guests into long-term clients. ✅ 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 Generic retreats are out. Tailored protocols based on biomarkers and goals? That’s what brings them back. ✅ 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗰 Offer re-testing, app-based progress, supplement delivery, remote consults. Guests leave with a roadmap, not just a short-term experience. 🏨 Early movers: → SHA → Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas → Lanserhof Group → Aman → Equinox Hotels The future of hospitality isn no longer just about five-star service. These are places to recharge. Longevity isn’t a trend. It’s becoming the new standard for wellness travel. And the best hotels are getting ahead of it. 👉 Which brand do you think will get there first? ♻️ Repost if you see this shift coming, and follow Delphine Le Grand for more on where hospitality meets healthspan.

I spot a clear hospitality trend: hotel owners are awakening to the fact that a 3% investment in tech isn’t enough. The hospitality industry ranks near the bottom in digital transformation, investing around 3% of net revenue into technology, which is just above agriculture and construction. Meanwhile, industries like retail, finance, and even online travel agencies are allocating up to 15%-17% in technology, reaping the benefits in efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profitability. This disparity is costing hoteliers dearly. Here’s why 3% isn’t enough: → Hotels clinging to outdated systems are missing out on the efficiency gains. Manual processes, fragmented data, and poor integration are costing not only money but also growth opportunities. → Today's guests demand seamless, tech-driven experiences. Whether it’s mobile check-in, AI-powered customer service, or personalized marketing, failing to meet these expectations can lead to a decline in guest satisfaction and loyalty. The shift is already happening - data from McKinsey and Hospitality Net shows it. → Recognizing the need to catch up, hoteliers are planning an average 16% increase in tech investments over the next year. This is more than just a trend—it’s a necessary evolution. → 1 in 5 hoteliers are planning to invest over 20% more than last year, focusing on solutions that drive automation, optimize revenue management, and enhance guest engagement. This is critical as we move into a more data-driven era of hospitality. → Over the next three years, 78% of hoteliers plan to increase their technology investments. This isn’t just about adopting the latest tools; it’s about creating a sustainable, competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market. 👉 Ready to transform your hotel’s tech strategy? Explore the latest solutions on Hotel Tech Report and make informed investments that will keep your property ahead of the competition. #HotelTech #HospitalityIndustry #Hospitality #DigitalTransformation HotelTechReport.com | The Leading Authority on Hotel Technology Follow me for more hotel software and technology insights.

Hotels Are Leaving Millions on the Table Without Realizing It! I was working with a luxury resort that was fully booked, had strong guest satisfaction scores, and a great brand reputation. On the surface, they were doing everything right. But when we dug deeper, we found six hidden revenue opportunities that weren’t being optimized. ✅ Guests were willing to spend more, but weren’t given the right offers at the right time. ✅ The F&B team was focused on service but not strategic upsells. ✅ High-margin experiences were under-promoted. ✅ Room upgrades were not being offered effectively during the booking process. ✅ Their spa had peak-time bottlenecks but underutilized low-traffic hours. ✅ A high-spend segment of guests was being treated the same as everyone else, missing out on VIP-tier monetization. After making small shifts, the resort saw a 7-figure revenue boost in under a year WITHOUT raising prices or increasing operating costs. And here’s the thing: most hotels and resorts have these untapped opportunities sitting right in front of them. 3 Questions for Any Hotel GM or Owner to Ask Right Now: 1️⃣ Are we offering upsells and experiences in a way that feels natural, not forced? 2️⃣ Are our highest-spending guests getting a differentiated experience that drives more loyalty and spend? 3️⃣ Are we treating revenue like a hospitality first strategy or just a numbers game? The best revenue strategies aren’t about charging more they’re about helping guests spend happily. Would love to hear from fellow hospitality leaders: What’s one guest experience change that made a major financial impact at your property? #hospitality #hotels #revenuegrowth #guestexperience #hotelleadership