Travel Data Analytics Tools

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

Industry 2: Data and hospitality 🏨 This month, I’m exploring how data looks across different industries and today we step into the world of Hospitality. If Automotive is about engineering precision, hospitality is about experience, emotion, and loyalty and data plays a critical role behind the scenes. Working in the hospitality industry taught me that the pace is fast, customer expectations are high, and the ability to respond in real time is not an option. So, how does hospitality use data? • Think personalised the guest journeys, it starts from room preferences to tailoured experiences. • This is one of the industries that operates dynamic pricing based on demand, seasonality, and competitor benchmarking • Forecast occupancy and staffing levels to improve service and reduce costs • Understand guest feedback and sentiment across platforms How does that look like? This personalising guest experiences through real-time data. Hotels today use integrated data from booking engines, loyalty programmes, past stays, and even Wi-Fi usage to craft super-personalised offers. Imagine walking into your room and finding your favourite playlist on, non-dairy milk in the minibar, and a yoga mat ready because the system knows you usually request one that’s data at work. When data is used well, it’s priceless, and powerful. The result? ⭐ Higher guest satisfaction 📈 Increased revenue 💬 Better reviews and repeat bookings #datastrategy #data #emergingtech #ai #leadership

How did an iconic hotel in Singapore, Marina Bay Sands, cut labor dependency with AI and robots by 30% while simultaneously generating 162,000 manhours of greater value with its staff? The secret lies in treating AI and robotics as a partner for your people, not a replacement. Marina Bay Sands (known as MBS here) in Singapore, a large-scale integrated hotel + casino + mall, is demonstrating that AI and robotics are now fully viable for complex, large-scale hospitality operations. MBS became the first in Singapore’s hospitality industry to deploy a fleet of 12 Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) for back-of-house deliveries across its hotel and convention center. Facing a 35 percent surge in delivery volumes between 2019 and 2023, the resort turned to automation to manage growing demands. The deployment of AMRs, which handle manpower-heavy tasks, carrying up to 300kg and moving at 84 meters per minute, resulted in a 30 percent drop in labor dependency. However, the crucial insight for long-term value and staff adoption is the strategic focus on the workforce, repurposing Talent for Sustainable Value. MBS's comprehensive automation efforts, which include over 200 automated work processes across various functions (like 'The Wardrobe' system managing over 200,000 uniforms via ultra-high-frequency chips and automated stocktaking, or the automated upcycling of 100% of food waste by end of 2025), have resulted in the repurposing of over 162,000 manhours annually towards greater value-added tasks. For example, instead of job elimination, members of the procurement and supply chain teams who previously handled manual deliveries are now trained in new, higher-value roles such as inventory management and robot dispatching. By investing in innovation and fostering a culture of productivity, MBS leadership proves that successful integration requires to be people-driven just as much as you are AI-driven. Repurposing staff generates motivation, long-term value, and ensures technology adoption, making automation a key driver of human capital enhancement. full article here: https://lnkd.in/g_M3bpPs #HospitalityInnovation #AIinHospitality #Robotics #WorkforceDevelopment #FutureofWork #MarinaBaySands #GenAI #Leadership #Singapore #TheWayForward

Google's AI Trip Planner Indefinitely Delayed! What This Means for Hotel Marketing Strategies The recent news of Google's indefinite delay of its AI-powered trip planner for Gemini Advanced presents both challenges and opportunities for the hospitality industry. Initially showcased in 2024, this tool promised to revolutionize travel planning by integrating personal details into customizable itineraries. However, its postponement underscores the complexities inherent in developing such advanced AI applications. Despite this setback, the trajectory of AI in travel remains undeniably forward-moving. Travelers are increasingly turning to AI-driven platforms to streamline their journey planning. For instance, Google's Gemini continues to evolve, integrating more deeply with other Google apps and services to enhance personalized travel planning. This growing reliance on AI tools highlights a pivotal shift in consumer behavior, one that hoteliers cannot afford to overlook. The delay of Google's trip planner offers a unique window for hotels to proactively integrate AI solutions into their marketing strategies, thereby enhancing guest experiences and securing a competitive edge. A Strategic Imperative for Hoteliers In light of these developments, it is imperative for hoteliers to: 1. Invest in AI-Powered Personalization: Utilize AI algorithms to analyze guest preferences and behaviors, enabling the delivery of customized recommendations and services that resonate with individual travelers. 2. Enhance Online Visibility: Optimize digital presence to ensure seamless integration with existing AI travel planning tools. Collaborations with platforms like Google's evolving AI services can facilitate personalized itineraries that prominently feature your property. 3. Leverage AI for Operational Efficiency: Implement AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants to handle inquiries, bookings, and customer service, thereby improving response times and guest satisfaction. By proactively adopting AI technologies, hoteliers can not only fill the void left by delayed third-party tools but also position themselves as pioneers in delivering innovative and personalized guest experiences. The future of travel is undeniably intertwined with artificial intelligence; embracing this reality today will pave the way for sustained success in the hospitality industry.

🚢 What if a cruise ship could think like a city? Thousands of guests. Dozens of restaurants & theaters. Complex operations — all running 24/7. Now imagine a digital twin: ⚡ Optimizing energy in real time 🛠 Predicting maintenance before breakdowns 🍽 Personalizing guest journeys at scale 🚨 Enhancing safety through live simulations This isn’t a concept. It’s already happening. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas uses a stability digital twin to enhance safety (https://lnkd.in/gAxVU-z5). Carnival’s Ocean Medallion platform creates a live digital twin of guest experiences (https://lnkd.in/gNZ5cD2R). And beyond cruises? Airlines, hotels, and resorts have the same potential. 🏆 The real opportunity lies in blending real-time data, AI-driven insights, and human empathy to orchestrate unforgettable customer experiences. 👉 Do you see digital twins as hype — or the next big unlock for travel & consumer industries? Cruise into the full story below. #DigitalTwin #TravelTech #HospitalityInnovation #ConsumerTech #AI #Sustainability

What is STAR report in hospitality field? The STAR Report (Smith Travel Accommodations Report) is a key benchmarking tool widely used in the hospitality industry to measure a hotel’s performance against its competitive set and the broader market. Created by STR (Smith Travel Research), the report provides detailed analytics on various performance metrics, enabling hotel operators to make informed strategic decisions. Key Features of the STAR Report: 1. Performance Metrics: • Occupancy (%): Percentage of available rooms sold during a specific period. • ADR (Average Daily Rate): Average revenue earned per occupied room. • RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room): A combination of Occupancy and ADR, showing overall revenue efficiency. • Index Scores: Shows how a hotel is performing compared to its competitive set (e.g., 100 means equal performance, >100 means better performance). 2. Comparison with Competitive Set: • Hotels are benchmarked against a competitive set (comparable hotels in terms of size, price point, or market segment). • Data is aggregated and anonymized to maintain confidentiality. 3. Market Trends: • Tracks market-level and submarket-level trends, such as regional occupancy or ADR growth. • Provides insights into how market demand or competition is evolving. 4. Timeframes: • Reports are generated daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly, offering flexibility for operational and strategic planning. 5. Segmentation and Daypart Analysis: • Breakdowns by business and leisure segments or weekdays vs. weekends to identify specific patterns. Why is the STAR Report Important in Hospitality? • Strategic Pricing: Helps optimize rates based on market demand and competitor pricing. • Market Positioning: Assists in understanding your market share and standing in the competitive landscape. • Revenue Management: Aids in identifying opportunities to improve revenue performance. • Operational Planning: Supports decisions on staffing, marketing, and cost management based on forecasted demand.

Are traditional competitive sets of your hotel obsolete? An interesting question raised by my industry friend Fabian Bartnick! Some in the industry believe that the era of the traditional comp sets are no longer relevant because of the rising hyper competition. Here is my take. I believe monitoring your traditional competitive set (comp set) still provides value, but you should broaden your horizon and acknowledge that there other forces at play here. Today, every hotel in the world has not one, but THREE categories of direct competitors that should be taken into account in your revenue management practices: * Official Comp Set: This is your traditional comp set, included in the property's dSTAR Report by STR or rate shopping report by Fornova. These reports provide real value by benchmarking how well your property is performing against the “official” competition. * Digital Comp Set: These are properties that dominate the search engine results pages (SERPs) on the search engines for keyword terms that are very relevant to your property's product. Your digital competitors are all the properties with comparable to your property core services and amenities that rank on top or above your property in the search engines. Most likely these properties are not part of your “official” comp set. Ex. Google: which are the hotels listed on page one of Google’s SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) when you search for your hotel category in your destination Ex. “Boutique hotels in downtown Houston” or “4-star hotels near Times Square Manhattan”. The hotels listed there are your true “digital comp set.” Ultimately, travel consumers are the ones who decide who are your property’s true competitors; your comp set should not be decided arbitrarily by the owner or the GM. Since Google “owns” the Dreaming and Planning Phases of the Digital Customer Journey, and more recently is increasing very aggressively its presence in the Booking Phase, you are losing more potential guests to your digital competitors than to your dSTAR comp set. * Vacation Rental Competitors: Today short-term rentals satisfy 1/4 of accommodation demand. In addition to monitoring and benchmarking your “classic” and digital competitors, you should monitor closely Airbnb's, Vrbo's and other vacation rental properties in your market. Research and identify the rental properties in your neighborhood, and what are their typical amenities and features. Introduce weekly and monthly rates for both rooms and suites. A weekly rate is NOT a daily rate multiplied by seven. A monthly rate is NOT a nightly rate multiplied by 30! Make sure that your CRS, WBE (Website Booking Engine) and Channel Manager can support weekly and monthly rates. Create an “Airbnb product” emphasizing the value and additional complimentary services guests will experience by booking the hotel at a comparable price, including free breakfast, connected rooms, parking, swimming pool, WiFi, luggage storage, etc.

🌍 Hi LinkedIn Community, and Jai Shree Krishna to everyone! 🙏✨ Ever wondered how Airbnb processes over a MILLION user events every second to deliver unmatched travel recommendations? 🌟 Here's an exclusive peek into their User Signals Platform and the cutting-edge technology behind it! 🚀 💡 What We'll Cover: 🌐 How Airbnb tracks and processes billions of user interactions. ⚡️ Introduction to the Lambda Architecture. 🛠 Overview of Apache Flink and its benefits. 🏗 Architecture of Airbnb's User Signals Platform. 1)🌟 Airbnb's User Signals Platform With 200M+ active users, Airbnb ensures every click, search, or wishlist item helps build a better recommendation system. 🏡✨ Small tweaks here = millions in bookings! 💸 Their User Signals Platform: ✅ Ingests and processes 1M+ events/sec ✅ Stores data in a key-value (KV) database ✅ Serves 70k+ queries/sec Key Goals: 📊 Ingest real-time and historical data. ⏱ Ensure ultra-low latency (<1 second). 🔍 Support asynchronous computations for deeper insights. 2)🏗 Lambda Architecture: Powering Scalability Airbnb’s platform uses the Lambda Architecture, combining: 1️⃣ Real-Time Layer 🕒 (low latency with Apache Flink) 2️⃣ Batch Layer 📂 (ensures long-term accuracy) 👉 The real-time layer processes streaming data immediately. 👉 The batch layer periodically processes historical data, handling late events or corrections. Together, this hybrid approach ensures speed, scalability, and accuracy. 🚀 3)🛠 Why Apache Flink? Airbnb leverages Apache Flink for stateful, event-driven data processing: ⚡ Real-Time Processing: No micro-batches, just instant event handling! 🔄 Fault Tolerance: Checkpointing ensures recovery to consistent states. ⏰ Event-Time Processing: Handles out-of-order/late-arriving events with precision. 🤝 Seamless Integrations: Works with Kafka, Postgres, and more! 4)🔎 Inside the Platform: 1️⃣ User Events: Users interact (search, wishlist, etc.). 2️⃣ Real-Time Transformations: Flink processes raw events into “User Signals.” 3️⃣ KV Storage: Stores data with append-only writes for simplicity. 4️⃣ Batch Layer: Fixes missed or incorrect events. 5️⃣ Asynchronous Insights: Categorizes users, analyzes sessions, and delivers richer insights. 6️⃣ Online Queries: Provides downstream services real-time access to data. 5)🌟 Key Takeaways: Airbnb’s architecture is a testament to how real-time data processing can revolutionize customer experience. 💡 Tools like Apache Flink are game-changers for managing scale, latency, and accuracy. 💪 The Lambda Architecture balances speed with long-term consistency. ⚖️ Let’s keep the tech conversations going! 🔥 Comment your thoughts or share how you tackle real-time processing challenges in your projects. ⬇️ #Tech #Airbnb #DataEngineering #ApacheFlink #LambdaArchitecture #RealTimeProcessing #Innovation

Two years ago, we set out to answer a big question: What would it look like if hoteliers had a true crystal ball — not just to forecast occupancy, but to make smarter decisions across marketing, revenue, and operations? We built a vertically focused AI model purpose-trained for hospitality — not generic tech dressed up for the industry, but a foundation built from the ground up for the way hotels actually run. Why does that matter? Because when a hotelier says, “We need more direct bookings,” what they really want is more control: + Control over margins — by reducing reliance on OTAs + Control over guest relationships — to build loyalty and increase lifetime value + Control over distribution — so they’re not subject to someone else’s algorithm And to do that well, you need more than a better booking engine. More than a better PMS. More than more marketing spend. You need foresight. You need to know who’s coming, when, and how to influence that — across every part of the guest journey. That’s the contextual intelligence we’re enabling. With 5 billion data points and real-time signals from around the world, we can forecast demand with 96% accuracy at 180 days out — and 99% inside 90 days. Now, imagine tying that forecast directly to your marketing spend, upsells, staffing, and channel strategy — as a single system working in sync. That’s not just better forecasting. That’s better hospitality. #HospitalityAI #HotelLeadership #DirectBookings #RevenueStrategy #HotelTech #GuestExperience #HotelInnovation

💡 Real-time pricing is coming to AI-powered travel search, which will change everything. AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini only show estimated #hotelprices. But that's about to shift! 🚀 The next big leap in #hospitalitytech is integrating real-time availability, rates, and inventory (ARI) into AI and GenAI platforms. Thanks to frameworks like Model Context Protocol (MCP), hotel tech systems—PMSs, RMSs, channel managers—can connect directly with LLMs, opening the door to live pricing, availability, and even end-to-end bookings within AI interfaces. 🏨 For #hotels, this is a huge opportunity—but only if they prepare. That means: ▫️ Getting listed on key metasearch platforms ▪️ Ensuring real-time pricing APIs are in place ▫️ Indexing their sites with AI search tools ▪️ Tracking attribution data to stay in control The race has already started—and the winners will be those who act before it becomes the norm. #AI #GenAI #TravelTech #Hospitality #DigitalTransformation #HotelTech #TravelIndustry https://lnkd.in/e5h_5GGj