How AI is revolutionizing the hotel search process

This week, we're delving into trends reshaping the hospitality industry and examining big moves from major players. From practical strategies to reduce labor costs (without compromising guest experience) to ways major brands are making waves in the vacation rental market and how AI is revolutionizing the hotel search process, we're keeping you ahead of the curve with insights and tips to keep your business thriving. Here's what's happening in hospitality!

'A growing demand for personalized attention'

As the president of Meyer Jabara Hotels, Justin Jabara blends a deep respect for the company’s rich legacy (48 years and counting) with a forward-thinking approach to redefining guest experiences and ensuring sound, successful business practices. In this exclusive interview, Jabara shares his insights about owning and operating independent hotels, how Meyer Jabara Hotels continues to thrive in a competitive landscape and why every hotel MJH develops is a “unique endeavor.”

What’s unique about owning and operating independent hotels?

Our team thrives on the personalization, flexibility and authenticity that come with operating an independent hotel. We have the freedom to craft truly unique guest experiences without the constraints of corporate red tape, allowing us to design and deliver services in the way we believe is best. This autonomy enables us to quickly adapt to evolving trends, guest preferences and market demands — something larger hotel chains can’t match. Our independent hotels foster a more intimate atmosphere, with a deep focus on showcasing local culture and providing an authentic, community-driven experience.

What is the most rewarding aspect of hotel operations? The most challenging?

I find great joy in witnessing the development of individuals and watching our teams grow. It’s a privilege to see our associates evolve both professionally and personally, and to be a part of their journey. The heart connections and partnerships we build are something we deeply value, and cultivating long-term relationships with our team is incredibly rewarding. However, this responsibility is also what keeps me up at night. I carry the weight of knowing that I’m not just responsible for the success of the business, but also for the livelihoods of our team members and their families. Ensuring we provide stability and support and that we can continue to keep food on their tables, is something I take very seriously.

What are the characteristics of an independent hotel that make you say “I’ll buy it”?

When evaluating a hotel for acquisition, we focus on four key factors: location, character, potential for improvement and relevance. A great location ensures accessibility and demand, while character adds a unique charm that sets the property apart from generic options. We also look for opportunities to enhance the hotel through renovations or service upgrades, helping it reach its full potential. Finally, relevance is critical, as the hotel must align with current market trends and guest preferences to remain competitive. Together, these factors guide our decision-making process, ensuring we invest in properties with long-term growth and appeal.

What do most people not know about independent hotels?

There is a growing demand for personalized attention in the hospitality industry, and as an independent hotel, we truly understand the value of this. We approach each new project with a fresh perspective, starting from the ground up. Every hotel we develop is a unique endeavor, with no replication of what we've done before. This allows us to tailor each property to its specific location, community and guest base, ensuring that the experience we offer is authentic and bespoke. Whether it's the design, the services or the atmosphere, every element is thoughtfully crafted to reflect the individuality of the space and meet the evolving needs of our guests. This hands-on, personalized approach is what sets us apart and creates an unforgettable experience for those who stay with us.

Wielding hospitality as a force for good. Hilton and AmEx partner, making 20,000 hotel room nights available at no charge to wildfire-impacted Angelenos.

Automation + efficiency = profitability? Here are six ways hotels can reduce labor costs (and make money, too).

Connected and empowered. Navigating hospitality tech is no easy task. Guest internet is, “without a doubt, the common denominator” for technology in hotels, says Fred Brown, vice president of operations at the Hansji Corporation, in this episode of the Hotel Tech Insider podcast.

Democratizing group travel. Big brands are coming for the vacation rental space. 

Pace picks up for U.S. hotel transactions. Recovery mode is so last year. Lower cost of debt, pent-up capital and overdue renovations will spur hotel sales in the year ahead. 

Constructive criticism with compassion

"How can you say what you mean without being mean?" asks CEO coach and author Kim Scott. There’s a delicate balance between caring and challenging when leading in the workplace. Scott introduces "radical candor" as the approach she recommends to achieve that balance.

Why it matters: Leading people can be messy and frustrating, but for the good of the organization — not to mention your working relationships — sometimes difficult things need to be said. Scott’s talk is based on her book, Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity (St. Martin's Press). (TED.com)

What is hospitality?

In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Ashley Ewing Parrott, founder and principal creative director at AEP Hospitality Consulting, shares how creative direction and strategic insights have helped transform the hospitality industry. She explores what hospitality truly means, the role of big brands in independent hotels and the delicate balance between maintaining unique guest experiences and leveraging corporate support.

Why it matters: Guest experience drives everything once a hotel’s doors are open. Branding is critical, and the guest experience should have equal priority with schedule and the budget, says Parrott. “That brand that is being created at the very beginning of a project, at the inception of a hotel, is the filter that should be used to pass through every subsequent decision in the development process." (Defining Hospitality) 

Lenders take majority stake in Aimbridge

Last week, third-party management giant Aimbridge Hospitality entered into a restructuring support agreement that will right-size the company’s capital structure by converting more than $1.1 billion in debt to equity, infuse $100 million in new capital and make the first-lien lenders majority owners.

Why it matters: Liquidity is not an issue for the company. The agreement "will transform our balance sheet and put Aimbridge in an incredibly strong position to accelerate our long-term strategy and continue delivering top-of-the-line services to our hotel owners,” CEO Craig Smith says. Aimbridge, which reports to operate 1,000 hotels across all chain scales and 85-plus brands in 23 countries, said it will continue to operate its business as usual. (Hotel Investment Today)

Hotel images, highlights and ratings … oh, my!

AI search engine Perplexity is launching an integration with Tripadvisor, making the hunt for a hotel as easy as typing in a prompt. “From the Tripadvisor side, they provide an up-to-date trustworthy source of information that we sync regularly,” says Perplexity cofounder Johnny Ho. “On the fly, we’ll index and retrieve the right results depending on the user intent of the query.”

Why it matters: Tripadvisor’s integration into the AI “answer engine” will serve up real reviews from real people, likely increasing trust in the query’s results. The more detailed your prompt, the more accurately the results will match what you seek. Searching for a place to stay has never been so simple. (The Verge)

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