Insights

The hospitality industry has long been defined by consistency, service, and trust. But in recent years, disruptors like Airbnb and Vrbo have rapidly gained market share, appealing to travelers seeking space, flexibility, and local experiences. For hotel sales and marketing professionals, this has forced a fundamental question: How can we compete? 

For years, online travel agencies (OTAs) dominated the perception game, widely regarded by travelers as the go-to source for scoring the best hotel deals.

What’s next for hospitality? Between generational shifts in the workforce, skyrocketing guest expectations, and new pressures on boutique hotels, uncertainty abounds.

As the traditional U.S. Summer Travel Season is in full swing, it is time to look at our monthly pulse check of American Travelers with WAVE 97 of Longwoods International’s ongoing American Travel Sentiment tracking study! 

The event exemplified HSMAI’s mission to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue. Developed in collaboration with its Commercial Strategy Conference Advisory Board, the program delivered a balance of strategic vision and tactical value.

Hospitality loyalty programs have come a long way and with a new market of guests, where are hospitality loyalty programs headed next to remain relevant and engage rewards members?

Four tips from leading economist, Bernard Baumohl on how to plan for risk in this time of uncertainty.  

Understanding the true cost of a hotel booking isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. Between marketing investments, agency fees, and labor costs, even a “direct” booking isn’t always the most profitable. 

Sales. Marketing. Revenue Management. Distribution. When these functions operate in silos, the result isn’t just internal frustration, it’s missed revenue, slower decision-making, and inconsistent guest experiences.