The AI Visibility Crisis: Most Hotels Are Invisible
Research analyzing 2.36 million data points reveals only one-sixth of 810,000 global hotel properties appear in AI search results. Hotelworld AI launched the World’s Best at AI Index, showing Holiday Inn Express leading rankings while hundreds of thousands of properties remain completely invisible in AI-driven discovery.
The findings expose a fundamental shift in hotel distribution. As travelers increasingly use AI-powered search to find accommodations, properties that don’t appear in these results effectively don’t exist for growing segments of demand. The gap between visible and invisible properties will likely widen as AI search adoption accelerates. Read the research →
Humans-as-Luxury: Service as Strategic Differentiator
Simone Puorto argues AI requires structural process changes, not just tool integration. As AI handles routine tasks, human service becomes a strategic differentiator. He introduces the concept of “Humans-as-Luxury” to describe this shift.
The framework acknowledges that AI will automate most transactional interactions, making genuine human connection increasingly valuable and scarce. Hotels that position human service as premium offering rather than baseline expectation can command pricing power as automation commoditizes efficiency. Read the interview →
Luxury Hotels Miss 45-55% of Revenue Potential
TRAVHOTECH research shows luxury hotels miss 45-55% of revenue potential by failing to digitally integrate high-margin spa, dining, and wellness offerings with room bookings. The gap represents billions in uncaptured revenue across the luxury segment.
Most properties treat ancillary services as separate businesses with disconnected booking systems. Guests book rooms through one channel, then discover spa or dining availability through entirely different processes. The friction kills conversion on high-margin experiences that could significantly lift total guest spend. Read the analysis →
Customer Service Quality Declined Sharply in 2026
A survey of 2,000 US consumers reveals 42% experienced more bad service in 2026 than previous years, with 66% willing to switch companies over poor service. The data shows service quality deteriorating even as technology investment increases.
The disconnect suggests automation may be reducing service quality in some contexts rather than improving it. When technology replaces human interaction without maintaining service standards, customers notice and respond with their wallets. Read the data →
Signals
Workflow automation raised capital. RobosizeME secured $2 million in seed funding led by SeedTwo Capital. The company saved one US hotel chain over $1 million in labor costs with less than one year payback period, demonstrating clear ROI for operational automation.
Payment card platform launched. OneJourney introduced SwiftPay, offering hospitality operators 1%+ cashback on supplier payments through bank-integrated payment cards with no setup fees. The platform converts operational payments into revenue recovery mechanisms.
Park City pipeline defended. Analysis shows Park City’s 3,000-room hotel pipeline is supported by Deer Valley’s expansion to 20,000 skiable acres, creating lodging density comparable to Colorado ski markets. The piece argues growth reflects scale requirements rather than oversupply risk.