#Trending This Week - Technology's Impact On Travel, MICHELIN Keys, Yelp's Wall Of Shame, Sleep Is Coveted...
Issue 161 • October 10, 2023
If you’re now just back in the office after a long weekend, we’ve got a quick recap of what’s trending to get you up to speed as you head into the week. Technology is having a significant impact on travel, and consumers are embracing it — yet not without concerns. MICHELIN stars have been coveted for decades, but now hoteliers are going to vye for their latest rating: keys. Sustainability in hospitality is hotter than ever as yet another brand adds a sustainable collection to its roster. A new survey shows that sleep travel is of primary importance — nearly as much as having an amazing adventure — as consumers plan for 2024 travel. And be careful as you don’t want to end up on Yelp’s Wall Of Shame! Check it all out below in our under two-minute read below.
How Technology Is Impacting Travel
How is technology having an increasing impact on travel? A new study by MMGY Travel Intelligence finds that travelers are open to incorporating emerging technologies as part of the travel experience, especially for research and planning purposes. Travelers feel the top three choices as it relates to the technologies to have the greatest impact in the next five years were the Internet of Things (47%), Virtual Assistants (41%) and Virtual Reality (17%). And, as always, their biggest concerns continue to be the privacy and security of their personal information. Read more in Insider Travel Report here.
MICHELIN Is Going To Start Handing Out Keys
In our awards-crazy industry, there’s a new entrant in town: the MICHELIN Key. Yes you read that right. For those restaurants who have always coveted the MICHELIN Star, now hoteliers can work to earn a MICHELIN Key, which will be designated for “the most exceptional hotels.” Read more in Skift here.
Brands Continue To Add Sustainable Hotel Collections
Sustainability is HOT in the hospitality space. Just look at the list of hotel groups and collections who have created designated “sustainable” hotels collections. The Leading Hotels of the World has just joined the pack which includes Preferred Hotels’ Beyond Green, Soul Community Planet, and Small Luxury Hotels’ Considerate Collection to name a few. Read more about the latest member to join the group in Insider Travel Report here.
Sleep Travel Could Be Big In 2024
Sometimes, the world just goes back to basics, so is anyone surprised to learn that one of the biggest things people want these days when traveling is a good night’s sleep? In a new survey commissioned by Hilton, thousands of travelers across age demographics reported getting good sleep as a top priority fr 2024 travel. No matter the age, people are dedicated to getting some good rest with their PTO. Read more in Thrillist here.
Yelp Is Cracking Down On Incentivizing Reviewers
If you run a food and beverage operation and you are incentiving diners for leaving a good review, take note! Yelp now has a wall of shame which publicly calls out restaurants for paying for reviews. It’s just the latest tactic as review sites try to clamp down on brands trying to create better reviews. Read more in Eater here.