Catégorie : Research

Blackstone Acquires Hamilton Island in Queensland, Australia US-based alternative investment firm, Blackstone Inc. (“Blackstone”), is acquiring Hamilton Island, an integrated resort destination in the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia from the Australia-based Oatley family. Market sources indicate that the transaction is valued at approximately AUD1.2 billion, representing a significant uplift from the Oatley family’s original…

How hotels can decide when paying for visibility improves demand, bookings, and revenue Jan 12, 2026 The Cornell Center for Hospitality Research report examines the relative value of free organic listings versus paid sponsored listings on Google Hotel Finder for hotels’ digital marketing strategies. It finds that paid visibility can significantly increase total demand, help…

Why tourism leaders are betting on enterprise AI for efficiency, personalization, and long-term resilience Jan 12, 2026 Artificial intelligence is moving from isolated pilots to a strategic imperative in tourism and hospitality, according to a new PwC Middle East report. The study shows widespread experimentation with AI, but limited enterprise-wide deployment due to infrastructure, talent,…

It’s budget season, and if you were among the leaders at The Lodging Conference in Phoenix last month, you heard the same sobering message: revenues are flatlining while expenses continue climbing. The squeeze is real, and it’s forcing a fundamental shift in how the industry thinks about operational performance. The path forward from that sobering…

Weekly writing about how technology and people intersect. By day, I’m building Daybreak to partner with early-stage founders. By night, I’m writing Digital Native about market trends and startup opportunities. If you haven’t subscribed, join 70,000+ weekly readers by subscribing here: I’ve been thinking through where AI is headed in 2026, and I keep returning…

In 2025, the hospitality industry experienced a more normalized operating environment. Average daily rates grew modestly while overall occupancy softened, and demand remained stable amid rising operating costs and broader economic uncertainty. Several macro-level factors shaped hotel performance during the year. The implementation of new tariffs increased the cost of construction materials, furnishings, and equipment,…

PwC Report: AI at the heart of tourism and hospitality – powering personalisation, efficiency and growth — Source: PwC Artificial intelligence is reshaping how the tourism and hospitality industry operates and grows. Across the Middle East, AI is powering smarter, more sustainable destinations – enhancing guest experiences, improving efficiency and creating new value. This report…