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March 11, 5:05 AM
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The dark side of Booking.com: How scammers exploit the world’s leading travel platform

It takes less than 15 minutes to list a holiday home on Booking.com, with little to no identity verification required. Unlike platforms like Expedia’s Vrbo or Airbnb, which ask for documents like a driving license or passport, Booking.com prioritizes speed and convenience for property owners. This approach has contributed to its massive global presence, processing over a billion bookings annually. However, it has also made the platform highly vulnerable to fraud, allowing scammers to create fake listings and exploit users.

Key takeaways

Lack of identity verification for hosts: No requirement to prove ownership or identity before listing properties. Unlike competitors, Booking.com does not mandate official identification checks;
Widespread scam listings: Hundreds of users reported paying for accommodations that didn’t exist. Investigations found numerous fraudulent listings with long histories of scam-related reviews. Booking.com only removed listings when journalists intervened;
Slow and ineffective customer support: Victims often struggled to get refunds. Booking.com shifted blame to property owners and delayed reimbursements. Refunds were often issued only after media inquiries;
Manipulated review system: Booking.com highlights "most relevant" reviews, often showing positive ones first. Scam warnings from recent reviewers were buried in the "most recent" tab. Following criticism, Booking.com agreed to prioritize newer reviews;
Security vulnerabilities: Scammers exploited Booking.com’s messaging system to trick users into fraudulent payments. Hotels and hosts were hacked, leading to convincing scam emails sent directly from Booking.com accounts.Two-factor authentication (2FA) was introduced but remains flawed.
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Social media, mobile Internet, online distribution, online communication in tourism (French-English-German) Web: www.hevs.ch / www.tourobs.ch / www.etourism-monitor.ch
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
Today, 6:24 AM
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Booking.com charts a smarter path for AI adoption

Booking.com CTO Rob Francis initially focused generative AI efforts on enhancing traveler experiences, but has recently shifted focus toward internal adoption to improve workforce efficiency. He's leveraging AI tools from vendors like Zoom and Google to support employees and emphasizes practical, measured implementation over hype-driven trends. The company has also launched AI features for customers, such as the AI Trip Planner and Smart Filter, while building flexible infrastructure to experiment with different large language models (LLMs). Francis aims to modernize Booking.com's tech stack to support the company’s broader vision of enabling seamless, connected travel.

Key takeaways

Shift in focus: Booking.com is now prioritizing internal use of generative AI tools after initially targeting customer-facing features.
Strategic AI adoption: Francis supports using widely adopted SaaS AI tools to improve internal workflows and efficiency.
Customer-facing tools: AI features like the Trip Planner and Smart Filter use LLMs to help travelers find personalized options.
Cautious rollout: The company deliberately avoided early generative AI hype, focusing on creating richer customer experiences.
Flexible infrastructure: Booking.com has built an orchestration layer to easily switch between AI models like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google.
Tech modernization: Francis is leading a revamp of the company’s tech stack to support its broader vision of a “connected trip.”
Personal motivation: A seasoned tech leader, Francis was drawn to Booking.com by his family’s love of travel and the opportunity to innovate in a meaningful space.

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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 17, 9:46 AM
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You've spent 20 years optimizing for humans: Now it's time to optimize for AI | PhocusWire

You've spent 20 years optimizing for humans: Now it's time to optimize for AI | PhocusWire | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
For the past 20 years, the travel industry has built websites for both humans and search engines. We've created multi-destination sites with schema markup, JavaScript frameworks and structured URLs. We've watched every Google algorithm update and adjusted accordingly.

But now there is a major change in how content is found online. Large language models (LLMs) are changing how the web is indexed, processed and served to users—and most travel companies haven't caught on yet. 

While we have become good at search engine optimization (SEO) for Google and humans, artificial intelligence (AI) reads and processes web content differently. Travel websites, especially those with dynamic, multi-destination content, need to optimize not just for traditional search engines but for AI systems that will increasingly direct travelers to our content.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 16, 9:17 AM
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$20 billion in U.S. retail spending from international tourists is at risk

The U.S. travel industry is facing a significant challenge as international tourism to the country is expected to decline in 2025. A large part of this decline is tied to both political factors and negative sentiments toward the U.S., contributing to decreased foreign visitation. This downturn could impact the U.S. economy, which heavily relies on foreign spending, particularly in services and tourism.

Key takeaways:

The U.S. has a large surplus in services, including foreign visitor spending, which reached $254 billion in 2024, a major contributor to the economy.
However, a decline in international tourism is expected in 2025, as some travelers are opting for other destinations or staying home.
Factors contributing to this decline include negative sentiments about U.S. politics, especially President Trump’s rhetoric toward foreign nations, and the potential for heightened scrutiny at U.S. airports.
In March 2025, international arrivals dropped nearly 10% compared to the previous year, and non-essential business trips from Canada to the U.S. are being reduced.
The economic impact could be significant, with up to $20 billion in retail spending at risk, potentially reducing U.S. GDP by $90 billion, according to analysts.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 14, 9:36 AM
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La création d’images et les retouches grâce à ChatGPT, par Frédéric Gonzalo

Jusqu’à très récemment, je n’utilisais à peu près jamais ChatGPT pour mes besoins en création de visuels. Ce n’était clairement pas sa force, en grand partie en raison de l’outil qui générait ces images, soit Dall-e, qui appartient également à OpenAI.

Ainsi, je préférais utiliser des outils comme MidJourney ou Flux pour créer des images, que je trouvais plus réalistes ou plus créatives en général. Moins d’erreurs, aussi. Vous savez, comme ces individus avec des mains à six doigts ou un couple s’enlaçant sur la plage et où on voit cinq jambes pour ce couple…

Mais depuis le 25 mars dernier, une petite révolution s’opère. ChatGPT a lancé sa fonctionnalité « Image Generator » disponible pour l’instant que pour les abonnés qui ont un accès payant (Plus, Teams ou Pro), avec la version 4o. Et là, on est clairement ailleurs!
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April 14, 6:36 AM
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Prix 2025 – Digitourism cherche à récompenser des projets digitaux exemplaires en Valais !

Prix 2025 – Digitourism cherche à récompenser des projets digitaux exemplaires en Valais ! | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
Digitourism cherche à récompenser des projets digitaux exemplaires et réussis dans le domaine du tourisme en Valais ! Les projets recherchés devront inspirer les acteurs du tourisme valaisan et contribuer à les convaincre de l’importance de la digitalisation dans leur métier.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 13, 4:25 AM
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Guide pratique du prompt : Comment poser les bonnes questions à l’IA ?

Guide pratique du prompt : Comment poser les bonnes questions à l’IA ? | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
Un bon prompt peut tout changer ! Découvrez comment structurer vos questions à l’IA (ChatGPT, Mistral AI, Gemini...) pour des réponses précises et mieux exploiter l’IA générative dans votre quotidien.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 11, 8:07 AM
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Quels sont les réseaux sociaux qui génèrent le plus d’engagement en 2025 ?

Quels sont les réseaux sociaux qui génèrent le plus d’engagement en 2025 ? | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
Buffer publie son étude sur le taux d'engagement sur les réseaux sociaux. Quelles plateformes tirent leur épingle du jeu ? Réponse ci-dessous.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 11, 1:47 AM
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L’Europe décide de s’aplatir brutalement devant les Etats-Unis sur le terrain numérique, mais ce ne sera jamais suffisant - Le Temps

L’Europe décide de s’aplatir brutalement devant les Etats-Unis sur le terrain numérique, mais ce ne sera jamais suffisant - Le Temps | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
Coup sur coup, l’Union européenne a pris plusieurs mesures pour assouplir sa réglementation liée à la technologie. Des amendes réduites sont aussi anticipées pour les géants américains fautifs. Un expert analyse la situation
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 11, 1:04 AM
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Hotel distribution: Why email capture rate should be your top priority

In 2025, the most crucial metric for EMEA hoteliers to track is their email capture rate. This metric is foundational for driving personalized guest experiences and successful direct booking campaigns, which in turn directly impact a hotel's revenue and profitability. Mastering email capture ensures you’re not missing critical engagement opportunities that can convert potential guests into loyal customers.

Key takeaways

Email capture rate measures the percentage of guests from whom valid email addresses are collected.
High capture rates enable personalized communications, increased direct bookings, and stronger guest relationships.
EMEA hotels have the highest global database growth (50% YoY), though OTA-masked emails still dominate 34% of records.
Captured guest emails generate an average of $5.89 in revenue per email.
To improve email capture rates, hotels should: Train staff to ask for and verify emails. Create multiple touchpoints during the stay to collect emails (e.g., Wi-Fi, restaurant bookings). Request emails at checkout for feedback and future offers.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 11, 12:55 AM
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What is an AI agent and how will they impact the world? | McKinsey

What is an AI agent and how will they impact the world? | McKinsey | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
AI agents are the tools we use to interact with AI. They can automate and perform complex tasks, such as natural language processing, that would normally require humans.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 10, 7:11 AM
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KI – und jetzt? Ein Praxisleitfaden für KMU am Wendepunkt: SATW

KI – und jetzt? Ein Praxisleitfaden für KMU am Wendepunkt: SATW | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
Viele Schweizer KMU stehen an einem Wendepunkt: Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) ist greifbar – doch der Einstieg ist oft unklar. Der neue Praxisleitfaden von SATW und SAIROP hilft, Chancen zu erkennen, Hürden zu überwinden und mit KI Schritt für Schritt Mehrwert zu schaffen. Übersichtlich, praxisnah und auf die Realität von kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen zugeschnitten.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 9, 3:51 AM
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How AI became essential for marketers

"The emergence of generative AI has transformed the marketing landscape, shifting AI from a niche skill to an essential tool accessible to all marketers. Once reliant on specialized IT teams, marketing departments can now independently implement AI solutions, thanks to user-friendly tools. This shift has led to widespread adoption, new hiring priorities, and deeper integration of AI into marketing strategy and operations.

Key takeaways

AI adoption has accelerated rapidly: Marketers now use gen AI for everyday tasks like content creation, while departments are hiring AI specialists to build in-house solutions.
Skills and hiring are shifting: Demand for AI-related skills nearly tripled between 2022 and 2023. Marketing roles increasingly include AI expertise alongside traditional skills.
Tool ownership and strategy are now executive-level responsibilities: Senior marketing leaders are expected to manage AI tools strategically, with 84% researching and recommending new technologies.
Decentralization is key: To fully leverage AI, executives must advocate for more autonomy in tech decision-making and budget allocation.
AI is a strategic force multiplier: The most successful leaders won’t treat AI as a novelty but as a core capability embedded across operations, enhancing - not replacing - human judgment.

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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 8, 10:45 AM
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Tourisme: La mobilité au tournant

Tourisme: La mobilité au tournant | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it

Les objectifs climatiques et les progrès techno­lo­giques redéfi­nissent la mobilité d'aujour­d'hui et de demain. Le tourisme figure parmi l’un de ses moteurs principaux.

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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 18, 1:49 AM
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Google Exerted Monopoly Power in Online Advertising Tools, Judge Rules

Google Exerted Monopoly Power in Online Advertising Tools, Judge Rules | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
If the two recent monopoly rulings against Google hold up upon appeal, Google could see business lines and tools getting sold off. New entrants may, in theory, ease the load for travel companies.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 17, 1:38 AM
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Wie entwickeln sich Bestell- und Bezahlprozesse in der Hotellerie?

Wie entwickeln sich Bestell- und Bezahlprozesse in der Hotellerie? | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
Die Hotellerie befindet sich weltweit in einem tiefgreifenden technologischen Wandel. Frage: Welchen Einfluss haben Digitalisierung und KI auf die Bestell- und Bezahlprozesse in der Hotellerie und Gastronomie? Mit welchen Transformationen müssen Hotels in naher Zukunft rechnen? Darüber spricht Stefan Bezold, Vice President Sales International bei der Schweizer Futurelog AG, im Interview mit Rolf Westermann (ahgz). Futurelog ist Teil der Mövenpick-Holding.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 16, 5:43 AM
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Meta va aspirer nos données sur WhatsApp, Instagram et Facebook pour entraîner son IA: cinq questions pour comprendre ce que nous risquons - Le Temps

Meta va aspirer nos données sur WhatsApp, Instagram et Facebook pour entraîner son IA: cinq questions pour comprendre ce que nous risquons - Le Temps | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
Meta justifie cette décision par le «bien commun» et une décision de l’EDPB, mais les experts remettent en cause cette justification légale, soulignant le manque de démonstration de nécessité et d’équilibrage des intérêts.

Les utilisateurs pourront s’opposer à cette collecte de données («opt-out»), mais les notifications risquent d’être noyées et l’«opt-out» fait porter la responsabilité sur l’utilisateur.

Les risques incluent le profilage, la divulgation de données personnelles, la ré-identification de personnes, l’atteinte à la liberté d’expression et l’autocensure.
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April 14, 6:46 AM
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Kayak launches AI test lab

Kayak, the metasearch engine for travel, is ramping up its efforts in AI to maintain its relevance in the evolving travel industry. It recently launched Kayak.ai, a "test lab" for experimenting with AI-driven features to make the platform more personalized and conversational. Kayak.ai is designed to cater to AI enthusiasts and travel hackers, offering an advanced, real-time, conversational search engine distinct from Kayak’s standard interface.

Key takeaways

Kayak.ai: A new experimental AI platform by Kayak, aiming to improve personalized, conversational travel search using real-time data.
AI integration: Kayak has been incorporating AI into its services (e.g., Price Check and Ask Kayak), with plans to expand AI’s role through Kayak.ai.
Real-time pricing: Kayak.ai’s search engine distinguishes itself by offering real-time pricing in its conversational search, unlike traditional cached data.
Agentic AI: Kayak envisions integrating "agentic AI," similar to ChatGPT’s ability to book travel, and sees partnerships with major AI platforms like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT.
Future of AI in travel: CEO Steve Hafner predicts that large AI engines may eventually replace many third-party travel sites, offering efficiency and monetization opportunities.
User loyalty: Kayak is focused on direct consumer service while exploring AI-driven partnerships as a side initiative, acknowledging its potential to become a larger part of its business.
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April 13, 4:31 AM
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Guide pratique pour adopter l’IA dans le tourisme : Par où commencer ?

Guide pratique pour adopter l’IA dans le tourisme : Par où commencer ? | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
Pas besoin d’être expert pour se lancer avec l’IA. Ce guide vous propose 7 étapes simples pour tester, apprendre et avancer concrètement.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 12, 5:20 AM
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Kayak launches new AI tool for travel search | PhocusWire

Kayak launches new AI tool for travel search | PhocusWire | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
Kayak has launched a new platform to test artificial intelligence and to create new capabilities for travelers that will then become part of its main site.

The company described Kayak.ai as a “test lab for AI-first features that’ll make our product even more personalized and conversational" and said it sets itself apart from other tools by offering real-time pricing in conversational search, as opposed to using cached data.

“On our traditional site and app, we don’t yet have a full picture of travelers’ intent,” Kayak said in news release. “But with Kayak.ai and conversational search, the game changes. We’ll have a lot more context to understand the details of a search and therefore can provide even more relevant and helpful results.”
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April 11, 7:56 AM
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ChatGPT va mémoriser chaque détail des discussions : quel impact pour les utilisateurs ?

ChatGPT va mémoriser chaque détail des discussions : quel impact pour les utilisateurs ? | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
OpenAI améliore la mémoire de ChatGPT, qui se souviendra désormais de l’ensemble des conversations qu’il a eu avec l’utilisateur. La fonction n’est pas encore disponible en Europe.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 11, 1:18 AM
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How predictive intelligence rewrites guest retention in hotels

While generative AI grabs the spotlight, it’s predictive AI that quietly delivers the strategic edge hotels need - helping them anticipate guest behavior, personalize incentives, and drive deeper engagement and loyalty.

Key takeaways

Predictive AI drives personalized guest experiences by analyzing behavior across channels and triggering timely, relevant offers instead of generic rewards.
Real-time personalization boosts loyalty - e.g., offering spa perks to a business traveler now booking leisure stays.
Early detection of guest disengagement helps re-engage them through timely, targeted actions like reminders or special offers.
Predictive vs. Generative AI: Predictive AI sets the strategy (what, when, to whom), while generative AI handles execution (how the message is delivered).
Unified data is essential - fragmented guest information weakens AI effectiveness; centralized profiles enable smarter personalization.
Ethical personalization matters - brands must respect guest preferences and ensure transparency to maintain trust.
Strategic use of predictive AI leads to better retention, guest satisfaction, and revenue - giving a competitive edge to early adopters.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 11, 1:01 AM
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The hidden power of the human voice in hotel bookings

In the digital age where online travel agencies (OTAs) dominate, many hoteliers underestimate the power of the voice channel. However, Revinate’s 2025 Hospitality Benchmark Report highlights that phone bookings not only convert better but also yield higher revenue per booking. Yet, many hotels fail to maximize this potential, missing out on personalized service and guest loyalty.

Key takeaways

The voice channel outperforms all other hotel marketing channels in conversion rate (around 50% in North America).

Many hotels underutilize the voice channel, leading to lost opportunities for revenue, guest data collection, and relationship-building.

Voice bookings are ideal for luxury travelers or guests with complex needs who value human interaction.

Reservation sales technology can boost performance through: Lead capture and follow-up strategies ($12.07 per email captured). Real-time coaching for agents to improve booking success.Warm transfers and reduced wait times for better guest experience. 24/7 coverage via RezForce, ensuring no call goes unanswered.

Hotels using these strategies saw $1,748 in incremental revenue per room annually through voice-based outbound calls.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 10, 7:13 AM
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L'IA - et maintenant ? Un guide pratique pour les PME à un tournant: SATW

L'IA - et maintenant ? Un guide pratique pour les PME à un tournant: SATW | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it

De nombreuses PME suisses se trouvent à un tournant : l'intelligence artificielle (IA) est à portée de main - mais l'entrée en matière n'est souvent pas claire. Le nouveau guide pratique de la SATW et de SAIROP aide à identifier les opportunités, à surmonter les obstacles et à créer de la valeur ajoutée pas à pas grâce à l'IA. Clair, pratique et adapté à la réalité des petites et moyennes entreprises.

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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 9, 9:39 AM
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How AI and visual search are reshaping travel discovery | PhocusWire

How AI and visual search are reshaping travel discovery | PhocusWire | eTourism Trends and News | Scoop.it
Inspiration can come from a social media post, be it an image, a reel or a YouTube vlog posted by an influencer. Converting those posts to bookings is more complex, but now, that’s changing. Through the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision, visual search is poised to transform the travel industry.
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Scooped by Roland Schegg
April 9, 3:47 AM
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Slower skies ahead for OTAs

Morningstar has halved its 2025 revenue growth projections for major online travel companies - Booking Holdings, Airbnb, Expedia, and Tripadvisor - citing economic concerns such as President Trump’s tariffs and weakening consumer sentiment. Despite their varying levels of competitive advantages, all four companies are expected to experience significantly slower growth than previously forecast.

Key takeaways

Lowered growth projections for 2025:

Booking Holdings: 3.5% (down from 8%)
Airbnb: 5% (down from 10%)
Expedia: 3% (down from 6%)
Tripadvisor: 4% (down from 6%)
Economic factors: Tariffs and softening U.S. consumer sentiment are main reasons for the revised outlook.

Travel vs. economy: Historically, travel outpaces GDP growth, but it's still vulnerable during downturns.

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