Booking.com built agentic AI before ’agents’ existed: Here’s how it scaled with small models for speed, big models for trust

Booking.com began experimenting with conversational recommendations and tool driven automation before most enterprises had a name for agentic systems, and that early start is now shaping a more measured strategy. In a VentureBeat podcast, AI product development lead Pranav Pathak described a layered, modular stack that pairs small travel specific...

U.S. hotel results for week ending 6 December

The U.S. hotel industry reported negative year-over-year comparisons, according to CoStar’s latest data through 6 December. CoStar is a leading global provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets.

Vijay Patel Named Tourism Champion of the Year

A well-deserved honor. Visit Tri-Cities has recognized AAHOA Lifetime Member Vijay Patel, President of A-1 Hospitality Group, with the Kris Watkins Tourism Champion Award—celebrating leaders who elevate the visitor experience and strengthen the region’s tourism economy.

Skift Global Forum East 2025: 9 Takeaways for the Future of Travel

The 2025 Skift Global Forum East brought together the region’s most influential travel leaders at a moment when the Middle East is quickly reshaping global tourism. This year’s conversations made one point clear: the global travel landscape is tilting toward the East as the Gulf accelerates tourism growth, expands air...