GHA posts double-digit growth in Q2, first-half revenue
GHA posts double-digit growth in Q2, first-half revenue
https://hotelsmag.com/news/gha-posts-double-digit-growth-in-q2-first-half-revenue/?
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the alliance of independent hotel brands, reported double-digit growth across key performance indicators in the second quarter of 2026, contributing to strong first-half results.
Total revenue generated by GHA DISCOVERY members reached $858 million in Q2, an 11% increase year-on-year, lifting first-half revenue to $1.8 billion, a 17% increase year-on-year. Room nights booked by loyalty members rose 21% in Q2 and 27% in the first half.
Cross-brand revenue, generated when members book stays at a GHA brand different from the one where they enrolled, rose 32% year-on-year to $132 million in Q2. Total D$ redemptions increased 41% year-on-year in the same period.
“Our Q2 2026 results demonstrate the continued strength of the GHA DISCOVERY platform and the value of our alliance model,” said said Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance. “Double-digit growth in total revenue, room revenue and cross-brand activity, despite the regional conflict in the Middle East, shows that members are continuing to travel, engaging more deeply across our brands, and delivering significant incremental revenue to our hotels.”
Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance
International travel accounted for $476 million in total room revenue in Q2, a 12% increase year-on-year and 68% of total room revenue. Domestic room revenue rose 16% to $220 million. Italy, Spain, and Thailand ranked as the top three international destinations for stays. The U.S. remained the largest international feeder market, generating $86 million, followed by the U.K., China, Germany, and Australia.
New member enrollments rose 36% year-on-year in Q2. GHA added 31 new properties during the quarter, surpassing 1,000 hotels in the first half of 2026, and welcomed four new member brands: Almanac Hotels, Regal Hotels, STORY Hotels and TemptingPlaces Collection.
“These results reflect the growing appeal of our global portfolio, the strength of demand for international travel, and the increasing loyalty of members who are choosing to stay within the GHA ecosystem more often. Despite ongoing market uncertainty, our sustained momentum – further reinforced by the strength of collaboration across our growing network of brands—gives us confidence in delivering another strong and resilient performance in the second half of the year.”
Why managing tech complexity is becoming a competitive advantage for hotels
https://hotelsmag.com/news/why-managing-tech-complexity-is-becoming-a-competitive-advantage-for-hotels
Story contributed by Dan Zaniewski, CTO, Auvik.
Technology has become inseparable from the modern hotel experience. From mobile check-in and digital room keys to contactless payments, in-room streaming and personalized loyalty programs, guests expect every digital interaction to be as seamless as the service they receive from hotel staff. When these technologies work together, they enhance convenience without drawing attention to themselves. When they fail, however, they can quickly undermine guest satisfaction and brand perception.
Behind these experiences lies an increasingly sophisticated technology ecosystem with dozens of cloud applications that must all operate reliably, sometimes across hundreds of properties within a brand.
For hotel owners and operators, this growing dependence on technology presents a new leadership challenge. A seamless digital guest journey requires more than investing in the latest technology. Today, the real differentiator is the ability to manage an increasingly complex IT environment while maintaining operational efficiency, protecting guest data and delivering consistently exceptional service.
Outgrowing Traditional IT
In the hospitality industry, what was once a relatively contained IT environment has evolved into a highly distributed network of interconnected platforms and devices.
Most hotel organizations now support far more than traditional business applications. Networks connect guest-facing technologies, operational systems, surveillance cameras, digital signage, smart HVAC controls, IoT sensors, payment platforms and cloud-based collaboration tools. Many operators also oversee multiple brands, ownership groups and geographic regions, each with different infrastructure, vendor relationships and compliance requirements.
The result is an ecosystem where even a minor technology issue can ripple across the guest experience. A network outage can interrupt mobile key access. A disconnected payment system can slow restaurant operations. Connectivity issues can impact everything from housekeeping communication to conference services.
Technology has become deeply embedded in nearly every hotel function, and hotel leaders need confidence that critical systems are performing as expected before problems affect guests or revenue. That makes operational visibility more important than ever.
AI, More Than a Guest-facing Feature
Artificial intelligence has dominated hospitality conversations over the past few years, often focusing on customer-facing innovations such as chatbots, personalization and revenue optimization.
As hotel technology environments become more complex, IT teams are managing thousands of connected devices, multiple software platforms and a constant stream of alerts. AI is beginning to help organizations prioritize incidents, detect unusual network behavior, identify recurring performance issues and automate routine operational tasks that previously required significant manual effort.
The opportunity is substantial. According to Auvik’s latest IT Trends Report, 67% of IT professionals are optimistic about AI’s impact on IT operations. Yet only 5% say AI has become core with their day-to-day work. That gap illustrates where much of the hospitality industry currently stands. Most organizations recognize AI’s potential, but many are still determining how to deploy it in practical ways that strengthen operations without introducing unnecessary risk or complexity.
For hotel executives, AI should be viewed less as a standalone initiative and more as a tool that helps lean technology teams maintain service reliability while supporting business growth.
Governance Matters as Much as Innovation
As AI adoption accelerates, governance is quickly becoming a boardroom issue.
Technology decisions increasingly affect guest privacy, payment security, regulatory compliance and brand reputation. Without clear policies governing how AI is deployed and how data is managed, organizations risk creating operational inconsistencies or exposing themselves to unnecessary security and compliance challenges.
Auvik’s research found that while 59% of organizations report having an AI policy in place, awareness varies significantly across teams. Three-quarters of IT leaders say their organizations have established AI policies, but less than half of frontline IT staff report the same.
That disconnect can become even more pronounced for hotels managing multi-property portfolios, franchise networks and geographically dispersed operations. Establishing governance is only the first step; ensuring policies are consistently understood and applied throughout the organization is just as critical.
Cybersecurity Is Now a Guest Experience Issue
Cybersecurity is no longer solely an IT responsibility. It has become a business continuity issue that directly influences guest trust.
Hotels store sensitive guest information, such as loyalty accounts, personal identification data and corporate travel records, making the industry an attractive target for cybercriminals. At the same time, every connected device expands the potential attack surface.
The operational consequences extend well beyond data loss. A compromised network can disrupt room access, interrupt payment processing, disable guest services or impact conference operations. Every technology outage has the potential to become a service failure.
Strong cybersecurity depends on maintaining continuous visibility into connected assets, monitoring network activity in real time and identifying unusual behavior before small issues escalate into operational disruptions.
Managing Complexity
Technology investment across industries is rising, but additional funding alone is not solving operational challenges. Auvik’s research found that nearly half of corporate IT teams increased their technology budgets over the past year. Despite this, many continue to struggle with modernization initiatives due to limited staff capacity and competing operational priorities.
Hospitality is no exception. Lean IT teams are often responsible for supporting multiple hotels while simultaneously maintaining existing infrastructure, implementing new technology, responding to incidents and strengthening cybersecurity.
As a result, rather than simply adding more platforms, many organizations are shifting their focus toward simplifying operations through automation, improved visibility and tool consolidation. Reducing repetitive manual work allows technical teams to spend more time supporting initiatives that directly improve guest satisfaction and business performance.
Technology Management Is Becoming a Strategic Differentiator
In an industry built on memorable service, the ability to deliver exceptional service now depends more heavily on what happens behind the scenes. Technology may be invisible to guests when it works well, but the leadership required to keep it that way has never been more crucial.
But competitive advantage won’t come from simply deploying more technology. Instead, success will increasingly belong to hotel companies that can manage growing complexity, while maintaining reliable operations, protecting guest trust, empowering lean IT teams and ensuring every digital touchpoint consistently enhances the guest experience.
Report: Hotels 'firing on all cylinders' to deliver guest satisfaction
Data from J.D. Power finds that brands are keeping up with expectations
For a fifth consecutive year, Hyatt House took the top ranking in the Upscale Extended Stay category on the J.D. Power 2026 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study with a score of 728 out of 1,000 points. (Hyatt Hotels Corp.)
https://www.costar.com/article/1761304424/report-hotels-firing-on-all-cylinders-to-deliver-guest-satisfaction?
Hotel guests are increasingly happy customers, according to a new report that found that guests were overall more satisfied than they were last year.
The J.D. Power 2026 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, published Tuesday, revealed that overall hotel guest satisfaction improved 13 points to 665 on a 1,000-point scale. Some of the metrics that saw the most improvement included value for prices paid, food-and-beverage satisfaction, and facility satisfaction.
The report notes that satisfaction has improved while average daily rate in the United States also rose 1% year over year, according to CoStar data. Although it's an ADR increase, it's still below the rate of inflation, Andrea Stokes, hospitality practice lead at J.D. Power, said.
She explained that ADR increases aside, the study found that hotels are meeting or exceeding expectations from guests.
"The good news is that hotels are firing on all cylinders to still meet that value for money, because value is not always about rate. And often it's not about rate itself. It's how well is the hotel delivering an experience that, based on the rate, that the guest is expecting," she said, adding that it's rare to see a study have across-the-board improvement on all metrics.
In its 30th year, the report now asks guests about artificial intelligence use in their booking process, and millennials and Gen Z account for the majority of the population that uses AI to research or book hotels. Millennials make up 49% of hotel guests using AI while Gen Z accounts for another 23%.
"In our total data set, it was 10% of the guests" surveyed used AI, Stokes said. "In the grand scheme of things, it's kind of small, but we took that number and we said, 'OK, well, who are the folks that are using AI tools? What is their profile?'"
For now, the survey just looked at AI use as a booking channel and asked guests about their use alongside other platforms such as internet search and online travel agencies.
Another takeaway from the new report is the ongoing trend of guests expecting more from hotel amenities. According to the study, hotel guests believe smart TVs with streaming are a standard expectation. Availability of smart TVs is up to 74% and usage is at 62%, according to the survey respondents.
The other things guests are placing an increased emphasis on include daily housekeeping, filtered water stations and fitness centers. In general, Stokes said, consistency is key for hotels continuing to meet guests' expectations.
"When we take a look at [brands with high ratings] when we're trying to figure out what's going on and why guests are so much happier this year than they were last year, we are finding a little bit of an uptick in the consistency and how the guest is perceiving higher consistency across properties, especially for brands that they have experience with," she said.
Also included in the report is a list of the top-performing hotel brands across segments. These were this year's winners and their scores out of 1,000 points:
- Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton (785) (for a second consecutive year)
- Upper Upscale: Kimpton (738)
- Upscale: Drury Hotels (761) (for a second consecutive year)
- Upscale Extended Stay: Hyatt House (728) (for a fifth consecutive year)
- Upper Midscale: Hampton by Hilton (704) (for a second consecutive year)
- Upper Midscale/Midscale Extended Stay: Home2 Suites by Hilton (700) (for a fourth consecutive year)
- Midscale: Tru by Hilton (695) (for a fourth consecutive year)
- Economy: Microtel by Wyndham (637) (for a fourth consecutive year)
- Economy Extended Stay: WoodSpring Suites (587) (for a fourth consecutive year)
$999 Greece Vacation: 6 Nights in Athens & Santorini With Flights
Andrew Mayovskyy/Shutterstock
https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/greece/experiences/news/999-greece-deal-6-nights-in-athens-santorini-w-flights
Jet off to Greece for a dream six-night getaway to historic Athens and stunning Santorini for just $999 per person, including international flights, hotels, and inter-island transport.
It's just $999 per person. This stunning package from Travelzoo invites you to explore the ancient glory of Athens and the sun-drenched romance of Santorini. Booking this itinerary on your own would cost roughly $2,000, making this an incredible opportunity to cross the Aegean off your bucket list without paying premium pricing. The deal includes round-trip international airfare, six nights of accommodations, inter-island transport, and daily breakfast to fuel your daily adventures.
Book the deal here!
Athens: A City Anchored in Antiquity
Your journey begins with three nights in Athens, a modern European city with vibrant cafes and nightlife anchored around spectacular ancient sites. Wake up early to climb the ultimate Athenian icon—the Acropolis. You can follow the path of ancient pilgrims up to the Propylaia, the Parthenon, and the Erechtheion. Afterward, wander across the street to the sleek, modern Acropolis Museum, packed with statues and treasures excavated directly from the hill itself.
Take time to lose yourself in Plaka and Anafiotika. As the city’s oldest neighborhood, it is a gorgeous maze situated right under the Acropolis, bursting with outdoor cafes, bright flowers, and an abundance of friendly local cats. Cap off the day in Syntagma Square to witness the changing of the guard ceremony and soak in the quintessential, lively energy of Athens.
Milosk50/Shutterstock
Santorini: The Quintessential Island Escape
After your historic immersion in the capital, hop a quick flight or ferry to Santorini for three idyllic nights of island life. Santorini is defined by its dramatic landscapes and legendary sunsets. Head up to Oia and the Caldera cliffs; the view as the sun drops behind the caldera will absolutely imprint on your soul.
Beyond the views, the island is packed with history and flavor. Discover Akrotiri, a Bronze Age city frozen in time by volcanic ash that is often called the “Pompeii of the Aegean.” Walk the stunning cliffside trail linking Fira and Imerovigli, where dramatic views, boutique shops, and sunset bars await. Be sure to sip crisp Assyrtiko wine among the volcanic vineyards, paired with local specialties like cherry tomatoes, fava, and white eggplant. When it’s time to relax, sample Santorini’s wild, red-cliffed Red Beach or the striking black volcanic sands of Kamari.
After your historic immersion in the capital, hop a quick flight or ferry to Santorini for three idyllic nights of island life. Santorini is defined by its dramatic landscapes and legendary sunsets. Head up to Oia and the Caldera cliffs; the view as the sun drops behind the caldera will absolutely imprint on your soul.
Beyond the views, the island is packed with history and flavor. Discover Akrotiri, a Bronze Age city frozen in time by volcanic ash that is often called the “Pompeii of the Aegean.” Walk the stunning cliffside trail linking Fira and Imerovigli, where dramatic views, boutique shops, and sunset bars await. Be sure to sip crisp Assyrtiko wine among the volcanic vineyards, paired with local specialties like cherry tomatoes, fava, and white eggplant. When it’s time to relax, sample Santorini’s wild, red-cliffed Red Beach or the striking black volcanic sands of Kamari.
Maglara/iStock
Deal Specifics & When to Go
Every detail of this package is designed for a seamless getaway:
The Price: $999 per person, based on two people sharing a room.
What’s Included: Round-trip international airfare to Athens, six nights at well-reviewed hotels (three in Athens, three in Santorini), internal flights or ferries between the two destinations, and daily breakfast.
Base Dates & Cities: Depart on select dates from October 2026 through March 2027 from Boston, Chicago, Newark, or New York.
Additional Dates & Cities: Add +$100 per person to travel during July-September 2026 or April-June 2027. Departures from Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., are also available starting at +$100.
Upgrades Available: You can upgrade your hotels, pair Santorini with your choice of a second Greek island for a 9-night trip, or add a weeklong cruise on a traditional wooden “gulet” yacht.
Booking Window: While a specific expiration date isn’t stated in the deal terms, promotional pricing for select dates is highly subject to availability and can sell out quickly.
Book the deal here!
A Note for Solo Travelers: Act quickly! If you are traveling alone, the single supplement fee can be waived—but this is strictly limited to the very first 25 reservations. Secure your spot, lock in your savings, and start packing for the Aegean. Check Travelzoo’s partner website to view the full calendar of dates and finalize your booking.
Book the deal here!
Every detail of this package is designed for a seamless getaway:
The Price: $999 per person, based on two people sharing a room.
What’s Included: Round-trip international airfare to Athens, six nights at well-reviewed hotels (three in Athens, three in Santorini), internal flights or ferries between the two destinations, and daily breakfast.
Base Dates & Cities: Depart on select dates from October 2026 through March 2027 from Boston, Chicago, Newark, or New York.
Additional Dates & Cities: Add +$100 per person to travel during July-September 2026 or April-June 2027. Departures from Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., are also available starting at +$100.
Upgrades Available: You can upgrade your hotels, pair Santorini with your choice of a second Greek island for a 9-night trip, or add a weeklong cruise on a traditional wooden “gulet” yacht.
Booking Window: While a specific expiration date isn’t stated in the deal terms, promotional pricing for select dates is highly subject to availability and can sell out quickly.
Book the deal here!
Crucial Caveats
Before you lock in your dates, note these important terms: This package requires a Travelzoo membership to purchase (available for $50 annually or just $1 for a 30-day trial). Once you book the deal, the vacation is strictly nonrefundable. Air and hotel taxes are included in the upfront cost, but local city taxes are not included and must be paid directly at your hotels. Baggage can be added from $129 per checked bag round-trip.A Note for Solo Travelers: Act quickly! If you are traveling alone, the single supplement fee can be waived—but this is strictly limited to the very first 25 reservations. Secure your spot, lock in your savings, and start packing for the Aegean. Check Travelzoo’s partner website to view the full calendar of dates and finalize your booking.
Book the deal here!
DUHC&S | Strategic Hospitality Consulting & Advisory
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*Operational excellence and brand standards (GSI +90%)
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