Hospitality & Tourism

Every year, I enjoy diving into our Marriott Bonvoy’s Ticket to Travel research report—our annual snapshot of how people across EMEA are planning their holidays and full of insights that help us understand what travellers are looking for.    The latest edition, launched today, draws on Mortar research from over 22,000 travellers across 11 markets in EMEA. And the message is clear: consumers across the region consistently regard travel as an important means of spending their leisure time and discretionary income. 79% of travellers say they’ll take the same or more holidays in 2026 than they did in 2025 and people are planning five trips a year on average for next year.    Several compelling trends stand out from this year’s findings: AI is increasingly shaping how travelers plan their trips, passion-led travel is becoming more common and ‘lux-scaping’ is a new way of travelling for people to gain access to luxury experiences.    2026 is shaping up to be a year of innovation, opportunity and deeper connection—with our guests, our partners and the industry. I can’t wait to see how the year unfolds.    Click to read the full report: https://lnkd.in/dV_mGBUB

✈️ Airport Baggage Handling Has Quietly Gotten Smarter — Thanks to AI. What do you think? Remember the days of delayed or lost luggage being the norm. That’s changing — fast. With AI, IoT, and automation transforming ground operations, the baggage handling system at modern airports is becoming a case study in quiet efficiency. Here’s how technology is making a difference: ✅ RFID & real-time tracking – No more guessing where your bag is. ✅ AI-powered sorting & routing – Faster, more accurate handling. ✅ Predictive analytics – Less congestion, fewer delays. ✅ Robotics & automation – Smarter, safer workflows. ✅ Passenger apps – Transparency right in your pocket. 🔍 Fun fact: Since 2007, global mishandled baggage rates have dropped by over 70%. Airports like Changi, Heathrow, and Schiphol are leading the way — and passengers are noticing. Sometimes the best tech transformations are the ones we don’t even realize are happening. #AI #AirportTech #Logistics #SmartTravel #DigitalTransformation #BaggageHandling #Innovation #IoT #Automation video by @theasybag

 "The single most important decision in evaluating a business is pricing power." Warren Buffett said it. Football proves it. Here's the €50B paradox destroying club-fan relationships: ✅ The Ultimate Pricng Power Football fans: ▪️ 0.3% switch clubs in their lifetime ▪️ 78% buy merchandise regardless of performance ▪️ 92% renew season tickets automatically ▪️ €2.4K average lifetime spend per fan Compare to other industries: ▪️ Netflix churn rate: 5.2% monthly ▪️ Gym memberships: 71% quit within 2 years ▪️ Restaurant loyalty: 23% return rate 👉 Football has the world's most captive customers ✅ The Dangerous Assumption "They'll pay anyway" thinking in action: ▪️ Premier League ticket prices: +1,011% since 1989 ▪️ Champions League final tickets: €70 → €690 (2005-2024) ▪️ Replica shirt prices: €30 → €120 in 20 years ▪️ Streaming subscriptions: €480/year for full coverage ❗ Wage growth same period: +168% Fans aren't getting richer. Clubs are getting greedier. ✅ The Hidden Competition Football doesn't compete with other clubs. It competes with: ▪️ Netflix + Disney + Spotify: €35/month ▪️ PlayStation Plus: €60/year ▪️ Concert tickets: €80 average ▪️ Cinema + popcorn: €15 One match ticket = 3 months of entertainment elsewhere. 👉 When a father of two does the math, loyalty has limits. ✅ The Engagement Cliff What happens when fans feel exploited: Stage 1: Stop attending midweek games (-23% across Europe) Stage 2: Cancel cup competitions (-31% early rounds) Stage 3: Share season tickets (growing) Stage 4: Stream illegally (47% of Gen Z) Stage 5: Emotional detachment (priceless loss) ❗ They don't switch clubs. They switch off. ✅ The Smart Pricing Strategy Clubs getting it right: 1️⃣ Bayern M.: €170 season tickets for standing 2️⃣ Borussia D.: Price freeze since 2019 3️⃣ Fortuna Düsseldorf: Free tickets experiment Result: ☑️ 98%+ attendance ☑️ Highest merchandise sales/capita ☑️ Generational fan renewal ☑️ Premium sponsor attraction ✅ The Business Case for Respect Lower prices drive higher value: ▪️ Full stadium atmosphere: +27% TV value ▪️ Young fan acquisition: €45,000 lifetime value ▪️ Social media content: Packed stadiums = viral moments ▪️ Sponsor premiums: 40% more for sold-out venues 👉 The math is clear: €20 less per ticket × 40,000 fans = €800K "loss" Full stadium premium from sponsors = €3M gain ❗ Respect isn't charity. It's strategy. ✅ The Buffett Principle, Reimagined Yes, football has ultimate pricing power. But the question isn't "Can we raise prices?" It's "Should we?" Because when you abuse pricing power with captive customers: Short term: Record revenues Long term: Lost generations The clubs that survive 100 years understand: Fans aren't customers to monetize. They're partners to respect. ❓ Is your club treating you as a customer or a partner? #FootballBusiness #FanEngagement data: UEFA Benchmarking Report, Deloitte Annual Review, Fan Engagement Index 2024 ph: Live India

Fintech’s next big opportunity is hiding in plain sight. And it might be a 100-million strong active customer base. Here’s the case behind the numbers. • 8% of the global population - around 659 million people - own cryptocurrency (Crypto Market Sizing Report).   • Travel is the top category for crypto spending, accounting for an estimated 15% share. Applied to total users, that’s a pool of roughly 100 million potential crypto-travellers.   • Major travel brands have already moved: Skyscanner (100mn+ users), Travala (2mn+ properties, 100+ cryptos), Destinia, airBaltic (first airline to accept Bitcoin), and Alternative Airlines now accept crypto.   • 77% of Travala bookings are paid in crypto (Sep 2024 figures).   • Yet, adoption remains uneven - 64% of crypto holders want to spend on travel, while only 25% of merchants accept it (2022 survey – Worldpay, Crypto for Payments). 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝘆𝗽𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹? 𝗔 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁: 1. Global reach – Borderless payments with no currency exchange or bank delays. 2. Faster, cheaper transactions – Instant settlement and lower fees with no intermediaries. 3. Fraud protection – Blockchain reduces chargebacks and payment fraud. 4. Crypto-native appeal – Attracts privacy-first, digital-savvy travellers. 5. 24/7 availability – Payments anytime, anywhere - no banking working hours needed. 6. Stability in volatility – A reliable alternative in countries with volatile local currencies. 7. Enhanced privacy – Minimal personal data is shared, lowering identity theft risks. 8. Brand differentiation – Accepting crypto signals innovation and helps stand out in a competitive travel market. So, how should travel industry players (agencies, airlines, booking platforms, etc.) choose a crypto payment solution? I looked at CoinsPaid, one of the market’s most recognized providers, to 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮: 1.     Easy setup and integration for different types of travel services (e.g. CoinsPaid has dedicated API and support). 2.     Support for major coins and stablecoins (e.g. CoinsPaid supports over 20 leading cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins like USDC). 3.     Automatic conversion from crypto to fiat, which simplifies accounting and reduces exposure to crypto volatility. 4.     Competitive pricing (e.g. CoinsPaid has no setup fees, no monthly fees, no hidden costs and only a transaction fee). 5.     Functionalities and tools like mass payouts, invoices and payment links. Crypto isn’t just a payment trend - it’s a rising expectation among a global, digital-first customer base. For travel brands, tapping into this multi-million user base is quickly becoming one of their key strategic alternative plays. Opinions: my own, Graphic source: CoinsPaid - https://lnkd.in/dThiPtMt

The Biggest FMCG Trend of 2025? If you think the biggest shake-up in FMCG is about flavors, packaging, or AI, think again. The real industry disruptor isn’t a product - it’s a leadership crisis. FMCG is at a crossroads. - PepsiCo’s biggest growth isn’t in soda - it’s in Gatorade’s expansion into hydration & performance-based drinks. - Retailers are tightening margins, DTC is taking over, and AI is changing consumer engagement. What does this mean? The traditional FMCG leadership model no longer works. For decades, FMCG companies hired leaders who could optimize existing brands, scale through traditional retail, and drive slow, steady growth. But now? The playbook has changed. The leaders who took brands from $500M to $1B may not be the right ones to take them into the next era. The 4 Must-Have Skills for Tomorrow’s FMCG Leaders 1. Strategic Risk-Taking – Stability is no longer the priority. Leaders need to pivot, acquire, divest, and reposition brands based on shifting consumer demand. The days of slow, incremental innovation are over. 2. E-commerce & DTC Mastery – DTC and digital-first brands are stealing market share. If a leader can’t think beyond traditional retail channels, they won’t be able to drive growth in the new FMCG landscape. 3. Data-Driven Agility – AI, predictive analytics, and real-time consumer insights are changing how brands operate. The most successful leaders will be the ones who merge digital insights with product innovation. 4. Talent Architects – The old FMCG org chart is dead. Winning brands need cross-functional, agile teams who can move fast. Leaders who know how to attract, develop, and retain top talent will have a massive advantage. The Talent Gap is Real. And It’s Growing. As an FMCG executive headhunter, I see this firsthand every day. Companies want leaders who can: - Think like a startup but execute like a global powerhouse. - Turn legacy brands into future-ready portfolios. - Break the traditional mold of FMCG leadership. The brands that win in this new era will be the ones that hire differently. FMCG leaders, what skills do you think are most critical for the future? Let’s talk. #FMCG #ExecutiveSearch #Leadership #TalentStrategy #ConsumerGoods #CPG #FutureOfBusiness

People don’t leave good leaders. They leave poor environments. Training your team isn’t just about teaching skills - it’s about building trust, empowerment, and loyalty. I've always heard this famous quote, but I never had the opportunity to really see it in action with the man himself. Earlier this year, I had the privilege of visiting Necker Island, where I saw how Richard Branson really implements this. His team members are not just employees; they’re trusted partners. Everyone - from the chefs to the activity guides - were highly skilled, deeply engaged, and treated each other (and customers) with genuine respect. The environment was vibrant and fun - you’d often find Richard playing chess or tennis with his staff. It’s a perfect example of what happens when you train your people well, create a culture of care, and treat them as equals. I hear from some leaders that they have no budget and this isn't possible. But even if budgets are tight, you can still create this culture. It could be as simple as: ↳ Taking advantage of free online training platforms or in-house knowledge sharing ↳ Document and update your team’s SOPs - capturing wisdom for everyone to learn from ↳ Encourage mentorship and experience-sharing across roles When people feel invested in, they’ll give their best back. 👉 How do you help keep your team happy? ♻️ Share this post to inspire other leaders. 🔔 Follow me, Jen Blandos, for actionable daily insights on business, entrepreneurship, and workplace well-being.

We’ve called efficiency the unsung hero of the energy transition in the past. While the energy transition will happen first through the transition of energy usages, like the shift with transport, from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles, or from fuel or gas boilers to heat pumps, we cannot ignore the utmost priority of the energy transition: efficiency. Efficiency is the greatest path to reduce our energy use, our impact on the world’s climate through CO2 emission reduction, and very importantly, the best way to make solid and practical savings. In its most historical form, energy efficiency is about better insulation, to reduce heating (or cooling) loss in buildings like family homes, warehouses, office high rises, and shopping malls. This is useful, but expensive and tedious to realize on existing installations. Digitizing home, buildings, industries and infrastructure brings similar benefits at a much lower cost and a much higher economic return. The combination of IoT, big data, software and AI can significantly reduce energy use and waste by detecting leaky valves, or automatically adjusting heating, lighting, processes and other systems to the number of people present at any given time, using real-time data analysis. It also allows owners to measure precisely progress, report automatically on their energy and sustainability parameters, and benefit from new services through smart grid interaction. And this is just the energy benefit. Automation and digital tools also optimize the processes, safety, reliability, and uptime leading to greater productivity and performance.

How the Humble American Diner Became the Stage for Brand Storytelling.... When we think of a diner, we think nostalgia. Neon lights, checkered floors, milkshakes, and the smell of fries drifting through the air. But today, brands aren’t just serving nostalgia, they’re serving story, theatre, and tangible brand experiences that make people stop, engage, and remember. Take Tesla’s Cybertruck “Tesla Diner & Drive-In.” It’s not just about the Superchargers. It’s about a retro-futuristic diner and drive-in theatre that transforms a functional stop into a multi-sensory moment. The diner becomes the stage where Tesla’s narrative, 'innovation meets Americana' comes alive. It’s tactile, it’s playful, and it’s a perfect example of a brand turning necessity into experience. Luxury and lifestyle brands are doing the same. CHANEL, SKIMS, and Jellycat have used pop-up diners to reinforce their brand DNA while giving consumers a physical, sensory connection. Think soft tactile displays, curated menus, neon signs echoing campaign aesthetics, and social moments built into every corner. The diner becomes a theatrical playground: consumers don’t just buy a product, they inhabit it. They sip, they snap, they share. So why does this work so well? It taps into the experience economy and Gen-Z’s appetite for moments that feel real, tangible, and shareable. A diner is both familiar and fantastical, it’s something people already know how to navigate, yet it can be transformed into a brand’s universe. Retro cues spark nostalgia, playful design encourages interaction, and the combination of taste, touch, and sight delivers multi-sensory engagement that static campaigns can’t match. They also offer collaboration potential; menus, merch, even limited-edition treats become vehicles for storytelling and co-creation. Social content writes itself: photo-booths, milkshake moments, and a drool inducing aesthetic, all make for irresistible feed fodder. And because diners are inherently communal, they naturally create micro-communities around the brand experience. For me, the power of the pop-up diner is that it’s more than just activation, it’s a physical manifesto of a brand’s values and aesthetics, inviting consumers to live the story, not just consume it. It’s theatre, tactility, and sensory engagement all rolled into one. Brands today aren’t just launching products, they’re designing worlds. So, are you still marketing products, or are you serving experiences with a side of storytelling? ________________ *Hi, I am Tim Nash. I help global brands build connected campaigns that resonate across every touchpoint. 🚀 #BrandExperience #ExperientialMarketing #RetailInnovation #GenZTrends #StorytellingInRetail #CulturalStrategy #BrandActivations #ExperienceEconomy Pictures courtesy of Glossier, Inc. / Skims / Chanel / Tesla / Benefit Cosmetics

I once lived at distributor’s home in a small town because I had no choice... When Marico Limited was nascent, Bombay Oil Industries was still the family’s backbone. In those early days, I wanted our business to transform from a commodity trade into a branded consumer company. To do that, I had to understand the ground truth. There were no fancy hotels in the towns we visited. I stayed in dusty and small guest rooms. I sat with distributors over chai and samosas. I watched how coconut oil was stored, how shopkeepers priced it, how packaging changed hands. One day, a retailer told me matter-of-factly: “You always sell big tins. When people come back to buy, they carry a few kilos. If your packet is small, they will pick your brand at convenience.” That simple insight was a turning point. It nudged us to expand SKU ranges, introduce smaller packs, and think about how to become a “grab-and-go” brand, rather than just a bulk commodity supplier. If you ask me where innovation begins, it begins in the least glamorous places. In the musty shelves of neighbourhood stores, in conversations that feel insignificant, in paying attention to what people don’t say aloud. Takeaway for entrepreneurs: Your real research lab isn’t spreadsheets or agencies. It’s the ground. If you go build empathy for your customer at the shelf level, the brand strategy almost builds itself. #entrepreneurship #business #resilience #mindset #growth

💥 Tourism’s Breaking Point: A Wake‑Up Call for Hotels 💥 Yesterday, cities across Southern Europe hit a boiling point. From Barcelona to Lisbon, Venice to Palma de Mallorca, residents took to the streets with water pistols, banners, and smoke bombs — a dramatic cry for help. The target? A tourism model that no longer works. ⸻ This isn’t about hating tourists. It’s about resisting a system that floods cities, chokes infrastructure, prices out locals — and burns out hospitality professionals in the process. 📈 Exploding volumes: Spain welcomed 94 million international visitors in 2024, aiming for 100 million this year. 🏘️ Housing crisis: Barcelona rents are up 68% in a decade. The city will ban all short-term rentals by 2028. 🏨 Hotel pressure: In EU urban centers, hotels represent 63–80% of overnight stays — and now face growing backlash alongside platforms like Airbnb. ⸻ 🔍 Why this matters for hotels: 1. Local frustration is real — and increasingly visible. 2. We’re no longer outside the conversation. We are the conversation. 3. Solutions are demanded—and fast: • smarter tourism management • yield-over-occupancy strategies • deeper local integration 4. This is a leadership moment. Support policies that serve both your hotel and the community that surrounds it. ⸻ As hoteliers, we must ask ourselves: • Are we growing demand or managing it? • Are we delivering value or fueling volume? • Are we building a long-term ecosystem, or just chasing short-term gains? ⸻ Across the continent, cities are responding: 🔒 Airbnb bans (Barcelona) 💸 Visitor fees (Venice, Trevi Fountain) 🚫 Overnight stay caps (Lofoten, Portofino) 📈 Tourist tax hikes (Balearics, Italy, Norway) It’s time we stop blaming OTAs and cruise ships and start stepping into the solution: ✅ Better yield, not just occupancy ✅ More local integration, less commodification ✅ Smarter pricing, smarter planning ⸻ 👉 Call to action: We can no longer afford to be passive players. This is about stewardship, community investment, and responsible growth. Let’s lead the shift toward measured hospitality — before the backlash defines us instead. #Hoteliers #Overtourism #HospitalityLeadership #UrbanTourism #SustainableTravel #HotelStrategy #RevenueManagement #TravelTrends #Barcelona #Venice #Lisbon #MeasuredHospitality #RegenerativeTourism