stripeJun 23, 2026

Four travel and hospitality trends from HITEC 2026 (opens in new tab)

Hospitality’s AI opportunity is growing, but most operators lack the data, infrastructure, and operational systems needed to turn investment into measurable returns. AI is reshaping how travelers discover and book hotels, while fragmented data and outdated payment systems create lost revenue and guest frustration. The strongest strategy is to connect accurate data, intelligent workflows, and seamless payments so technology improves the experience without becoming visible to guests. ## AI Is Changing the Direct-Booking Battle - Hotels historically relied on SEO to compete with OTAs such as Expedia and Booking.com. - AI-generated search answers are reducing traditional website traffic: - 65% of Google searches with AI Overviews end without a click. - The figure rises to 78% on mobile. - Traditional search traffic is declining by about 25%. - AI systems prioritize accurate, structured, machine-readable information rather than keyword density and backlinks. - More than 90% of accommodation websites are reportedly undetected by AI models. - Hotels should audit whether AI tools can correctly describe: - Room categories - Amenities - Policies and cancellation terms - Local context - Real-time availability - Winning direct bookings will require both AI discoverability and a modern checkout experience supporting local currencies, payment methods, and fraud protection. ## Hospitality AI Is Held Back by Fragmented Data - Only about 25% of hospitality businesses are actively scaling AI, and fewer than 10% are considered “AI future-built.” - Property management, CRM, loyalty, food and beverage, and payment systems often operate in silos. - Incomplete data weakens: - Personalization - Guest profiles - Financial reconciliation - Operational decision-making - The main challenge is not building AI features but operationalizing them reliably in real workflows. - Successful examples connect live data to timely actions: - Delta’s AI concierge uses customer and operational data to provide context-aware support. - Wynn’s revenue managers receive predictive alerts and recommended actions. - For most operators, better data connectivity matters more than using a more advanced AI model. ## Payment Friction Directly Affects Revenue - Payments are increasingly viewed as a competitive capability rather than a back-office commodity. - Survey findings cited in the article include: - 90% of executives consider payments important to growth. - 37% say limited payment options most harm the guest experience. - 58% report that fraud tools block legitimate transactions. - 74% say fragmented systems create excessive reconciliation work. - Guests may abandon a hotel when their preferred payment method is unavailable, shifting the booking to an OTA that supports it. - Modern payment infrastructure allows smaller operators to offer international payment methods and currencies without building large in-house teams. ## Invisible Technology Creates the Best Guest Experience - Guests have little tolerance for technology failures and may simply avoid returning rather than complain. - Effective hospitality technology should anticipate needs without drawing attention to itself. - The desired experience includes details such as: - A room set to the guest’s preferred temperature - Familiar television channels - Preferred pillow firmness - Hospitality is moving from remembering information guests explicitly provided to predicting preferences based on connected guest data. Operators should prioritize clean, connected data, AI systems tied to real operational actions, and flexible payment infrastructure. The goal is not to add AI for its own sake, but to make booking and stays more seamless while quietly improving revenue, efficiency, and guest loyalty.

crmaillmai-agent+4

grammarlyMay 18, 2026

How to Write a Follow-Up Email After a Sales Call, With Templates (opens in new tab)

A sales follow-up email keeps a deal moving by reinforcing the call, adding useful information, and proposing one clear next step. The most effective messages are personalized, concise, and sent soon after the conversation. Follow-ups should create momentum rather than merely ask whether the prospect has “had a chance to think.” ## Purpose of a Sales Follow-Up Email - Continues the conversation after a sales call. - Reinforces the prospect’s pain points, goals, and agreed commitments. - Answers open questions and provides relevant resources or insights. - Guides the prospect toward a decision or concrete action. - Differs from a generic check-in because it is directly tied to an active deal. ## Structure of an Effective Follow-Up ### Define the Objective - Review call notes before writing. - Choose one goal, such as confirming a demo, discussing pricing, or scheduling a meeting with a decision-maker. - Keeping the message focused makes it easier for the prospect to respond. ### Write a Specific Subject Line - Reference the conversation: “Next steps from today’s call.” - Highlight value: “Quick recap + the case study I mentioned.” - Mention a specific topic or challenge. - Avoid vague subjects such as “Just checking in.” ### Set the Context - Briefly remind the prospect what you discussed and why you are writing. - Use specific context, such as their onboarding challenge or growth goal. - Avoid generic openings like “Per our conversation” or “Just following up.” ### Recap and Add Value - Summarize the most relevant challenge, goal, or commitment in two or three sentences. - Personalize the message using something the prospect actually said. - Add one useful item, such as a case study, answer, recommendation, or insight. - The new value gives the prospect a reason to respond. ### Request One Clear Next Step - End with a specific, low-friction call to action. - Suggest a time, ask a yes-or-no question, or request confirmation of an agreed action. - Connect the CTA to the call so it feels like a natural continuation. - Avoid vague requests such as “Let me know what you think.” ### Proofread Before Sending - Check grammar, spelling, clarity, and tone. - Ensure the email sounds professional, confident, and helpful. - Read it once for correctness and again from the prospect’s perspective. ## Timing and Follow-Up Cadence - Send the first email within two hours of the call, or by the end of the same business day. - If there is no response, follow up again after three to five days with a new insight or resource. - Send a brief, low-pressure final outreach about a week later. - Use any timeline agreed during the call as the primary guide. - Test different sending times, but maintain consistency because many deals require multiple follow-ups. ## Using Templates Effectively - Templates can provide a reliable structure for common situations, including calls with clear next steps. - A strong template includes: - A personalized reference to the prospect’s challenge - A promised resource or recommendation - A specific proposed action and time - Adapt every template to the actual conversation rather than sending generic copy. The practical recommendation is to send a personalized recap quickly, include something genuinely useful, and ask for one concrete next action. This combination preserves momentum and makes it easier for the prospect to move the deal forward.

crmgrammarlyemail-marketingsales-follow-up+1