Max Starkov Hospitality

3 weeks ago | hospitalitynet.org | Max Starkov |Max Starkov Hospitality

There have been a lot of headlines that traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is dead due to the rise of AI Search via the generative AI platforms ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, etc. Some experts herald the end of Google's monopoly on search and claim that traditional SEO practices are obsolete.

4 weeks ago | hospitalitynet.org | Max Starkov |Max Starkov Hospitality

Recently Revfine asked its Panel of Digital Marketing Experts the question What are your top suggestions and best practices for using AI in hotel marketing activities (e.g., communication, data analysis, etc.)? Here is my take:When discussing AI, we need to specify which sub-categories of AI are we talking about: generative AI, predictive AI, general AI, machine learning, etc.

1 month ago | hospitalitynet.org | Max Starkov |Max Starkov Hospitality

The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, suggests that approximately 80% of outcomes or results come from about 20% of the causes or inputs, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the vital few to achieve significant results. Translated in hospitality-speak, The Pareto Principle means that hotels get 80% of their business from a handful of feeder markets. Quite often I hear OTA proponents claiming that The OTAs can take your hotel's name to every corner of the world.

1 month ago | hospitalitynet.org | Max Starkov |Max Starkov Hospitality

Recently, a revenue manager reacted to my LinkedIn post about independent hoteliers’ overdependence on the OTAs by stating Even with the best intentions, money and talent, there's no way independents can beat the big OTA's in search and make money. There's no scheme where they can get a positive ROI on investing search. Google has been trying to break up the OTA monopoly on search for years, but never succeeded. This statement is wrong in so many ways, I simply do not know where to begin.

1 month ago | hospitalitynet.org | Max Starkov |Max Starkov Hospitality

According to Skift’s State of Travel 2024, social media is the preferred online source for trip planning for 32% of travelers, ahead of official sites, Google, review sites, travel influencers, offline sources like friends and family, etc. Stelico Consulting Group survey found out that 76% of US luxury travelers selected a hotel brand, cruise line, or airline based on social media.