Global Lodging: 10 things I learned at the Skift AI & Data summit

This Bernstein Global Hotels & Leisure report distils ten key takeaways on the impact of AI on travel and lodging, drawn from the author's attendance and speaking engagement at the Skift AI & Data summit in London. AI is becoming increasingly important in travel search and distribution, and consumer trust in AI is rising, with AI platforms now ranking ahead of airlines and hotel groups. Adoption is higher among business and high-end leisure travellers and is concentrated in the planning/inspiration phase, while booking-stage usage remains low. SEO/GEO advantages persist, but direct hotel websites are recommended by AI services less often than OTAs, so the industry must provide more structured information to improve visibility. The industry worries about sameness in AI recommendations while hoping algorithms will reward the best supply rather than those able to game them. AI is expected to connect trip elements post-booking, potentially threatening OTA moats, and stablecoins are seen as