It’s Monday morning, and your desk already tells a familiar story: unconfirmed hotel bookings piling up, payment issues needing urgent attention, and weekend requests spanning three time zones. Your phone won’t stop ringing, your team is buried in routine communications—and you haven’t even finished your first cup of coffee.

This scenario plays out in travel management companies (TMCs) worldwide, where operational bottlenecks have become the industry’s defining challenge. But a technological revolution is quietly transforming how forward-thinking TMCs approach these persistent pain points.

Now imagine handing over all of these routine communication tasks to an AI voice agent that can handle hotel calls in multiple languages, process booking confirmations around the clock, and provide real-time updates back to your systems—all while you drink that second cup of coffee and focus on your team’s long-term strategy.

The voice AI market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with speech recognition technology projected to reach $29.28 billion by 2026. AI voice agents are one sector driving this explosive growth as they evolve from basic command responders to advanced conversation partners capable of handling complex travel scenarios.

The $47.8 Billion TMC Market Faces a Scaling Crisis

The travel management industry is experiencing unprecedented growth pressures. The global TMC market is anticipated to grow to USD 47.8 billion by 2030, while the global Travel Management Company (TMC) market size is expected to reach $36.19 billion by 2030, rising at a market growth of 5.3% CAGR during the forecast period (2024-2030).

Yet beneath these impressive growth figures lies a troubling operational reality. Traditional operational models simply cannot keep pace with this explosive demand.

As TMCs grapple with scaling challenges, artificial intelligence has emerged as more than just a buzzword—it’s becoming an operational necessity. Sales and marketing are rapidly becoming a key source of AI value in sectors including software (31% of AI value generated), and travel and tourism (31%), according to recent BCG research.

Today’s AI voice agents represent a fundamental evolution from rigid, menu-driven systems. These sophisticated platforms combine real-time speech recognition, advanced natural language processing (NLP), and contextual understanding to handle the nuanced conversations that define travel operations.

Unlike the “Press 1 for reservations” systems of yesterday, modern AI voice agents bring contextual memory, multi-tasking capabilities, and human-like conversation flow to every interaction. They integrate seamlessly with existing technology stacks through APIs, working behind the scenes while delivering visible efficiency gains.

For TMCs, this translates into practical solutions for persistent operational challenges:

Automated Outbound Communications: AI voice agents can handle hotel confirmations, invoice requests, and payment follow-ups around the clock, in multiple languages, and across any time zone. This addresses the reality that manual outbound calls consume countless hours of valuable human resources.

Error Reduction Through Precision: Voice biometrics reduce authentication times by 40%, while automated data processing eliminates the human errors that lead to incorrect bookings and payment failures.

Scalability Without Compromise: During peak booking periods, call center automation software can automatically connect customers to the IVR menu or voice assistants. Specifically, conversational AI bots can understand simple customer issues and provide the required resolution. This means handling hundreds of simultaneous conversations without degrading service quality.

Pioneering AI Voice Solutions for TMCs

While the market has seen a proliferation of AI voice agents—both industry-agnostic platforms and travel-focused solutions—DerbySoft’s approach stands apart through its purpose-built design for TMC operations. Drawing from years of deep industry experience and an intimate understanding of B2B travel workflows, our advanced AI-powered voice agents combine multilingual support, direct API integration with existing TMC systems, and human-like conversational experiences that continuously learn and improve from every interaction.

Unlike generic voice solutions adapted for travel, DerbySoft’s AI Voice technology was architected from the ground up to address the unique complexities TMCs face—from multi-language hotel communications to complex booking modifications and payment reconciliations. This specialized foundation, built on decades of TMC partnership and workflow expertise, enables our systems to provide the scalability TMCs need while maintaining the accuracy and personal touch that travelers expect.

The integration process leverages our deep understanding of TMC operations, designed for minimal disruption and allowing travel management companies to gradually transition from manual to automated processes while maintaining full operational control. Complex scenarios are seamlessly escalated to human agents with comprehensive context summaries, ensuring no loss of service quality.

The Monday morning chaos described at the beginning of this article doesn’t have to be inevitable. AI voice agents represent more than incremental improvement—they offer a fundamental transformation of how TMCs operate.

For travel management companies ready to turn Monday morning chaos into operational excellence, the path forward is clear: embrace AI voice technology as a strategic enabler of scalable, efficient, and traveler-focused operations.

As the tours and attractions market explodes toward unprecedented growth, connectivity platforms are becoming critical infrastructure. They enable hotels, OTAs, and travel agencies to capture their share of this massive opportunity.

The tours, tickets, and attractions sector is experiencing a seismic shift that extends far beyond simple digitization. With the global ticket market poised to surge by $554.2 billion between 2025-2029 at a remarkable 29.7% compound annual growth rate, this isn’t just recovery—it’s a revolution.

The numbers tell a compelling story of transformation. The tours and activities reservations market, valued at $179 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $264.4 billion by 2030. This 6.7% CAGR reflects fundamental changes in how travelers discover, book, and experience destinations. For an industry that lost approximately $23 billion in 2020 alone, this trajectory signals not just resilience but a complete reimagining of the travel commerce ecosystem.

So, how can travel companies fully capitalize on the burgeoning attraction economy? Despite significant growth potential, a critical infrastructure gap persists. According to recent industry research, connectivity remains an ongoing challenge for large and enterprise visitor attractions, as well as for resellers. Approximately half of large and enterprise attractions still rely on manual management of third-party bookings. They use outdated extranets and email systems that create operational inefficiencies and limit revenue optimization.The data reveals a stark technology divide: while 44% of enterprise attractions use channel managers—API software that connects them to distribution partners—only 17% of attractions have adopted these essential tools. This connectivity gap represents millions in lost revenue opportunities as hotels struggle to offer seamless attraction booking experiences to their guests.

The Revenue Opportunity for Hotels and Travel Companies

The shift toward experiential travel has created substantial opportunities for revenue diversification across the travel ecosystem. Hotels, traditionally focused on accommodation revenue, are discovering that attraction partnerships and tour bookings can generate meaningful ancillary income streams while enhancing guest satisfaction and loyalty.

Consumer behavior has evolved significantly. Travelers increasingly seek personalized and unique experiences that provide authentic interactions with local culture and attractions. This demand creates perfect conditions for hotels and OTAs to position themselves as experience curators rather than simple accommodation providers.

The geographic distribution of growth reveals compelling opportunities. While the United States maintains a strong position at $46.7 billion in 2024, China emerges as a particularly dynamic market with an impressive 11.1% CAGR trajectory toward $64.7 billion by 2030. These regional variations create opportunities for sophisticated distribution strategies that leverage local market knowledge while maintaining global connectivity standards.

Technology Solutions Bridging the Gap

Several technology companies are working to address the connectivity challenges in the attractions space. DerbySoft, which provides connectivity services, AI-powered marketing, and content platforms, represents one approach to solving these distribution challenges for major hotel groups, independent properties, OTAs, and travel management companies.

Our connectivity solutions focus on simplifying ARI (Availability, Rates, and Inventory) management while enhancing communication between suppliers and distributors. For hotels and resellers, this provides access to attraction tickets, tours, and experiences through unified connection points, reducing integration costs while expanding inventory options for guests.

DerbySoft’s platform addresses the needs of various travel industry stakeholders through scalable connectivity architectures. We enable real-time booking updates, personalized recommendation engines, and analytics supporting revenue optimization strategies across multiple touchpoints.

Our integration of artificial intelligence represents a significant advancement in attraction distribution technology, supporting dynamic pricing strategies and personalized upselling opportunities that can significantly impact revenue per visitor. This enables pre-sales opportunities, targeted promotional campaigns, and sophisticated customer segmentation strategies previously impossible with traditional systems.

The Platform Approach

The success in the evolving attractions landscape requires more than point-to-point integrations. Comprehensive ecosystem approaches are becoming increasingly important. These enable real-time availability, rates, and inventory management while reducing operational overhead for both suppliers and distributors.

This ecosystem approach is particularly valuable for independent hotels seeking to compete with larger chains that may have more extensive concierge resources. Through integrated platforms, these properties can offer guests curated local experience packages that generate commission revenue while differentiating their service offerings.

Season pass programs and comprehensive experience packages that combine accommodation, dining, transportation, and attraction access can become more manageable through integrated platforms. This enables hotels and tour operators to capture greater wallet share while providing travelers with streamlined booking experiences.

The $554.2 Billion Future

As the tours, tickets, and attractions industry continues its trajectory toward digital-first operations, the companies that will capture disproportionate market share are those leveraging integrated platform solutions. Success requires a fundamental reimagining of how attractions, accommodations, and distribution partners collaborate to create seamless customer experiences.

Hotels that successfully integrate attraction partnerships through comprehensive connectivity platforms can expect meaningful improvements in guest satisfaction scores, average length of stay, and total revenue per available room. The key lies in selecting technology partners that provide ecosystem solutions rather than creating operational complexity through multiple point-to-point integrations.

The experience-centric economy represents not just market expansion but a fundamental restructuring of how travel commerce operates in an increasingly connected world. Companies positioned at the center of these emerging ecosystems—connecting major hotel groups, independent properties, OTAs, and travel management companies to the global attractions marketplace—stand to benefit from enhanced revenue streams, improved operational efficiency, and stronger customer relationships that drive long-term business success.For travel industry leaders, the message is clear: the attraction economy’s explosive growth will be captured by those who embrace comprehensive connectivity solutions that transform fragmented booking processes into seamless, AI-powered experience platforms. In this rapidly evolving landscape, the companies building the infrastructure for travel commerce connectivity will play an increasingly critical role in determining which travel businesses thrive in the digital marketplace. How is your business preparing to capitalize on this experience-centric future?

The hotel industry is facing a tipping point. Traditional B2B booking channels like GDS (Global Distribution Systems) are no longer aligned with modern corporate travel expectations. Business travelers now want the same rich, transparent booking experience they get from consumer platforms, but GDS can’t keep up.

The result? Travelers go rogue, using consumer sites or booking outside of policy, leaving travel managers with fragmented data and frustrated guests missing out on loyalty perks.

This white paper explores:

• Why outdated B2B systems fail modern travelers.
• How TMCs’ multi-sourcing strategies introduce new challenges.
• The friction created by OTA rates that lack loyalty benefits.
• What a modern, efficient, and guest-centric solution looks like.

DerbySoft’s Business Travel Solutions offers a smarter, more flexible alternative—connecting TMCs directly with hotels for real-time access, automated processes, and full content visibility.

Download the white paper now and discover how to modernize your hotel’s corporate travel strategy before inefficiencies cost you your edge.

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Let’s imagine you’re planning to open a brick-and-mortar business in the heart of the Upper East Side in New York City. Rent—whether commercial or residential—is high. After all, for many, New York is the epicenter of action. A tangible energy thrums through the streets at all hours of the day, as people from all walks of life hustle to and from subway terminals, sky-high office buildings, cozy corner cafes, and trendy bars and restaurants teeming with patrons and delicious food. In a city like New York, the stakes are high, but so is the potential reward if you play your cards right.

Now, let’s imagine you’ve found the perfect space for your business, but there’s a catch. If you select this location, you can only operate between the hours of 5 PM and 9 AM, meaning your business will be left to sit empty (and unprofitable) during the day. Depending on the nature of your business and the costs associated with maintaining and operating it, this could be a dealbreaker. Yet, this is precisely how hotels have traditionally operated. 

With fixed check-in and check-out times (usually around 3 PM) and many guests checking out early and checking in late, hotels are often 30-40% empty during the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM. Perhaps, you could chalk this up to the cost of doing business. But in the world of hospitality, a key indicator of success is utilization, so why should any hotel brand allow their property and its sought-after amenities to remain so underutilized?

Hotels — especially in today’s “on-demand,” tech-enabled landscape—should be viewed as so much more than a “nighttime” product. With the right technology and the right approach, properties can truly maximize their inventory and open their amenities to delight an emerging guest segment and meaningfully boost their bottom line.

Who Really Books a Hotel by the Hour?

The term “day use” or “hourly hotels” has historically invited some questionable associations. So, to understand this segment and shift how it’s perceived by the market, it’s important to first define who the modern “day use” guest actually is. 

First, you have local residents of a city who crave a temporary escape in an environment that feels removed from home and their normal day-to-day experience. Even if travel is a priority, many individuals and families might not be able to get away for an extended trip more than once or twice a year. However, with the inclusion of “mini getaways” comfortably within city limits, monthly hospitality experiences suddenly become possible. You might see someone unwinding by the pool before heading home to pick up the kids, or a couple celebrating an anniversary in the middle of a work week.

Of course, we also have the modern business traveler, especially those who frequently find themselves on quick day trips to attend meetings, events, or collaborate with colleagues in unfamiliar cities. Traditionally, these guests have had little option other than to “squat” in hotel lobbies or local coffee shops, with no real amenities at their disposal. So what if, instead, they could rent a quiet room to reset between calls, host a client in an elevated setting, or simply shower and change before their next meeting or dinner invite? For this guest, it’s not just about convenience; it’s about professionalism, well-being, and reclaiming space in a crowded city.

Finally, we have the “in-betweeners” — the layover guests caught in that liminal space between flights or their next destination, with enough time to need a place to go but not enough time for a traditional, overnight hotel stay. After all, most people would trade a stiff plastic chair or hours languishing in a terminal restaurant or coffee shop for a few hours in a comfortable bed, a shower, or the convenience of a well-equipped hotel gym any day. In this scenario, day-use hotels turn otherwise wasted hours into productive, restful, even restorative moments of reprieve. 

Each of these archetypes represents a different kind of untapped value for hotels, unrealized bookings captured, experiences reimagined, and new guest relationships formed.

It’s Time to Transform Losses into Profits

Given that hotels are consistently underutilized during daytime hours—along with many of their amenities and services—the business case for optimizing this segment is clear.

By monetizing rooms and facilities that would otherwise sit empty, hotels can unlock substantial incremental revenue. What was once viewed as lost opportunity becomes a new, profitable income stream. In fact, rooms sold for short daytime stays can earn 60% to 70% of the standard nightly rate, offering a strong financial incentive for hotel operators.

Moreover, daytime guests typically stay for 4 to 6 hours and frequently spend on additional services like the restaurant, bar, or spa—further boosting the property’s direct revenue.

This shift is particularly impactful in a popular urban hub like New York, where the demand for flexible, on-demand services is rising to suit the evolving needs of modern guests

The potential demand for day-use rooms and services is estimated to be currently around $6 billion annually—a figure that lends context not only to the existing demand for day-use hospitality offerings, but also to the future growth potential of this sector. 

By providing flexibility and a range of services that private hosts like Airbnb simply cannot match, hotels can recapture guests who might otherwise choose alternative accommodations. Innovative partners like DayBreakHotels and Hotels By Day are already at the forefront of the day-use hospitality market, by providing a user-friendly booking platform for flexible stays at hotels throughout popular urban markets, like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami. 

Yannis Moati, CEO explains, “Our team at HotelsByDay is very bullish on the prospects of this sector, as it is estimated to be a $6Bn market by this decade, and so far market actors have registered just about 10% market penetration. Combined with a modern guest that requires more flexibility than ever, a challenging economic environment which forces us to adopt new models, and now DerbySoft making this technological connection seamless, the Day-Use sector will experience strong growth, making a substantial impact in hotel PnLs. This is the perfect time for hotels to join us on this innovative model and beat their comp-set.”

Simon Botto, CEO of DayBreakHotels, adds: “At DayBreakHotels, we have a unique and comprehensive view of the market, with direct contracts with over 6,000 hotels—including both international chains and independent properties—across 18 countries. For more than a decade, these hotels have trusted us to help them maximize occupancy, not just for rooms, but also for underutilized services, driving new and incremental revenue.”

In my view, there has never been a better time for this sector. Technology is rapidly advancing, allowing day bookings to seamlessly integrate with hotel systems like CRS and PMS. Demand is accelerating, and hotels are more eager than ever to unlock new revenue streams and reach additional customers. For hotels, joining this market—and partnering with DayBreakHotels—is an easy and strategic decision.”

By connecting hotels with a diverse array of customers – from business travelers looking for a reprieve between meetings to local residents looking for a mini-escape – both companies play an integral role in helping hotels effectively tap into this lucrative market.

DayBreakHotels leverages a user-friendly platform that enables seamless short-term day use room bookings. It empowers guests to enjoy flexible accommodation options, as well as book hotel amenities like meeting rooms, spa, restaurants, pools, and gyms, which can be booked both independently or bundled with the room — enhancing the guest experience for local residents and business customers alike. Meanwhile, Hotels By Day, also located in the U.S., focuses on offering flexible stays for travelers in transit or those needing temporary workspaces, ensuring that hotels can monetize their rooms during the day. 

Both companies are committed to transforming the hospitality landscape by connecting hotels with a diverse array of customers, driving significant revenue growth, and responding to the increasing demand for convenience and flexibility. Travel agencies can greatly benefit from partnering with DayBreakHotels and Hotels By Day, as they provide valuable options for clients seeking unique travel experiences, making them indispensable partners in today’s dynamic travel market.

The Long-Awaited Technology Revolution in Day Use Hospitality Is Here

Traditionally, technology has been a barrier to non-traditional utilization strategies. Legacy hospitality solutions are notorious for their rigid structure, which limits a hotel’s ability to adapt appropriately to the evolving needs of modern guests. 

To this effect, it has been difficult—if not impossible—for hotels to capitalize on the burgeoning day-use market because available technology could not distribute or offer a zero rate code. That is, until now.

Today, we find ourselves within a period of significant innovation, which grants hotels the opportunity to discard the shackles of legacy tech in favor of more flexible, dynamic platforms better suited to the current and future landscape.

DerbySoft has been at the forefront of this technological revolution, developing the critical connectivity infrastructure that enables these day-use bookings to become a reality. By solving the previously insurmountable challenge of distributing zero rate codes, DerbySoft’s advanced distribution technology now allows hotels to seamlessly offer and manage these non-traditional booking options. 

This breakthrough connectivity solution bridges the gap between hotels’ existing systems and innovative day-use platforms, making what was once impossible not only possible but highly profitable.

With the help of advanced connectivity solutions, hotels can seamlessly integrate day-use bookings into their existing systems to overcome previous operational limitations and offer services that cater to various customer demands.

The availability and integration of more advanced booking systems allow for real-time availability and pricing adjustments, which not only enhance operational efficiency but also elevate the guest experience, making it seamless for customers to enjoy the amenities they desire without the constraints of traditional check-in and check-out times.

The key theme here? Adaptability. With better tech comes better agility in a market that demands constant adaptation to delight travelers who increasingly expect tailored experiences that fit their busy lifestyles.

In essence, the emergence of day-use hotels is a reflection of the evolving hospitality landscape—one that prioritizes flexibility, convenience, and, of course, the guest experience. Moving forward, the ability to capture same-day bookings and cater to a diverse range of guest needs is not just an operational adjustment; it’s a business imperative that gives hotels a distinct advantage in an increasingly competitive and crowded marketplace.

Imagine a world where hotel distribution operates with seamless efficiency, effortlessly connecting properties with the right partners in real-time. This isn’t just an aspiration; it’s the direction the industry is heading. As travel continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, hotels—whether independent or part of global chains—must rethink how they engage with distribution networks to stay competitive. Traditional models, built on direct contracts and negotiated agreements, have long been reliable methods for securing distribution. However, these approaches can also introduce significant complexity, require extensive resources to manage, and add costs that reduce flexibility.

For years, securing and maintaining distribution agreements has been an essential aspect of hotel operations. These agreements provide stability and structure but can also create logistical hurdles, making it difficult to efficiently manage relationships with multiple partners, each with their own requirements and pricing structures. One 2024 study found that direct booking channels, including hotel websites, still account for 50.9% of overnight stays in Europe, but electronic distribution channels such as OTAs and internet booking engines now make up 45.1%. This shift signals an increasing reliance on digital distribution, emphasizing the need for more seamless, adaptable approaches.

A new distribution model is emerging—one that simplifies the connection process between hotels and their partners while maintaining the advantages of strong partnerships. By shifting toward seamless integration, hotels can access a global network without the administrative burdens of direct contracts, allowing them to focus on what truly matters: optimizing revenue and delivering exceptional guest experiences. According to a recent report, digital channels now account for 60% of global distribution revenue, underscoring the growing dominance of digital solutions in the hospitality industry.

This evolution in distribution isn’t just about streamlining operations; it’s about creating a more dynamic and collaborative ecosystem. Reducing contractual complexities allows hotels to respond more quickly to market changes. Distributors, in turn, benefit from simplified supplier management, eliminating time-consuming negotiations and accelerating access to inventory. This refined approach fosters greater transparency, enabling both parties to build stronger, more flexible partnerships.

Beyond cost efficiency, this shift empowers hoteliers with greater control and visibility. Transparent pricing structures and real-time performance insights allow for more informed decision-making without constraints. Skift Research projects that by 2030, direct digital channels will surpass OTAs, generating over $400 billion in global hotel gross bookings, further reinforcing the need for hotels to adopt more adaptable and transparent distribution strategies.

The hospitality industry is at a turning point. Hotels that embrace this shift toward simplicity, transparency, and seamless collaboration will not only position themselves ahead of the competition but will also unlock new growth opportunities. What happens when we strip away the layers of complexity and redefine distribution? The answer may very well shape the future of hospitality in the digital age.

Distribution Simplified: The DerbySoft Exchange Advantage

In today’s complex hospitality landscape, time has become the ultimate luxury. The most successful hotels aren’t necessarily those with the most resources, but those who deploy them most strategically.

DerbySoft Exchange offers a more straightforward approach to distribution. By eliminating traditional contracting processes through zero-cost connectivity, hotels can redirect valuable time and attention toward revenue-generating activities and guest experience enhancements.

The real advantage lies in the control it returns to hoteliers. With the ability to instantly manage distributors affecting rate parity or block status, teams gain the agility needed in today’s dynamic marketplace. This combination of simplicity and control creates ideal conditions for innovation and growth.

Seamless integration with existing payment systems reduces operational friction, while intuitive dashboards provide the real-time insights needed for informed decision-making.

In an industry where complexity can often be often misconstrued as innovation, sometimes the most powerful strategy is simplification itself.

What if the biggest breakthrough in travel wasn’t a new destination, but a new way of operating entirely? While the world focuses on consumer-facing innovations, a quiet revolution is happening behind the scenes—one that’s redefining how the entire travel ecosystem functions.

For decades, travel’s backend operations have resembled a complex game of telephone—manual processes, miscommunications between agencies and hotels, and financial reconciliations that drift into administrative black holes. This inefficiency wasn’t just accepted; it was institutionalized. But now, artificial intelligence is silently restructuring these foundations.

When executives examine operational inefficiencies in travel, they’re often startled by what they find. Booking miscommunications, manual verification processes, and commission disputes create business pain points that ripple throughout the ecosystem. It would not be surprising for a global hotel chain to discover that manual commission reconciliation was costing them millions annually in administrative overhead and missed payments—essentially throwing money into an accounting abyss. Meanwhile, a regional TMC may find that their agents are spending thousands of hours yearly on booking verification calls—time that could have been directed toward consultative selling and relationship management.

The most powerful innovations often happen not through disruption, but through transformation of existing systems. In travel management, AI is enabling this transformation across critical domains, starting with financial precision and transparency. Traditional commission management resembles archaeology more than accounting—digging through disparate systems to reconstruct transaction histories. AI-enabled platforms are creating unified, transparent records that eliminate this archaeological expedition. For a mid-sized European TMC, implementing automated reconciliation dramatically reduced payment cycle times, improving cash flow predictability.

Remember when we thought automation would replace human jobs? The reality is more nuanced. The most successful implementations pair AI with human expertise. Agents aren’t making fewer calls—they’re making different calls. Instead of verification calls, they’re having strategic conversations about optimizing travel programs and enhancing traveler experience. This shift represents the true potential of human-machine collaboration.

When booking details fall through communication gaps, travelers suffer the consequences. AI is closing these gaps before they affect the traveler. The best travel technology is invisible. Travelers don’t care about the automation—they just notice that their rooms are ready, their preferences are honored, and their experience is seamless. This seamless experience is the ultimate goal of all technological advancement in the travel space..

As brands start to  master the basics of automation, they’re discovering unexpected opportunities for innovation. By analyzing patterns in booking behaviors, commission structures, and operational workflows, AI is uncovering insights that were previously invisible. For example, a hotel group  could identify optimal commission structures that increase TMC bookings while maintaining profitability—a win-win that conventional analysis had missed.

Perhaps the most profound shift is happening in how travel professionals view their roles. As routine tasks become automated, the emphasis shifts to uniquely human capabilities: relationship building, complex problem solving, and creative strategy. Automation isn’t making teams smaller—it’s making conversations bigger. Organizations are spending less time on transactions and more time on transformations.

The companies leading this evolution share a common approach: they view AI not as a technical implementation but as a business transformation. They’re asking fundamental questions about how work should be organized in a world where machines handle routine processes with greater speed and accuracy than humans ever could. For travel executives, the critical question isn’t whether to adopt these technologies, but how to reimagine their organizations around new capabilities. 

As you consider your own operation, what hidden inefficiencies might be masquerading as “just the way things are done”? In those gaps between expectation and execution lies the opportunity for transformation. The future belongs to those who recognize that the greatest competitive advantage isn’t in doing things differently, but in doing different things entirely.

This transformation is now accelerating through strategic industry moves. DerbySoft’s recent acquisition of Arise—an AI platform focused on travel agent-hotel communication and commission reconciliation— illustrates how the market is evolving. Such consolidation represents more than business strategy; it signals a fundamental shift in how we are approaching long standing challenges. Bringing specialized AI capabilities into our established ecosystem creates new possibilities for addressing friction points that have persisted for decades. The industry is moving beyond isolated innovations toward comprehensive solutions that transform multiple processes simultaneously.

What will you do differently tomorrow that you’ve been doing the same way for years? The travel organizations that thrive won’t just adopt new technologies—they’ll reimagine their entire approach to creating value in a world where the invisible work of management becomes increasingly automated, leaving humans free to focus on what we do best: creating exceptional experiences.

In a luxury suite overlooking Hong Kong’s vibrant skyline, a senior banking executive concludes her quarterly board meeting on Thursday afternoon. By Friday morning, she’s exploring local markets with her partner, who flew in specifically for the weekend. Once an exception, this scenario now represents a powerful trend reshaping the travel industry.

The distinction between business and leisure travel isn’t merely blurring—it’s fundamentally transforming. What began as tentative weekend extensions has evolved into strategic trip planning that maximizes both professional obligations and personal experiences.

Industry analysts project that global spending on blended travel will reach $360 billion by 2027, creating unprecedented challenges and opportunities for hotels, Travel Management Companies (TMCs), and corporate travel departments. This isn’t a passing trend but a structural shift in how business travel functions.

Why Bleisure Is Booming Now

The surge in bleisure travel stems from converging forces that make this moment particularly significant:

Demographic transformation is accelerating this shift. By 2030, Millennials and Gen Z will comprise 75% of the global workforce. These professionals approach travel differently than previous generations, viewing it as an opportunity for enrichment rather than simply a work requirement.

Remote work capabilities have permanently altered how professionals think about location and travel. When teams already collaborate across time zones, extending a business trip becomes logistically simpler and professionally justifiable.

For companies, the benefits extend far beyond employee satisfaction. Organizations embracing bleisure travel report measurable improvements in talent retention, productivity, and program compliance. Perhaps most surprisingly, well-structured bleisure programs often reduce overall travel costs as employees consolidate multiple business purposes into single trips and travel during optimal periods.

However, a critical consideration for multinational organizations: bleisure adoption varies dramatically by region, requiring nuanced approaches to program design and implementation.

Business travelers from India typically allocate 40% more time to leisure activities during trips than their counterparts from China. European travelers show strong preferences for extending weekend business trips but resist adding leisure days to midweek journeys. North American travelers prioritize destination experiences over accommodations, while Asian travelers place greater emphasis on hotel amenities during leisure extensions.

These regional variations necessitate culturally-attuned frameworks rather than standardized global policies. Organizations implementing regionally-customized bleisure programs consistently achieve adoption rates 30% higher than those applying uniform approaches across markets.

The Business Case for Bleisure

For hospitality providers, the bleisure revolution demands a strategic recalibration of spaces, services, and pricing models.

Forward-thinking hotels are redesigning properties to serve dual purposes. Lobbies transform from formal business centers during daytime hours into vibrant social hubs in the evening. Guest rooms increasingly feature adaptable furniture that transitions easily between workspace and relaxation zone. Fitness facilities offer both efficient workout options for time-pressed executives and immersive wellness experiences for leisure extensions. 

Properties that have embraced this flexible design philosophy report significantly higher occupancy rates and superior RevPAR performance compared to hotels maintaining rigid business/leisure distinctions.

The traditional resistance to extending corporate rates for leisure portions of trips creates unnecessary friction in the booking process. Innovative properties are implementing dynamic pricing models that consider total trip value rather than rigidly categorizing days as “business” or “leisure.” Hotels offering these flexible approaches report 23% higher conversion rates for extended stays and 18% increases in ancillary revenue. The competitive advantage is clear and measurable.

Bleisure travelers have distinct needs at different phases of their stay. Leading hospitality providers have developed modular service packages that seamlessly transition between high-touch business support and personalized leisure experiences. Properties offering these adaptable service models consistently outperform competitors on guest satisfaction metrics, with data showing significantly higher loyalty program engagement and repeat bookings among bleisure guests.

For Travel Management Companies, the bleisure revolution represents an opportunity to elevate their strategic importance to corporate clients while expanding service offerings.

The friction point that most frequently derails bleisure adoption is the complexity of separating business and personal expenses. Forward-thinking TMCs have developed sophisticated systems that automatically categorize expenses based on timing, location, and merchant type. These platforms eliminate the administrative burden that historically made bleisure travel impractical at scale, driving higher adoption rates and improved client satisfaction.

Leading TMCs have moved beyond basic booking tools to develop integrated platforms that manage the entire bleisure journey. These systems handle transitions between business and leisure segments while maintaining itinerary continuity, and proactively suggest extension opportunities based on meeting schedules and destination attributes. TMCs implementing these platforms report substantially higher attachment rates for leisure extensions and increased overall booking volumes.

The most effective TMCs have mastered the delicate balance between maintaining corporate policy compliance and accommodating bleisure flexibility. This often involves developing tiered policy frameworks specifically designed for blended travel, establishing clear boundaries while providing appropriate flexibility for leisure components. This structured approach significantly reduces policy exceptions while improving traveler satisfaction—a winning combination for corporate clients.

As trips become more complex, comprehensive support becomes increasingly critical. Progressive TMCs have expanded their service models to address the unique needs of bleisure travelers, offering specialized assistance for leisure components and ensuring seamless transitions between business and personal segments. This enhanced support drives measurable improvements in client retention and program adoption.

TMCs have developed specialized supplier agreements that address bleisure requirements. These partnerships secure preferential rates for extended stays while guaranteeing suppliers the longer average stays and increased ancillary revenue that bleisure travelers typically generate. These arrangements create sustainable value for all parties in the travel ecosystem.

Technology as the Great Enabler

ITechnology is transforming the way hotels and travel management companies facilitate bleisure travel, streamlining operations while enhancing the traveler experience. From automated expense tracking to AI-driven personalization, innovative digital solutions ensure seamless integration of business and leisure travel components.

Advanced expense management platforms simplify financial reporting by distinguishing between corporate and personal expenses, reducing manual errors and administrative overhead. Integrated split-payment solutions further enhance efficiency, allowing travelers to seamlessly manage business and leisure costs within a single transaction. Meanwhile, mobile apps provide real-time itinerary updates, safety alerts, and instant access to support services, ensuring a smooth and connected travel experience.

AI-powered analytics play a crucial role in tailoring bleisure travel offerings, using traveler data to deliver personalized recommendations and predictive insights. Machine learning models anticipate disruptions, optimize pricing strategies, and support dynamic policy adjustments to improve overall efficiency. Blockchain technology enhances security and transparency in transactions, with smart contracts automating payment reconciliation and policy compliance.

Comprehensive travel management systems unify booking, policy enforcement, and traveler support into a single platform, making it easier for travel companies to provide customized, compliant, and efficient bleisure travel solutions. With 24/7 virtual assistance, enhanced communication tools, and robust data protection measures, technology ensures that both travelers and organizations can maximize the benefits of blended business and leisure travel with confidence.

Hotels, TMCs, and corporate clients leveraging these technologies consistently achieve superior program performance compared to those relying on traditional systems and processes.

Takeaways

For executives across the travel ecosystem—whether in hospitality, travel management, or corporate travel programs—the bleisure revolution presents a fundamental choice: embrace this transformation as a strategic opportunity or risk becoming increasingly irrelevant as the market evolves.

The evidence overwhelmingly favors the former approach. Organizations that have strategically positioned for bleisure report stronger performance across all key metrics, from occupancy rates to client retention to traveler satisfaction scores.

The question isn’t whether your organization will adapt to the bleisure revolution—it’s how quickly you’ll recognize it as a strategic advantage rather than an operational challenge. The future belongs to organizations that don’t merely permit bleisure travel, but purposefully design for it—transforming what was once seen as a complex exception into a cornerstone of their business strategy.

The travel sector in Spain is experiencing a period of remarkable growth. According to Grand View Research, the market generated $41.95 billion in revenue in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.7% from 2025 to 2030. This surge in both domestic and international tourism presents a golden opportunity for independent hotels across the region to maximize revenue and profitability. 

However, achieving this requires a strategic approach to distribution that leverages the strengths of both Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and direct booking channels. By embracing user-friendly digital marketing tools and technologies, hotels can achieve the ideal marketing mix and optimize their revenue streams.

The Power of a Balanced Approach

While the pursuit of direct bookings is essential for maximizing profit margins and building guest loyalty, OTAs play a crucial role in expanding reach and driving occupancy, particularly during periods of low demand. A balanced distribution strategy recognizes the value of both channels and seeks to leverage their respective strengths:

OTAs: Expanding Reach and Filling Rooms

• Increased visibility: OTAs have a vast global reach and established brand recognition, exposing hotels to a wider audience of potential guests.
• Marketing power: OTAs invest heavily in marketing and advertising, driving traffic to their platforms and, in turn, to the hotels they feature.
• Simplified guest acquisition: OTAs provide a seamless booking experience for guests, handling payment processing, customer service, and other logistical aspects.

Direct Bookings: Building Loyalty and Maximizing Revenue

• Higher profit margins: Direct bookings eliminate OTA commission fees, significantly increasing revenue potential.
• Guest ownership: Direct bookings allow hotels to collect valuable guest data, enabling personalized communication, targeted marketing campaigns, and the cultivation of lasting relationships.
• Brand control: Direct channels provide hotels with greater control over their brand messaging and guest experience.

Digital+ by DerbySoft: Simplifying Digital Marketing for Optimal Results

Achieving the ideal marketing mix requires effective digital marketing strategies that drive traffic to both OTAs and direct booking channels. Digital+, a sophisticated platform developed by DerbySoft, empowers independent hotels globally to navigate the complexities of online marketing with ease.

Key Features and Benefits for Hoteliers:

• Unified platform, streamlined operations: Digital+ consolidates all essential marketing activities into a single, intuitive interface. This simplifies campaign management across various channels, allowing hoteliers to optimize their efforts without needing extensive marketing expertise.
• AI-driven optimization: Artificial intelligence is at the core of Digital+. This technology automates complex tasks such as ad copy generation, bid management, and audience targeting, ensuring optimal campaign performance and maximizing return on investment.
• Cost-effectiveness and transparency: Digital+ offers a compelling value proposition. Free Booking Links for leading metasearch engines like Google Hotel Ads and Trivago ensure visibility without upfront costs. Furthermore, the commission-based model means hotels only pay for confirmed bookings, minimizing financial risk.
• Adaptability to industry evolution: Digital+ is designed to keep pace with the ever-changing digital landscape. It facilitates the effective utilization of Google’s Performance Max for travel goals, enabling hotels to reach a broader audience with personalized ads across Google’s entire advertising network.
• Metasearch dominance: In key markets like Spain, where travelers increasingly rely on metasearch engines to compare prices and availability, Digital+ provides a significant advantage. The platform optimizes campaigns on key metasearch platforms, ensuring prominent visibility and driving both direct and OTA bookings.

Targeting the Global Traveler

Independent hotels worldwide, including those in Spain, must adopt a holistic approach to distribution, recognizing the value of both OTAs and direct bookings. Digital+ offers the tools and technology necessary to achieve this balance. By embracing this innovative solution, hotels can:

• Optimize revenue streams: By effectively managing both OTA and direct booking channels, hotels can maximize occupancy and revenue.
• Enhance brand visibility: A strong online presence and consistent brand messaging across all platforms build brand recognition and customer loyalty.
• Optimize marketing spend: AI-driven optimization ensures that marketing budgets are utilized effectively, maximizing return on investment across all channels.
• Navigate the digital landscape with confidence: Digital+ provides the tools and support needed to stay ahead of industry trends and adapt to evolving challenges.

Digital+ is more than just a marketing tool; it is a strategic asset for independent hotels worldwide looking to thrive in the digital age. Whether in Spain, Europe, or global markets, hotels that embrace this technology and adopt a data-driven, balanced approach to distribution can unlock their full potential, optimize revenue, and secure a competitive advantage in today’s dynamic travel landscape.

Breaking New Ground: Automating Product Updates with Agoda

The travel technology industry has long dreamed of a world without spreadsheets. For years, managing rate plans, room types, and promotional updates have involved a back-and-forth of spreadsheets between operations teams. While many companies have talked about automating these processes through APIs, however, the reality is progress has been slow. Until now.

DerbySoft, in collaboration with Agoda, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone: successfully automating the end-to-end process of product updates between Agoda and one of its supplier partners. This accomplishment eliminates the need for spreadsheets but also sets a new standard for efficiency and accuracy in the travel industry.

Why Automation Matters

More familiar manual processes are fraught with challenges. Transferring spreadsheets between supplier operations teams, DerbySoft’s operations team, and Agoda’s operations team leaves room for errors, delays, and inefficiencies. These issues can impact how quickly new products or updates reach the market. Automation on the other hand reduces errors, speeds up time-to-market, and allows teams to focus on more strategic initiatives.

Agoda: A First in Automation Success

While the industry has discussed automation for years, Agoda is the first to bring this vision to life. Working closely with DerbySoft, Agoda went beyond talk, collaborating to design and implement an API that streamlines communication between all stakeholders.

This collaboration was critical. Together, we approached the design with a full-end-to-end solution in mind, ensuring the API would deliver the maximum benefit for suppliers while addressing the unique needs of Agoda’s platform. By prioritizing scalability and usability, the solution sets the stage for broader adoption across the industry.

Collaborative Achievement

The journey to this achievement was anything but simple. From initial design to development, testing, implementation, piloting, and full rollout, the project required close collaboration between DerbySoft and Agoda at every stage. The result? A supplier that has gone live without relying on the spreadsheets that have long been a staple of the industry.

This milestone is more than just a technical success; it’s a testament to what can be achieved when companies work together to solve industry-wide challenges. By automating this process, we’ve unlocked a future where updates happen faster, with fewer errors, and with greater ease for all involved.

Setting a New Standard

Agoda’s success is a significant leap forward, but it’s also just the beginning. This project demonstrates what’s possible when companies are willing to embrace change and invest in innovation. While many others in the industry are still discussing eliminating spreadsheets, Agoda and DerbySoft have shown that automation can be done.

We’re excited to see this approach inspire others in the travel industry to follow suit. Together, we can move beyond manual processes and create a more efficient, accurate, and scalable future for all.

In today’s hyper-connected travel landscape, hoteliers everywhere are seeking ways to cut through the noise, capture the attention of prospective guests, and turn those interactions into truly profitable reservations. The challenge has intensified with global competition, fast-shifting guest expectations, and rapidly evolving technology. Yet, these very forces can become powerful catalysts for growth when harnessed with the right strategy and the right tools.

At DerbySoft, we’ve spent years helping hotels navigate the complexities of distribution and revenue management through technology solutions that enable clear, demonstrable returns on investment. In this article, I’d like to share some thoughts on how robust hotel commerce technology can become the engine of sustainable profitability, brand recognition, and lasting success for properties of all sizes.

Embracing a Shifting Hospitality Landscape

Over the last decade, the hospitality industry has transformed dramatically. Many hotels have moved away from purely traditional distribution models—such as offline travel agencies and direct phone bookings—and toward a world dominated by online travel agencies (OTAs), metasearch platforms, and a wealth of digital touchpoints. On one hand, this shift has granted greater visibility to a worldwide market; on the other, it has introduced new layers of complexity: managing rate parity, crafting pricing strategies, and optimizing inventory.

As competition grows fiercer, hoteliers must juggle multiple sales channels, each with unique requirements around pricing, marketing, and target audiences. While traditional revenue management (RM) systems have historically helped forecast demand, some struggle to react quickly to real-time market changes. To succeed in this environment, hotels need commerce technology that not only assimilates historical data but also integrates with on-property systems to support ongoing, dynamic adjustments in pricing and distribution.

At DerbySoft, we recognized that hotels often encounter a gap between high-level revenue strategies and the daily realities of on-property execution. Sophisticated forecasting or dynamic pricing methods are beneficial, but only if they can be deployed swiftly to every distribution channel and operational platform. Bridging that gap—between strategy and action—can be the difference between merely being present in the market and actively shaping demand.

The Importance of System Integration

It’s common for hotels to rely on an array of technology platforms—the challenge is making these platforms collaborate effectively, rather than functioning in silos. In an ideal setup, revenue management, distribution and property-level systems are interconnected so that rate and inventory updates can flow automatically—informing and enabling faster decision-making. When such a connection is established, hoteliers benefit in several critical ways:

Operational Efficiency: With automation handling routine updates, front-desk, reservations, and sales teams can focus on strategic objectives, such as strengthening guest relationships and customizing offers, rather than on repetitive data entry.

Real-Time Pricing: Agility in pricing is vital. Instead of waiting for teams to manually update rates, automated adjustments can mirror shifts in demand throughout the day. When your rates accurately match market conditions, you increase the odds of maximizing both occupancy and revenue per available room (RevPAR).

Streamlined Inventory Distribution: Changes in room availability—whether from group bookings, maintenance blocks, or unexpected cancellations—are instantly communicated to every relevant channel. This decreases the risk of overbooking and ensures that all listings accurately reflect real-time availability.

Data Consistency: Hoteliers can’t afford data mismatches across platforms. When systems are fully integrated, all channels display the same rates and availability, reflecting an honest “single source of truth.” This consistency eliminates confusion for guests and upholds brand integrity.

Dynamic, Targeted Strategies for Higher Profitability

If we boil down modern revenue management, it’s really about deploying dynamic, targeted approaches to pricing and availability. In earlier days, hotels largely set rates based on seasonal patterns and a general sense of how competitors were pricing. Today, the power of data analytics and machine learning can pinpoint more nuanced guest segments, identify micro trends, and align rates accordingly, sometimes changing strategies multiple times in a single day.

By using integrated travel commerce  and RM systems, hotels can take advantage of:

• Segment-Specific Pricing: Through advanced analysis, you might discover that leisure travelers from a particular region are more inclined to book premium room types when offered a small discount or value-added perk. With a real-time connection between your revenue management solution and on-property systems, you can automate these unique offers for that specific segment, improving yield without overextending discounts to other demographics.
• Time-Sensitive Restrictions: In periods of high demand—such as during large conferences or local events—automatic restrictions like minimum-length-of-stay requirements can be applied. This ensures you’re optimizing both occupancy and rate, effectively capitalizing on peak demand windows.
• Rapid Reaction to Market Changes: If demand suddenly spikes due to favorable market conditions, integrated systems can nimbly increase rates. Conversely, when a big event gets canceled or demand drops, you can adjust rates downward to capture new bookings and mitigate the slow period. This balance of proactive and reactive pricing safeguards your top line against volatility.

When revenue management is divorced from real-time on-property insights, the potential benefits of dynamic strategies can be diminished. A seamless link between your RM platform, marketing,  distribution, and the day-to-day operational environment closes that gap—allowing hotels to adopt proactive, data-driven, and profitable approaches.

Cutting Through Distribution Complexity

Distribution could be described as the “lifeblood” of today’s hospitality business, but it also brings its own set of challenges. Too many distribution channels create administrative headaches and opportunities for error; too few limit a hotel’s exposure to potential guests. Achieving the ideal distribution mix and guaranteeing all channels remain in sync often requires advanced tools that can handle real-time updates.

One of DerbySoft’s core missions is to help hoteliers simplify and optimize this landscape so the guest journey remains front and center. When you have a well-orchestrated system feeding accurate rates and availability to every channel, you reduce common pain points—like discrepancies in posted rates or booking confirmations that arrive too late. A strong, integrated approach to distribution management delivers:

• Consistent Guest Experience: No matter where guests research or book, they receive uniform, up-to-date information. This consistency helps to build trust and brand loyalty.
• Channel Profitability Analysis: With reliable data flowing into your revenue management solution, you can identify which channels yield the most profitable bookings. If you discover that certain OTAs or metasearch sites bring in higher acquisition costs or less favorable booking windows, you can recalibrate your distribution approach accordingly.
• Increased Direct Bookings: Integrations with your direct booking platform allow you to highlight promotions or loyalty benefits that might not be available through third parties. By automating these updates, you encourage more guests to book directly.

Personalization and Profitability

Room rates and occupancy levels are only part of the profitability equation. Today’s guests want more than a bed for the night; they crave meaningful experiences that feel tailored to their preferences. Hotels that deliver personalized touches—from room upgrades for returning guests to curated local recommendations—tend to earn stronger reviews and repeat business.

Technology is a critical ally in this quest for personalization. As guest data accumulates through booking histories, loyalty programs, and CRM platforms, hotels can identify recurring patterns and preferences. Integrating these insights with your RM tools and on-property systems ensures that every guest interaction, whether digital or in person, can reflect a deeper understanding of individual likes and needs.

For instance, an integrated setup might surface data about a guest’s prior preference for higher-floor rooms and late check-out. Armed with that knowledge, your staff can proactively offer those features during the booking process or upon check-in. Not only does this encourage upselling or cross-selling opportunities, but it also forges a more meaningful connection between guest and property. Over time, positive experiences—amplified by social media and word-of-mouth—translate into improved reputation, stronger brand loyalty, and more profitable reservations.

Making an Impact Where It Matters

For many hoteliers, the true value of travel commerce technology lies in its ability to remove friction and reveal overlooked opportunities. By automating updates, standardizing data, and opening up lines of visibility across the organization, an integrated approach to revenue, marketing and distribution management results in:

Consistent Brand Experience: When your online presence, on-property experience, and post-stay communication align seamlessly, guests build a positive, cohesive picture of who you are and why they should return.

Improved Profit Margins: When you set the right rate for the right guest at the right time, you reduce missed revenue opportunities and avoid unnecessary discounting.

Reduced Manual Work: Eliminating repetitive tasks and errors frees your team to focus on high-touch services that differentiate your property—whether that’s a more welcoming check-in process or personalized in-room amenities.

Better Informed Decision-Making: Having a robust data repository and real-time visibility equips you to tweak your strategies quickly if external conditions change. It’s one thing to have a forecast; it’s another to adapt that forecast on the fly with confidence.

Conclusion

In a marketplace where travelers often encounter dozens of properties and booking options before making a final decision, the hotels that consistently stand out are those that optimize every stage of the guest journey—from the initial rate search to the post-stay follow-up. Achieving this level of excellence requires a fusion of strategy, data, and technology.

We at DerbySoft believe this continued push toward greater connectivity and smarter analytics will help hotels craft even more nuanced, profitable approaches to commerce. By leveraging every piece of relevant data—be it forecasted demand, real-time booking pace, or emerging travel trends—hoteliers can adapt to a volatile market far faster than ever before. That speed and accuracy, in turn, create competitive advantages: capturing more bookings at optimal rates, targeting new guest segments with tailored offers, and elevating overall guest satisfaction. Our mission has always been to support hotels in simplifying distribution and maximizing profitability through advanced but user-friendly solutions.

Moving forward, success will be measured by how effectively we blend personalized, human-centric service with cutting-edge technology, ensuring that every reservation is not just a transaction but a step toward deeper guest relationships and more profitable outcomes.