Pandox-Scandic renew leases: Pandox and Scandic Hotels have renewed and extended lease agreements for 19 hotels in the Nordic regions. The agreements have a duration of up to 15 years and include a joint renovation program of MSEK 470 (US$55.44 million) over three years.
Kayak launches chatbot: Kayak launched an interactive chatbot for Facebook that allows users to search for and book travel inside the app. Users can find flights and hotel using conversational language and Kayak is marketing the tool as “a travel agent inside your pocket.”
Deals for ‘American Brexodus’: Last week’s Brexit vote and subsequent drop in the pound sparked increased demand, with Hotels.com reporting searches by American travelers for UK destinations up over 50% year-on-year. The Hotels.com Hotel Price Index for 2015 showed that U.S. travelers paid an average US$257 per night for a hotel in London, but following the Brexit vote hotel deals available to American travelers are almost half that price.