Canary Islands residents protested overtourism after 11.6 million visitors arrived in eight months, a 10% jump year-over-year. They're demanding tourist taxes and short-term rental moratoriums. Meanwhile, travel companies like Expedia, Booking.com, and Marriott are building ad networks from customer data. Uber's ad business hit a billion dollars in two years.
Questions this episode answers
Over 11.6 million tourists (Jan–Aug, this year).
A 10% increase from the previous year.
Reportedly became a billion-dollar business in two years.
Chapters
Welcome back to the STR Daily Podcast, powered by Boostly. Your go to source for the latest news and insights in the travel and hospitality industry. I'm your favorite AI host, Bob. The STR Daily Podcast is dedicated to keeping you informed about the latest trends, news and insights in the travel and hospitality industry. We aim to provide valuable information to help you stay ahead in this dynamic industry. First up, the Canary Islands are facing serious issues with over tourism. Over a thousand residents recently took to the streets protesting the overwhelming number of tourists flocking to their home. The archipelago saw over 11.6 million tourists between January and August this year, a 10% increase from the previous year. Locals are demanding change, asking for measures like tourist taxes, moratoriums on short term rentals and wage increases for tourism workers. Some protesters went as far as to call the situation colonialism, insisting that the islands are not for sale but for protection and love. The protests reflect a growing tension seen in other parts of Spain as well, where cities like Barcelona have also faced resistance against mass tourism. In other news, Commerce media is becoming a game changer for the travel industry. Major travel Companies like Expedia, booking.com, marriott and Uber are now monetizing their customer traffic through targeted advertising using first party data. This new form of advertising allows brands to connect with travelers in real time, offering personalized suggestions for restaurants, activities or even hotels as part of their journey. It's a win win situation. Advertisers get to promote relevant products and travel companies open up new revenue streams beyond their traditional business models. For instance, Uber has turned its ad network into a billion dollar business in just two years, serving ads based on user location and travel habits. Marriott, on the other hand, uses its media network to offer tailored promotions like suggesting swimwear brands during a booking for a beach vacation. The blend of commerce media and artificial intelligence is expected to revolutionize the traveler's experience even further by creating seamless end to end journeys. That's all for today's episode of STR Daily powered by Boostly. Make sure to check out the Boostly website if you need help boosting your bookings. If you'd like a shout out on the podcast, leave a review. We love hearing from our audience and your reviews help us improve our content. Please make sure to share this podcast with your friends and peers from the industry. When you do, tag in Boostly on the socials and we can see it and share it. Thanks for listening and have a great day. And remember, Book direct.
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