Generative Engine Optimization: The new battleground for hotel visibility

How AI-driven search is reshaping traveler discovery - and what your hotel must do to stay visible and competitive

Jun 2, 2025

As AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Google’s SGE, and voice assistants change how travelers search for hotels, traditional SEO alone no longer ensures visibility. Instead, a new strategy is emerging: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). GEO focuses on how to position your hotel content so it gets surfaced in AI-generated responses. For hoteliers and resort marketers, mastering GEO is now critical to staying visible and competitive in the age of conversational search.

Key Takeaways:

  • GEO is not SEO: Traditional SEO targets keyword rankings in search engines; GEO focuses on visibility in AI-generated responses from chatbots and smart assistants.
  • Why it matters: Travelers now ask AI for personalized travel advice- if your hotel isn’t optimized for generative search, it may be excluded from recommendations.
  • What’s in the guide:
    • A simple explanation of GEO and its importance for hospitality marketing
    • Key differences between GEO and traditional SEO
    • Practical steps to optimize hotel content for AI engines
  • Strategic benefit: Early adopters of GEO gain a competitive edge by positioning their properties where guests are increasingly searching: inside AI-generated answers.

Download the guide at Cendyn

Related must-reads

JOIN 34,000+ HOTELIERS

Get our Daily Brief in your inbox

Consumers are changing the face of hospitality - from online shopping to personalized guest journeys and digitalized guest experiences ...
we've got you covered.

By submitting this form, you agree to receive email communication from Hospitality.today and its partners.