June 2, 2026

Hotel marketing teams have built sophisticated disciplines around search visibility. Position tracking, keyword movement reports, organic traffic dashboards: it's part of the weekly rhythm for any team serious about digital performance. Most marketing directors can tell you exactly where their property ranks for their top ten keywords without opening a browser. Now consider this: a traveler opens ChatGPT and types "best boutique hotels in Barcelona for a romantic weekend." Your property either appears in that response or it doesn't. It's either described accurately, compellingly and with a link to your own website, or it's described through the lens of whatever Booking.com and TripAdvisor have said about you, with a booking link that hands commission to an OTA. And right now, most hotel marketing teams have no way of knowing which of those scenarios is playing out. That gap is what generative engine optimization (GEO) monitoring is designed to close. This article unpacks why tracking AI visibility deserves the same place in your reporting stack as organic search, and what to do with the data once you have it. The channel shift hotel marketing teams can't afford to miss AI-assisted travel planning isn't a future trend to monitor. It's already part of how guests research and shortlist properties. AI travel search is growing 50% faster than traditional search, and two-thirds of travelers now use AI assistants at some point in their trip planning process. Among younger travelers, usage is even higher and increasingly extends into actual booking decisions. What makes this different from other search channels is the nature of the output. When someone searches on Google, they get a list of links and make their own choices. When someone asks an AI assistant, they get a recommendation: a curated, opinionated answer that positions properties against each other, describes them in specific terms and, in many cases, includes a direct link to complete the booking. AI doesn't just surface your hotel. It tells the traveler what to think about it. That's a fundamentally different dynamic, and it requires a different kind of visibility strategy. The problem with searches you can't see Hotel marketing teams have spent years building their understanding of how travelers find them online. Session data, referral sources, keyword ranking tools: these create a measurable trail from search intent to your website. AI-assisted searches generate none of that trail. When a traveler asks an AI assistant to recommend hotels, that conversation is invisible to you. You don't know whether your property came up, how it was described or where the traveler was sent to book. The channel is growing, the stakes are real and most hotels are flying completely blind. The risk isn't only invisibility. Booking.com and Expedia have already established a strong presence in AI platforms. If a traveler asks for hotel recommendations and AI responds with your property's name but routes the booking through an OTA, you've helped generate that demand yourself and handed the commission to someone else. Visibility without measurement makes that pattern impossible to

DURHAM, N.C. — Folio , the financial operations and procurement platform purpose-built built for hospitality operators, today announced a new partnership with meez , the recipe and kitchen operating system for professional chefs. Together, the companies are helping culinary teams better understand food costs, manage margins, and streamline purchasing decisions through a connected workflow. Through the new partnership integration, chefs and hospitality professionals can now plan recipes, manage products, track margins, and place orders, all in one easy-to-use interface. The partnership gives operators more visibility into profitability at both the recipe and ingredient level, while reducing the manual work that is often required to connect culinary and purchasing data. “As food costs continue to fluctuate, hotel and hospitality F&B operators need better tools to understand how purchasing decisions impact profitability,” said Kate Adamson, CEO and co-founder of Folio. “Our new partnership with meez is intended to help chefs and F&B leaders within hotel properties connect procurement with recipe intelligence, so they can make faster, more informed decisions, while maintaining quality and controlling costs.” Some key benefits of the integration include: Recipe-Level Cost Visibility: The F&B management team can see food costs at both the recipe and ingredient level, making it easier to identify high-performing menu items and dishes that may be hurting margins. Real-Time Margin Tracking: As supplier pricing changes, operators can quickly see how ingredient costs affect recipe profitability and overall menu performance. Smarter Ordering Workflows: Teams can meal plan, evaluate ingredient options, and place procurement orders within the same workflow, helping reduce duplicate work and improve purchasing efficiency. The new partnership comes at a time when hospitality operators are under increasing pressure to manage rising food costs while maintaining consistency and guest experience. By combining meez’s recipe management platform with Folio’s procurement capabilities, the integration gives chefs and operators a clearer view into the financial impact of everyday kitchen decisions. “We’re excited to partner with Folio to bring greater financial visibility into the kitchen,” said Josh Sharkey, CEO of meez. “Chefs should not have to rely on disconnected systems or spreadsheets to understand profitability. Together, we’re creating a more seamless experience that helps teams make smarter operational decisions every day.” The Folio and meez integration will be available to mutual customers beginning later this summer. For more information, please visit folio.co and or getmeez.com . About Folio Folio is an award-winning financial operations platform that helps properties turn back-office complexity into competitive advantage with a modern, all-in-one procure-to-pay solution, which includes; Folio Buy: a centralized, managed marketplace; Folio Inventory: fast counting and asset accounting; Folio Bills: AI-driven invoice processing; and Folio Pay: streamlined payments via virtual card, check, and ACH. Folio’s AI-powered workflows save teams time and money with rapid implementations. Two years post-launch, Folio powers hundreds of hotels and is on track to power nearly a billion dollars in annual purchasing volume. For more information, please visit folio.co . About meez meez is the recipe operating system built for modern foodservice teams. Created by chef and restaurateur

Cementing HotelRunner’s position not just as a participant but as a key architect shaping the future of global connectivity, distribution, and hospitality technology, Riza Kaynak, Director of Demand Partnerships, has been selected to represent HotelRunner on the Booking.com 2026–2028 Connectivity Commercial Advisory Board, marking his second consecutive term on the board. The announcement follows another major milestone for HotelRunner. In 2026, the company was recognized as a Premier Plus Connectivity Partner by Booking.com , placing it among a select group of top-performing providers from a network of more than 600 connectivity partners worldwide. HotelRunner’s relationship with the board traces back to its early years. Following the board’s launch in 2018, HotelRunner’s Founders and Managing Partners, Ali Beklen and Arden Agopyan, joined the very first 2019–2020 Connectivity Advisory Board as founding members, representing the global hotel technology ecosystem alongside some of the industry’s most influential connectivity partners and providers. From the beginning, HotelRunner has contributed to conversations focused on improving connectivity experiences and strengthening partner collaboration. “I’m honored to represent HotelRunner in discussions that influence the future of our industry. Hospitality moves forward when connectivity, technology, and collaboration evolve together, and our long-standing partnership with Booking.com reflects this shared commitment. We look forward to continuing our strong collaboration with Booking.com and creating more value for accommodation providers worldwide,” said Rıza Kaynak, Director of Demand Partnerships at HotelRunner. “Together, we will continue working closely to advance innovation, shape the next generation of connectivity and distribution, and create greater value for hospitality businesses worldwide." ​​HotelRunner’s continued presence on the Booking.com Connectivity Commercial Advisory Board reinforces its position at the vanguard of hospitality technology. This seat ensures the company remains at the forefront of defining the next wave of global connectivity and distribution standards. Looking ahead, HotelRunner also continues to advance its strategic roadmap, with a strong focus on delivering key initiatives around AI and autonomous systems that will further transform how hospitality businesses operate and scale. HotelRunner doesn't just react to industry shifts; the company actively anticipates them, aligning innovation with market demands to build the tools hospitality businesses need to thrive.

Riyadh, 2 June, 2026 : The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia ’s Startup Den returns for 2026, with the opportunity for industry entrepreneurs to secure exposure, mentorship, funding opportunities and more. One of the most anticipated features at FHS, the Startup Zone gives entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to pitch, network and showcase their products and services to global hospitality and tourism leaders and an esteemed panel of judges. This year’s FHS Saudi Arabia Startup Den Finalists, who will be pitching live on stage, are: Abdulrahman Joud , Co-Founder & CEO, Emtethal; Rakan Alrasheed , Founder & CEO, Arabian Haven; Nourah Alsadoon , Founder, HiHome; Micaela Johnston , Founder, ReelStay; Sabrine Chennaoui , Chief Executive Officer, MONSAPO, and Fayaz Ali , Director, ChiefPAISA Merchant Payments. The Startup Den winner will receive a complimentary pass to FHS World, taking place in Dubai in September, as well as curated meetings with venture capitalists and investors. Ali Shahid, CEO at FHS organiser, The Bench, said: “Innovation, creativity and sustainability are at the heart of FHS Saudi Arabia’s forward-thinking approach, and entrepreneurship is pivotal to the ongoing success and evolution of KSA’s hospitality and tourism industry. Our Startup Den gets bigger and bolder each year, with fantastic products and services from talented businessmen and women whose work can enhance – and potentially transform – the sector. Our Startup team and respected panel of judges are gearing up for another awe-inspiring collection of pitches this year, and we look forward to revealing the winner live at FHS Saudi Arabia later this month.” Eligibility for participation in the FHS Startup Den is for products and services across hotel tech; restaurant/F&B tech; food delivery / last‑mile logistics; cloud kitchens / virtual brands; travel & tours; data & analytics; sustainability & ESG and fintech for hospitality. Candidates must operate in hospitality/F&B tech, be based in the Middle East or be actively targeting MENA expansion, have 2-50 employees, annual revenue up to US$3 million and have raised up to US$2 million in funding. Full terms and conditions can be found here. On the judging panel this year are: Rema Alyahya , Vice President, Merak Capital; Yasser Faisal AlSharif , Chief Executive Officer, TOURACT, and Saad Shabbir , Senior Director, Takamol Ventures. Last year’s FHS Saudi Arabia StartUp Den winner was Asif Alidina , Founder and CEO of Inntelo AI, for the UK’s first AI Concierge combining conversational and agentic AI to talk to guests and transform hotel operations. A pioneer in hotel technology, Asif has been at the forefront of hospitality innovation for more than a decade. Since the win in Riyadh last year, Intello AI has participated in FHS World and FHS Africa where it signed its first major customer through a partnership with City Blue Hotels. Asif Alidina said: “Last year was incredibly exciting for Inntelo AI. Winning the StartUp Den opened up a multitude of opportunities, enabling us to meet hotel operators, owners and investors, not only in the Middle East but other parts of the

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Most hotel sales teams think they’re simply competing against the property across town. They’re not. They’re competing against speed, specificity, and whether AI can understand what makes their hotel worth considering in the first place. And right now? Most hotels are losing without even realizing they’re in the game. The biggest shift happening in hospitality sales isn’t about better CRMs, prettier proposals, or more outbound prospecting. It’s this: Meeting planners are building their venue shortlist with AI before a salesperson ever gets involved. No introduction. No site visit. No “just wanted to follow up” email. The filtering process is already happening upstream, quietly and algorithmically. And if your hotel isn’t digitally legible to the tools doing the sorting, you don’t get rejected. You simply never appear. That reality became clear during a recent conversation I had on the InnSync Show with David Moore , founder of Moore Style Events , a planning firm specializing in biotech and tech events. What he described should fundamentally change how hotel sales teams think about visibility. Because planners aren’t sourcing venues the way they used to. Not even close. The Old Sourcing Process Is Dead For years, venue sourcing looked like digital scavenger hunting. Open ten browser tabs. Cross-reference Cvent. Jump between maps. Read vague ballroom descriptions. Call hotels to clarify basic operational questions that should’ve been online already. It was slow. Frustrating. Manual. Now? A planner can feed AI a list of highly specific event criteria and generate viable options in minutes. Not days ... minutes . Moore gave one example that perfectly captures the problem. His biotech clients often need to physically drive equipment into event space. Sounds simple. Except most hotels don’t clearly explain: load-in access elevator dimensions ballroom entry width dock accessibility ceiling clearance And traditional sourcing platforms don’t filter for that level of operational detail. AI does. Or more accurately, AI surfaces the hotels that bothered to publish the information in the first place. That’s the shift hospitality sales teams need to understand. The properties winning attention aren’t necessarily the best properties. They’re the clearest. “Three Miles Away” Means Nothing Anymore Hospitality marketing has a bad habit of speaking in approximations. “Close to the convention center.” “Minutes from downtown.” “Conveniently located.” According to who? David shared a scenario where his team needed: a private dining room for 50 people open late near the hotel in a walkable area after a conference dinner Ten years ago, that meant an hour of Google Maps and guesswork. Now AI evaluates proximity, walkability, transportation patterns, neighborhood context, and logistics almost instantly. That’s important because AI doesn’t interpret marketing language emotionally. It interprets it literally. And vague content gets punished. If your hotel website says “spacious ballroom,” but never lists dimensions, capacities, or technical specs, AI has nothing useful to work with. Which means your competitor with the detailed floor plan online gets shortlisted instead. Not because they’re better. Because they’re findable. The Real Sales Funnel Starts Before Sales Exists This is the part

Why Product Management Matters in Hotel Tech Hotels operate in fast‑moving environments, where technology failures are felt immediately. As a result, product management in hospitality goes far beyond deciding which features to build. As Jennifer explains, it is a multifaceted discipline that brings together commercial, technical, operational, and financial considerations. At its core, it is about creating value by focusing on the problems that matter most to hotels and making deliberate decisions about where limited time and resources should be invested. Natalie views product management as a connective role within the organization. One that sits between frontline teams who immediately feel when something is not working, such as overbookings, delayed check‑ins, or data inconsistencies, and senior leaders who may not fully see the cost these issues create. Strong product management bridges that gap by turning operational challenges into shared understanding and clear priorities. By connecting the guest experience, hotel operations, and underlying technology into a single picture, product leaders help businesses determine which problems need solving now and which can wait. Watch the full episode Fact‑Based vs. Emotion‑Driven Decision Making In hospitality, technology issues usually have an instant and visible impact on daily operations. When systems affect check‑ins, room assignments, rate accuracy, or reporting, frustration builds quickly among hotel teams. As Jennifer explains, while product management relies heavily on data, decisions rarely happen in a vacuum. Product discussions can become emotional because the people raising these issues are dealing with real consequences. This emotional response often reflects how much teams care about delivering a smooth guest experience and keeping operations running. That is precisely why a strong fact base is so critical in hospitality tech. Customer feedback, support tickets, metrics, and operational data allow product teams to understand how frequently an issue occurs, how many hotels or users are affected, and what the true operational or financial impact is. With this foundation, conversations can move beyond urgency alone and toward clear prioritization of the issues that create the most disruption on property. Natalie emphasizes that emotion itself is not a negative signal. In hospitality, it often reflects accountability and ownership across teams. She recalls how product discussions frequently begin with a sense of urgency: “the widget is broken.” When systems fail, frustration rises quickly. The role of product leadership is to channel that emotion productively by grounding discussions in data, while still acknowledging the human impact behind the problem. As Jennifer puts it, “a big piece of product management is the synthesis and storytelling around it.” This means turning data into a clear narrative that explains why a problem matters to hotel operations, who feels the impact most, and what success looks like once the issue is resolved. When data is framed this way, it becomes a powerful tool for aligning priorities and driving meaningful improvements for hotels. Product Lifecycle in Hospitality Tech Product management in hospitality tech requires a high level of flexibility, as the right approach often depends on where a product sits in its lifecycle and how

Washington, D.C. – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the largest hotel association in America, today announced new leadership for its Board of Directors, naming Thom Geshay, Davidson Hospitality Group CEO & President, as Chair. Jon Stanner, Summit Hotel Properties President & CEO, and Jolyon Bulley, IHG Hotels & Resorts CEO of the Americas, will serve as Vice Chair and Secretary/Treasurer, respectively, effective July 1, 2026. Together, they will help guide the association’s work to advance policies that support the industry and its workforce. Geshay brings nearly four decades of experience in leadership roles at Davidson Hospitality Group. Over the course of his career, Geshay has held virtually every corporate and property level executive position, including business development and acquisitions, operations, food and beverage, sales and marketing, and organizational strategy. Prior to his appointment to CEO, Geshay held positions of President and Chief Operating Officer. Thom, Jon, and Jolyon are influential industry leaders with proven track records of delivering results for our industry. Their guidance will be instrumental as we push for meaningful solutions to address workforce challenges, drive increased travel demand, and support all segments of AHLA’s membership. AHLA President & CEO Rosanna Maietta Geshay succeeds Liam Brown, Marriott International Group President, U.S. & Canada, who is set to retire from the company this month after nearly four decades of service. Throughout Brown’s service to AHLA, he played a pivotal role in advancing the franchising business model, supporting workforce development, and passionately advocating for the industry’s No Room for Trafficking initiative. I am honored to step into this role during such an important moment in time for our industry. In addition to Liam Brown being an exceptional Chair and cohort, he’s also a longtime friend, and I’m grateful for his leadership and partnership. I began my hospitality career at a young age as a bellman and went on to gain hands on experience across all facets of hotel operations, management, and real estate. My journey in this industry has given me a unique perspective on what makes it so special and the meaningful opportunities it creates. I’m looking forward to working closely with Rosanna and the AHLA team to support our industry and the people who make it extraordinary. Davidson Hospitality Group CEO & President Thom Geshay AHLA Vice Chair Jon Stanner joined Summit Hotel Properties in 2017. Prior to being named President and Chief Executive Officer, Stanner served as Summit’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer. In addition to serving on the AHLA Board of Directors, Stanner also sits on the AC Hotels by Marriott Brand Council and the Hyatt Owners’ Advisory Council. Jolyon Bulley is Chief Executive Officer of the Americas at IHG Hotels & Resorts, overseeing the performance, growth, and profitability across IHG’s 21 brands in the company’s largest region. A career and global hotelier, he also previously served as IHG’s Chief Operating Officer for the Americas, leading operations across franchised and managed hotels while strengthening hotel performance and owner relationships. AHLA announced several

VAIL, Colo. — June 2, 2026 — Resort Data Processing (RDP), a trusted provider of property-management system (PMS) technology for resorts, hotels, condo-hotels, timeshare properties, and fractional ownership operations, will showcase its expanded solution ecosystem at HITEC San Antonio, to be held June 15 to 18 at the Henry B. González Convention Center. The company’s owner-centric ecosystem, complete with payment capabilities, automation tools, and the latest integration partnerships will be on display in Booth #1633 . “RDP remains committed to delivering an integrated ecosystem that enables hoteliers and fractional ownership operators to improve efficiency, strengthen owner relationships, and adapt to the evolving expectations of today’s travelers,” said Ron Stahl, Development Manager at RDP. “At HITEC San Antonio, we will show attendees how to do more with less while delivering a connected, high-quality owner and guest experience.” The enhanced RDP ecosystem includes: · RDPPay , an integrated payment processing platform that helps operators simplify transactions, centralize payment management, improve reporting visibility, and deliver a smoother payment experience for guests and owners. · RDP Engage , a powerful communication and engagement tool that empowers operators to strengthen guest and owner relationships. By connecting operational data with outreach and marketing capabilities, RDP Engage helps properties deliver more meaningful experiences and improve communications across departments. · Expanded Timeshare Owner Portal , an intuitive and self-service experience designed to improve communication, simplify account management, and give owners easier access to reservations, statements, payments, and property information. Properties with complex ownership models can now communicate more effectively with proprietors while managing shared-use operations more efficiently. · Expanded Integrations that reduce operational silos, including: Ascent360 for more personalized marketing engagement and guest communication strategies; Pulse for improved operational visibility and streamlined property workflows; and DocuSign for simplified digital document management and faster agreement processing. · New ACH Payment Capabilities for owners and groups that simplify payment processing, reduce friction, and improve financial workflows for operators and customers alike. Purpose-Built for Timeshare and Fractional Ownership Operations RDP’s technology solutions are designed to support the unique operational needs of timeshare, fractional ownership, condo-hotel, and resort properties. The company’s specialized platform supports fixed, floating, and fractional ownership models while helping operators improve efficiency, owner satisfaction, and occupancy performance. “As hospitality operations continue to evolve, RDP remains focused on delivering scalable solutions that reduce manual processes, improve system connectivity, and help operators create more seamless experiences across every touchpoint,” Stahl said. “Attendees are encouraged to meet with the RDP team to learn more about these innovations and our ecosystem is helping operators modernize operations and elevate owner and guest experiences.” RDP also encourages attendees to visit its parent company, Fullsteam Hospitality, at Booth #1252. With more than 20 hospitality-focused solutions, Fullsteam Hospitality delivers a unified portfolio of technology designed to serve every corner of the industry, including lodging, activities and experiences, food and beverage, golf, transportation and parking, and weddings and events. By enabling operators to improve operational visibility across their business, reduce vendor fragmentation, strengthen coordination between departments, and scale

The Department of Tourism at the University of Applied Sciences in Munich has honoured Dr. Michael Toedt, founder and CEO of dailypoint™ , with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The honour is one of the most significant personal awards within the department and is presented exclusively to individuals who have had a lasting impact on the university division, the industry, and the education of future hoteliers. The award underlines the exceptional role Michael Toedt has played for many years in the hospitality industry and in the academic education of future leaders. Emphasis was placed on his many years of teaching, his continuous commitment to the academic institution, his outstanding reputation, and his role model function for aspiring leaders in the hotel industry. The award was presented during the annual Graduation Gala at the Leonardo Hotel in Munich in front of more than 300 guests. The honour has only been awarded twice before. Prior to Michael Toedt, recipients included Prof. Dr. Felix Kolbeck for his outstanding work as Dean during the coronavirus period, as well as the late Prof. Dr. Theo Eberhard, who had a significant influence on the Department of Tourism over several decades. Presenting the award to a lecturer represents a special form of recognition. The decision was made by the organizing team in close consultation with the Dean of Student Affairs. In addition to the excellent evaluations by current and former students, the decision was based on Toedt’s lasting contribution to the further development of the department and his exceptional impact as an entrepreneur, visionary, and industry personality. Michael Toedt exemplifies innovation, entrepreneurship, and the successful transfer of knowledge between academia and practice. Over many years, he has not only shaped students professionally but has also given them valuable insights into the reality and future of the international hospitality industry Dr. Burkhard von Freyberg, Professor of Hospitality Management, Department of Tourism at the University of Applied Sciences, Munich This award means a great deal to me. The Faculty of Tourism has shaped our industry over several decades, and many top managers have it as their alma mater. Working with students and fostering the exchange between practice and teaching have always been close to my heart – especially as I graduated from the university and the foundation for my career was laid here. Dr Michael Toedt, Founder and CEO of dailypoint Tourism and Hospitality have shaped Dr. Michael Toedt’s professional career from the very beginning: first leading his family’s hotel business, and later as he moved to the Customer Relationship System (CRS) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) sectors. In 2005, he founded Toedt, Dr. Selk & Coll GmbH, now recognized as dailypoint, with aim of applying software innovation and his data management expertise to the hospitality industry. He regularly shares insights through articles in international and online media. In addition to lecturing at the University of Applied in Munich on CRM and Hotel Technology, he also teaches in the NDS Management Program at the Hotellerie Suisse.