Travolution

💻 Choice Hotels International, partnering with Amazon Web Services, is deploying AI across its enterprise. The rollout, utilizing AWS’s AgentCore platform, aims to enhance guest experiences and optimize operations. Available since autumn 2025, AgentCore supports decision-making in revenue management, maintenance, and pricing. Choice operates nearly 7,500 hotels with over 650,000 rooms in 50 countries. The initiative seeks to drive competitive advantage and efficiency, marking a significant step in AI adoption in the hospitality industry.

💻 SiteMinder, connecting 53,000 hotels in 150 countries, is expanding its platform with AI-driven tools, Demand Plus and Channels Plus. These tools, powered by the Model Context Protocol, integrate with AI platforms like ChatGPT and Claude. SiteMinder processes 135 million reservations annually, generating A$85 billion. Its Changing Traveller Report 2026 reveals 80% of travelers desire AI assistance in bookings. The initiative helps independent hotels and groups attract AI-driven demand and maintain direct bookings.

🛩️ In 2025, the air transport sector invested a record $50.8 billion in technology. Airlines allocated $36 billion (3.6% of revenue) and airports $14.8 billion (7.3% of revenue). Data-driven decision-making is prioritized by 83% of airlines and 89% of airports, while 63% of airlines use AI in operations. Biometric border control is active in 54% of airports, potentially reaching 83% by 2028. However, data integration issues remain, with flight delays costing $30 billion annually.

📈 Amadeus published the Travel Dreams 2026 results, based on data from 6,000 travelers and 500 hoteliers across six and nine countries, respectively. It reveals travel's growing role in mental health, with 41% seeking a calmer state and a third eyeing digital detoxes. A 150-room hotel might earn an extra $1 million annually through attribute-based sales. Sustainability influences 75% of hotel choices, with an accepted premium of 11.7%. AI aids 69% in search decisions. Fieldwork was in late 2025.

💻 Septeo Hospitality clinched the Food Hotel Tech 2026 Innovation Award for Witbooking AI, a booking engine integrated with Ulyses Suite, during the 14–15 April event at Porte de Versailles. The AI-driven tool enhances hotel booking journeys, boosting direct bookings and personalizing experiences. Septeo, with 250,000 European professionals, 3,600 employees, and €460 million revenue in 2025, invests €80 million annually in R&D, targeting conversion and revenue growth amid competitive online travel agency landscapes.

📱 Luxury Escapes partners with Hubby eSIM to offer tier-based mobile connectivity in 200+ destinations via its Société membership. Members get eSIM data: 1GB for Bronze, 3GB for Silver, 5GB for Gold, and 10GB for Platinum each cycle. The eSIM activates on arrival, negating local SIM purchases. Adam Schwab, CEO, highlights connectivity as essential for modern travelers. Hubby eSIM aims to enhance membership benefits with reliable data access from arrival, boosting the overall experience.

💻 Omio's ChatGPT app reaches 900 million weekly users, offering real-time travel options across trains, buses, flights, and ferries in 47 countries. With over one billion users annually and 100,000 daily travelers, Omio connects more than 3,000 partners. Powered by OpenAI's advanced models, this app enables instant, bookable journeys. CEO Naren Shaam emphasizes the shift to conversational travel planning, while CTO Tomas Vocetka highlights AI integration across Omio's business. Available globally in English via ChatGPT connections.

📈 At Food Hotel Tech 2026 in Paris, Aude Naveilhan and Killian Defois emphasized AI's role in enhancing hotel profits beyond just revenue. Direct bookings can generate 65% more revenue than OTA bookings, excluding commissions. AI aids pricing agility by responding to demand shifts swiftly. While OTAs remain crucial, 20% of travelers who start there book directly, a growing trend. Hotels should structure data to appear in AI-driven travel planning, focusing on real profitability and strategic channel management.