Innovation

📍 GCSTIMES, since 2011, has developed sustainable solutions and innovative products, including smart cards. By blending algorithmic personalization with human expertise, hotels can enhance guest experiences through creative key card designs that spark curiosity and human interaction. With a focus on sustainability, GCSTIMES uses recycled and alternative materials and holds FSC® certification (C148965) and an EcoVadis Silver Medal. Their brand portfolio includes GCS, AUROkeys, Xenyra, and Glint Spot, offering sustainable smart cards and bespoke design services.

💰 iVvy's Toby Marosszeky highlights the importance of event pace reporting. Meetings and events contribute 20-30% of hotel revenue, yet often lack comprehensive data tracking. A two-night conference for 80 delegates can generate $61,600, yet hotels frequently miss the full revenue picture. Effective event pace reporting should include revenue by event date, separate definite and tentative business, and track movement, segment, and lead time. A weekly review involving all teams is recommended to optimize decision-making and revenue.

The future of travel won’t be built by standing still. It requires us to keep exploring what’s possible with new technology to better serve …

This article was written by Lodging Magazine. Click here to read the original article Ben Perelmuter, chief executive officer of the Dallas, Texas-based Remington Hospitality, recently spoke with LODGING while…

Better search isn't better judgement. Michael Culhane on how traveller and supplier agents could negotiate the trip.

This article was written by HospitalityOn. Click here to read the original article From entrepreneur to intrapreneur You joined Hilton in 2021 after close to 30 years working in entrepreneurial…

💻 roommaster launched the AI Connector on October 19, 2026, in Clearwater, USA. The integration connects hotel PMS data to AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini. Using the Model Context Protocol, it allows hotel teams to ask questions in natural language and access data easily. This AI tool enhances operations, saving time on tasks like reviewing arrivals or managing reservations, while maintaining existing PMS structures and AI provider policies. Available now with the latest roommaster PMS version.

📷 Alibaba Group's Flyzoo Hotel in Hangzhou, in collaboration with Shiji Group, is pioneering frictionless check-in and room entry using facial ID technology. This eliminates the need for key cards or digital keys, aligning with the preferences of many modern travelers. The innovation is expected to spread to Europe in the future. #shijigroup #nextgentechnology #hospitalitytech

💻 Richard Valtr from Mews emphasizes the PMS should lead, but hoteliers remain in charge. Aaron Levie argues systems of record gain value with more agents than humans. Nicolas Sharp of Attio rebuilt his CRM for SQL queries, ensuring compliance. Wix's agents pay invoices promptly, owner-approved by phone. Prefect's Jeremiah Lowin critiques "vibe governance." The shift towards "thinking" software in hotels raises questions about control, governance, and accountability in this evolving SaaS landscape.

📅 October 1, Google AI Mode transitioned to completing hotel bookings with ten major chains and OTAs in the U.S. simultaneously ended its price-feed mandate, reducing visibility for independent hotels. Terence Ronson's tests revealed AI agents could book consistently with Marriott, IHG, Accor, and Choice Hotels but faced issues with Hyatt, Hilton, and Wyndham. Are Morch's study showed independent hotels are 8x more invisible to AI than chains. ChatGPT Ads, now in 31 European markets, empower independent hotels in early planning stages.