Innovation

🏨 In 2026, Amadeus Hospitality surveyed 6,000 global travelers and 500 senior hoteliers. Findings reveal that 74% desire personalized experiences. Many hotels lack connected systems, affecting service quality. AI can bridge this gap by connecting data, enabling proactive service. 35% of hoteliers prioritize data integration, while 33% focus on seamless technology stacks. AI enhances, not replaces, human interactions by providing staff with insights to personalize guest experiences effectively.

💡 In October, 91% of hotel chains use AI, but only 28% have a strategy, highlighting a strategic gap. Choice Hotels acquired Harvest Hosts for $130 million, incorporating 11,200 host sites focused on RV travel. The acquisition aims to expand beyond traditional accommodations. Italy led Southern Europe in H1 2026 hotel profitability, driven by cost management. Hotel marketing agencies face scrutiny for offering unverified AI services. First Hospitality reported a 200% AI adoption growth. Niseko's hotel supply increased by 46% in 2026.

💻 Avalora's VAIA Agentic AI Assistant is the first to complete the AHLA’s HTNG Express PMS integrations, validated with Visual Matrix. This integration by Avalora, a global hospitality technology firm, enhances hotel PMS connectivity. Avalora’s CEO, Mark Cederloff, highlights VAIA’s role in standardizing PMS interactions. HTNG Express PMS aims for simplified, faster, scalable integrations. Avalora's solutions, including Cloud PBX and Contact Center, boost hotel operations and guest experience through cloud services and open integration ecosystems.

📷 Hapi announced two new solutions, Hapi Guest Identity and Hapi Data Lakehouse, to enhance guest personalization in the hospitality industry. These tools integrate guest data from various hotel systems in real-time, creating accurate guest profiles. With over 100 systems connected across 15,000 hotels, Hapi aims to improve guest experiences by providing a reliable data foundation. Hapi focuses on data connectivity and serves major brands like IHG, Wyndham, and Sonesta.

💻 55 minutes ago, Dylan Cole, Managing Director, EMEA of Revinate, discussed with Charlie Osmond, Co-Founder of Triptease, the impact of AI on hotel bookings. The conversation highlighted the importance of clean and connected guest data for successful AI integration. By 2026, less than 2% of hotel bookings will come directly from AI platforms like ChatGPT. Hotels must focus on maintaining high-quality data to drive effective marketing, enhance guest personalization, and compete with OTAs in an AI-driven landscape.

📱 [Amsterdam, 1 October 2026] – Mews launched Guest Messaging and Automations. Each feature addresses repetitive hotel tasks, helping staff focus more on guests. Guest Messaging combines all guest communications into a single thread, reducing average response times from 8 hours. Mews AI answers 80% of routine questions instantly. Automations handle tasks like upgrades, with 60% automation for Gold & Platinum guests at some properties. During Beta, 47,000 automations ran. Mews supports 15,000 customers in 85 countries.

💻 In 2026, HFTP, a nonprofit headquartered in the U.S., partnered with Inntelo AI to integrate AI agents across its media and events, including HITEC in San Antonio, which drew over 6,100 attendees and 400+ exhibitors. Inntelo AI supports hospitality operations globally, automating 98% of guest interactions, saving 17 minutes per enquiry, and boosting in-stay revenue by 32%. This collaboration enhances HFTP’s AI-driven member services, aligning with the Hospitality AI Collective's standards.

This post was originally published on this site. Insights from Juan Gallardo’s session at Italian Hospitality Investment Conference Milan, 2026 2026 has been an unusual year for European hospitality. Geopolitical…

💻 In 2026, AI-driven travel planning is transforming the hospitality sector, challenging traditional OTAs. Key players like Turkish Airlines are adopting the Model Context Protocol (MCP) for seamless AI integration, bypassing legacy systems. Industry leaders, including Marriott and Langham, focus on data fidelity and API sovereignty to enhance visibility. Hotels must adapt by building unified data frameworks and training staff in AI collaboration, shifting from paying 15-25% OTA margins to reclaiming distribution control.

💻 First Hospitality, a U.S.-based hotel company, increased AI adoption by 200% over six months, engaging most corporate and property leaders. The GEO Playbook and AI systems report a 51% rise in citations and a 22% increase in mentions for hotels like Chicago's McCormick Place. AI-backed financial operations now close within five business days. By 2027, First Hospitality aims to integrate AI practices into all hotels, enhancing operations and alignment with owners.