Innovation

🏨 Canary Technologies, on January 12, 2026, in San Francisco, triumphed at the HotelTechAwards, winning nine categories, including Best Hotel Guest Experience Platform and Best Voice Bot & Call Center Software. Nearly 1 million hoteliers from over 100 countries participated. Canary's AI Voice boosts hotel operational efficiency, enhancing bookings and upsells. Trusted by over 20,000 hotels globally, Canary is recognized by major brands like Marriott and Four Seasons. Canary’s AI innovations are revolutionizing hotel management and guest experiences.

📈 January 12, 2026, San Diego, CA: Cloudbeds shines at the 2026 HotelTechAwards, securing the top spot for Hotel Management Software and finalist positions for Property Management Systems and Channel Managers. It ranked 3rd in the 10 Best Places to Work and 4th in Hotelier's Choice. Competing against 200+ global solutions, this recognition underscores Cloudbeds' impact in hospitality tech, trusted by hoteliers in 150+ countries.

📅 In 2025, Google integrated AI into Search, Ads, and Analytics, altering hospitality marketing by 2026. Hotels must now maintain relevancy and accuracy across AI-driven platforms to secure bookings. With 27% of global users employing ad blockers, the strategy involves blending paid and organic approaches for visibility. AI-driven discovery and content freshness are key to gaining trust. Milestone supports over 2,000 companies, facilitating 300 million website visits and 3.7 billion local searches annually through its digital platform.

📈 Shiji deploys Infrasys POS at Chen’s restaurant in Singapore, a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner from 2019 to 2023. The system supports Chen’s high footfall with fast, accurate service and seamless communication. Key features include real-time updates, centralized reporting, and API integrations. Wayne Teoh, General Manager, notes improved efficiency during peak times. Shiji serves over 91,000 hotels globally, with 5,000 employees, providing technology solutions for hospitality and select other sectors.

💻 Australian hotels saw a 15% booking increase for July and August compared to last year, highlighting growth opportunities. Hoteliers are leveraging machine learning to predict demand by analyzing extensive data sets, including weather and tourism data. This aids in planning, budgeting, and optimizing occupancy rates. Additionally, AI is used to shift from a sales lens to a customer lens, enabling hoteliers to better understand and meet guest preferences, ultimately boosting customer engagement and business efficiency.

📈 Revenue managers face a "clarity crisis" as legacy RMS platforms limit pickup analysis to weeks ahead, hindering strategic actions. Advanced analytics provide 12-month pickup visibility, boosting decision-making. Example: a client saw a +12% occupancy increase by reallocating inventory, achieving over 90% annual occupancy. Another hotel achieved 97% forecast accuracy and 23% weekday growth in a year. These insights drive strategic, data-driven leadership across hotel portfolios. Advanced analytics are now essential for competitive revenue management.

📱 CES 2026 in Las Vegas draws 140,000 attendees focused on "Agentic" tech. Key innovations include LG's CLOiD robot with "Affectionate Intelligence," Supernal S-A2 eVTOLs, Nvidia’s ACE for AI NPCs in casinos, and robots in restaurants. Sierra Space's "Dream Chaser" spaceplane highlights Space Tech, while Nvidia’s "Omniverse" offers digital twins for simulations. Las Vegas aims to integrate these technologies to enhance hospitality and travel experiences.