Innovation

💻 AI is transforming the hospitality industry in the "agentic era." AI-powered travel agents can automatically rebook hotel rooms at lower rates, posing challenges for hotels dependent on last-minute rate drops. This could lead to financial losses of millions of euros annually. Hotels must adapt by refining their pricing strategies and enhancing guest experiences. While travelers benefit from better deals, hotels need to optimize inventory and revenue management to stay competitive and protect their earnings.

📅 Nov 10th, 2017, Amir Segall, vice president of Global Supply at HotelTonight, emphasized the importance of integrating rapidly advancing technology with human interaction for future success. Segall's insights stress the evolving landscape in the accommodation sector, highlighting the balance between tech innovation and personalized service.

📅 SwiftBook powers the new Travel Agent Booking Engine, seamlessly integrating travel agent bookings into properties' systems. This update, part of the TACT module, offers features like unified design, multiple user access, and enhanced security with a 30-minute session timeout. Properties gain streamlined operations, better data collection, and improved user tracking. This launch, dated October 2025, transforms travel agent networks into an extension of direct booking engines, enhancing brand presence and operational efficiency in the hospitality sector.

🗺️ 2026 travel trends highlight unique experiences: 71% interested in "romantasy" retreats; 77% open to robotic-enhanced vacation homes. Relationships are tested, with 69% willing to travel with new partners. 84% embrace carpooling, while 65% use AI for scenic routes. Astrology influences 47% of travelers, and 80% seek skincare-specific wellness trips. Gen Z values nature, with 81% wanting to connect more with it. Nostalgia and modern milestones fuel travel, as 67% book trips without a traditional reason.

💻 OTAs accessed via ChatGPT bring real-time pricing from Expedia and Booking without context-switching. Partnering with incumbents avoids data shut-offs. Expedia's 2-minute latency is a conversion issue; faster UX is needed. Current process requires external booking, impacting user flow. ChatGPT's control over information reduces OTA brand visibility, potentially compressing their 10-20% take rate. Low-latency, native payments, and integrated servicing are necessary for seamless transactions. OTAs may see benefits within 12 months, but UX owners are poised to gain long-term advantage.

💻 Co-founders Vieri Balboni and Robert Godwin developed DreamDesk, launched with Lamington Group, to tackle the hospitality sector's challenges. DreamDesk automates up to 90% of routine tasks, decreasing front desk workloads by 60%. UKHospitality reports 132,000 vacancies in the sector, up 48% from pre-pandemic levels. The system is integrated with room2 hometels and Lamington Apartments, planning expansion to 50 hotels by year-end. DreamDesk streamlines operations, allowing staff to focus on high-value interactions.