Innovation

New edition highlights the rise of AI discovery, map-based commerce, conversational booking, and the growing importance of structured hotel data. BARCELONA, Spain, 10th June – Shiji, the global leader in…

Automation initiative accelerates loyalty processing for one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programs ahead of HITEC 2026 Wilmington, Delaware, June 10, 2026 – RobosizeME, a leading provider of AI-enabled…

📈 Hotels collect extensive guest data but struggle with data activation, as discussed by Niels Mekenkamp on the Shiji Insights Podcast. Property Management Systems (PMS) are evolving to execute guest intelligence. Clean, deduplicated profiles and integration between CRM, loyalty systems, and PMS are crucial. Real-time guest recognition enhances loyalty and revenue. Trust and consent management are vital for personalization strategies. Effective data use transforms guest experiences and enhances competitive advantage in hospitality.

🏨 Kaiserin Elisabeth Hotel, situated in Vienna, aimed to blend tradition with modern expectations by adopting digital tools for seamless operations. Key requirements included accuracy across channels, a smooth booking experience, and reliable pricing insights to maintain control of their distribution strategy. Additionally, the hotel sought a technology partner for responsive and knowledgeable local support.

🍽 AI-enabled ready-to-eat (RTE) vending is transforming the Asia-Pacific food and beverage market. Utilizing artificial intelligence for demand forecasting, menu planning, and inventory management, these vending models provide freshly prepared meals. This shift redefines RTE vending from static menus to customizable, convenient options, enhancing consumer interaction and affordability.

📈 Integrated hotel accounting software boosts financial performance by connecting PMS, POS, and financial tools. This interconnected system transforms the back office into a competitive advantage, enhancing data flow and decision-making efficiency.

📈 Jun 10, 2026, Amsterdam: Booking.com emphasized its role in supporting independent hotels against AI agents during its Click event. CEO Glenn Fogel noted that independent hotels supply the majority of Booking's room nights, contrasting with a low double-digit percentage from major chains. Booking.com positions itself as essential for managing complex transactions, which AI agents can't currently handle. However, AI-driven payment solutions, like the Sabre–PayPal–Mindtrip pipeline, threaten Booking's intermediary role. The company aims to maintain its position by focusing on payment infrastructure.

💳 Jun 10, 2026, hotels are revolutionizing payment systems. Integrated systems enhance efficiency by linking payments with PMS, POS, and booking engines, streamlining operations and improving guest experiences. Disconnected systems cause challenges like manual reconciliation. Guests expect contactless payments and digital wallets, akin to retail experiences. Security and compliance are crucial due to expanded payment touchpoints. Payments are now a tech decision, aiding operational, reporting, and growth goals. Connected infrastructure supports future digital transformation initiatives.

📊 Jun 10, 2026, hotel groups focus on unified data to enhance AI capabilities. By integrating systems such as PMS, CRS, and CRM into a centralized architecture, hotels address data fragmentation, improving real-time operations and decision-making. Centralized data enhances guest profiling, forecasting, and operational planning. Cloud platforms aid modernization, making AI initiatives easier to scale. Effective data architecture emerges as a key competitive advantage, allowing seamless data sharing across hotel technology ecosystems.