Innovation

ITB, 4th March – RMS, a leading global hospitality platform for hotels, motels, serviced apartments, short-term rentals and campgrounds, has announced a new integration with RoomPriceGenie, the award-winning revenue management system (RMS) used…

🗺 Hotels Network app launched by Lighthouse offers direct booking in ChatGPT, reaching over 800 million users globally. Available since June 2025, this service lets hotels control their brand narrative, show direct rates, and offer accurate property details. 62% of travelers prefer direct booking, with AI shaping their planning. Connect AI powers the app, providing real-time, verified content and booking links. This new channel enhances traveler discovery and booking efficiency, marking a shift in hotel visibility.

📈 On U.S. financial markets, companies like Thomson Reuters saw stock drops after Anthropic's AI engine Claude launched new features. Within one trading session, $1.5 trillion in market value was lost in legal and financial services. AI's impact on hotel intermediation will be discussed at the Hospitality Operator Forum on June 25 in Paris. AI may rebalance hotel distribution, enhancing systems like CRM and business intelligence, with outcomes influenced by customer behavior and technology investments.

📊 IDeaS announced updates to Spotlight, a hospitality marketing optimization tool, available worldwide in late March. It uses forecasting analytics to guide hotel marketing teams by translating market demand and price-sensitivity signals. With the "Potential to Influence" score, updated daily, hotels can focus marketing efforts where demand is influenceable, optimizing spend and driving bookings. This helps hotels navigate tighter budgets, shifting traveler behavior, and demonstrate measurable marketing impact.

🏨 Shiji has expanded its "Move" framework in Berlin, Germany, to unify hotel operations, allowing hotel teams to manage various services like check-in, dining, and spa bookings from a single device. This mobile experience integrates Daylight PMS, Infrasys POS, and Meridian Experiences, promoting real-time guest service and operational efficiency. Shiji’s cloud-native system enhances data privacy and workflow speed, fostering a seamless, personalized guest journey. Early adoption shows hundreds of transactions completed in hours without fixed workstations.

🌎 Tourism Fiji partnered with Douyin Travel to introduce the Fiji AI Travel Planner on Douyin, China's social media app. This AI-driven pilot project suggests itineraries based on user interactions with Fiji-related short videos, aiming to convert digital engagement into travel plans. Tourism Fiji's CEO, Paresh Pant, highlighted the goal of enhancing traveler engagement and showcasing Fiji's diverse offerings.

💻 On June 3, 2026, the Skift Data + AI Summit in New York City brings together leaders like David Thompson (American Express), Shilpa Ranganathan (Expedia), and others to discuss AI in travel. Topics range from data orchestration to investment strategies. Prices rise April 1, with tickets at $715 for groups and $795 solo, increasing to $895 and $995 by May 15. Secure your spot for insight into scalable AI applications across the travel sector.