Innovation

🌎 Jul 2, 2025 – Google’s AI-driven travel predictions are revolutionizing travel planning. Travelers receive personalized recommendations based on behavior, demographics, preferences, and previous activity, powered by machine learning and generative AI. Hotels must adapt to this shift, optimizing visibility across Google platforms like Search, Maps, Lens, and Gemini. AI considers pricing and structured data when ranking hotels. Traditional marketing strategies are less effective, and serendipitous discovery of new places is diminishing.

🗺 Jul 2, 2025, Phocuswright Europe: Shilpa Ranganathan, Expedia's Chief Product Officer, outlines a human-centered AI strategy. Expedia incorporates generative AI for search and agentic AI, like Romie 2.0, for real-time solutions. Emphasizing social commerce, tools such as Trip Matching transform social media into bookable trips. With multi-channel distribution, including TikTok and B2B APIs, future goals involve seamless AI travel agents and robust partnerships with OpenAI and Microsoft, creating an AI-powered travel ecosystem.

🤖 Jul 2, 2025 - Japan’s Henn-na Hotel and other global hotels are increasingly using humanoid robots, causing mixed reactions. While some guests enjoy the futuristic service, others are uneasy due to the “uncanny valley” effect. The hospitality robot market, valued at $648 million in 2024, is expected to reach $2.2 billion by 2030. Major hotel chains are investing in room service and concierge robots, but the real transformation is in AI-powered backend systems optimizing operations.

📈 Jul 2, 2025: Cvent's 2025 Global Travel Managers Report reveals that 91% of travel managers now oversee both business travel and meetings, a significant increase since 2017. This move boosts efficiency, with 83% reporting cost savings. In Europe, 53% highlight operational efficiency, while 71% anticipate rising travel costs, leading to cuts in incentive and internal trips. Sustainability, tech tools, and strategic leadership are reshaping travel choices, with 32% in Europe prioritizing sustainability through 2026.

💳 Visa predicts cross-border payments will hit $250 trillion by 2027. In 2023, ISO 20022 standardized payments, enhancing transparency and security. Visa's survey of 6,500 consumers revealed 67% make monthly e-commerce purchases, 52% travel more than once a year, and 45% send/receive remittances monthly. 71% want payment guidance, with security as a major concern. Swift's GPI and distributed ledger technologies boost cross-border payment efficiency. CBDCs are gaining traction, monitored in 130 countries, covering 98% of global GDP.

📱 Marriott International, managing over 30 brands and 228 million loyalty members, discusses its strategy with Andy Kauffman, the chief commercial officer for the U.S. and Canada. In "The Speed of Culture" episode, they explore the impact of AI, personalization, and cultural relevance. They aim to enhance customer experiences by integrating marketing, sales, and loyalty. Key insights include evolving marketing roles, purpose-driven personalization, marketing as a service, AI internal efficiencies, and loyalty programs fostering customer connection.

💼 Duetto launched GameTime in May 2025 in San Francisco, California, a revenue management system tailored for select and limited-service hotels. GameTime features real-time automated pricing, flexible automation, and performance forecasting up to 365 days. It facilitates portfolio management and offers a mobile-friendly interface for easy rate adjustments. Louvre Hotels Group's Selim Hadj highlighted its significant impact on operational efficiency and profitability, making it essential for hotels aiming for simplicity and effectiveness.

🚢 Virgin Voyages selected Nuvei to manage in-app purchases on its cruise liners. The partnership enhances Nuvei’s collaboration with Virgin brands like Virgin Holidays and Virgin Atlantic. The Virgin Voyages app allows guests to book tours or top up Bar Tabs seamlessly. Phil Fayer, Nuvei CEO, and Michael Litwin, Virgin Voyages VP, highlighted the partnership's role in delivering secure, fast transactions, expanding Nuvei’s presence in the travel sector.

📅 Casago acquires Vacasa, expanding its portfolio to over 40,000 vacation rentals across North America, the Caribbean, Belize, and Costa Rica. Guesty becomes Casago's certified property management system to enhance franchise operations. Guesty’s HQ solution simplifies management, boosting occupancy and revenue. David Angotti, Guesty's Chief Evangelist, joins Casago as a senior advisor. Steve Schwab, CEO of Casago, emphasizes the importance of Guesty for franchise operations. Amiad Soto, Guesty's CEO, highlights the custom-tailored PMS product for franchisees.

📱 RoomRaccoon and GuestButler launch an AI-powered WhatsApp tool for hotels. Available 24/7, it automates 80% of guest queries, enhancing service without extra staff. This integration aligns with RoomRaccoon's AI strategy, which includes RaccoonRev Plus, a revenue management tool. According to Tymen van Dyl, RoomRaccoon's CEO, this new tech amplifies human hospitality. The service is now available globally for RoomRaccoon users, improving guest experience while streamlining operations.