Innovation

🏖️ Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns, a five-star luxury hotel in Tropical North Queensland, Australia, upgraded its guest service by implementing Shiji's Infrasys POS, enhancing operational efficiency and guest experience. The hotel, with 255 rooms, now features faster ordering and real-time updates, improving service across dining venues. Shiji, a leading hospitality tech company, supports over 91,000 hotels globally, offering cloud-based solutions with over 5,000 employees worldwide.

🌐 ChatGPT hit 800 million weekly users in 17 months. Phocuswright research shows 15% of consumers use AI platforms like ChatGPT for travel shopping, doubling recently. Currently, 39% of travelers incorporate AI in planning. OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia partnered with ChatGPT early on, while most hotels lag. Lighthouse's Connect AI links hotels directly with AI platforms, enabling control over data and booking. On February 25, Lighthouse hosts a session on enhancing hotel discoverability in ChatGPT.

💻 Citi Group in Papua New Guinea partners with IDS Next for operational technology across four properties, including Citi Boutique Hotel and Citi Serviced Apartments, located on Lahara Avenue, Korobosea, Lagatoi Place, and Gaba Place. IDS Next, a leading ERP provider, enhances operations through its cloud-native platform, boosting guest engagement and service standards. With a presence in 50+ countries, IDS Next supports 300,000+ rooms and collaborates with brands like Wyndham and Taj Hotels. Saif Jugari and Jacob K.I commend the platform's efficiency and adaptability.

💻 LodgIQ will showcase its AI Wizard at ITB Berlin 2026 from March 3–5, Hall 10.1, Stand 205. The AI Wizard enhances revenue management by converting complex data into actionable strategies for revenue teams, addressing market volatility and labor challenges. CEO Vincent Ramelli emphasizes the tool's capability in cutting through data noise. LodgIQ, based in Silicon Valley, integrates AI into its revenue platform, allowing managers to evolve into commercial strategists. Bookings for demonstrations are encouraged.

🏨 Thies Sponholz, General Manager of The Fontenay in Hamburg, won the Hotelier of the Year 2026 award from ahgz. Since 2018, The Fontenay has received two Michelin stars for its restaurant Lakeside and opened Osteria due in 2025. The hotel boasts three Michelin Keys, one of only six in Germany. Sponholz prioritizes trust, freedom, and continuous training. The Fontenay is known for its innovative, ecologically conscious design and emphasis on guest value. Hamburg offers cultural and architectural appeal, celebrating the Elbphilharmonie's 10th anniversary.

Melbourne, February 10, 2026 – RMS, a leading global hospitality platform for hotels, motels, serviced apartments, short-term rentals and campgrounds, has announced a new integration with Sadie, the AI-powered voice assistant for…

📈 Travelers' choices are influenced by algorithms, with Tripadvisor's 2024 data showing over 31 million new reviews and 2.7 million fraudulent ones removed. Sponsored placements affect visibility. Influencers impact luxury markets, while AI answer engines become key to discovery. Booking Holdings reports AI enhancing conversions and reducing support needs. Psychological theories like the IKEA effect and self-determination highlight the value of perceived choice and co-creation, increasing guest satisfaction and reducing cancellations. Transparency in advertising is crucial.

📺 Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, shares insights on how human behavior influences hospitality. Hospitality Daily, with support from Mews, explores integrated hotel management systems. For AI and hotel tech insights, check out the discussion with Mews founder Richard Valtr. Stay updated by following Hospitality Daily on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Subscribe for daily summaries and insights. Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound.

💻 2026 Super Bowl ads: 23% featured AI, with companies paying up to $10 million for 30-second spots. Wall Street sees AI disrupting software, with MNDY shares down 21% and Nasdaq up 0.9%. SaaS faces challenges as AI shifts focus to strategic human roles. Vertical software, like hospitality tech, needs to adapt by focusing on outcomes. AI-first products launched by companies like Lighthouse, ROH, LodgIQ, and others aim to stay ahead. Concerns arise about funding for large AI initiatives.