Innovation

🗺️ May 21, 2025, Perplexity, a promising generative AI platform, unveils a travel-focused search experience launched in March 2025, offering curated destination content, trending destinations, and inspiration cards. The interface can suggest hotels with reviews and practical details. The move aligns with Perplexity's goal to evolve agentic AI travel assistants for real-time trip management. Monetization began in 2024 through Sponsored Questions, providing a unique ad model compared to competitors like ChatGPT.

🛠 May 21, 2025, Expedia Group launched an AI-powered chatbot in the Hotels.com app to boost brand performance. While the redesigned app and smart filters increased conversions by 35%, the chatbot struggles with accuracy and lacks key functionality like flight booking and accurate location recommendations. Listings have correct pricing, and users can save hotels to trips, but flights and activities need manual entry. The chatbot suggests restaurants and attractions but lacks booking integrations.

💻 May 21, 2025, Google launched "AI Mode" at its developer conference, now available in the U.S. with Gemini 2.5 AI model integration. This aims to replicate expert conversations in search, impacting web traffic by reducing site visits. 1.5 billion users access AI overviews, causing a 30% drop in click-through rates. Future features include live video search and smart glasses. Google introduces a $250/month "Ultra" AI plan with 30TB storage amid competition from AI rivals.

🏨 Otelier partners with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, joining its Alliance Partner Program to offer business intelligence solutions globally. Preferred Hotels & Resorts, featuring over 600 luxury properties in 80+ countries, enhances guest experiences via Otelier's IntelliSight, which centralizes data across revenue streams like F&B, spa, and retail. IntelliSight aids hotels in making informed decisions, replacing spreadsheets with visual insights for trend spotting and opportunity identification, improving operational and financial performance.

🛌 Otelier partners with Preferred Hotels & Resorts in a global Alliance Partner Program. With more than 600 luxury properties in over 80 countries, Preferred Hotels & Resorts enhances member services through Otelier's IntelliSight, a business intelligence solution. IntelliSight centralizes data from all revenue outlets, replacing spreadsheets with visual dashboards. This aids hotel teams in making informed decisions and improving guest experiences. Otelier CEO Rob Lawrence emphasizes empowering hotels to deliver exceptional service.

📅 Accor plans to launch a new digital meetings and events platform in late 2025, covering 5,600 hotels with 2.5 million square meters of event space and 800,000+ guestrooms. The platform will be fully available in early 2026. Partnering with Oracle, Backyou, iVvy, and Amadeus, this initiative aims to enhance booking experiences and integrate with Accor's loyalty program. Business travel spending is projected to rise to $1.4 trillion in 2026, reflecting increased value in face-to-face meetings.

📈 BETHESDA, Maryland—Otelier partnered with Preferred Hotels & Resorts to enhance business intelligence for global hotel members. Otelier’s IntelliSight solution centralizes data from multiple revenue sources like F&B, spa, and retail, replacing manual spreadsheets with visual dashboards. This tool empowers hotel operators to make informed and profitable decisions, thus focusing more on guest experiences. CEO Rob Lawrence praises this collaboration for advancing data integration and operational insights for luxury hotels and resorts worldwide.

🗺 Planning a trip to Machu Picchu? Modern tour packages include virtual previews, AR on-site enhancements, and immersive audio guides to enrich your journey. With real-time translation and interactive maps, you’ll explore the ruins with ease. Safety is prioritized through wearable tech, while eco-friendly practices reduce environmental impact. Virtual reality add-ons allow remote family participation, and pre-trip simulations prepare you for altitude and trails. Choose packages wisely to blend history and technology seamlessly.

💻 TripStax partners with One Global to provide Track and Mobile products to over 20 TMC partners worldwide. The OneTRACKER and OneMOBILE, integrated with TripStax Core, ensure seamless data accuracy and traveler tracking. OneTRACKER offers 24/7 traveler visibility with real-time alerts, while OneMOBILE serves as a travel companion app, featuring a 'Locate Me' safety function. This integration centralizes data, transforming One Global's technology offerings.

📱 Fewer than 31% of travel operators use mobile booking apps, according to a TravelTech Show survey. Held on June 25-26, 2025, in London, the survey noted barriers like complexity (37%) and security concerns (15%). Despite 98% of Millennials and Gen Z owning smartphones, 83% of operators avoid cryptocurrency payments. Security investment is rising, with 10% planning to invest in security tech within 12 months, up from 4% in 2024. Mobile app usage aims for $212BN by 2035.