Innovation

🚌 Ansa partners with Scream Truck, an on-demand food truck service, to integrate its digital wallet for a seamless payment experience. As Scream Truck expands nationwide through franchising, the partnership supports growth by boosting customer engagement and reducing credit card fees. Serving over 40,000 houses monthly, Scream Truck offers premium ice cream and pizza, with customers using digital wallets to pre-order, pre-pay, and earn rewards. The integration with Shopify enhances convenience and customer value.

🏖 Since 2014, glamping has grown notably, with 34% of new campers identifying as glampers by 2024. In 2023, one-third of new campers tried glamping, and 80% of them intend to continue. Glamping offers significant revenue potential, demanding investment in infrastructure like PMS and booking systems. Unlike traditional camping, glamping units resemble hotel rooms, requiring a different operational model. Operators are advised to start small, addressing the technology and staffing needs to meet higher guest expectations.

💻 Global market research by CTM in March 2025 surveyed 700+ Millennials and Gen Z employees on AI in business travel. 41% expressed excitement while 31% showed concern. 65% expect improvements in booking speed, 61% in travel product choice, and 60% in cost efficiency. Millennials are more enthusiastic (66% excited) compared to Gen Z. Mobile app preference is expected to rise by 6% to 58%, with Asia prioritizing mobile apps (66%). 59% book their own travel.

📰 Klarna reintroduces human customer support, addressing AI's limitations with complex queries. The U.S. hotel industry shifts towards leisure due to declining business travel and global trade uncertainties. Airbnb revives skeuomorphism in design and continues to innovate like a startup, launching new experiences despite uncertain success. IBM reports 61% of CEOs implementing AI agents. Meanwhile, digital advertising faces challenges with monopolistic "Walled Gardens" like Meta and Google. Jaguar's marketing missteps by focusing solely on differentiation.

💻 HBX Group acquires Spanish tech firm Civitfun to enhance hotel operations by leveraging Civitfun's technology, which integrates with 60 PMS platforms and supports over 3,500 clients in 36 countries. The strategic move aims to improve guest experiences, optimize operations, and open new revenue streams. Effective immediately, HBX Group partners gain access to Civitfun's remote and onsite online check-in. This collaboration simplifies processes, reduces operational issues, and boosts efficiency in the hospitality sector.

🗺️ Global travel technology company Vibe has partnered with Hunter Travel Group (HTG) in Newcastle, New South Wales, to launch a new leisure travel platform, live at htg.com.au. Another platform for RACQ members, live at travel.racq.com.au, offers exclusive discounts. Both platforms enhance the booking experience using Vibe’s technology. HTG brands, including RACT, will undergo digital updates. This collaboration, praised by Martin Eade from Vibe and HTG CEO Brett Dann, elevates digital strategy for travelers in Australia.

📱 Clermont Hotel Group (CHG) partners with Obvlo, an AI digital concierge, to enhance guest experiences at Thistle branded hotels. Two London hotels, The Tower Hotel and The Marble Arch Hotel, are rebranded as ‘by Thistle’ for elevated location-led stays. Thistle's brand refresh includes a new website and property investments. Obvlo’s technology offers guests personalized, up-to-date London recommendations. Stuart Yeates, CCO of CHG, emphasizes personalized experiences, while James Parsons, CRO of Obvlo, highlights commitment to guest experience evolution.

📈 On May 15, 2025, Expedia Group unveiled new B2B APIs, advertising tools, and AI-powered features, following a year where B2B partnerships generated $4.1B, up 21% YoY. The expansion allows partners to access flights, cars, hotels, activities, and insurance, operating like OTAs and driving customer engagement with over 135 million room nights booked through partners in 2024. Expedia's integration with OpenAI and Microsoft Copilot enhances travel planning, while ACI optimizes dynamic video content. Partners can now use sponsored listings and loyalty features to promote bookings.

💻 The business travel market is expected to reach $2.1 trillion by 2031. Quality Wi-Fi and technologies such as Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, private 5G, and CBRS are crucial for hospitality providers to meet business travelers' needs. Integrated AI in network monitoring can autonomously control devices and predict occupancy patterns. Network-as-a-service (NaaS) offers scalable wireless connectivity without the need for extensive on-premises IT staff, with adjustments possible through software. Technology partnerships are essential for implementing these complex systems. The author, Steven Bronken, has 24 years of experience and specializes in guest networks and IT consulting.

💾 At MURTEC 2025, Jason Lechner of Pizza Ranch and Felicia White of Ascent Hospitality Management discussed how advanced training technologies in foodservice improve onboarding, skill-building, and employee retention. Key topics included the people-to-people aspect of the industry and the value of a well-trained team.