Innovation

4887 posts

Innovation and technology news for the hospitality industry: AI, digital tools and how hotels are transforming, from 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers.

#shiji #horizondistribution #hospitalitytech #hoteltechnology | Shiji Group

📈 AI is transforming the travel industry, offering hotels a chance to regain visibility from OTAs. Using AI-ready formats, Shiji Horizon Distribution and Iceportal Content help hotels convert interest into direct bookings and revenue. Key trends from the Adyen Hospitality & Travel Report 2025 highlight the rapid acceleration of AI in travel planning. Hotel brands can now connect directly with travelers, with major contributions from Booking.com and Expedia Group, enhancing AI visibility and brand engagement.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 10 min

Field Notes: Why Your Hotel Might Be Hard for AI to Find

📈 Google AI transforms hotel search by enabling bookings directly through chat, emphasizing specificity. Independent hotels with 10–20 rooms face higher costs from increased reliance on online travel agencies. To stay competitive, ensure consistent facts across platforms by 2026. A four-step survival plan over 12 months includes aligning listings, productizing extras, auditing vendors, and piloting AI tools. Mismatched data could lead to higher commissions by shifting bookings from direct to OTAs.
View Post
Share
Two women smiling at a counter as one hands a card to a staff member in a shop or reception area.
View Post
  • 5 min

145 – Booking’s vision and the OTA repricing

🏠 Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky predicts that within three years, apps won't have search boxes; travelers will describe an intent and AI will plan the journey. This shift toward AI-driven travel planning underscores the importance for hoteliers to structure data for seamless AI interaction. Additionally, there’s speculation that smart money is shifting from software to hospitality as AI changes the digital landscape. In tech, integration remains crucial to survive the fragmented hotel industry.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 3 min

LodgIQ Announces Strategic Partnership with Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa to Enhance Guest Revenue and Operational Insight

📈 In February 2026, LodgIQ partners with Convento do Espinheiro, a luxury hotel in Évora, Portugal, to enhance revenue intelligence. The hotel, based in a restored 15th-century convent, features 92 rooms and is renowned for its cultural and luxury offerings. LodgIQ's AI platform will optimize pricing and demand forecasting through unified data from various systems. This collaboration highlights the shift towards data-driven strategies in hospitality, aiming to maximize profitability in Southern Europe's evolving travel landscape.
View Post
Share
View Post
  • 7 min

The Death of the Spreadsheet: A Conversation with a Visionary CEO

🏨 In a transformative plan, the CEO of a hotel group with 25 properties aims to break data silos and implement a Hotel Business Intelligence system. This two-phase strategy enhances data flow and decision-making, eliminating manual data entry and optimizing Total Revenue Optimization (TRevPAR). The goal is to shift from "guessing" to "knowing," scaling operations without increasing overhead. By leveraging this system, the group seeks to future-proof their portfolio, enhancing speed, order, and scalability.
View Post
Share

Peakwork bag big clients for its new tour operator platform

💻 Peakwork's nexTOs platform was fully implemented by Capital Holidays and Etihad Holidays in Germany and the UK. The project, completed in just three months, integrated inventory management and booking processes, enhancing transparency and efficiency. Capital Holidays focuses on premium packages to Egypt and Türkiye, while Etihad Holidays targets UAE travel for European customers. The rollout involved teams in Munich, London, and Abu Dhabi, with plans for further expansion, including in the UAE.
View Post
Share

HBX Group launches conscious OTA with Queer Destinations

📅 Queer Destinations and HBX Group have launched a new Conscious Online Travel Platform, aiming to improve how LGBTQ+ travelers engage with businesses and destinations globally. With a potential $3.7 trillion annual spending power, the LGBTQ+ community ranks as the fifth largest economy. The platform fosters inclusivity, offering certified networks that reinvest into local queer communities via collaborations with LGBTQ+ NGOs. Debuting at ITB Berlin, it targets expansion in Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and Greece.
View Post
Share

Travel Companies Reshape Hiring Strategies as AI Becomes Integral to Operations and Customer Experience

🚀 Feb 26, 2026: Travel companies are transforming hiring strategies due to AI's role in distribution, operations, and customer experience. Major players are recruiting AI specialists and upskilling staff, making AI literacy a necessary skill. While AI enhances productivity, human skills like critical thinking remain vital. Early adopters report efficiency gains, and there's an increase in competitive pressure. Firms are adapting recruitment processes using AI tools but keep human oversight for final decisions.
View Post
Share