Innovation

🗺️ Google has introduced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), potentially disrupting platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. By early 2026, AI sessions accounted for 18% of global queries, with users spending over 13 minutes per session. UCP enables real-time booking, with current availability limited to U.S. users in Google’s AI Mode and Gemini app. As luxury travelers still value human advisors, UCP serves as an efficiency tool while emphasizing the importance of data hygiene to avoid AI errors.

🏨 San Francisco: Sojern, acquired by RateGain, partners with Red Roof to implement an AI Concierge solution. This rollout, expanding from a 2024 partnership, automates guest interactions across 700+ properties. In Q4 2025, Red Roof saw a 6.64% boost in quality metrics and 3.14% rise in social scores. The platform enhances guest experiences, reduces front desk load, and integrates AI for efficient service, aligning with Red Roof's innovation goals.

📅 MCLEAN, Virginia—In 2026, Hilton's "Why We Gather" Report reveals key trends in meetings and events. Conducted with Ipsos, the survey of over 3,000 adults from the U.S., U.K., and India shows 84% value bringing their authentic selves to work events. Nearly half (49%) attend to meet new people, while 67% find AI assistance beneficial. Wellness and cultural experiences are crucial, with 67% needing downtime to stay engaged, and 38% preferring solo recharging.

🗺️ 78% of travelers using AI book trips based on its recommendations, with 90% aware of AI's travel capabilities. Among AI users, 63% rely on it for most trips, and 94% trust AI as much as traditional sources. AI saves users 1-3 hours per trip, enhancing confidence for 38% and aiding discovery for 35%. For hotels, 84% of travelers are more likely to book if AI recommends them, emphasizing the need for clear, structured property information.

🏖️ Phoenix, Arizona—In late 2026, construction will start on the Atari Hotels Phoenix by Atari Hotels and Intersection Development. The 90,000-square-foot property will feature a 20,000-square-foot concert center for 2,000 people, a 10,000-square-foot esports venue, and nightlife spaces. It will include 19 suites and 72 rooms, symbolizing Atari's founding year, 1972. The design, inspired by “Tron” and “Blade Runner,” will feature responsive surfaces and LED-lit elements.

🎵 Noelle Nashville, located in downtown Nashville, enhances guest experiences by equipping every room with Marshall Bluetooth speakers, distributed by Safemark Systems. This initiative aligns with the hotel's music-centric ethos, featuring a Ryman Vinyl Suite with a curated vinyl collection. Marshall speakers, known for their iconic design and superior sound, are easy to connect via Bluetooth. This partnership reflects a trend in the hospitality industry towards premium, immersive guestroom amenities.

💻 Cloudbeds partners with Ágora POS on January 20, 2026, in San Diego, CA, enhancing hotel operations with integrated systems in Spain. The partnership centralizes revenue, improves regulatory compliance, and ensures reliable operations. Cloudbeds, trusted across 150 countries, and Ágora, with 40 years of POS experience, aim to unify financial flows and enhance guest experiences for hotels, easing operational challenges. Hotel executives benefit from accurate reporting, faster financial processes, and consolidated billing.

📈 Pace Analytics, by LodgIQ, streamlines revenue management by integrating root-cause insights directly into the RMS, saving time on analysis. It enables users to filter data by room type, segment, or distribution channel and view up to a year of pickup data in one screen. This tool allows revenue managers to diagnose performance shifts swiftly, providing transparency and eliminating the need for multiple systems, thereby significantly reducing daily tasks and enhancing strategic focus.

💬 Simone Puorto was featured on Tasto9, an Italian podcast by Bee Family, hosted by Emilio Zorini. He shared his professional journey in hospitality, emphasizing intellectual mobility and the importance of unlearning. In 1999, Puorto developed a proto PMS while working night shifts at a Trappist hotel. He now leads Travel Singularity, advocating for transparency and client-focused consultancy. His career spans over 20 years, consulting for numerous international hotel groups and travel tech vendors.

💻 In 2026, hoteliers need an optimized website, acting as a virtual front desk, to enhance direct bookings and revenue. The Hotel Website Optimisation Checklist provides 8 steps focusing on performance, UX, SEO, and more. USERGUEST, a tech tool, integrates seamlessly with hotel systems, using Rev Marketing Automation to increase bookings and revenue. A 30-day free trial offers complete access to its features, ensuring a user-friendly booking experience and improved inventory management.