Innovation

🏆 2026 FIFA World Cup: Hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this is the first time three countries jointly host. More than 200 BWH Hotels are within 40 km of stadiums. The "Go for the Goal" AI tool, leveraging Tripadvisor data, helps travelers plan itineraries, offering hotel suggestions, routes, and personalized recommendations in English and Spanish. It addresses challenges like travel between matches across vast distances. BWH Hotels has 18 brands and around 4,300 hotels worldwide.

📈 Meta's $2B Manus acquisition faces competition as Anthropic's AI-built Claude Code launches in 10 days, boasting 95% cost savings and 92% quicker timelines. Ethan Mollick's Penn experiment exemplifies AI's efficiency, compressing months-long startup tasks into four days. OpenAI introduces a 4% Shopify fee starting January 26, increasing costs to over $7 per $100 order. Meanwhile, OpenAI anticipates $14B cash burn by 2026, with Anthropic targeting $20B-$26B ARR by the same year.

💻 Oracle’s OPERA Cloud platform approved by IHG Hotels & Resorts as a property management system for America and EMEAA regions. This approval allows franchisees to choose tech solutions aligning with their needs. OPERA Cloud standardizes operations for enhanced guest interactions. Alex Alt of Oracle highlighted data-driven decision-making benefits, while Jolie Fleming of IHG emphasized its advanced capabilities for performance. Oracle has over 45 years of experience in hospitality tech.

🍻 Thompson Hotels partners with BERO, an alcohol-free beer by Tom Holland, for a year-long collaboration starting in 2026. This includes product integration, events, and content across U.S. locations like Austin. Aimed at wellness-focused guests, the partnership offers non-alcoholic options from check-in to community events. Initiatives kick off with a Dry January activation. Amar Lalvani of Hyatt highlights the collaboration’s alignment with cultural and lifestyle experiences.

💰 IDeaS launched Rate Data Advantage (RDA) in Minneapolis to boost hotel revenue and profitability. By utilizing nearly 400 times more consumer rate shopping data, RDA offers a comprehensive market analysis, helping hoteliers strategically price offerings. Key features include AI-powered automation and detailed rate trend analysis. Sanjay Nagalia highlights its potential to enhance market understanding and drive room performance.

💳 Melbourne, 29 January 2026: RMS's RMS Pay surpassed €1 billion in transactions one year post-launch, signaling a payment shift in the hospitality industry. The integrated system streamlines payments, boasting a 99.95% dispute-free rate and saving over 10 hours weekly in reconciliation, as reported by Woodgate Beach Houses. Roomzzz Aparthotels observes similar efficiencies. RMS Pay offers card-present and eCommerce payments, enhancing digital payment experiences. RMS, trusted by over 7,000 businesses in 70 countries, continues to innovate in hospitality operations.

💻 Accor has launched its ALL loyalty program within ChatGPT, partnering with OpenAI to offer conversational interactions for destination searches and offers. This integration aims to capture traveler intentions early and enhance ALL's visibility. Alix Boulnois emphasizes serving guests where they are. Accor sees generative AI as a tool to achieve business goals and manage customer relationships effectively. The initiative enriches Accor's digital ecosystem, complementing existing channels without replacing them.

⚽ Best Western Hotels & Resorts and Tripadvisor have launched the "Go for the Goal" platform, catering to soccer fans traveling for the FIFA World Cup 2026. This AI-driven trip planner assists users across North America, covering over 200 BWH Hotels within 25 miles of stadiums. It offers hotel options, route suggestions, and local recommendations. Available in English and Spanish, this platform aims to enhance the sports tourism experience by providing tailored travel solutions.

📱 European hotels face severe staffing shortages and rising operational costs amid increasing guest expectations for digital and contactless services. Kiosk.eu offers a solution with their Made-in-Europe self-service kiosks, integrating with PMS and POS systems to streamline check-ins in under 10 seconds. Features include a 15.6” touch panel, RFID key creation, multilingual interfaces, and 24/7 availability. This hybrid approach reduces queues, lowers staffing pressure, and enhances guest satisfaction across major European markets.

🏨 January 29, San Diego: Cloudbeds launched the Cloudbeds Collection featuring 100 independent hospitality properties across 30+ countries. The collection spans five continents, showcasing diverse accommodations with unique design and community impact. Categories include Designed with Intention, Connection, Escape, Indulgence, Breaking the Mold, and Different Design. Viajero Hostels won the People’s Choice Award. Cloudbeds, founded in 2012, connects operations and guest experiences globally, servicing 150 countries. Visit [Cloudbeds Collection](https://www.cloudbeds.com/cloudbeds-collection) for details.