Innovation

💾 PAR Technology Corp. introduced its PAR POS Spring Release, enhancing core performance and adding features like guest convenience, in-store resilience, and platform extensibility. New functionalities include Pay via SMS, QR code payments with PAR® Pay, loyalty account in-store payments, and open order additions. The update offers Geofencing for ETA on Kitchen Chits, customizable item modifier pricing, expanded tax support (including Ontario's quantity-based taxes and marketplace facilitator taxes from DoorDash and Uber Eats), and an improved real-time Data Feed for faster item availability updates. These upgrades aim to improve transaction speeds, table turnover, kitchen efficiency, and profitability while ensuring accurate tax reporting and seamless system integration.

🛈 LEBANON, New Hampshire—FreshAir Sensor's survey of over 200 regular hotel-goers found 80% encountered discomfort from smoke or odors during stays, with 90% valuing air quality room options. 84% had non-smoking rooms with signs of smoking, 95% would prefer hotels offering smoke-free room guarantees, and 56% consider a room "safe" after 60 smoke-free days. Over 60% would pay a 3% premium for such rooms. FreshAir Sensor launched FreshAir Certified to capitalize on demand, providing monitoring solutions for irritant-free rooms, enhancing guest experience and revenue.

💾 AI-powered revenue management tools are revolutionizing the hospitality industry, enabling hotels to maximize profits and reduce operational workload. Key AI benefits in revenue management include optimized pricing strategies, faster and more accurate decision-making, increased efficiency, and personalized guest engagement. AI uses real-time data to adjust pricing 24/7, with systems like Cloudbeds and Duetto leading the example. Chatbots handle reservations and inquiries, boosting engagement and conversion rates. Upsell platforms suggest additional services at optimal times, increasing average spend per guest. AI also aids in forecasting demand trends, allowing hotels to plan for pricing, staffing, and inventory adjustments. Hotels utilizing AI report higher RevPAR, improved ADR, and increased profitability. Those not adopting AI risk falling behind in competition. RevOptimum offers expertise in implementing AI-driven revenue strategies for hotels.

📡 Cloudbeds launched Cloudbeds Labs, an AI-focused innovation hub, to transform hospitality operations. Its two AI solutions, Signals and Engage, aim to improve revenue and marketing optimization, and manage phone interactions, respectively. Signals forecasts demand with over 96% accuracy up to 180 days in advance and can outperform competitors by 15% or more. Engage, an AI voice concierge, operates in five languages and offers voice-driven bookings and upselling. Both products are designed to boost direct bookings, increase operational efficiency, and reduce labor costs.

🏨 Personalization in hospitality is now expected, with travelers desiring control over their experience and add-ons for convenience and comfort. Hotels are adopting a retailer mindset—offering dynamic upsell opportunities, transparent pricing, and personalized experiences—to drive direct bookings. A Quantum Metric survey reveals 32% of consumers remain loyal to brands for perks and discounts, while 89% would reconsider loyalty if perks were removed. Hotels are advised to leverage guest data, offer diverse upsell opportunities, and promote off-peak travel to meet the needs of cost-sensitive travelers and build brand loyalty.

🏖 Red Sea Global (RSG) has introduced Laheq Island as a new residential community at The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, focusing on resort-style living and property ownership. Laheq is set to open in 2028, following the welcoming of the first guests in 2023. The community will feature 400 hectares of land, a 115-berth marina, an 18-hole golf course, luxury resorts, and sustainable design by Foster + Partners. The Red Sea will run on 100% renewable energy and include 50 resorts, 8,000 hotel rooms, and over 1,000 residential properties by 2030. RSG is planting 50 million mangroves and regenerating corals.

📡 Cloudbeds launched Cloudbeds Labs, an innovation hub for AI-driven operations in hospitality, featuring Signals and Engage solutions. Signals forecasts demand with 96%+ accuracy up to 180 days out and can outperform competitors by 15% or more. Engage, an AI voice concierge, operates in five languages and can process voice-driven bookings and upsell services. Cloudbeds Labs promotes rapid AI tool development, co-development with hotel partners, and integration with the Cloudbeds PMS platform.

📖 Saladplate, part of Informa Markets, serves as the official content hub for the Hospitality, Food and Beverage industry. It offers weekly news updates, a monthly newsletter, and a bi-monthly e-magazine. The platform features a supplier directory with over 10,000 brands, companies, and products, as well as registration and updates for more than 35 international trade events.

🚿 In April 2025, a blog post on Hotelogix's website provided smart housekeeping tips for small hotels, focusing on efficient workflows and technology tools to maintain high standards of cleanliness and coordination, especially when staff is short. The article is aimed at helping these hotels achieve five-star cleanliness despite potential staffing challenges.

📖 Saladplate, the official content and engagement hub for Informa Markets' Hospitality, Food and Beverage portfolio, offers weekly news updates, a monthly newsletter, and a bi-monthly e-magazine. The platform provides insights into industry trends and connects users with over 10,000 brands and companies via a supplier directory. It also facilitates event registration and updates for over 35 international trade events.