Innovation

Built on the Model Context Protocol (MCP), Apaleo’s new MCP server makes agentic AI more practical in hospitality by giving AI agents a standardised way to interact with hospitality systems.…

🚢 A-ROSA River Cruises, in partnership with German tech company Alyza, implemented AI in customer service. By mid-September 2025, AI analyzed 22,000 calls, reducing avoidable service calls by 45% and boosting booking completions by 89%. Calls averaged five minutes each. AI offers real-time metrics, improves booking efficiency, and enhances conversion rates. A-ROSA aims to reduce unnecessary customer contacts, allowing staff more time for personalized consultations, improving customer relations with practical coaching and tailored call center training.

🛌 Sep 22, 2025: Hotels are upgrading tech, but 70% report guests prefer human interaction for check-ins. 56% feel tech pressure; practical upgrades like smart fans, customizable lighting, and fast Wi-Fi are favored over robots. Bathrooms lead with digital water controls and smart mirrors. Half of hotels offer tech walkthroughs due to guest confusion. Future innovations include AI concierges and voice-activated controls. Read more at [Hotel Management](https://www.hotelmanagement.net/tech/survey-smart-technology-leaves-guests-struggling).

🏨 K Avenue by Pinstay in Malaysia achieved a 10–15% boost in Average Daily Rate (ADR) within one month by using STAAH’s dynamic pricing tools. The platform streamlined operations with real-time syncing and a central dashboard, eliminating manual errors and overbooking risks. This integration improved online visibility and efficiency, enabling the team to focus more on enhancing guest experiences rather than administrative tasks. This has positioned them to confidently lead their market segment.

🛫 Companies are adapting to blurred lines between business and leisure travel, balancing policy compliance and traveler autonomy. Suppliers focus on small businesses, meetings, and hybrid travel. Travel managers should rethink policies and tech investments. The Phocuswright report offers forecasts and insights crucial for 2025–2028 strategies. Phocuswright Open Access provides unlimited access to research, supporting strategic decisions with comprehensive data and analysis.

🚗 Kiwitaxi partners with HeyTrip to expand ground transportation services across 100+ countries. HeyTrip users gain access to 12 car classes, 90 minutes of free airport waiting, and meet-and-greet services. This collaboration aims to enhance travel experiences globally, especially in APAC and EMEA regions. Marie Borisova (Kiwitaxi CEO) highlights growth in APAC, while BM Huang (HeyTrip CEO) emphasizes improved travel experiences. The partnership supports client-centric mobility solutions and global travel market expansion.

🌐 UK holidaymakers are increasingly using AI in travel, with a 61% rise in AI platform usage compared to last year. eDreams ODIGEO's study of 9,000 global consumers, including 2,000 from the UK, shows a 183% boost in AI adoption among 18-34-year-olds. Even 48% of those over 55 used AI for travel for the first time in the last year. Consumers demand smarter personalization, with 44% frustrated by traditional booking methods lacking this feature. AI platforms, like eDreams, handle 100 million daily searches, generating 6 billion predictions daily.