Innovation

📖 19 May 2025, Paris: Influence Society releases the second edition of *Societies Quarterly*, a 31-page trend guide for Q2 2025. The publication explores AI, design, and cultural shifts in hospitality, featuring Tomu's modular architecture and Air France’s La Première luxury evolution. Sébastien Félix emphasizes differentiation through taste and emotional connection. The issue highlights community as a new luxury, with brands like Celine and Four Seasons leading the way. Access the full guide on Influence Society’s website.

💻 Airbnb has launched Airbnb Services, offering on-demand amenities like chefs and trainers, in 260 cities worldwide. The revamped Experiences platform now spans 650 cities, with five new categories such as History & Culture and Food & Drink. Airbnb Originals, featuring celebrity-hosted events, debuts with Sabrina Carpenter and Patrick Mahomes. The Explore tab in the app is updated for seamless trip planning. The company plans to expand services and cities in the future.

📅 Aug 5, 2022, Prabhash Bhatnagar discusses the evolving needs in the hotel industry. In recent years, businesses have recognized the necessity of comprehensive digitization for all processes. Traditional legacy solutions are becoming obsolete, prompting the shift to all-in-one systems for growth. This change is crucial for independent hotels aiming to thrive in a competitive market. Hoteliers need to adopt modern technology to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences effectively.

💳 Manhatta in NYC has introduced "Checkless Payments," a digital payment system eliminating the traditional check process. This innovation, developed in partnership with Clover, debuted at the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show. Spearheaded by Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) and Fiserv, this technology is live after spring tests. USHG plans to expand it across its locations and nationwide. Danny Meyer highlights this as a solution to enhance hospitality by removing delays in settling bills.

💳 Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) introduced "Checkless Payments" at Manhatta, a restaurant on the 60th floor in Lower Manhattan, in collaboration with Clover by Fiserv. Launched at the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show, this digital payment system allows guests to skip traditional billing. Initiated by Danny Meyer and former Fiserv CEO Frank Bisignano, the concept aims to enhance the dining experience. Future expansions are planned for USHG locations and Clover Hospitality customers.

🏠 Travel technology is transforming the industry, offering simplified experiences. Generative AI can streamline planning and booking, as shown in a report with Globetrender. Biometric systems reduce airport stress, a focus of Amadeus' integration with Vision-Box. In Dubai, collaboration with the Department of Economy and Tourism aims to enhance travel tech innovation. Amadeus' Outpayce supports seamless payment for nearly 100 airlines. These advancements aim to create a simple, efficient travel ecosystem globally.

🏠 Lackford Lakes Barns, located near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, saw a significant booking increase within a year of integrating STAAH SwiftBook. The boutique, four-star/gold-award property offers modern amenities and is surrounded by Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Nature Reserve. STAAH was recommended by their website designer and offers features like secure online transactions, dynamic pricing, and a user-friendly interface. The integration helped improve efficiency and online visibility via OTAs, enhancing overall guest experience and direct booking conversions.

💸 Hotels have been in a co-dependent relationship with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) for 25 years, often paying commissions as high as 30%. This dynamic began post-9/11 when OTAs offered visibility and bookings. Over time, OTAs imposed rate parity, inventory control, and loyalty schemes, leading to industry dependence. As technology advances and direct booking tools emerge, hotels are encouraged to regain control, reducing OTA reliance, and improving guest relationships. Roomangel offers solutions to support this shift.

📱 Global Payments Inc. announced the release of Genius, a new POS platform, on May 17, 2025, in Chicago at the National Restaurant Association show. Genius caters to restaurants and retail, offering features like real-time reporting, marketing tools, and inventory tracking. Initially available in the U.S. and Canada, with future launches in Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic. Genius aims to simplify operations and enhance customer experiences in various business sectors, including education and consumer services.