Innovation

🚀 Fora closed a $60 million Series D round at a $1 billion valuation, led by Forerunner and Tactile Ventures, with existing investors like Thrive Capital participating. Founded in 2021, Fora's AI tool Via aids travel advisors in tasks such as itinerary building. The company has $3 billion in bookings and 15,000 advisors in over 180 countries. Total funding is $138.5 million. The firm plans to expand geographically and deepen its presence in cruise and flight sectors.

💸 Mews unveiled three new features: Recurring Payments, Multicurrency expansion to the US and Canada, and Accounts Receivable. Recurring Payments, piloted by 100+ properties, generated over 16,000 plans globally, reducing errors and admin. Multicurrency, already in Europe, helps hotels retain currency fees, offsetting 2%-10% of Mews subscription costs. Accounts Receivable streamlines invoice management, available in EUR markets, with more currencies in 2027. It automates financial processes and accelerates cash collection.

💻 July 10, 2026, Lodi, Italy: Zucchetti, a major player in management systems, has acquired a controlling interest in Grupo Hive to boost its global hospitality technology platform. Grupo Hive’s brands, including Infotera, HSystem, Bee2Pay, Niara, and Omnibees, enhance Zucchetti's offerings in hotel technology and distribution. This strategic move marks a significant expansion for Zucchetti into the hospitality sector's tech landscape.

📈 Jul 15, 2026, Koddi launched Occupancy Insights to optimize hotel campaigns on platforms like Google and Expedia. Koddi argues traditional bid automation favors already-popular properties, pushing budgets towards these winners. The feature lets hotels adjust bids based on occupancy and other metrics to avoid overspending on high-demand dates. Koddi provides no evidence for their claim, urging hoteliers to analyze their data for effective spending rather than relying solely on automated systems.

📅 AI is transforming content and outreach, saturating digital channels with noise. However, it can't replace physical presence. Cvent CEO Reggie Agarwal highlights the increasing value of in-person interactions as the highest-trust signal in modern marketing. This scarcity presents a strategic opportunity for event planning, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face engagement in future marketing strategies.

💰 Mews, a hospitality operating system used by 15,000 properties worldwide, launched Recurring Payments, Multicurrency expansion to the US and Canada, and Accounts Receivable. Recurring Payments automate collections, saving The Student Hotel four hours weekly with 98% on-time payments. Multicurrency generated €1.55 million for nearly 5,000 European hotels over 14 months. Accounts Receivable reduces invoice collection delays, currently available in EUR markets, with more currencies in 2027.

📅 Radical Innovation, produced by The Hardy Group, is in the final phase of its 20th anniversary competition. Submissions close on August 3, 2026, with a new Technology Category introduced. Winners will be announced on October 22, 2026, in New York City, receiving cash prizes and industry recognition. Founded in 2006, the nonprofit connects creators with developers and investors, fostering groundbreaking hospitality ideas. Learn more at radicalinnovation.io.

📰 London Design Festival 2026 unfolds in London from September 12-20. Highlights include the "Pangolin Shield," a bamboo pavilion by Studio Saar and Atelier One on the Strand, reflecting on colonial histories and cultural exchanges. The Barbican’s influence is revisited in a new collection by Miriam Howitt. In the V&A, "Awakenings" explores design and the natural world. The Design Museum spotlights NIGO’s fashion legacy. Japan's Craft x Tech Tokai Project showcases traditional craftsmanship meeting contemporary design.

📱 The Hospitality Social Media Summit will take place at Chicago Booth School of Business in London on September 3-4, 2026. This two-day event provides executive education for hospitality social leaders, followed by six months of digital development. Led by industry experts like Whitney Reynolds, Laura Ferrari, and Santiago García Solimei, the program focuses on strategic social media management, practical labs, and AI applications. Delegates leave with actionable frameworks, plans, and a certified completion certificate.

📱 The Elser Hotel & Residences in Downtown Miami partners with Innspire to launch The Elser App, enhancing guest experience with AI-powered tech. Guests benefit from mobile check-in, digital key access, and personalized services. The Elser upgrades security with Salto access control, AI surveillance, GPS-enabled radios, drones, and AEDs. Led by Pedro Galvez, these measures ensure luxury accommodation safety. Future expansions include “F&B Anywhere” for in-room dining.