Innovation

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Innovation and technology news for the hospitality industry: AI, digital tools and how hotels are transforming, from 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers.

SiteMinder launches 20th anniversary year with major sweep at 2026 HotelTechAwards

🏨 SiteMinder, headquartered in Sydney, Australia, celebrated its 20th anniversary by dominating the 2026 HotelTechAwards. The company secured the 'Hotelier’s Choice Award' for the fifth year and 'Best Hotel eCommerce Platform' for the fourth consecutive year, among other major category wins. With over 50,000 global customers, SiteMinder processes more than 130 million hotel reservations annually, generating revenue over US$55 billion. Founded in 2006, it continues to innovate in the hotel tech ecosystem with its integrated platform.
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The Modern Hotel General Manager AI Playbook and Toolkit

📖 Hotel General Managers need an AI Playbook now to enhance guest experience, profitability, and operational resilience with leaner teams and tighter margins. Pertlink's vendor-agnostic Modern Hotel General Manager AI Playbook & Toolkit is designed for low-risk adoption, enhancing human judgment rather than replacing it. Pertlink, established in October 2000 in Hong Kong, specializes in hospitality IT consultancy, leveraging its global network to maximize hotel guest experiences through technology. Download the playbook to gain a leadership advantage.
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  • 6 min

The 6 building blocks of the AI-driven direct distribution ecosystem

💻 January 2026, Mirai discusses AI's role in hotel distribution. AI's not just a standalone tool but part of a strategic ecosystem, enhancing direct sales through six components. These include websites, contact centers, mobile apps, AI agents, the MCP server, and canonical databases. Mirai emphasizes a coherent system, integrating AI with existing structures. The goal: a unified, intelligent ecosystem, ensuring hotels remain competitive and visible in AI-driven environments.
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Mews dominates HotelTechAwards, winning Best PMS for the third year running and Best POS

🏨 Mews, an operating system for hospitality, was named Best Property Management System at the 2026 HotelTechAwards in Amsterdam, marking its third consecutive win. The company also won Best POS Provider. Mews expanded its product portfolio, integrating Atomize and Flexkeeping, and scored a perfect 100 HT Score for three years straight. Mews serves over 12,500 customers in 85+ countries and has raised $410 million from notable investors.
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HBX Group and Professors from NYU Analyze How Gen Z Travels: Experiences as a Priority, Technology as a Partner, and a Budget Dedicated to Leisure

📰 HBX Group and NYU professors reveal Gen Z travel trends and preferences. In 2023, Gen Z prioritizes personalization when it's transparent and empowering. 65% travel for leisure, with 31% spending $1,000-$2,500 annually. Personalized recommendations are favored by 66%, especially for local activities (75%). Authenticity, empathy, and context are key to successful personalization. Most Gen Z travelers reject impersonal ads and value experiences that connect them with local culture.
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  • 2 min

How Can Independent Hotels Boost Direct Bookings Against OTAs?

📈 By 2025, independent hotels could struggle, with only 10%-15% of guests being repeat customers, compared to 60% for major chains. Acquiring new guests is 15-20 times more costly than retaining past ones. Implementing CRM technology and Guest Appreciation Programs can increase repeat business by automating engagement, satisfaction surveys, and loyalty marketing. Maintaining guest relationships post-stay encourages repeat visits, leveraging known value propositions for guest retention.
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Japanese Brand MIMARU to Offer Sumitomo Corporation’s “Any Wear, Anywhere” Clothing-Sharing Service for Inbound Family Travelers

💼 MIMARU, a leading apartment-style hotel brand in Japan, will offer Sumitomo's "Any Wear, Anywhere" clothing-sharing service for guests starting January 19, 2026. Advance reservations open on January 7, 2026, with the trial running through March 2026. The service allows families to reserve seasonal clothing online, easing luggage burdens and promoting sustainable travel. MIMARU's spacious rooms cater to international families, with 90% of guests staying multiple nights. Early feedback highlights practicality and convenience.
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  • 7 min

If Your Staff Needs Training or a Manual, Your Tech is Obsolete

📱 Gen Z employees face challenges with legacy hotel tech, which demands extensive training and memorization for basic tasks, causing inefficiencies and turnover. Legacy systems require three weeks of training compared to three hours for modern cloud-based software. High turnover rates and the "Training Tax" cost hotels significantly. Modern systems emphasize ease of use, fostering immediate productivity and collaboration. Investing in user-friendly tech enhances recruitment, retention, and efficiency, aligning with the digital expectations of the new workforce.
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Should hoteliers become AI experts?

💻 In Australia, only a third of businesses have a clear AI strategy, while less than half have formal data strategies, despite two-thirds claiming to be data-driven. The focus for hoteliers should be on predictive analytics rather than leading AI innovation. By leveraging global technology platforms, hoteliers can tap into anonymized data to drive new revenue streams, enhancing customer experiences without the need for sole expertise in AI. SiteMinder supports with over 125 million reservations generating US$50 billion annually.
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  • 2 min

Flix further expands airport transfers with…

🚉 Flix, a German-founded transport provider, acquired a majority share in Flibco, an airport transfer platform, for an undisclosed sum. This expands Flix's reach, already present in the UK, US, South America, Turkey, and India. The deal was advised by Ennea Capital Partners, allowing SLG to retain a minority stake. Flibco will maintain its current management, led by CEO Tobias Stüber. The transaction will be covered in an Amazon Prime documentary called SELFMADE.
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