Innovation

AMSTERDAM, 8 October 2025 – Valk Exclusief, the Netherlands’ largest independent full-service hotel group, has entered the final stage of its digital transformation, powered by Apaleo, the open, API-first hospitality platform.  Since…

💵 HotelRunner and Visa are uniting to enhance cross-border payments for SMEs in travel and hospitality. This partnership leverages Visa's global payments and HotelRunner's tech reach, benefiting businesses from Morocco to Bali. Ali Beklen highlights the creation of financial rails for the next decade of tourism, while Tania Platt notes the innovation potential. The collaboration aims to support travel companies in Europe, APAC, the Middle East, and Africa, driving safer and smarter global travel commerce.

💻 Global hotel operators are expanding brands to meet growing guest demands, risking the "cookie cutter" brand label. Hotels are advised to standardize technology systems to improve operations. The tech stacks in hotels evolve over time, often resulting in inefficient setups. Establishing a unified "brand book" for technology aids in consistent standards. This foundation allows hotels to innovate on top, enhancing guest personalization and experience. Ultimately, consistency in systems simplifies operations and facilitates learning across hotel estates.

✈️ Global tech firm DerbySoft partners with AirAsia Group to implement its Global Data Network (GDN) for Flights. The decentralized, API-first network promotes direct connections among airlines, OTAs, and more, enhancing distribution control and access to traveler data. Amanda Woo, AirAsia’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasizes future growth in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. DerbySoft’s GDN architecture fosters a continuously expanding, intelligent ecosystem, benefiting all participants and ensuring efficiency and profitability.

🏆 The 26th shortlist for the 34 Travolution Awards categories has been released, including the Mastercard B2B Payments Award. Five finalists excelled in innovation and market success. The awards ceremony will occur on Tuesday, December 2, at City Central, HAC, London. Last year's event drew over 450 attendees. Other awards, like Rising Star of the Year, remain unrevealed. Sponsors include Gail Kenny Executive Recruitment, Icelolly.com, TravelSupermarket, HolidayPirates Group, Slalom, Trip.com, and WEX.

📈 In revenue management, AI excels in operational tasks, raising the debate of in-house vs. outsourced strategic management. In-house teams align AI with hotel vision but are costly, while outsourcing offers expertise but risks cultural disconnect. For marketing, in-house teams ensure authenticity, while outsourcing provides specialist skills. Hotel Business Intelligence systems are essential for data management, with a unified commercial team structure recommended to maximize AI's potential, emphasizing collaboration and data ownership.

Independent Hotel Show, LONDON, 6th October 2025 – RMS, the leading hospitality platform for hotels, motels, serviced apartments and holiday parks, has launched the first phase of its integration with TRYBE, the cloud-based…