Innovation

🍴 American Express and Toast are partnering to enhance dining experiences across the U.S. In 2024, American Express acquired Rooam and Tock, adding 7,000 restaurants to its network, complementing the 20,000 on Resy. American Express Card Members spent over $87 billion on dining in the U.S. in 2024. New tools will be implemented in 2026 to provide personalized hospitality, increasing guest loyalty and restaurant visibility on platforms like Resy and Tock.

💻 SoundHound AI Inc. and Acrelec partner to revolutionize drive-thrus globally, integrating voice AI in 25,000+ installations. SoundHound's tech, deployed in over 10,000 restaurants, processes billions of queries annually. This system enhances order efficiency, freeing staff for other tasks. The collaboration supports leading brands like McDonald's and Dunkin', amid rising demand for AI to meet customer needs and labor challenges. Visit SoundHound's website for more on their advanced solutions.

🤖 In 2025, 70% of guests appreciate chatbots for simple queries, and 58% find AI enhances bookings and hotel experiences. AI Agents handle 100% of inquiries via SMS, WhatsApp, chat, email, streamlining tasks like bookings and FAQs. TrustYou's AI ensures 24/7 multilingual support and personalized guest experiences, boosting efficiency and revenue. AI complements staff by automating routine tasks, enabling teams to focus on complex, personal service. This synergy enhances guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

📈 2025, USA: Small hotels and motels seeking alternatives to Little Hotelier can find booking systems with enhanced mobile support and scalability. Vanshikha Dhar, writing for the Hotelogix Blog, discusses these options in an article published on August 5, 2025.

📈 Mews, the cloud-based PMS, surpassed 125,000 users across 12,500 properties worldwide. Recent growth includes $75 million in funding and strategic partnerships, notably with Choice Hotels International. The platform's ease of use aids employee retention in an industry facing labor shortages. Mews offers features like reservation management, dynamic pricing, and an intuitive interface. Users benefit from integrated payment systems and POS management, enhancing hotel operations and guest experiences.

📈 The hospitality industry contributes over $550 billion annually yet receives less than 0.004% of data for AI training. Compared to legal (76%), finance (14%), and healthcare (10%) data contributions, AI struggles to understand hospitality-specific needs. With predictive models offering limited insights, causal AI provides more accurate demand forecasts, up to 95%, boosting RevPAR by 18% and direct bookings by 27%. This AI shift saves operators over 15 hours weekly, enhancing revenue planning and guest engagement.

💻 In 2025, hospitality brands are using smart systems and AI to achieve up to 33% energy reductions, 40% water savings, and a 21% cut in greenhouse gas emissions. Artyzen Habitat Hengqin Zhuhai in China implemented sensor-driven heat pumps, while Four Seasons Madrid reduced food waste by 30% with AI, saving €88,000 annually. 80% of hotels offer mobile check-in and digital keys, with 66% of travelers influenced by sustainability in their hotel choices.

💻 SoundHound AI Inc. and Acrelec have partnered to introduce voice-enabled drive-thru systems globally. With over 25,000 installations and support for 80,000 tech deployments, Acrelec collaborates with brands like McDonald's. SoundHound’s AI, already in 10,000+ restaurants, enhances efficiency by automating order processing. This solution aims to modernize drive-thrus, improve customer experience, and address labor shortages. SoundHound handles billions of queries annually, offering seamless, future-ready restaurant solutions.

💻 Hostaway, a rental property management software firm, launched AI Auto Reply, a generative-AI tool for personalized responses. It utilizes reservation data, listing details, and guest histories for accurate replies. Following a $365 million funding in December 2024, AI use surged 170% year-on-year. The AI Auto Reply feature filled its wait-list within days and is available for general access in late October 2025. This tool helps hosts enhance guest experiences with instant answers.

🚧 Smart Parking Group launches Smart Parking AG in Switzerland. The goal is to expand its European market presence, leveraging existing subsidiaries in the UK, Denmark, and Germany. The company offers parking solutions using sensor tech, ANPR, mobile apps, and cloud systems. Rainer Artelt, managing director, aims to enhance parking efficiency. CEO Paul Gillespie emphasizes sustainable growth and addressing Switzerland’s specific needs to maximize potential.