Innovation

🚌 Eric Murphy launched Scream Truck in September 2020 with 20 hot pink trucks in New Jersey, serving 110,000 households across 75 towns. The innovative ice cream service uses proprietary software for on-demand delivery and doesn't accept walk-up orders. Customers sign up online, receive notifications, and pre-order. Scream Truck offers premium ice cream and seasonal items, like hot chocolate. Expansion plans include Las Vegas, Long Island, and other U.S. regions. Franchising has commenced to assist growth.

💻 At HITEC 2025, Richard Valtr, founder of Mews, discussed the transformative potential of generative AI in hospitality. Valtr envisions AI enabling personalized guest experiences, such as custom minibars and tailored local activities. This shift could redefine hotel operations, impacting labor by supporting generalist roles with AI assistance. He advocates for adaptable tech systems, combining central integration with bespoke solutions. Valtr emphasizes the balance of AI's capabilities with human intuition to enhance genuine hospitality experiences.

📈 Shiji released its 2025/2026 Hospitality Distribution Technology Chart on June 11, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain. The chart highlights trends like the rise of marketplace platforms, social media as a booking engine, and AI integration. New sections include Marketplace, Social Media with Booking, and Upselling. Platforms such as Douyin and WeChat feature in the "Social Media with booking" category. Shiji, founded in 1998, employs over 5,000 people in 31+ countries, serving 91,000+ hotels.

💻 Shiji and Roibos partner in Barcelona on April 15, 2025, enhancing hotel distribution with global connectivity. This collaboration leverages Roibos’ distribution network and Shiji's technology, optimizing hotel operations for over 91,000 hotels worldwide. Shiji, with 5,000 employees, leads the hospitality tech market. The integration aims to improve competitiveness with advanced digital solutions, maximizing revenue and efficiency. This partnership marks a significant step in redefining hotel technology.

📱 In the hotel F&B sector, outdated systems like clunky POS terminals and handwritten orders impede efficiency and guest satisfaction. Chris Lawson of IPORT suggests a phased technology upgrade to empower staff with smart, connected tools. Key strategies include integrating F&B tech with core systems, leveraging data for personalization, and emphasizing staff augmentation over replacement. This approach enhances guest experience, reduces operational friction, and aligns with modern expectations for personalized service.

🌐 More than 50% of U.S. travelers have experimented with generative AI, with 33% using it for travel-related activities. This shift, driven by Phocuswright's findings, highlights AI's role in transforming trip planning and booking. Beyond traditional search engines, AI is increasingly integral to travel discovery. As companies like Google enhance AI integration, the interaction with AI-generated results is set to rise significantly, altering how trips are visualized and executed.

💻 B2B travel technology marketplace, HBX Group, has obtained ISO 27001:2022 certification from AENOR for advanced information security management. This international endorsement highlights HBX Group's commitment to data protection and secure management of information systems through risk management, audits, and monitoring. Andres Llamas, Head of Information Security, emphasizes this certification as a reinforcement of trust for clients and collaborators. AENOR, Spain's leading certifier, underscores the certification's significance for companies handling extensive third-party data.

🛫 In 2024, the travel industry became the most attacked sector, experiencing 27% of global bot attacks, up from 21% in 2023. These attacks are facilitated by AI and automation tools, with simple bot attacks rising to 52% of traffic on travel sites. Bots now account for 59% of travel web traffic, leading to increased operational costs and reputational damage. The solution? A multi-layered, AI-driven defense strategy to counteract these threats effectively.

🛳️ Vertical Systems collaborates with Carnival Cruises to automate cruise bookings and itinerary management for P&O, Cunard, and Princess. In partnership with Dreamlake, phase two of their integration enhances back-office efficiency using Tarsc software. This week, new functionality reaches Vertical Travel Group, Holiday Elite, and Your Holiday Booking. Lewis Johnston notes the reduced manual input and improved after-sales process. Previous integrations include easyJet, Jet2, and Olympic Holidays. CTO David Becker emphasizes creating an effortless booking ecosystem.

🛫 Traxo expands its Marketplace with six new partners, enhancing corporate travel data integration. Over 400 companies use Traxo's solutions, improving safety, ESG tracking, and cost management. New partners include AlertMedia for emergency communication, Alō Index for ESG data, Elements for travel ROI, Fare Audit for fare accuracy, Restrata for risk management, and Travlr ID for data control. These integrations allow real-time access to Traxo clients’ bookings, ensuring smarter and more secure travel experiences.