Innovation

🗺 Mar 12, 2026, a new Expedia B2B study reveals a growing gap in business travel expectations vs. capabilities. While 95% of leaders are optimistic about the sector's future, less than half feel confident in providing seamless experiences. Travelers demand consumer-like ease—fast booking, mobile management, and personalization. AI, automation, and integrated platforms are key, yet only 44% see a strong positive impact. Hotels see opportunities in dynamic pricing and flexible lodging options. Execution is crucial for success.

💻 Google shipped an early preview of WebMCP last week. By the end of 2026, this browser standard is expected to be widely available, backed by Google and Microsoft. This new tool streamlines hotel booking processes by eliminating the need for AI agents to guess through website interactions, condensing 20-30 steps into a single interaction. However, implementing WebMCP requires access to the front-end code of booking engines, often controlled by third-party vendors. Hotels must ensure their vendors support WebMCP to stay competitive.

💻 €200,000 was invested in a custom tech platform, but maintenance costs and complexity highlighted over-engineering. Influence Society pivoted to brand-focused design, using Webflow for stability, saving boutique hotels €5,000 to €15,000 annually compared to WordPress. Webflow ensures 99.99% uptime, reaching 95% globally in under 50ms. 80% of hotel traffic is mobile. AI tools optimize analytics, previously costing €20,000 annually. Influence Society streamlined management for a growing group, managing 7 hotel and 4 restaurant websites under one system.

📥 Who? Hosts and hoteliers. When? Before guest arrival. Where? Properties with guest accommodations. What? Analyze last 10 pre-arrival messages for repeated questions about parking, directions, or amenities. How? Identify patterns, update listings to clarify expectations. One mountain lodge added a "Before You Drive Up" section, reducing guest messages about directions. Highlight issues like gravel roads or lack of cell service. Fixing these closes expectation gaps, speeding up check-ins and reducing guest confusion and negative reviews.

💻 Shiji, a technology company, collaborates with high-end hotels globally to innovate hospitality technology. This aims to enhance service by making processes guest-centric. Their initiative, "Move," was introduced at ITB. Rather than adding flashy features, "Move" shifts the focus to supporting guest experiences seamlessly. Hotels of all sizes can gradually integrate these methods, moving towards a more natural and fluid service model. More insights are available on LinkedIn.

🛒 ChatGPT's ecommerce brain now processes real-time product feeds from retailers like Walmart, Etsy, Target, and Home Depot. It aims to replace Google Shopping scraping with a comprehensive ecommerce database featuring current product, brand, review, and inventory data. Amazon ceased its Google Shopping feed, and it's unlikely to support ChatGPT soon. ChatGPT has paused integrated checkout but enhances shopping discovery by structuring retailer data, fostering more precise results. Some feeds may reference Bright Data, a web scraping firm.

🏨 In 2026, key hotel KPIs include guest satisfaction, revenue management, and operational efficiency. Emerging metrics, like sustainability indicators and digital engagement, are gaining importance. Leveraging advanced systems like Mews can optimise performance with real-time data and AI-driven insights. Mews supports over 15,000 customers in 85 countries. Cloud-based solutions streamline operations and foster collaboration, while IoT devices enhance personalisation. Establishing effective KPI monitoring systems is crucial for adapting strategies and maintaining competitiveness.

💻 As 2026 begins, restaurant tech leaders are advised to set realistic AI expectations, noting glitches at McDonald's and Taco Bell. In January, Presto raised $10 million for drive-thru AI, while NCR Voyix and Papa John's partnered with Google for AI tools. New loyalty approaches include Paytronix's SMS verification and Olo's acquisition of Spendgo. Sauce integrated with Apple Business Connect. DoorDash piloted the AI-powered Zesty app and launched SmartScale to boost trust, highlighting evolving delivery dynamics.

Dex AI delivers story-driven intelligence, daily performance insights, and prescriptive recommendations for property managers Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., 11 March 2026 – Short-term rental analytics company Key Data has launched Dex AI, the industry’s first AI-powered…