Innovation

📡 Shiji, a global hospitality technology provider, has undergone a rebrand to unify its product suite and emphasize its 24/7 partnership with the industry. Over 25 years, Shiji transformed from an IT service company to a technology leader with solutions in property management, point-of-sale, reputation management, payments, and more. The rebrand includes new names for its core solutions like Daylight PMS, Infrasys POS, Reviewpro Reputation, Horizon Distribution, and others, designed for seamless integration and superior guest experiences. CEO Kevin King highlights the rebrand as a commitment to innovation and continuous support for hoteliers.

🏨 Mews, a hospitality technology platform, raised $75 million in a funding round led by Tiger Global, with participation from Kinnevik, Goldman Sachs Growth Equity, and Battery Ventures. The investment aims to fuel Mews' expansion in the U.S. and DACH regions, enhance AI-powered revenue management, and support strategic acquisitions. In 2024, Mews grew by over 50% year-on-year, processed $10 billion in payments, and generated $200 million in revenue, achieving 20% market penetration in DACH. The company doubled its revenue in North America, the number of brands using Mews, and the rooms managed on its platform, outperforming established U.S. PMS players. The firm has invested over $50 million in the U.S. market in recent years, with a long-term global growth strategy.

🏩 Mews, a hospitality technology platform, secured $75 million led by Tiger Global, with Kinnevik, Goldman Sachs Alternatives, and Battery Ventures contributing. In 2024, Mews grew over 50% year-on-year, handled over $10 billion in payments, and earned $200 million in revenue. It achieved 20% market penetration in the DACH region and doubled revenue and brand users in North America. The investment will advance AI in hospitality and U.S. expansion, with $50 million already invested there by Mews.

🏨 87% of travelers read online reviews before booking; 53% leave websites if loading exceeds three seconds. Increasing customer retention by 5% can boost profits up to 95%. 80% of consumers prefer personalized experiences. Solutions include omnichannel strategy, managing online reviews, loyalty programs, mobile-friendly websites, SEO, AI personalization, customer analytics, social media engagement, paid advertising, and crisis communication planning. Use tools like STAAH's ReviewMinder and Booking Engine to improve direct bookings and guest experiences.

💸 Mews, a hospitality technology platform, has secured a $75 million investment led by Tiger Global, with Kinnevik, Goldman Sachs Growth Equity, and Battery Ventures participating. The funding will drive Mews' expansion in the U.S. and DACH region, enhance its AI-powered platform, and support strategic acquisitions. In 2024, Mews saw a 50% year-on-year growth, processed $10 billion in transactions, generated over $200 million in revenue, and achieved 20% market penetration in DACH. North American revenue doubled, as did the number of brands using Mews, which includes customers like BWH Hotels and Lark Hotels. Over $50 million was previously invested by Mews to grow its U.S. presence.

🏨 Mews, a hospitality technology platform, raised $75 million led by Tiger Global, with Kinnevik, Goldman Sachs Alternatives, and Battery Ventures participating. In 2024, Mews grew over 50%, processed $10 billion in payments, and earned $200 million in revenue. Key achievements include 20% market penetration in DACH, 2x revenue growth in North America, and doubling both its client base and the rooms managed in the U.S. The funds will boost U.S. expansion, AI-driven innovation, and strategic acquisitions. Mews has invested over $50 million in the U.S. market recently.

🏡 Lindsay Gregory, Founder of The Luxury Villa Collection (founded in 2013), advocates for personalized human touch in luxury travel over AI, noting clients spend up to £10,000 a day on villas seeking unique, human-crafted experiences. Rebecca Nayler, the Guest Experience Manager with seven years in luxury travel and 13 years living in Spain, emphasizes firsthand knowledge over AI. Gregory warns against AI reliance potentially harming the authenticity that luxury travelers desire, emphasizing personal visits and checks on listed villas to maintain service standards. AI's shortcomings in providing personalized and culturally nuanced services are highlighted, suggesting a balanced approach to technology in luxury travel.

📱 Hotel Phone App, LLC, founded in March 2024, released HOTEL PHONE APP™ for Apple and Google Play stores. The app transforms cell phones into mobile guest room phones via QR codes. Doug Killion, the app developer, states it modernizes hotel phone systems and cuts costs by eliminating traditional push button phones and their monthly line expenses. PBX, the old hotel phone technology, dates back to the 1930s. The app is subscription-based, starting at $3 per guest room per month, significantly cheaper than the typical $10-20 monthly PBX/VOIP service charges, plus around $5 in fees. Hotels can trial the app for free and phase its deployment. Killion envisions a future of cellular and internet-based hotel communication integrated with cloud software, voice recognition, and AI.

📱 Hotel Phone App, LLC founded in March of 2024, launched HOTEL PHONE APP™ available on Apple and Google Play App Stores for hotel guests to transform their cell phones into mobile guest room phones. Doug Killion, the app's developer, aims to modernize hotel phone systems and cut costs, citing monthly savings from removing traditional room phones. Subscription to HOTEL PHONE APP™ starts at $3 per room per month, a reduction from the typical $10-20 per line plus nearly $5 in surcharges. The app utilizes QR codes for access to hotel services and complies with Emergency 911 laws, unlike outdated PBX/VOIP systems. Free trials are offered to hotels before committing to yearly licenses.

📱 Hotel Phone App, LLC, founded in March 2024, released HOTEL PHONE APP™ on Apple and Google Play App Stores. The app transforms guest cell phones into mobile room phones. Doug Killion, the developer, highlights cost savings for hotels by eliminating push button phones and their monthly costs. The app leverages existing cellular technology and integrates with hotel management software. Subscription starts at $3 per room per month, significantly less than traditional PBX/VOIP services costing $10-20 per line plus $5 in fees.