Innovation

🏨 At Charlestowne Hotels, AI systems are employed to consolidate guest data—such as anniversary bookings or room preferences—into one dashboard, enhancing the personal touch in hospitality without replacing human staff. This AI use aims to accentuate human connection, backed by privacy-respecting techniques like federated learning and differential privacy in line with GDPR. Looking forward, tools for translating guest feedback and analyzing online sentiment will further support staff in providing empathetic, personalized service.

📊 OpenAI integrates real-time web search into ChatGPT, signalling a shift in search and marketing strategies. The focus moves from SEO to Context Experience Optimization (CXO), prioritizing content that meets user intent with nuance and conversation. Marketers face the challenge of building trust through transparent, ad-free, informative content. Digital advertising models may need to adapt as AI-driven search could alter user expectations. Personalization becomes key, with AI tools like OpenAI and Perplexity deepening user context understanding, emphasizing authentic, brand-aligned content over broad reach. This evolution demands value-driven, personalized marketing to excel in the new AI search landscape.

📡 Michael Levie, co-founder and former COO of citizenM, discussed building productive tech partnerships in hospitality on Jan. 22, 2025. Highlighted the support from Shiji Group, a global hospitality technology leader known for exceptional implementation support and solutions adopted by major brands. Episode included music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound.

🏖 Bergdorf Priesteregg and Mama Thresl, Alpine resorts in Salzburgerland, partnered with Shiji for advanced technology solutions; Shiji's PMS to enhance guest experiences and operational efficiency was announced on January 22, 2025, in Berlin, Germany. The resorts, with 18 chalets and 51 rooms respectively, sought Shiji for its flexibility and innovation. Shiji, founded in 1998, now serves over 91,000 hotels worldwide. Priesteregg expanded in summer 2024 with lakeside cabins, adding to its wellness offerings, including an infinity pool and yoga platforms.

🏖️ Agilysys, Inc., a leading hospitality software solutions provider, is chosen by Kiva Dunes resort to enhance operational efficiency with 13 integrated solutions. Kiva Dunes, acclaimed for its private beachfront, tennis, and award-winning golf course, faced challenges with legacy software, which prompted the shift to Agilysys' seamless, cloud-native systems. The aim is to improve guest experiences, simplify transactions, and boost productivity. Key offerings include a comprehensive PMS, POS, Golf, Membership and Residence Management software, automating tasks and streamlining operations across sales, marketing, and catering. The transition enables better data sharing, mobile transactions, efficient check-ins, and personalized guest interactions, promising a refined end-to-end experience.

📍 Agilysys, Inc., a hospitality software solutions provider, equipped Kiva Dunes with 13 integrated software solutions to enhance guest experiences, automate tasks, and streamline operations. Kiva Dunes previously used multiple vendors, resulting in data inconsistencies and staff frustrations. The resort, featuring over 3,000 feet of private beachfront and various amenities, now has improved software covering operations from PMS and POS to Membership and Residence Management. The new system fosters better staff-guest engagement, efficient transaction flows, and an online self-service portal for members.

🏡 Kiva Dunes, a U.S. golf and coastal resort, implemented 13 Agilysys software solutions to improve operations and guest experiences. The resort, featuring over 3,000 feet of private beachfront, tennis, a beach club, golf, and various accommodations, faced challenges with previous software not sharing data effectively, causing staff and guest frustrations. Agilysys solutions now enable seamless data sharing, enhanced payment security, mobile transactions, efficient check-in/out, automated service requests, and internal operation streamlining. Agilysys Membership and Residence Management software also provides online self-service for members and rental management for owners.

🏡 Kiva Dunes, a U.S. golf and coastal resort, has implemented 13 Agilysys software solutions to enhance operations and guest experience. The integrated system replaces multiple vendors, resolves issues with data sharing, transaction visibility, and process coordination. The resort features 3,000 feet of private beachfront, a tennis facility, a beach club, an award-winning golf course, and various accommodations. The Agilysys solutions cover PMS, POS, Golf, payment efficiency, mobile transactions, booking, dining and leisure activity reservations, service requests automation, and retail and gift card purchases. The ecosystem also includes Membership and Residence Management software to manage membership tiers and rental properties online, simplifying administrative tasks and improving service levels.

🏨 In 2025, the hospitality industry is set to revolutionize with a focus on technology, personalization, and sustainability. The previous year, 2024, already marked progress with digital transformation and eco-friendliness in hotels. Key trends for 2025 include tech-first experiences with virtual concierges and mobile check-ins, smart room technology catering to Gen Z, seamless online presence, hyper-personalization enhancing loyalty, sustainable practices, diversified revenue through unique experiences, growth in sleep tourism, and instant brand storytelling on social media. These trends will be crucial for hotels to stay competitive and satisfy evolving guest expectations.