Innovation

💸 Duetto, a leading hospitality industry revenue management software provider, released its 2025 hospitality trends report. The report, sourced from a global survey of hoteliers, indicates that increased costs, AI, personalization, evolving revenue metrics, and data are the primary challenges for this year. 54.5% of respondents plan to purchase a revenue management system in 2025; 61.1% will increase their technology budgets. Hoteliers are shifting focus from RevPAR to TRevPOR and GOP for better profitability insights. AI is seen as crucial for predictive forecasting and dynamic pricing, while personalization is expected to enhance guest satisfaction. Data integration into revenue strategies is vital, and the report includes insights from sectors like meetings, events, and casinos for a comprehensive industry outlook.

📈 Knowland by Cendyn reported that St. Louis, MO/IL led top 25 markets with 125.8% YOY growth, while Nashville, TN followed with 28% growth. In secondary markets, Louisville, KY stood out with 135.6% YOY growth. St. Louis hosted events from various sectors, averaging 2,112 sq ft and 97 in group size. Louisville's spike was partly due to the Women’s Final Four College Volleyball, averaging 4,700 sq ft and 154 in group size. Secondary markets slightly exceeded the top 25 with 3,052 sq ft and 122 in group size.

💵 In Miami, Florida, Reeco secured $15 million in Series A funding to enhance its procurement platform for hospitality operations, adding to a previous $10 million seed round for a total of $25 million. Led by Aleph VC, with Net Capital Ventures and Joule Ventures participating, the investment will fuel growth initiatives, technology development, and customer acquisition. Reeco's AI-driven platform saves time and cost by integrating procurement, inventory, recipe management, and accounts payable, allowing users to manage operations more efficiently.

🏨 AI in revenue management is rated 4.5/5 in importance by global hoteliers, with 47.2% naming it the top industry challenge. AI aids in predictive forecasting (86.1%), dynamic pricing (69.4%), and competitive intelligence (58.3%). Generative AI, a new frontier, could personalize pricing and booking channels. AI democratizes advanced strategies for small hotels and complements human expertise as an advisor. The 2025 hospitality trends report includes actionable AI integration steps and insights from industry leaders.

💻 AI is reshaping revenue management and guest experience in the hospitality industry, with personalized pricing and new booking channels emerging. By the second half of 2025, consumer-facing applications for personalized pricing are expected. AI levels the playing field, allowing small properties to adopt advanced revenue management strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as return on ad spend (RoAS) and labor expense are being redefined with AI, focusing on cost efficiency and marketing return. A dual strategy, balancing short-term competitiveness and long-term innovation, is crucial. Rising tech spend due to labor costs will push the adoption of AI automation, emphasizing user-friendly technology. Success hinges on agility, AI prioritization, and partnering with tech providers.

🏨 G6 Hospitality, part of OYO's portfolio, announced a partnership with HotelKey to maintain its Property Management System across Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands in the US and Canada. The event in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, included dignitaries like Shri Nitin Gadkari and Ritesh Agarwal. G6 plans to expand by over 150 hotels in 2025, growing its North American network of over 1,500 properties. HotelKey, noted for its high adoption rates, will facilitate operational optimization and guest experience enhancement across G6 properties.

📌 Jon Pickles elected as new chairman of Travel Technology Initiative, succeeding Tim Wright on January 1. Pickles, with extensive experience in travel technology, aims to expand TTI's initiatives like TTIcodes, TTIplaces, TTIrooms, increase revenue and membership. Actively involved for over 2 years, he'll promote innovative technology at the Spring Conference on March 19 at Holiday Inn London - Regents Park.

🏨 PKFARE, a global travel product aggregator, has partnered with hotel booking API provider ZentrumHub. The collaboration grants travel sellers access to over 650,000 hotel properties via ZentrumHub’s API. The deal aims to expand distribution reach, enhance pricing intelligence, and facilitate AI-driven searches with minimal integration effort. ZentrumHub’s CEO, Abhinav Sinha, and PKFARE’s SVP, Jason Sui, express optimism about the growth potential and technological innovation the partnership promises.

✈️ Accelya, an airline retailing software firm, reported a record day for corporate New Distribution Capability (NDC) bookings on January 7. The company saw a 146% year-over-year increase in corporate NDC volumes for 2024 compared to 2023. Tye Radcliffe, Chief Customer Success Officer, indicates 2025 as pivotal for NDC adoption in corporate travel, highlighting the industry's shift towards modern retailing technologies and customer-centric approaches. Accelya's FLX ONE platform supports this transformation.

💰 emerchantpay, a global payment service provider founded in 2002, partners with Oasis Travel, a near 40-year-old independent travel agency in Northern Ireland. Oasis Travel will use emerchantpay's advanced solutions like Pay by Link, MOTO payments, and smartPOS PAX A920 terminals to enhance customer payment experiences across their high street branches and multiple channels, aiming for efficient, secure transactions and operational streamlining.