Innovation

📈 Accenture's 2025 Consumer Pulse survey of 18,214 consumers from 14 countries reveals that 80% of travelers are using generative AI tools. The survey, conducted online between January 6-17, 2025, shows 93% of active gen AI users want tailored experiences, and 78% would use AI shopping assistants. Key desires include proactive solution suggestions (42%) and feeling personally remembered (79%). Gen AI is preferred for travel discovery, highlighting the shift towards AI-driven consumer engagement.

📱 SOCi’s 2025 Consumer Behavior Index reveals changing consumer search habits. Conducted in February 2025 with 1,001 U.S. adults, it shows 19% use AI tools for business discovery, yet 95% distrust AI for purchase decisions. Gen Z turns to TikTok (34%) and Instagram (35%) to verify AI suggestions. Notably, 91% rely on peer content for evaluations, with 40% favoring video reviews. This shift urges brands to prioritize authenticity and active engagement on social media for revenue growth.

📰 GuestRevu and Guesty have integrated, enabling seamless automation of guest satisfaction surveys for hospitality professionals. This partnership allows GuestRevu to import reservation data from Guesty, sending tailored surveys throughout the guest journey. The integration enhances feedback management, sentiment analysis, and operational insights, saving time and improving service. GuestRevu offers a 25% discount to Guesty users signing up via the Marketplace. Guesty supports over 150 industry partners with 700+ team members globally.

💻 Staffing costs in hospitality are rising, pushing operators to seek scalable tech solutions. However, it's not about advanced technology but the human experience it offers. Poorly designed tech, like clunky robots, can create new issues instead of solving current ones. The future of cafés and restaurants lies in design thinking that prioritizes guest and staff perspectives, focusing on how experiences feel, not just what happens. Design transforms tech into memorable experiences that delight and surprise.

📱 May 2025 Product Update: SwiftBook introduces 'Pay Later' and Flexible Fees options for booking engines, enhancing user experience. Abandoned Cart Re-Targeting now features a 30-day cookie window, allowing users to resume bookings seamlessly. InstantSite boosts visibility with a horizontal calendar widget. New integrations include OpenGDS, Cendyn, HeyTrip, and Rezolv Hospitality. These updates aim to streamline operations, improve user experience, and enhance connectivity for hotels and travel businesses.

📱 In 2025, AI adoption remains a challenge for the hotel industry, which still relies heavily on manual processes. The AI Agent Progression Framework identifies five levels, from human-only operations (Level 0) to fully autonomous systems (Level 5). Current applications include Level 1 rule-based automation, Level 2 intelligent automation, and Level 3 agentic workflows. Higher levels rely on data quality, offering personalized services and operational efficiency. Achieving Level 5 remains aspirational, with ongoing research needed for full autonomy.

💻 Industry insiders in hospitality, like Boom's founders, often create tech to solve internal problems before realizing broader industry potential. Key indicators for commercial viability include addressing industry-wide issues and showing measurable results such as time saved, mistakes reduced, and increased revenue. Transitioning to SaaS requires readiness for customer support, branding, and compliance. Success demands patience and proof of concept, as many start-ups face high failure rates without solid product-market fit and long-term dedication.

💻 Eran Hollander, CPO at HungerRush, discusses how tech-driven labor tools improve restaurant operations. Rising labor costs push restaurants to leverage integrated POS data for smarter staffing, examining factors like menu complexity and weather. AI-powered payroll demands interoperability, data privacy, and scalability. Cross-training gains momentum, aided by tech that supports multi-role capabilities. AI enhances scheduling and supports employee well-being. Avoiding tech missteps requires fitting tools that align with workflows. AI optimizes labor models by understanding employee preferences and improving guest interactions.

🍴 In 2025 at the National Restaurant Association Show, Kevin Corr and Partha Das from Cognizant discussed trends like unified commerce, requiring flexible, API-driven, cloud-based systems to integrate operations. Labor shortages push restaurants to use AI and automation for tasks such as scheduling and food prep. Quick-service drive-thrus process 70% of orders, now digitizing with voice AI. Digital menu boards adapt to real-time changes, introducing dynamic pricing similar to airlines and ride-sharing services.