Innovation

💾 Yum! Brands introduces Byte by Yum!, an AI-driven SaaS platform, to enhance customer experiences across KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger & Grill. Joe Park, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, leads Byte by Yum! In the U.S., 300 million digital transactions are processed annually with Byte by Yum!, while globally, 25,000 restaurants use at least one of its products. Benefits include digital transaction growth, improved order accuracy, and increased guest satisfaction. Byte by Yum! replaces legacy systems like Poseidon and Yum! Commerce Platform for streamlined tech use.

📌 RMS appoints Adam Seskis as CEO to spearhead global growth and innovation. Seskis has 25+ years in SaaS, software, and technology, with expertise in strategy, growth, and business transformation from roles at Epiq and Wolters Kluwer. Recently, he consulted on M&A and commercial strategy for private equity firms. RMS, founded in Melbourne, serves over 7,000 properties in 70 countries and plans to leverage its 40-year guest data history for customer insights.

💻 Adam Mogelonsky and Christus Gill, panelists at a hospitality event, highlighted trends in AI for the industry, focusing on enhancing human connections, integrating data for new revenue, and AI chatbots for 24/7 guest service. By 2025, hotels anticipate seamless data integration using advanced APIs. Cybersecurity evolves as AI does, underscoring the need for staff training. AI also aids in preserving Caribbean culture, making local knowledge more accessible. Hospitality leaders are advised to stay abreast of AI innovations for future success.

📌 RMS appoints Adam Seskis as CEO, leveraging his 25+ years of experience in SaaS and technology. With a background including Epiq and Wolters Kluwer, Seskis aims to accelerate global expansion and drive innovation focusing on customer experience and product offerings. RMS, with 40 years of guest data, operates in 70 countries across 7,000 properties, ready to enhance its hospitality technology under Seskis' leadership, who holds a law degree from the University of New England.

Helsinki, 6th February 2025 – Bob W, the tech-powered hospitality provider, has exchanged contracts with Aroundtown, one of Europe’s leading listed real estate groups, to launch a 52-unit serviced apartment offer in…

👟👟 Nike experienced a significant stock price drop of $25 billion, or 32%, on June 28, 2024. The slump was due to an over-focus on Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) and performance marketing, neglecting the brand's emotional connection with consumers. Brand marketing is suggested to complement performance marketing to achieve long-term success. Amazon allows hotels to advertise on platforms like Prime Video and Twitch, highlighting the importance of brand-building in the hotel industry. Hotelbeds' parent company launches The Luxurist, featuring over 3,300 properties across 141 countries, to enhance the B2B premium travel sector.

💸 The Franco Grasso Revenue Team (FGRT) has collaborated with over 2500 properties in 30+ countries and advocates that revenue management increases hotel profits and revenue. Common mistakes include ignoring the sales-service link, underestimating hotel business complexity, resistance to change, focusing on discounts, equating price with quality, believing fixed costs dictate sales price, and overvaluing property uniqueness. Effective revenue management involves dynamic pricing, data-driven strategies, and adapting to market demands to maximize profitability and competitiveness.

🚫 Amid increasing robocall scams, 68% of consumers ignore calls from unknown numbers and 87% want businesses to protect them more. Spoofing scams cost MGM Resorts over $30 million last year. A survey showed 94% of contact centers worry about the impact of fraud on outbound calls. To combat fraud, the hospitality industry is focusing on Branded Calling and Call Authentication, with 92% of executives acknowledging their role in customer protection. Additionally, 63% of consumers would respond to branded calls from hospitality brands.