Innovation

📍 Club MCA, launched by McAlister’s in May 2023, achieved a significant increase in satisfaction scores, employee experience, and franchisee adoption during its beta test in select locations. Mid-year chainwide rollout led to a noticeable surge in numbers, highlighting the program's effectiveness and scalability. The initiative, aimed at enhancing McAlister's as a community hub, also improved value perception, a crucial KPI, especially in an inflationary economy. Future plans include expanding Club MCA to cater to off-premises customers and refining loyalty tiers using customer data.

```html 📈 ``` STAAH released product updates in November 2024, enhancing user experience in anticipation of 2025. New "Quick Access" login simplifies the Max V2 Channel Manager process, while search features improve channel mapping efficiency. A bulk creation tool for linked room types streamlines rate management. The Max Booking Engine introduces a password-free OTP login for travel agents and simplified booking management for guests. SwiftBook now sets maximum days for advance purchase, offering flexibility for deal creation. Traveloka, Jumboline, Emerging Travel, My Travel Bazaar, and TBO are integrated or upgraded, expanding channel options for properties.

🛫 In 2024, Amadeus' U.S. traveler survey "Friction Removed" revealed that 68% of travelers are distressed by delays/cancellations, 50% by travel costs, 47% by planning for multiple people, and 46% by airport security. Business travelers experience more frustration than leisure travelers, with 44% troubled by price comparison and 45% by accommodation options. Gen Z travelers, at 49%, find route scheduling stressful, versus 35% of those 65+. Technology is seen as a solution, with 89% valuing planning apps and 86% favoring automatic rebooking and digital tracking. Leisure travelers desire human interaction, especially for family and accessibility trips (47%), and during airport and hotel processes (44-43%). Amadeus emphasizes technology and collaboration to reduce travel friction.

🏝 In 2023, international tourist arrivals hit 1.3 billion, with Asia's middle class fueling the surge. Travel and tourism revenue in Asia is expected to reach US$326 billion by 2024, growing annually at 5.36% until 2028. Payment diversity is crucial, as Asia features a fragmented landscape with China's QR codes, Japan's Konbini, and Singapore's PayNow. India's mobile wallet usage is high, with a predicted double-digit CAGR from 2023 to 2027. In Asia Pacific, e-wallets account for 70% of e-commerce transactions. Southeast Asia has over 70% of its population underbanked. Innovations like BNPL and cross-border QR payments are emerging. Agoda integrated PayPay in May 2024, noting a significant uptake from Japanese travelers.

🏕️ WeRoad expands its WeRoadX marketplace to the UK, France, and Germany, designed by seasoned travellers for small groups of 8-15 people. Over 800 new itineraries were created in Spain and Italy, including unique experiences like Día de Los Muertos celebrations in Yucatán and Harry Potter-themed tours in the UK. Coordinators can earn up to €60,000 annually. In Italy, 30% of WeRoad travellers chose WeRoadX, contributing to one-third of WeRoad's business in Italy and Spain. Twenty new WeRoadX trips are now available in the new markets.

📊 PredictX launched an Internal Carbon Pricing tool for corporates to set carbon prices and encourage sustainable travel. The feature, added to PredictX's AI-driven Sustainability Module, provides insights into carbon emissions' financial impact and is integrated with data from over 200 sources. This tool aims to help organizations meet carbon reduction targets by monetizing emissions and stimulating behavior change.

💰 Apaleo, an API-first property management platform, secured €20 million led by PSG Equity with participation from Redalpine, FOMCAP IV, and Rockaway Ventures. The funding will expedite Apaleo's global expansion, talent acquisition, and platform innovation. Currently, Apaleo operates in over 30 countries, managing 85,000+ units serving 1,700+ properties including customers like citizenM, easyHotel, and Numa. The investment underscores a shift in the hospitality industry towards flexible, adaptable technology solutions.

🏨 Renaissance Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy, launches R FINDS, a global digital marketplace, on the 10th anniversary of Global Day of Discovery. With 175+ curated products representing over 170 properties globally, R FINDS benefits local artisans and businesses commission-free. Global Day of Discovery events held on November 19 across all properties, with the marketplace highlighting local creators from diverse locations such as Mexico, India, Spain, and the US. The initiative is supported by Renaissance Navigators and partnerships like Wallpaper magazine and contributions from chefs like Sophia Roe.