Innovation

💰 MEWS secured $300 million in Series D funding, led by EQT Growth, Atomico, and HarbourVest Partners. This boosts its valuation to $2.5 billion, with a 55% increase in gross profit over the past year. The company plans to enhance AI capabilities and expand Mews Payments and fintech infrastructure. Now serving over 15,000 customers, MEWS achieved $19.7 billion in platform transactions in 2025, positioning itself as a leader in modern hospitality tech across North America and Europe.

💸 Snaptrip Group, the parent of LateRooms and Dog Friendly Cottages, reported record financial results for 2025, with significant growth and profits. In December 2024, they acquired Staycato and My Design Events for seven-figure sums, enhancing their presence in premium travel segments. The acquisitions strengthen Snaptrip's leadership in pet-friendly and coastal travel, while My Boutique Hotel expands their global luxury market, particularly in the US. The company is well-positioned for further growth with an AI-first strategy.

💻 Event and venue management software leader iVvy launched the Instant Proposal powered by hivr.ai on the Gold Coast, Australia, in 2026. Edgbaston Stadium in the UK is the first to deploy this AI-enabled system that automates and expedites meeting and group sales responses, reducing enquiry times to minutes. The introduction of lead qualification and scoring aims to boost conversion rates, with same-day proposals converting at 26%, compared to 15% for next-day responses. Additional features are planned.

📱 Apple is overhauling Siri to a Gemini-powered, AI chatbot in 2026, offering conversational interactions across devices. Initial upgrades with iOS 26.4 precede a full launch at WWDC 2026. The move depends on third-party developer access for broader travel use cases. Privacy measures limit data retention, differentiating Apple’s approach. Integration questions persist, with current frameworks unable to support comprehensive booking flows, raising uncertainty for travel brands relying on app handoffs.

💰 SAN FRANCISCO, 21 January 2025 – Hospitable launched an automated trip insurance upsell for short-term rental managers. In the US, hosts can earn commissions from guest-purchased travel protection, potentially earning up to $190 per purchase, averaging $19.80 per policy. This feature integrates into Hospitable’s guest portal, allowing coverage addition up to 24 hours before check-in. This transformation highlights a tech-driven shift toward effortless revenue streams in the short-term rental industry.

📷 Episode 001 of HXD212 explores how a 150-year-old luxury hotel, Sacher Hotels, integrates AI and technology while maintaining its heritage. Paul Sorantin, Commercial Director, discusses this balance between tradition and innovation. The episode is available on YouTube and Spotify. Key themes include hospitality, heritage, and innovation.

🏨 Technical debt is now a strategic risk for the hospitality industry, hindering AI and innovation. Legacy systems and Shadow IT increase vulnerabilities. Organizations like Microsoft prioritize security and resilience, while companies like Accor and JPMorgan Chase demonstrate the competitive advantage of modern platforms. SINA Hospitality emphasizes infrastructure reliability to maintain guest trust. Leaders are urged to modernize and integrate systems, as technical debt has tangible revenue implications. Shiji Group supports over 91,000 hotels globally with innovative tech solutions.

💪 SenSpa at Careys Manor Hotel, located in the New Forest, has completed a £100k gym upgrade, launching the area's first smart gym. By 2026, the gym will feature Technogym equipment, including the AI-driven Technogym Checkup Tool to assess and personalize wellness programs. This upgrade responds to increased demand for data-supported, technology-led fitness experiences. Jermaine Lee, spa operations manager, highlights the focus on luxury wellness backed by world-class technology.

📖 Travelers are increasingly using conversational AI for trip planning but switch to traditional Google search and trusted websites for booking. Jay Chauhan, Google's industry head for travel, highlighted this trend at the Skift Megatrends event in London on Tuesday. Google advises travel brands to focus less on generic keywords and more on how AI interprets content, like images and reviews, to match user intent.