Innovation

🏖 Ennismore announces the opening of Rixos Phu Quoc in Vietnam, set for mid-2026, in partnership with Sun Hospitality Group. The resort, located on Hon Thom's beaches, will feature over 1,300 rooms, including 207 ocean-view suites. Amenities include a family beach area, water sports, 22 dining venues, and proximity to Sun World Hon Thom theme park. Rixos Phu Quoc will be part of Ennismore's ALL Inclusive Collection of over 35 resorts.

📈 Sophie Hulgard, Chief Sales Officer at Accor, discussed the economic impact of face-to-face meetings in a podcast episode dated Dec. 6, 2024. Hulgard highlighted the value of in-person interactions over digital ones and presented Accor's research on meeting economics. She also touched on the role of technology in enhancing meetings, the need for flexible and agile meeting spaces, and the return on investment for businesses from face-to-face meetings. Additionally, Accor's commitment to sustainability in meetings was emphasized. Relevant resources, including Accor's research, can be found at "Unlocking Growth Through Face-to-Face Meetings.

🏨 In 2025, the guide 'How to Choose the Best Hotel PMS' provides essential tips for hotels to select the perfect Property Management System (PMS). It focuses on evaluating features, pricing, and support to boost property efficiency. The Hotelogix Marketing team authored the guide, with assets like manifest.webmanifest, app.min.js, and app.min.css version baee2de358, and fonts from Google APIs. The article features on Hotelogix Blog, known for hospitality tips and trends, and was last updated on December 9, 2024.

📱 Nokia and Ooredoo Oman are joining forces to launch a Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) network in Oman. Powered by Nokia's 1830 Photonic Service Switch and WaveSuite optical automation software, the network will boost hyperscalers, AI applications, and cloud platforms. The commercial launch is set for March 2025, in line with Oman Vision 2040, enhancing the nation's global competitiveness and digital infrastructure. The CEOs of both companies emphasize the strategic importance of the partnership for regional connectivity and economic growth.

✈ Recent research reveals that 86% of flight shoppers are willing to pay more for seats that align with their preferences. Decades ago, flight prices mainly differed by cabin class and price, but today's advanced technology permits content-rich shopping experiences, enhancing both customer satisfaction and airline benefits. 83% of consumers have paid for seat selection, indicating that factors beyond price are significant when choosing flights. Airlines now focus on offering a comprehensive, optimized product, combining pricing with detailed content to meet customer needs and foster loyalty.

🚿 HITEK Services has introduced Housekeeping Plus, a smart mobile app aimed at enhancing housekeeping operations in the hospitality industry. The app, designed for hotels, resorts, and property management companies, streamlines workflow and automates tasks. It features digital checklists, real-time room condition updates, automated room assignments, inventory reports, and QR code integration for efficient task management. It also interfaces with Property Management Systems (PMS) for real-time occupancy and guest movement information, allowing the front office to instantly update room status. The app aids in improving efficiency, cost savings, and inter-departmental communication, and supports maintenance issue reporting with image sharing capabilities.

📱 Airial Travel, an AI travel planning company, launched its public beta. Founded by former Google, Facebook, Instagram, Waymo experts, it uses the AlphaTravel AI engine. Features include itinerary creation from social media posts, multi-destination planning, real-time editing, and fast pricing. CEO Archit Karandikar emphasizes ease of turning ideas into plans. Desktop and laptop beta is available now, with a mobile app release slated for 2025.