Innovation

📊 Cloudbeds Insights, a hospitality-focused business intelligence (BI) solution, addresses the inefficiencies of generic BI tools. It is integrated into the property management system for real-time data access, custom reports, and multi-property performance analysis. Jackson Chin, Senior Product Manager at Cloudbeds, highlights the in-house development and robust data strategy of Cloudbeds Insights that prioritizes hotelier needs. Features include open API, customizable dashboards, collaborative capabilities without per-user pricing, and native multi-property reporting, making it a unique offering for hotel management.

📌 easyHotel to open a new low-carbon hotel in Ferney-Voltaire, France, near Geneva, in early 2027. The hotel will have 141 rooms, offer continental breakfast, and provide parking for 60 cars with EV charging. It's financed by a €8.6 million loan from BRED Banque Populaire, adding to a previous €6.75 million for a Marseille property. This expansion includes six new properties in Europe. Alila Shanghai opens in Shanghai's Jing'an, featuring 189 rooms and a 2,626-square-foot penthouse. IHG's Vignette Collection debuts in Egypt with a 140-room hotel in Port Said, opening December 2027. Pan Pacific Hotels Group expands in Bangkok, managing Pan Pacific Siam Bangkok, a 220-room hotel set to open by 2027 after retrofitting an office building.

💸 Cendyn, a hospitality cloud-based tech firm, acquired Knowland, a leading U.S. meetings/events data service provider. Knowland's intelligence covers over 7,500 hotels in the USA and some international markets. The deal, supported by Haveli Investments and Accel-KKR, aims to boost MICE bookings and streamline sales. The acquisition pairs Knowland's data with Cendyn's Sales CRM, Proposals, and Grouprev platforms, promising a complete booking solution for hoteliers. U.S. Travel Association forecasts business travel to regain 95% of its 2019 level by 2024, aligning with Cendyn's growth strategy.

🏢 Cendyn, a hospitality cloud-based technology company, acquired US-based Knowland, a leader in meetings and events intelligence. Knowland offers data from over 7,500 US hotels and select international markets, enhancing hotel sales prospecting and group bookings. Earlier this year, Cendyn welcomed Haveli Investments, focusing on technology firms, to its private equity portfolio. The acquisition promises innovation for the hospitality industry, uniting Knowland's data with Cendyn's Sales CRM, Proposals, and Grouprev platforms. US Travel Association predicts business travel will reach 95% of its 2019 peak by 2024.

🏡 In Columbus, Ohio, Red Roof President Zack Gharib addressed over 1,000 franchisees, team members, and partners about growth plans, including a new hotel prototype prioritizing economical development and franchisee efficiencies. The 80-room prototype features a modern design, interior corridors, and scalable options. New partnerships, like the one with Sojern, aim to enhance guest experiences using data and AI, alongside the integration of the HotelKey system for improved operations. Leadership additions include CFO Tara Henderson and General Counsel Gerrod Bede, highlighting a deeper focus on company culture and brand consistency.

📈 Cendyn, a hospitality software company, acquired Knowland, a provider of market intelligence data, enhancing MICE space sales prospecting capabilities. Knowland's intelligence covers over 7,500 hotels in the US and international markets. Cendyn recently included Austin-based Haveli Investments in its investors, alongside Accel-KKR. This acquisition aligns with Cendyn's strategy to "Find, Book, and Grow" group business, integrating Knowland's data with Cendyn's Sales CRM, Proposals, and Grouprev platforms. U.S. Travel Association forecasts business travel to reach 95% of its 2019 peak by 2024, offering Cendyn growth potential.

📱 In the hospitality industry, device monitoring is essential to ensure operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. Real-time device monitoring can pre-empt technical issues like malfunctioning door locks, directly impacting guest experience. It reduces the environmental footprint by tracking energy usage and minimizing battery disposal impact. Proactive maintenance through device monitoring can predict equipment failure and resource optimization, leading to cost savings. Device monitoring is a necessity for maintaining service consistency, meeting ESG goals, and enhancing the overall guest experience, thereby contributing to the competitive advantage of hospitality establishments.

📣 Cloudbeds, based in San Diego, CA, partners with Mirai to enhance hotel bookings and marketing. This strategic collaboration combines Cloudbeds' global hospitality network with Mirai's technology, potentially driving higher revenue for hoteliers. Cloudbeds, founded in 2012, has been honored by Hotel Tech Report and World Travel Awards, and recognized in Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 in 2023. Mirai, with 25+ years in the industry, serves over 3,900 hotels worldwide, focusing on maximizing direct sales.

📈 Condor Ferries’ stats show 82% of 2018 travel bookings were online. In 2023, 72% of travelers preferred online booking. Statista forecasts that by 2026, online sales will constitute 73% of travel and tourism revenue. Annually, 148.3 million travel reservations are made online. Social media influences 75% of travelers. 90% of travelers are swayed by online reviews, with 95% of those being positive. AI's importance in travel is recognized by 97.8% of executives, with 33% of consumers using virtual travel assistants.