Innovation

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Innovation and technology news for the hospitality industry: AI, digital tools and how hotels are transforming, from 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers.

HOSPA Highlights Payment Challenges and Opportunities, Emphasizing Technology and Data Centers to Reduce Lost Transactions

💸 In a week full of insights at HOSPA, webinars and round tables explored the payments sector's challenges and opportunities. Annually, significant amounts are lost due to dropped payments. There's hope that improved technology and more data centers can offer solutions, moving away from outdated methods like shells and stones. Payments are crucial, as they pave the way for larger opportunities, according to Lauren Lanik, Relationship Director.
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Professor Helen Hastie Develops Robots Like Receptionists and Baristas to Enhance Human-Robot Trust in Hospitality Industry

🤖 In a recent BBC’s The Life Scientific episode, physicist Jim Al-Khalili recounted being reprimanded by a chatbot. Professor Helen Hastie from the University of Edinburgh, a leading expert in human-robot interaction, emphasizes calibrating trust in robots, not maximizing it. At the National Robotarium, in Edinburgh, her lab developed a robot receptionist and a Robo-Barista studied over six weeks to understand human-robot trust dynamics in hospitality. The emphasis is on appropriate trust levels.
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40% of Travelers Use AI for Trip Planning, Driving Hoteliers to Adopt Generative Engine Optimization Strategies

📈 40% of travelers utilize AI for trip planning, with 60% of the travel industry testing AI strategies. Hoteliers should adopt Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) akin to SEO for AI-powered searches. Core elements include rich content, conversational keywords, positive reviews, and continuous updates. This strategy enhances bookings, average daily rates, upselling, reputation, and loyalty. GEO is an evolution, not a revolution, benefiting early adopters with AI-driven traffic.
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Matador AI Council Expands to 35+ DMO CEOs Focusing on AI Leadership and Organizational Culture Strategies

📈 Over 35 DMO chiefs in the Matador AI Council discuss AI strategy focusing on change management and culture. Key themes include updating the organizational chart, involving entire teams, and increasing CEOs' AI competency. The Matador/2050 City AI Roadmap aids departments in maximizing AI use. Staff prefer tools like ChatGPT over Microsoft 365 Copilot. CEOs who actively adopt and communicate AI strategies see a higher adoption rate, reaching 79% with managerial support.
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AI Field Guide for HITEC Week Offers Key Questions to Evaluate Vendor Accuracy and Data Practices

📈 At HITEC week, attendees are advised to ask vendors key questions to evaluate AI technologies. Questions include: How accurate is it? Who's using it in production? How is accountability managed? What is the blast radius without human oversight? Details on data access, retention, and system training are also crucial. Investigate deployment costs and the AI's response to uncertainty. Assess long-term ownership and data usage in training models. Shortlist vendors who address these questions well.
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Mize Generates Over $596.2 Million in Incremental Profit for 350+ Travel Companies Using AI Optimization

💸 Mize, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, has generated $596.2 million in incremental profit for 350+ travel companies by optimizing 7.1 million bookings worth $4.5 billion. Founded in 2016, Mize evolved from a hotel-focused platform to a multi-vertical travel technology provider. By 2022, it had 150 clients and expanded into China, East Asia, and the U.S. In 2025, Mize acquired RightRez and launched SmartRate. The company emphasizes AI-driven systems for revenue optimization in the travel industry.
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Cloudbeds and Journey Partner to Integrate AI-Driven Loyalty Engine for 150 Countries' Independent Hotels

📈 Jun 11, 2026, Cloudbeds and Journey announced a partnership integrating Journey's AI-driven loyalty engine into Cloudbeds' platform, impacting tens of thousands of independent hotels across 150+ countries. Guests earn five times the loyalty points for direct bookings. Journey disclosed a $15 million seed round, following a previous $7.7 million raise. The integration aims to shift booking behavior and offer a cost-effective loyalty solution, a year after Cloudbeds launched “Ask Signals” AI.
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