Innovation

☁ AUSTIN, Texas—Oracle OPERA Cloud hospitality platform has been approved by IHG Hotels & Resorts for use in their properties across the Americas and EMEAA regions. This cloud-based property management system enables IHG properties to standardize operations and data on a unified platform. OPERA Cloud, featuring enterprise-class reliability and quarterly updates, is live and supports fiscal compliance in 236 countries and territories, enhancing data-driven decision-making and guest experiences.

💻 Oracle OPERA Cloud, a property management system, has been approved by IHG Hotels & Resorts for its Americas and EMEAA regions. This enhances operational standardization and guest experiences. The platform, reliable and secure, supports fiscal compliance across 236 countries. Oracle, with over 45 years in hospitality technology, offers cloud-based solutions optimizing efficiency and profitability.

⚽ Best Western Hotels & Resorts and Tripadvisor launched the "Go for the Goal" platform using AI to assist soccer fans in planning travel for the 2026 international tournament. Available in the US, Canada, and Mexico, it offers over 200 BWH Hotels within 25 miles of stadiums. The platform supports both English and Spanish and aims to simplify multi-city trips with curated recommendations. This effort coincides with Best Western's partnership with the United Soccer League.

💻 Over the next 12-18 months, hotel websites will see decreased traffic but higher conversion rates, as AI streamlines the marketing funnel. Previously, customers learned about hotels through search engines, but AI now simplifies discovery with prompts like: "Tell me about [your brand]." It enables the purchase process with platforms like DirectBooker and The Hotels Network. Websites must now optimize content to fuel AI recommendations, shifting their role from digital shop windows to AI support.

🏨 On January 27 in Southlake, Texas, Hospitality Solutions rebranded to Aven Hospitality, an independent provider for over 35,000 hotels globally. Led by CEO Teresa Mackintosh, the company focuses on hotel-first commerce and AI infrastructure, with a platform supporting 600+ integrations. Aven's cloud-native platform enhances hotel performance with smarter retailing and reduced complexity. It will become fully independent in 2025, continuing its strategy with its SynXis platform.

💻 Paris, January 29, 2026 - Accor launches the ALL Accor app on ChatGPT, enhancing the user experience with AI-driven hotel searches. This app, available in over 20 languages, allows users to find hotels, view rates, and book securely. Accor, a French industry leader, aims to boost personalization and convenience, aligning with AI trends. Alix Boulnois emphasizes the app’s role in improving guest interaction and loyalty, reinforcing Accor’s market leadership.

💻 ALL Accor has launched on ChatGPT, marking a significant step in travel planning. Now available in the GPT App Store, users can explore Accor hotels, compare rates, and utilize member benefits directly through ChatGPT. As the first hotel group to leverage this functionality, Accor demonstrates leadership in AI innovation, enhancing customer experiences. Key contributors include Yassine Hachem, Nicolas Maynard, and others. This integration highlights smart, fast, and human-centered innovation, showcasing deep collaboration across various teams.

💸 2026 report reveals that live selling is booming, with the market reaching $22 billion across North America and Europe. Whatnot dominates with a 60% market share. In 2025, live sales hit $8 billion, doubling the previous year. Sellers going live 3-4 times weekly average over $13,000 monthly. Europe's seller base grew 600%, France leads at 888%. UK sellers earn £30K monthly, German sellers make €475 hourly. Consistent sellers earn 40-70x more, with daily streams boosting earnings 100-250x.

📊 2026, sales leadership must pivot from the "top performer" model to a scalable system-driven approach. Traditional reliance on star sellers is outdated due to complex buying processes involving committees and digital influences. Artificial intelligence redefines sales value, emphasizing judgment and coordination over individual effort. Key shifts: team-based revenue, outcome-aligned incentives, role specialization, and data-guided decisions. The focus is on building resilient, cohesive teams, ensuring predictable performance and sustainable growth. 🏆

🍄 In a blind taste test, Nectar's blended burger with Fable's shiitake outperformed 100% beef, being one of only two products to do so. Fable’s products use 98% less water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 94% compared to beef. Replacing half of meat consumption could lower emissions by 31%. Blended proteins offer a sustainable, flavorful alternative, akin to hybrid cars, providing familiar tastes while reducing environmental impact.