Innovation

💻 Marriott International launches the Marriott Tech Accelerator (MTA) in Hyderabad, India, marking a pivotal step in advancing hospitality technology. The MTA aims to accelerate innovation aligned with Marriott's global tech vision. This strategic move focuses on empowering teams to execute with purpose and precision in the fast-paced AI-driven era.

📈 Revenue leaders in the hospitality sector are now focusing on total profitability. Traditional metrics like RevPAR are outdated. New leaders, known as commercial strategists, are prioritizing total profit optimization and aligning marketing, operations, and finance for long-term success. AI and Business Intelligence are crucial, automating 76% of manual tasks, allowing teams to concentrate on strategy and value creation. LodgIQ supports this shift from revenue management to commercial strategy.

🗺️ Kansas City, MO: According to MMGY's latest report, 66% of U.S. travelers plan to travel in the next six months, with 53% traveling for winter holidays. Notably, 36% prefer leisure vacations with immediate family, while cooking class interest rose to 19%. The 2026 FIFA World Cup entices 21% to spend an average of $3,652 per trip. AI tools are used by 40% for travel planning, with human recommendations still more trusted than AI-generated ones.

📑 Adrienne Hanna, CEO of Right Revenue, started her tech journey in her late 40s, leveraging 30 years in hospitality. In 2017, Right Revenue was founded to bridge the tech gap for independent hotels, offering tools usually available to big brands. Her system supports 'also Revenue Managers' who juggle multiple roles, with user-friendly dashboards and recommendations. Adrienne emphasizes balanced automation and human intuition, advocating for more integrated revenue management across departments for long-term success.

🎤 Safemark, based in Orlando, FL, has introduced the Marshall Heston 60 TV soundbar to bolster hotel in-room entertainment. With over 70% of travelers prioritizing entertainment, this soundbar features Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and customizable sound modes. It's designed for flexible installation and long-term reliability. Safemark, a leading hospitality solutions provider, continues expanding its product line to include more innovative products like Indel B mini refrigerators and Marshall Homeline speakers.

💻 In the hospitality industry, digital transformation is crucial for operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Despite advancements like Fidelio and cloud computing, the sector lacks a unified selling platform to integrate all services. A cohesive sales enablement platform is necessary to boost revenue beyond rooms, as siloed inventory limits visibility and consumption. Emphasizing a unified sales approach could revolutionize how hospitality products, such as rooms, dining, and activities, are marketed, ultimately enhancing customer experience and operational growth.

🏨 SiteMinder's 2025 Partner Awards honored 12 businesses across five continents for their innovative contributions to hotel technology. Winners include Hotel Solutions (Colombia), RevenYou (Australia), and Golden Collection Hotels (Mexico), which achieved 30% revenue growth. Visito (USA) developed AI handling 90% of guest inquiries in 50+ languages. Welcome Pickups (Greece) expanded to 150 destinations. Awards recognized the transformative impact of tech partners in hospitality. SiteMinder supports 130 million reservations, generating over $55 billion annually.

💻 Inspiretec, a UK-based travel technology platform operating across 12 countries, has been acquired by Juniper Group, part of Vela Software and Constellation Software Ic. Inspiretec, with over 25 years of experience, offers tools for travel agencies and tour operators, including reservation systems and CRM. Founder Simon Powell and CEO Jaime Sastre expressed excitement about enhancing services and integrating products from Juniper Group, which includes firms like Juniper Travel Technology and TravelTek.

🚀 IBS Software has partnered with AWS to modernize airline retailing through a multi-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement. The collaboration introduces iRetail, an AI-first platform that revamps the Offer–Order–Settle–Deliver value chain. With AWS's cloud capabilities, iRetail offers personalized experiences, increasing operational efficiency and innovation. The partnership aims for global deployment with 99.99% availability. By 2027, IBS and AWS plan to enhance customer journeys through a joint R&D roadmap, setting new benchmarks in airline retail modernisation.

💻 In 2025, a global study by h2c GmbH and Profitroom revealed that while 78% of hotels use AI or automation, only 8% have a formal AI strategy. The research, involving nearly 200 hotel businesses, highlights a trust-reliance gap with trust in AI at 6.6/10 and reliance at 4.7. Key AI applications include business intelligence, chatbots, and digital marketing. Barriers include lack of expertise (62%) and unclear strategies (51%). The study suggests holistic integration for full potential.