Innovation

🛫 Sweden’s Dala Airport has partnered with Ink Innovation for a direct agreement on the cloud-based Departure Control System (DCS) for check-in, boarding, and baggage operations since 2016. In 2024, Dala Airport handled over 15,300 passengers, including private and leisure charter flights. The airport, serving the Dalarna region, aims for flexibility in service development. The DCS setup allows quick staff training and consistent airline procedures, with potential expansion to mobile devices based on demand.

💵 Hotels leverage advanced POS systems to enhance guest experiences and boost revenues. Toast's POS, with features like the Toast Go 3 device, integrates with the PMS for seamless operations. Agilysys emphasizes mobile payments, offering Agilysys Pay for secure transactions. Shiji Group’s Infrasys POS focuses on user-friendly interfaces and reliability. FreedomPay uses AI for sales boosts and supports mobile payments. Oracle's Simphony processes 6.3 billion transactions annually, integrates with Opera PMS, and enhances service efficiency.

🎓 Nemacolin celebrated the first year of the Nemacolin Hospitality Lab at West Virginia University (WVU) in Farmington, Pennsylvania. The lab achieved a 100% job and internship placement rate for its students. CEO Maggie Hardy praised the lab's role in preparing students for the luxury hospitality sector. Director Meridith Balas highlighted the lab's impact on students' growth and confidence. This initiative is enhancing the tourism industry and empowering future hospitality leaders.

📸 PPDS will showcase its latest innovations at ISE 2026 in Barcelona, February 3-6. The event at Philips booth 3N500 includes new AI-ready digital signage models and MediaSuite TV upgrades with Ambilight. PPDS emphasizes sustainability by supporting the ISE Sustainability Hackathon. Visitors can explore advanced AV solutions and take part in interactive experiences. Contact Michael Garwood for meetings or register with code PHILIPS for free entry. Last year, ISE 2025 attracted 61,882 visitors and 711 media representatives.

💻 McKinsey's roadmap highlights AI's transition from an assistant to an autonomous decision-maker by focusing on architecture, not just technology. Key actions include mapping journeys, breaking down processes, and deploying AI agents at task levels. Forward-thinking leaders integrate AI with human teams to enhance speed, precision, and outcomes. Emphasis is on transforming operations rather than mere task automation. Explore AI’s potential in your sector to leverage its capabilities. #AI #BusinessStrategy #Automation #TechNews

🌐 On the Phocuswright stage in San Diego, the discussion shifted to the impact of AI on destinations managing changing expectations. By 2025, data sources have expanded, yet challenges remain in utilizing this data effectively. The journey from dashboards to dialogue, and then to delegation, introduces AI agents for specialized tasks like marketing and sustainability. These agents, supported by curated tourism data, empower destinations towards better management and strategic decision-making.