Innovation

💵 Katanox and Selfbook have partnered to enhance hotel booking and payment systems. Selfbook's AI-native platform connects with Katanox’s real-time financial infrastructure, offering seamless account-to-account payments and real-time reconciliation. Early adopters include Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. This partnership strengthens their AI-powered distribution footprint through platforms like PayPal, ensuring a unified booking and payment process. Co-founders Paul Beukers and Khalid Meniri highlight the evolution toward intelligent, connected hospitality commerce.

💸 Hospitable launches Owner Payouts, a pioneering feature in property management software, enabling direct owner payments. It automates payouts, reducing errors and admin burdens. This feature is exclusive to the Mogul plan, supporting bank accounts in the USA, UK, and Australia, with plans to expand to Canada and Europe. The system integrates with existing tools, covering verification costs, and includes detailed owner statements and accounting features, aiming to streamline processes and support business growth.

📈 Cloudbeds partners with Hopper Technology Solutions (HTS) to introduce the Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) feature to independent hoteliers. This collaboration provides enhanced traveler flexibility, higher conversion rates, and new revenue opportunities for hoteliers. The integration enables hotels on Cloudbeds' platform to offer cancellation options previously exclusive to airlines and OTAs. Hoteliers earn commissions on CFAR fees and can resell canceled room nights, boosting occupancy and profit.

🛫 By 2026, Direct Travel predicts a transformation in business travel, emphasizing people-centered experiences. CEO Christal Bemont highlights a shift from transactions to meaningful journeys, using AI, data, and technology to personalize travel. Trust in data usage and agentic AI will become crucial. Loyalty programs will innovate, moving beyond financial models. The role of travel experts will be enhanced by AI, focussing on empathy and precision. Voice-enabled assistants will predict and resolve needs seamlessly.

✈️ Galaxi concluded a series of UK roadshows in Bristol, Essex, and Cambridge, receiving high praise from travel agents. Supported by London Stansted Airport, the events highlighted the launch of Turkish Airlines from STN in March 2026. Attendees, including global travel brands like Ambassador Cruise Line and JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, valued the networking opportunities. Josh Lewis, Head of Partnerships at Galaxi, emphasized the importance of face-to-face engagement. The 2026 schedule starts in Ireland this February.

🌍 Nov 19, 2025, Expedia's “Science of Wanderlust” study reveals video is nearly three times more influential than photos in travel decisions. Authentic, narrative-driven videos build trust across generations. While AI-generated content is only 41% effective alone, it excels when paired with human oversight, especially for planning tools. Emotive influencer videos appeal to Gen Z, while Boomers prefer guidebook-style content. Emphasizing narrative clarity and authenticity drives decision-making.

📚 Nov 19, 2025: By 2026, AI systems act as the first “guest” evaluating hotels, impacting their online identity. If hotels lack clarity, AI fills the gaps, leading to potential misclassification. An Authority Page serves as a “source-of-truth” for AI, defining your hotel's offerings and target audience. Precise hotels see better demand and representation. To build an Authority Page, use a stable URL, clear statements, structured lists, and update regularly to prevent AI misinterpretation.

🗺️ Nov 19, 2025, Google enhances its travel services with Gemini updates, integrating flight and hotel booking directly into its chat interface. With access to its vast data ecosystem across Search, Maps, and more, Google leads in shaping travel intent, while OpenAI lacks necessary infrastructure for transactions. Google's deep integration makes travel planning seamless, affecting hotel distribution by moving decision-making upstream. OpenAI excels in creativity but lacks the commerce capabilities Google possesses.

🌎 Nov 19, 2025, Google introduces an AI trip-planning tool that reshapes hotel discovery by creating full itineraries from a single prompt, integrating hotel suggestions early. This tool, part of Google’s Canvas, broadens Google's global reach, compressing traditional booking methods. AI-generated plans reduce the need for manual research, affecting brand visibility. Hotels must enhance their online presence on Google with accurate content and strong profiles to be recommended effectively by Google’s AI.

✈️ Google, on Monday, announced the development of an AI-powered travel tool for booking flights and hotels. The initiative is in collaboration with major partners like Booking.com and Marriott International. This tool will allow users to compare options, view schedules, prices, and reviews, and complete bookings seamlessly. Julie Farago, VP of Engineering, confirmed the project is in its early stages, aiming to transform AI Mode into a comprehensive travel planning hub.