Innovation

🏨 Mandarin Oriental aims to more than double its global footprint within the next decade, having already added seven properties in two years and with 30 more developments underway. Laurent Kleitman, appointed group CEO in September 2023, emphasizes that luxury hospitality hinges on human connection rather than technology. The industry is projected to grow nearly 10% annually over the next five years. The "Rising Fans" program supports career development, fostering talent in a digital-first world.

💸 76% of a revenue manager’s week is consumed by internal tasks like reports and data checks. Data fragmentation in hotel systems leads to mismatched KPIs and delayed decisions. AI and BI tools can automate these processes, increasing hotel revenue by 10-15%. A UK hotel using AI-based forecasting achieved record profitability by adjusting rates and optimizing inventory ahead of a local event. The future of hospitality combines AI with human judgment for strategic decision-making.

🏡 The brand, part of Accor’s premium segment, undergoes a global transformation to redefine guest experiences and social spaces. This initiative includes new architectural concepts, updated service standards, and an international events programme, marking a new phase for the brand.

🏨 Kevin King, CEO of Shiji International, received the Lifetime Achievement Visionary Award at the 2025 Hotel Visionary Awards on November 17, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. This accolade highlights his over 30 years in hospitality and nearly three decades in hospitality technology, during which Shiji evolved into a global leader in hotel solutions, powering cloud-based systems for over 91,000 hotels worldwide. Shiji employs more than 5,000 people globally.

📈 Harshinder Chadha discusses the transformative impact of AI and BI on hotel revenue management. 76% of a revenue manager's week is wasted on internal tasks, with fragmented data systems slowing decisions. AI systems can automate tasks like rate updates, boosting revenue by 10-15%. A UK hotel used AI for proactive rate adjustments, achieving record profits. Technology enhances human judgment, fostering strategic leadership and improving profitability. Embrace AI and BI to shift from data overload to strategic clarity.

🛫 In 2025, up to 90% of companies use AI, with 62% still in experimental stages, marking mass adoption. In travel, 40% of travelers use AI for planning. Mindtrip, a notable AI trip planner, has $20M in funding and 1M monthly visits. Airports like Changi and Frankfurt use AI for biometric checks and security, enhancing passenger flow. Sherpa, an AI tool for travel documentation, is used by airlines like Air Canada and Lufthansa, easing pre-trip processes for travelers.

📱 58% of small businesses use generative AI, more than double from two years ago, leveraging it for finances and operations amid labor shortages. GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic reduce appetite for food and sex, impacting restaurant sales and customer engagement. Uber and others seek AI trainers, a lucrative emerging job market. Debate brews over iPads in restaurants: some view it as lazy parenting, preferring spaces for learning social norms, while others see it as a relief.

📱 58% of small businesses now use generative AI, a surge from two years ago, to manage operations and customer interactions amidst labor shortages. Independent hotels benefit from AI, but some restaurant-goers debate iPad usage to entertain children, arguing it's lazy parenting. Uber and McKinsey are hiring AI trainers due to data scarcity for proprietary models. GLP-1 weight loss drugs impact appetite for food and sex, affecting restaurant economics with smaller orders.

📈 The hospitality industry's data integration challenges are significant, with 93% of hotel leaders identifying system integration as a top priority in 2025 (Skift Research). MuleSoft reports 95% face data integration hurdles, impacting AI implementation. IBM's data breach report cites a $4.44 million average cost, highlighting the industry's vulnerability. Fragmentation causes revenue erosion and operational inefficiencies, increasing costs. Hotels with unified data see 5–15% revenue and 10–30% marketing ROI increases, emphasizing the need for interoperability.