Innovation

📈 Grand Metropolitan Hotels is ending its joint venture with Berlin's dentists’ pension fund, VZB, due to deadlock over financial decisions. The Smura Family Holding owns 70% of the venture, while VZB owns 30%. Failed negotiations included a blocked capital increase and rejected buyout offers. Grand Metropolitan will focus on hotel management, franchising, and digital solutions, proceeding with independent development. Legal advisers are handling the separation, and the group will not comment further on legal matters.

📈 Hotels must optimize for AI search across platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Claude. These AI tools rely on data from websites, review sites, and trusted sources. A consistent, clear, and accessible online presence helps hotels improve visibility. Using structured data, accurate Google Business Profiles, and relevant content is key. Hotels should focus on generative engine optimization (GEO) to enhance their AI search rankings and increase direct booking opportunities. Adapting now builds trust and visibility across multiple platforms.

🚀 Fora closed a $60 million Series D round at a $1 billion valuation, led by Forerunner and Tactile Ventures, with existing investors like Thrive Capital participating. Founded in 2021, Fora's AI tool Via aids travel advisors in tasks such as itinerary building. The company has $3 billion in bookings and 15,000 advisors in over 180 countries. Total funding is $138.5 million. The firm plans to expand geographically and deepen its presence in cruise and flight sectors.

💸 Mews unveiled three new features: Recurring Payments, Multicurrency expansion to the US and Canada, and Accounts Receivable. Recurring Payments, piloted by 100+ properties, generated over 16,000 plans globally, reducing errors and admin. Multicurrency, already in Europe, helps hotels retain currency fees, offsetting 2%-10% of Mews subscription costs. Accounts Receivable streamlines invoice management, available in EUR markets, with more currencies in 2027. It automates financial processes and accelerates cash collection.

💻 July 10, 2026, Lodi, Italy: Zucchetti, a major player in management systems, has acquired a controlling interest in Grupo Hive to boost its global hospitality technology platform. Grupo Hive’s brands, including Infotera, HSystem, Bee2Pay, Niara, and Omnibees, enhance Zucchetti's offerings in hotel technology and distribution. This strategic move marks a significant expansion for Zucchetti into the hospitality sector's tech landscape.

📈 Jul 15, 2026, Koddi launched Occupancy Insights to optimize hotel campaigns on platforms like Google and Expedia. Koddi argues traditional bid automation favors already-popular properties, pushing budgets towards these winners. The feature lets hotels adjust bids based on occupancy and other metrics to avoid overspending on high-demand dates. Koddi provides no evidence for their claim, urging hoteliers to analyze their data for effective spending rather than relying solely on automated systems.

📰 London Design Festival 2026 unfolds in London from September 12-20. Highlights include the "Pangolin Shield," a bamboo pavilion by Studio Saar and Atelier One on the Strand, reflecting on colonial histories and cultural exchanges. The Barbican’s influence is revisited in a new collection by Miriam Howitt. In the V&A, "Awakenings" explores design and the natural world. The Design Museum spotlights NIGO’s fashion legacy. Japan's Craft x Tech Tokai Project showcases traditional craftsmanship meeting contemporary design.

📱 The Hospitality Social Media Summit will take place at Chicago Booth School of Business in London on September 3-4, 2026. This two-day event provides executive education for hospitality social leaders, followed by six months of digital development. Led by industry experts like Whitney Reynolds, Laura Ferrari, and Santiago García Solimei, the program focuses on strategic social media management, practical labs, and AI applications. Delegates leave with actionable frameworks, plans, and a certified completion certificate.

🏨 Hotels face rising utility costs as U.S. utilities request nearly $31 billion in rate increases for 2025, double that of 2024. CHP (Combined Heat and Power) systems, like the 75 kW one installed at a Massachusetts airport hotel, reduce energy costs without requiring upfront investments. This 275-room hotel saves 15% on energy, generating over 450 MWh annually. For typical 150-room hotels, CHP can save $83,000 annually, comparable to a $5 RevPAR lift.