TOP NEWS

🏨 Eklo Hotels, operating ten properties in France, transitioned to Apaleo, an API-first management platform, automating operations by June 2025. This saved at least 738 hours monthly across 22,142 bookings. The Paris Porte de Versailles property opened in 2024, necessitating system changes due to handling errors. Eklo piloted Apaleo in November 2024 and completed the transition by May 2025. Eklo focuses on human connection, rejecting a fully digital model, while expanding tech tools and improving efficiency.

🏨 Julia Hands, founder of Hand Picked Hotels, transitioned from a 12-year legal career to hospitality in 1999 after her husband, Guy Hands, bought two hotel portfolios. Initially reluctant, she grew the brand into 24 UK and Channel Island properties. Unique for being family-owned, the hotels emphasize individuality and culture. Recent expansions include purchasing four properties in the Cotswolds, with three joining the group. New leadership appointments include Andrew Stembridge (CEO), Eugenio Pirri (Chief Culture Officer), and David Spooner (Chief Commercial Officer).

🏨 AI-native Property Management Systems (PMS) revolutionize hotel operations by deeply integrating AI into workflows. AI allows staff to express objectives directly, with the system interpreting and executing tasks. This transition requires reliable operational data, governance, and human oversight. AI can streamline room allocations, housekeeping, and guest requests, moving from recommendations to actions. However, effective AI implementation depends on data quality and maintaining auditability and human engagement. The goal is a seamless enhancement of human roles, not replacing them.

🏠 By 2025, branded residences will surpass 900 globally from fewer than 350 a decade ago. Dubai leads with 31% of completed projects and 85 more planned, followed by Miami (16%) and NYC (15%). Istanbul accounts for 6.4% of projects, hosting 19 million tourists in 2025. Affluent investors, including VHNWIs and UHNWIs, dominate purchases, viewing these as prestige and investment assets. Price premiums can reach 30%, but high development costs and brand-related fees often offset gains.

🍽 Marriott International has released its "Future of Food 2027" report focused on Asia Pacific (excluding China). 95% of surveyed properties highlight local cuisine as the top dining trend. Flexible dining settings are rising, with Vietnam seeing 71% growth in bar/lounge dining. In Thailand, 100% of restaurants use AI in operations. Fine dining experiences are now quicker, with 58% lasting 1.5-2 hours. Wellness dining is notable, with 97% offering health-focused dishes. Non-alcoholic beverage sales are up in 42% of surveyed venues.

🏨 In H1 2026, European hotel investment hit €11.7 billion, 19.5% above the 10-year average despite a 9.5% dip year-on-year. Transactions over €100 million rose 30% YoY, with APAC and MEA investors boosting cross-border activity. Prices per room increased 9% to €228,416. European hotel supply grew 2.9%, notably in Southern Europe, Poland, Italy, and Austria. Average RevPAR reached €101, up 3% YoY, with Milan and Budapest seeing the highest gains at 24% and 15% respectively.

💻 Google announced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) for Lodging, enabling AI to directly book hotels by accessing live availability and pricing. Companies like Booking.com, Expedia, Hilton, Marriott, Amadeus, and Trip.com have agreed on this booking language. UCP allows operators to stay the merchant of record, keeping guest data. Menizei adopted UCP within two days, bypassing vendor roadmap delays. Operators using SaaS can participate if platforms support UCP or provide necessary APIs.

📈 In 2025, 70% of travel bookings are projected to be online, a rise from 43% in 2011. AI-driven traffic to travel sites has quadrupled for hotels and doubled in other categories this year. In the US, 49% of travelers rely heavily on AI tools for bookings, compared to 41% in the UK, France, and Germany. As AI refines the booking process, travel operators must adapt to AI's growing influence to maintain direct bookings and stay competitive.

🤖 By 2026, the hospitality sector witnesses a major shift towards automation, with the global market for hospitality robots projected to reach USD 1.84 billion by 2030, growing at a 24.72% CAGR from 2025. Key automation areas include logistics and in-room delivery, industrial cleaning, and administrative tasks. In 2025, Pudu Robotics partnered with Burroughs for North American support. Automation reshapes human roles, emphasizing reskilling in experience orchestration, emotional intelligence, and system fluency.

Blog Post Excerpt 💸 Rising costs and guest expectations in the hospitality sector demand new strategies. Leveraging procurement, standardizing inventory, and adopting eProcurement tools are key. Real-time data and market reports enhance cost-effectiveness. Smaller suppliers and Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) offer resilience and savings. Building strong supplier relationships aids in anticipating disruptions. Embrace these strategies for efficiency and exceptional guest experiences.