TOP NEWS

🏨 Since December 2024, HT editors have tracked the upcoming Otonomus Hotel in Las Vegas, beginning operations in July 2025, set to be the first AI-powered hotel in the U.S. CEO Philippe Ziade, transitioning from real estate to hotelier post-2008, has developed an AI booking engine for customizing stays with attribute-based options and pre-ordered amenities. The AI scrapes social media data and employs gamified interaction for personalized experiences. Otonomus employs 50 engineers crafting in-house tech, ensuring data control and guest privacy. The AI aims to blend personalization with human hospitality, accessible to all guests.

💾 IHG Hotels & Resorts selected Anacove as a Preferred Vendor for connected thermostats based on IHG's independent testing, which showed Anacove's solutions outperform competitors in energy savings and efficiency. Anacove's CEO Ian Lerner highlighted the benefit of reduced energy consumption for over 6,600 IHG hotels globally. The Allumia-conducted study in Atlanta, Georgia; Orange Beach, Alabama; and Fort Walton, Florida, confirmed Anacove's thermostats work effectively both when rooms are occupied and unoccupied, offering a payback period of under 12 months. Anacove integrates directly with IHG systems, requiring no additional hardware.

📲 Shiji Insights Podcast marked its first anniversary by reflecting on the first 12 episodes, which discussed the interplay of innovative technology and guest experiences in the hospitality industry. Key themes included the importance of fully integrated technology solutions, with the Property Management System (PMS) being central to operations and guest services. Digitalisation and AI were highlighted as transformative, leading to operational efficiency and personalised guest experiences. Seamless payment processing was also emphasized for enhancing guest satisfaction. Additionally, sustainability and inclusivity in technology solutions were noted for providing operational benefits and appealing to eco-conscious consumers. Operational excellence and the use of practical tools for staff were addressed as crucial elements for a positive guest experience. The podcast outlined how thoughtful integration of technology is shaping the future of hospitality, boosting revenue, and improving guest satisfaction.

📌 MEP Daniel Attard highlights tourism's strategic role in boosting Europe's economy, emphasizing its impact on jobs and funding for vital sectors in an interview dated Wednesday, 09 April 2025. He advocates for the integration of tourism into the EU's economic and social agenda. Malta, as an example, has addressed seasonality and is now directing growth with energy-efficient hotels and green projects. Attard cites the EU Green Deal and Sustainable Tourism Strategy, urging accessible funding like Horizon Europe and the ERDF for SMEs, while recommending reduced bureaucracy and investment in skills. In 2024, Malta saw a 26% increase in off-peak tourism, which Attard suggests as a model for sustainable growth in the hospitality sector.

📌 HBX Group's MarketHub event was held in Algarve, Europe, attracting hundreds of executives to discuss technology, Gen Z, and digital payments. The platform processes over 6.2 billion searches and 80,000 requests per second, with a €200 million investment in technology over three years. "Olivia," an AI-powered customer service platform, and advanced AI applications were showcased. The Algarve saw 5.2 million visitors in 2024, exemplifying sustainable tourism growth. The global travel industry, valued at $11 trillion, is expected to see the B2B travel market reach $94 billion by 2032. Gen Z, comprising 30% of the global population, prioritizes personalized, sustainable travel, heavily influenced by social media. HBX Group's recent IPO and commitment to governance and transparency were also highlighted.

🏨 Rising operating costs prompt hoteliers to seek new revenue streams, with hotel entertainment technology being a lucrative option. Oracle and Skift report 67% of hotel executives anticipate non-room revenue growth over the next five years. CBRE forecasts a 2% U.S. RevPAR increase due to higher group demand and business travel. OnStream by DISH Business provides a cost-effective entertainment platform that integrates with existing infrastructure, offering live TV, streaming, casting, and customizable UI for promoting amenities, local ads, and enhancing guest experience.

🛡 Think Circular by AccorInvest introduces a renovation model for sustainability in the hospitality industry. Key features are 80% reduced waste, 50% lower carbon emissions, 80% improved air quality, and flexible design. Implemented in ibis hotels since 2019, it has renovated over 2,500 rooms across France, Germany, the UK, Spain, Portugal, and Poland from 2021 to 2024. Results: 70% reduction in renovation time, 20% cost savings, 80% less waste. Finalist in the Hospitality Awards 2023, the concept also extends to public areas.