Posts by day
August 22, 2025
55 posts
Airlines and AI: Three strategies shaping aviation’s future
✈️ Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, and Delta are leading AI in aviation. Delta focuses on customer experience with AI concierges and dynamic pricing. It migrated systems to the cloud from 2021-2023. Air Canada’s AI lab with 75+ specialists enhances operations, improving on-time performance and disruption management. Alaska Airlines emphasizes operational efficiency for sustainability, using AI for flight optimization since 2021. 80% of companies use AI, and these airlines openly share their AI strategies.
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Chipotle Pilots Drone Delivery in Texas
🚀 SynergySuite raised $12 million to expand its AI-powered restaurant platform, with funding led by Oyster Capital in Dublin and support from First Analysis and Lago Innovation in Chicago. The funds will enhance global expansion and product innovation. SynergySuite, based in the U.S. and Dublin, supports brands like Pollo Campero and Tropical Smoothie Cafe across thousands of locations, offering AI solutions for inventory, labor, and more. In 2025, it won multiple awards for innovation and customer service.
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Marriott Signs Multi-Unit Agreement With Corporación Polaris and Cardedeu to Debut City Express in El Salvador
🏨 August 22, 2025, Bethesda, Maryland: Marriott International signs an agreement with Corporación Polaris and Cardedeu to open four City Express by Marriott hotels in El Salvador, adding 440 rooms. Locations include San Salvador's historic center, near Ilopango International Airport, Santa Elena, and San Benito, with openings from late 2026 to 2027. Marriott continues its CALA expansion, including projects in Argentina, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Peru, the US, and Canada, currently with 153 hotels and 62 in the pipeline.
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Bradford Allen Unveils Transformed Hyatt Centric Chicago O’hare
🏨 August 22, 2025, Rosemont, Illinois: Bradford Allen opens the Hyatt Centric Chicago O'Hare following $30 million renovations, replacing the former Hyatt Rosemont Chicago/O'Hare. Located at 6350 N. River Road, the 206-room hotel features a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and can host up to 500 people in its banquet rooms. Acquired in 2022, it joins Bradford Allen's portfolio of seven hotels, including locations in New York, Arizona, Indiana, and Iowa.
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Lisa Sterns Named Director of Sales for The Hermosa Inn
📈 August 22, 2025, Paradise Valley, Arizona: Lisa Sterns joins The Hermosa Inn as Director of Sales. With over 25 years in luxury hospitality, Sterns has led at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa and Destination Hotels and Resorts. An Arizona State University alum, she holds a BS in Hotel Management and a Business/Life Coaching Certification. Sterns will drive revenue growth and strategic initiatives at The Hermosa Inn, a AAA Four Diamond boutique hotel.
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Thomas Cook restarts package holidays to Tokyo
🗺 Thomas Cook resumes Tokyo holidays after nearly a year. Bookings are open until July 2026 via eSky Group. 25 hotels are bookable now, with more to follow. Departures from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Newcastle. Prices start at £866 per person for seven nights from Gatwick on December 1 and rise to £1,960 per person for a five-star stay from Heathrow on December 3.
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Guest Post: Five trends shaping the future…
🛫 Travel disruptions, from the July 2024 CrowdStrike outage to the January 2025 UK storms, highlight the need for robust ground transport strategies. In the UK, 46% of travelers are less likely to fly after disruptions, and 49% lacked alternative transport. Operators are adopting tech-driven, flexible solutions, integrating real-time data, and focusing on inclusivity to maintain reliability and passenger trust. Demand-led models, smart scaling, and tech-enhancements are reshaping the travel sector's resilience.
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When Frying is Central to Restaurant Operations, Oil Management Data Makes Profits Sizzle
🍽 Maximize oil life by flagging early oil disposal. Reduce waste and costs through preventive maintenance, enhancing fryer up-time and reducing repair expenses. Advanced analytics address customer complaints by ensuring compliance with oil standards. Enterprise-wide benchmarking compares oil use and fryer maintenance across locations, helping identify top and bottom performers. Powerhouse Dynamics’ IoT platform connects over 50,000 pieces of equipment in 15,000+ locations, providing insights and control for consistent operations. Contact Jay Fiske for more information.
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How hotels ride the wave of event-driven demand
🏨 Aug 22, 2025, hotels worldwide brace for fluctuating leisure demand from major events, including concerts and global sports tournaments. Key demand surges align with ticket releases, affecting both host cities and nearby markets. Additionally, natural disasters like hurricanes can unexpectedly boost bookings. With the World Cup 2026 on the horizon, even non-host city hotels anticipate overflow demand. Hotels employ creative strategies such as fan zones and themed cocktails, emphasizing adaptability in revenue strategies.
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