Innovation

📅 Global HR and payroll platform Deel has launched Business Visas, a service for short-term international travel. The service, integrated with WorkFlex, operates in over 150 countries. Deel secured an immigration services license in the UAE. With global travel expected to normalize by 2026, 71% of companies report increased travel. Business Visas streamlines visa management, ensuring compliance and efficiency. Deel is the first platform to offer comprehensive visa support for global mobility.

🏠 Global AI property management system Boom has partnered with Tint to offer BoomGuard, providing up to $50,000 in contents damage protection and $1 million in liability coverage for vacation rental owners. The solution addresses increasing regulatory scrutiny and financial risk in the short-term rental market. Designed for seamless integration with Boom’s AiPMS, it simplifies claims processing. Shahar Goldboim, CEO of Boom, highlights its role in reducing risks and driving growth, while Jayme Estrada from Tint emphasizes its tailored, scalable protection.

🏨 Transformative travel technology provider Amadeus has partnered with Scandic Hotels, Scandinavia's largest hotel chain, to deploy the Amadeus Agency360Enterprise Solution. The agreement is a first in Scandinavia, enhancing Scandic Hotels' ability to assess travel agency data across 280 properties in Scandinavia, Poland, and Germany. The solution offers 12 months of forward-looking data and 24 months of historical insights, providing unprecedented insight for strategic decision-making and targeting profitable opportunities.

🚀 London-based Zamna partnered with Iberojet to launch a patented identity infrastructure, aiming to reduce queues and manual checks. In the first quarter, 80% of online check-ins used Zamna, with over 90% verified in advance. The system pre-validates travel documents, reducing fines from invalid visas and ensuring compliance with entry rules. It's live on routes from Spain and Portugal to Latin America, reducing check-in time from over an hour to under 30 minutes. Expansion is planned.

💸 PriceLabs, a leader in revenue management for hospitality, has integrated with 161 property management systems (PMSs) globally, including 18 new additions in 2025. Notable integrations include fewo.cloud and StayNow365. This expansion offers smart pricing and automation tools to more property managers, enhancing efficiency. The platform connects seamlessly with major channels like Airbnb and Booking.com. Richie Khandelwal, President, emphasizes democratizing revenue management for operators of all sizes.

💻 Oracle and Accor, June 2025, Austin: Accor transitions global properties to Oracle OPERA Cloud PMS, enhancing hotel operations. The platform standardizes data across properties, aiding performance monitoring and decision-making. Accor prioritizes a consistent, high-quality guest experience and operational efficiency. Oracle's collaboration is highlighted as strategic. Accor adopts Oracle OPERA Cloud Sales and Event Management for enhanced meetings and events management, providing digital self-service tools for event planning. Oracle emphasizes Accor's adaptability and innovative approach in hospitality.

📈 Expedia's B2B business surged 21% in 2024, now 30% of revenue, with partners like Walmart and Chase Travel. Expedia's one-key loyalty program drives nearly 50% of room nights. Booking's Genius tiers cover 55% of hotel nights. Expedia's air/car/hotel packages reached $5.3 billion in 2024, projected to hit $6 billion by 2028. Vrbo focuses on vacation rentals; Booking has over 8 million alternative lodging listings. OTAs bet on loyalty, B2B, and AI to adapt to a plateauing U.S. market.

📚 Prague, 4 September 2025: RobosizeME publishes "The Hotelier’s Guide to Starting Your Automation Journey," a seven-step operational guide for hotel automation. It addresses manual workload challenges and rising labor costs, providing solutions without IT overhauls. CEO Stephen Burke emphasizes its practicality for easing administrative tasks. The guide targets CIOs and hotel executives, offering a strategic approach to streamline operations. RobosizeME’s solutions are backed by security certifications and trusted by major hotel groups.

📺 Hotel IT leaders are prioritizing in-room technology as essential, according to a DIRECTV HOSPITALITY survey. Fast, reliable Wi-Fi is the top guest must-have. Kimberly Twiggs emphasizes shifting the view of IT from a cost to an investment. TVs are evolving into digital hubs offering contactless services, guest engagement, and personalization. Ensuring data privacy is crucial, with features like automatic daily credential clearing. Technology enhances guest experiences, balancing digital convenience with personal service.

📈 U.S. consumers' holiday spending is projected to drop by 5% from 2024, the first decline since 2020, per PwC's 2025 survey. Gen Z, ages 17-28, plans a steep 23% reduction in holiday budgets due to life changes and job market instability. Gift spending decreases by 11% to $721 average. 46% still plan to travel, similar to last year, with Gen Z travel intentions down to 55%. Most travelers (48%) visit family. Millennials embrace AI for travel, with 76% using it for recommendations.