Innovation

📚 September 2025: Steven releases a children's book illustrating diverse hospitality careers, aiming to spark interest in the industry. COVID-19's impact on hospitality inspired this initiative. Steven notes that traditional school systems lack vocational inspiration and emphasizes that hospitality fosters connection and kindness—critical traits amidst growing technology and cultural shifts. With AI, services like personalized greetings enhance guest experiences, but human kindness remains irreplaceable, making hospitality an evergreen career choice.

📁 August 16, the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU) opened the Bill Hansen Catering & Events Laboratory at the Roz and Cal Kovens Conference Center, Biscayne Bay Campus, Miami. This interactive lab offers FIU students hands-on training in catering and event management, fulfilling a vision shared by the late Professor Dan Cormany and Bill Hansen. This facility supports courses like Mega Event Management and Event Technology with industry immersion.

📱 Worldwide, in August 2025, Mews launched a digital room key feature for smartphone wallets, developed with Vingcard (ASSA ABLOY). Available for compatible door locks, this innovation allows access via web browsers. Hey Lou HOTELS in Germany is the first to implement it. CEO Matt Welle notes that over 33% of guests deem keyless entry essential, and 70% prefer skipping front desk queues. This upgrade enhances convenience and personalization in hotel stays.

💻 On August 29, 2025, Vanshikha Dhar explored Guestline alternatives for Malaysian hotel chains. These Property Management System (PMS) solutions include central dashboards, OTA synchronization, billing, and multilingual support, offering scalable options for hotel groups in Malaysia.

🧪 In 2025, a study with over 500 hotel consumers emphasized sanitation as crucial for guest satisfaction. Since COVID-19, the hospitality industry has prioritized comprehensive disinfection, with products like Ecolab's Rapid Multi Surface Disinfectant Cleaner and Wexford Labs' Purefexion Wipes. These advancements, driven by efficiency and safety, cater to guests' expectations and enhance worker experience. The EPA's Safer Choice and Design for Environment logos guide sustainable product choices.

🎧 Fairmont Hotels & Resorts partners with Devialet to enhance guest experiences with sound technology. In New York, as of 2025, Devialet provides audio solutions for Fairmont, including in-room and lobby soundscapes. Established in 1907, Fairmont integrates music into its heritage. Devialet products like Gemini earbuds and Mania Bluetooth speakers are available at Fairmont stores. This collaboration aims to create immersive, multi-sensory environments with bespoke soundscapes and lighting.

📱 In 2025, Hotel POS systems revolutionize hospitality by offering real-time synchronization with PMS, fast billing, and enhanced guest data management. Mobile compatibility ensures smooth service. These systems are essential for efficient hotel operations. Written by Vanshikha Dhar on August 28, 2025, this article highlights eight reasons why these systems are transformative for the industry.

💻 August 2025: Boutique hotels are struggling with digital optimization. Many have 12-second website load times, outdated Google Business Profiles with only 21 photos, and blogs not updated since 2019. Critical questions include: Is the website fast? Is the Google Business Profile complete? Are FAQs and service pages updated? Addressing these basics is essential before focusing on AI search optimization. Fix foundational digital aspects to prepare for new tech advancements.

🏨 Leipzig, August 28, 2025 – Onsai, a startup founded by Ralf Bonin, Christian Mueller, Tobias Koehler, and Jochen Emig, secured over €1 million to enhance their AI for the hospitality industry. With 84% of hotels facing labor shortages, Onsai's AI streamlines tasks, operating nonstop in multiple languages. Backed by VC Fonds SIVentures and industry leaders, only 41% of European hotels utilize AI, a strategic necessity. Onsai plans global expansion and system integration within 12 months.

🏨 Explore the five critical phases of a hotel guest journey—Attract, Capture, Prepare, Deliver, and Review—to build a distinct atmosphere. Mega-brands use big data for precise targeting, while independents leverage authentic stories. Global chains like Marriott and Hilton employ sophisticated CRM and loyalty ecosystems, ensuring efficiency and consistency. Independents focus on personal connections and authenticity. Success lies in crafting experiences that transform first-time guests into loyal community members.