Innovation

📈 Mews, the cloud-based PMS, surpassed 125,000 users across 12,500 properties worldwide. Recent growth includes $75 million in funding and strategic partnerships, notably with Choice Hotels International. The platform's ease of use aids employee retention in an industry facing labor shortages. Mews offers features like reservation management, dynamic pricing, and an intuitive interface. Users benefit from integrated payment systems and POS management, enhancing hotel operations and guest experiences.

📈 The hospitality industry contributes over $550 billion annually yet receives less than 0.004% of data for AI training. Compared to legal (76%), finance (14%), and healthcare (10%) data contributions, AI struggles to understand hospitality-specific needs. With predictive models offering limited insights, causal AI provides more accurate demand forecasts, up to 95%, boosting RevPAR by 18% and direct bookings by 27%. This AI shift saves operators over 15 hours weekly, enhancing revenue planning and guest engagement.

💻 In 2025, hospitality brands are using smart systems and AI to achieve up to 33% energy reductions, 40% water savings, and a 21% cut in greenhouse gas emissions. Artyzen Habitat Hengqin Zhuhai in China implemented sensor-driven heat pumps, while Four Seasons Madrid reduced food waste by 30% with AI, saving €88,000 annually. 80% of hotels offer mobile check-in and digital keys, with 66% of travelers influenced by sustainability in their hotel choices.

💻 SoundHound AI Inc. and Acrelec have partnered to introduce voice-enabled drive-thru systems globally. With over 25,000 installations and support for 80,000 tech deployments, Acrelec collaborates with brands like McDonald's. SoundHound’s AI, already in 10,000+ restaurants, enhances efficiency by automating order processing. This solution aims to modernize drive-thrus, improve customer experience, and address labor shortages. SoundHound handles billions of queries annually, offering seamless, future-ready restaurant solutions.

💻 Hostaway, a rental property management software firm, launched AI Auto Reply, a generative-AI tool for personalized responses. It utilizes reservation data, listing details, and guest histories for accurate replies. Following a $365 million funding in December 2024, AI use surged 170% year-on-year. The AI Auto Reply feature filled its wait-list within days and is available for general access in late October 2025. This tool helps hosts enhance guest experiences with instant answers.

🚧 Smart Parking Group launches Smart Parking AG in Switzerland. The goal is to expand its European market presence, leveraging existing subsidiaries in the UK, Denmark, and Germany. The company offers parking solutions using sensor tech, ANPR, mobile apps, and cloud systems. Rainer Artelt, managing director, aims to enhance parking efficiency. CEO Paul Gillespie emphasizes sustainable growth and addressing Switzerland’s specific needs to maximize potential.

💸 Journey, a new loyalty platform for independent hotels, raised $7.7 million in seed funding, co-led by Lerer Hippeau and Slow Ventures. Journey aims to innovate hospitality loyalty using AI, offering a Hospitality Experience Platform (HXP) for enhanced guest personalization. The platform boasts over 1,400 properties globally, including Nihi Sumba in Indonesia and Castle Hill Inn in Rhode Island. Members earn 5x points for direct bookings. The funding will aid in expanding the platform's AI capabilities and partner network.

💻 Aug 5, 2025, in the hotel distribution sector, early adoption of Agentic AI is crucial for market dominance. Companies investing in this technology report a 15-20% rise in average daily rates. Enhancements include faster response times, personalized recommendations, and a seamless booking process, boosting customer satisfaction and retention. Operational costs are reduced by automating processes, allowing staff to engage in strategic tasks. First movers gain a strategic advantage, overcoming regulatory challenges.