Innovation

💻 SoundHound AI Inc. and Acrelec announced a strategic partnership to enhance drive-thrus worldwide with AI voice technology. SoundHound’s AI, already in over 10,000 restaurants, integrates with Acrelec's systems, improving order efficiency and staff optimization. With 25,000+ drive-thru installations globally, Acrelec supports major brands like McDonald's and Dunkin'. This partnership addresses restaurant labor shortages and operational demands, aiming to modernize and streamline customer experiences.

💻 Mistral 7B, a 7-billion-parameter language model, outperforms Llama 2 13B, which has almost twice the parameters. Over the past 18 months, AI research shows smaller models trained with high-quality data can outperform larger ones. DeepMind's Chinchilla demonstrated a 70-billion parameter network beating GPT-3’s 175 billion. Newer sparse models like Mixtral 8x7B enhance efficiency by using specialist sub-networks. Leaner AI models reduce costs and latency, benefiting sectors like hospitality by lowering energy usage and expenses.

📈 Between rising labor costs and flat RevPAR, hotel leaders are using Matterport's digital twin technology to streamline operations, cut costs, and enhance sustainability. Digital twins help with staff training, remote evaluations, and renovation decisions, reducing project travel costs by up to 53%. With immersive 4K imagery and 3D lidar, operators improve brand consistency and decision-making. Despite misconceptions, digital twins offer time-efficient, scalable solutions for properties of all sizes, meeting modern travelers' expectations.

🗺 In 2024, AI-driven holiday planning surged, with 40% of travelers using it for trip research, rising from 26% in 2023 and expected to increase further by 2025. AI, offering real-time recommendations and predictive analytics, enhances personalization. Travel brands should harness AI for creative, relevant advertising, tapping into consumer intentions early in their journey. AI-driven hyper-personalization optimizes ad delivery, boosting engagement and conversions in a competitive market, particularly for last-minute bookings and high-value travelers.

🛩 Saudi Arabia's Saudia airline is using Apple's technology to track lost luggage in 2025. The Share Item Location feature allows bags with AirTags to share locations via a digital portal, ending after recovery or seven days. Less than 1% of luggage is lost, but 36.1 million bags were mishandled globally in 2023. Saudia expands to 100 routes, aiding its digital transformation. More than 15 airlines, including Emirates, Lufthansa, and Virgin Atlantic, also accept Find My item locations.

🛫 Dubai Airports has launched the DXB Greet & Go service at Terminal 3, using QR codes to streamline arrivals. Available for licensed hotels, limo services, and tour operators, it replaces traditional guest paging. Travelers scan a QR code to get driver and vehicle details, ensuring quick pick-up. Essa Al Shamsi, Senior VP of Terminal Operations, highlights improved guest reception and terminal flow. This complements services like premium luggage delivery, enhancing efficiency at Dubai International.

📈 Amadeus reported a 6.8% increase in Group Revenue for the first half of 2025, with Adjusted Operating Income up 7.6%. Free Cash Flow totaled €468.6 million, and Net Financial Debt was €1,715.0 million. The company invested over €700 million in R&D. Air IT Solutions revenue increased 7.1%, with Asia Pacific seeing a 9.9% rise in passengers boarded. Hospitality & Other Solutions revenue grew 6.2%, and Air Distribution revenue increased by 6.8%. Bookings in Asia Pacific rose by 10.4%.

🏨 Belgian Ayuryoga Wellness Hotel, after joining STAAH, saw a 15-20% rise in occupancy, an 11-15% year-on-year revenue growth, and a 20% increase in direct bookings. Administrative time dropped by 50%, boosting focus on guest experiences. STAAH's real-time updates and review management tools were key, leading to better guest ratings and reducing booking errors. The hotel now seamlessly blends Ayurvedic hospitality with digital efficiency.

📈 Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta expressed optimism during the company's Q2 results, reporting a projected full-year RevPAR growth of 0% to 2%. Hilton's largest market, the US, anticipates favorable regulatory and trade conditions. NUG for the quarter was 7.5%, with a year-end forecast of 6%-7%. Meanwhile, Wyndham projects RevPAR growth of -2% to +1%, with CEO Geoff Ballotti highlighting tech growth near Wyndham hotels as a positive tailwind.

💳 ROH partners with Small Luxury Hotels of the World to become the preferred payments platform for over 620 luxury hotels in 90 countries. The platform automates payment operations to enhance profitability. Jess Conroy, CEO of ROH, and Richard Hyde, COO of SLH, emphasize efficiency improvements. The WestHouse Hotel in New York is already benefiting from the system, allowing staff to focus more on guest experiences and revenue activities.