Innovation

📶 Airalo, an international travel eSIM provider, raised $220 million in funding, led by CVC's $185 million contribution, reaching a valuation over $1 billion. Serving over 20 million travelers in 200+ destinations, Airalo will enhance user experience and expand offerings, including eSIM bundles and new in-app features for web, iOS, and Android. CEO Ahmet Bahadir Ozdemir highlights the funding as a milestone for global connectivity, with plans to innovate international mobile solutions and enterprise platforms.

📈 In a study analyzing 400+ keywords for 16 clients, 77% of mentions in ChatGPT and Perplexity corresponded with first-page Google rankings. Ranking in the top three positions increased mentions to 82% on Perplexity. The correlation between Google rankings and AI mentions ranged up to 93% for individual clients. Domain Rating (DR) was found to influence AI tool mentions, highlighting the importance of backlinks. These findings emphasize the continued relevance of SEO in AI search visibility.

💻 RoomRaccoon partners with HiJiffy to automate guest interactions for independent hotels. HiJiffy’s AI centralizes communication in 130+ languages, automating up to 90% of interactions. The integration connects HiJiffy’s AI with RoomRaccoon’s booking engine, enhancing guest experiences and increasing direct bookings. CEO Tiago Araújo highlights the streamlined booking journey. Tymen van Dyl notes it reduces workload while increasing revenue. This aligns with RoomRaccoon’s strategy to expand AI capabilities and improve hotelier efficiency.

📈 In 2025, at HITEC, IDeaS Revenue Solutions highlighted AI's role in hospitality, noting its use in their revenue management software for 35 years. Their new IDeaS Spotlight tool, launched in July, aids marketers by optimizing ad spend using AI, reducing system setup time from three days to hours, and helping hotels efficiently plan campaigns. The tool aims to integrate with existing marketing systems for enhanced data sharing and actionability.

📱 RoomRaccoon partners with HiJiffy in Breda to automate 90% of guest interactions via AI, supporting 130+ languages. The integration enhances guest experience and direct bookings by streamlining communication across platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram. HiJiffy’s AI assistant engages guests through live chat and RoomRaccoon’s PMS data for personalized messaging. This collaboration helps independent hotels manage guest communication effectively while increasing revenue.

🛌 Journey, a new loyalty platform for independent hospitality operators, launched in New York. Designed for boutique hotels, luxury resorts, and short-term rentals, it uses AI to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations. Already adopted by over 1,300 properties, including locations in Indonesia, Texas, and Colorado, Journey helps independents personalize services and reduce third-party reliance. CEO John Sutton emphasizes its advantage over traditional loyalty programs. Journey's platform integrates with existing systems to offer real-time personalization.

📈 Guest trust in hotels starts with accurate online content. Misaligned data, like a fitness center's location, often leads to guest complaints and financial losses. The hospitality industry suffers from content fragmentation due to legacy systems like PMS and CRS, which don't integrate well. A single source of truth (SSoT) is needed to ensure consistency. The industry should focus on collaboration, viewing AI as a validation tool, not a creator. Accurate content is essential for maintaining brand integrity.

📈 Mews introduces versatile ledgers to modernize hotel accounting. Prepayments auto-log in the Deposit Ledger and shift to the Guest Ledger upon check-in. The Guest Ledger offers real-time revenue insights, while the City Ledger manages post-checkout payments. Trial Balance consolidates daily activity for export. These updates provide real-time financial views, GAAP compliance, cleaner data, and smoother audits, all enhancing hotel operations and automation. Ideal for modern hoteliers seeking precise, efficient accounting solutions.

📰 Matthias H interviewed Lennert De Jong, CEO of citizenM, about its sale to Marriott. In 2023, digital influence shaped over 60% of retail sales, projected to hit 70% by 2027. Expensify invested $40 million in F1 movie product placement, aiming for a 5:1 ROI. During COVID-19, hotels offered minibar items for unused towels. TikTok leads social retail, while AI poses risks by anthropomorphizing technology, urging regulation. Apple’s privacy changes challenge marketing attribution.

💻 Meyer Jabara Hotels, managing 45 hotels across the U.S., harnesses AI to revolutionize guest experiences. AI personalizes ambiance and suggests activities, enhancing satisfaction and loyalty. AI aids in revenue management, forecasting, and accounting by analyzing data. The Beekeeper app ensures staff communication. Future plans include exploring CoPilot for staff training and AR/VR for immersive guest experiences. Cybersecurity, with multi-factor authentication and real-time threat detection, remains essential to protect these innovations, ensuring safety and guest privacy.