Innovation

🎬 UK: In June 2025, Nevaya and Filmbankmedia partnered to provide Hollywood blockbuster films in hotel rooms. Content includes movies from Disney, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Sony Pictures, Discovery, and A24. Hotels can offer these films as a complimentary service or on a pay-per-view basis, including new releases. James Richmond (Nevaya) emphasizes innovation, while Majella Griffin (Filmbankmedia) highlights their extensive film roster for a unique guest experience.

📄 Celebrating 30 years, the Hospitality Operator Forum reflects on industry evolution. In the early '90s, hotel statistics were gathered manually, with interest rates hitting 12-14%. Now, AI shapes the sector's future, emphasizing human-centric roles. Operators and investors redefine cooperation, focusing on AI's potential in service enhancement, despite its limited productivity boost compared to other sectors. The challenge is to integrate AI subtly for value creation, ensuring the industry's sustainability and growth.

📈 VivaTech 2025, held from June 11-14 in Paris, set attendance records with 180,000 visitors, 15,000 more than the previous year. The event featured exhibitors from over 120 countries, a 20% increase from 2024, emphasizing artificial intelligence. Paris Intramuros hotels saw a 13.9-point increase in occupancy to 89.3% and a 10.7% rise in average daily rates to €282.4. RevPAR surged by 31.1%, driven by international attendees.

🛡️ Travel companies often claim to automate processes, but many only use tools that support manual processing. True automation removes repetitive tasks, freeing staff for more value-added roles. This mindset shift from cost-cutting to resilience allows agencies to handle demand fluctuations without hiring pressure. Automation should start with simple, high-volume tasks to build confidence. It supports stability amidst unpredictability, letting staff focus on growth rather than routine tasks.

💻 Visit Group, a Swedish travel tech company, acquired Iceland-based GODO, enhancing leadership in the Nordic region. The acquisition includes Travia, a real-time supplier connection platform. A €100 million investment from PSG Equity in early 2024 aims to accelerate growth. Richard Wiegmann is now CEO, succeeding James Dixon, who is now COO. This strategic move aims to improve direct sales, distribution, and guest experiences in the hospitality industry.

🛬 Global technology provider Etraveli Group and Mastercard Gateway have partnered to enhance fraud prevention in the travel industry. This collaboration integrates Etraveli's PRECISION, a travel-focused risk management solution, with Mastercard's secure global payments network. PRECISION handles multibillion-dollar transactions in over 200 territories and supports over 30 payment methods. The partnership aims to deliver accurate fraud detection and seamless payment experiences, empowering travel merchants globally and reducing fraud-related challenges.

💻 Agilysys, Inc. announced at HITEC 2025 (June 17-19, 2025) in a booth #1611, the Intelligent Guest Profiles, powered by guestsense.ai. This technology offers a unified guest data interface for hotels and resorts, enhancing personalized service, upselling, and guest loyalty. It integrates with Agilysys PMS and ancillary systems, collecting comprehensive data including RFM metrics to improve revenue strategies. Attend Rohith Kori's presentation on June 18, 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m., Exhibit Hall, Tutorial Stage A: Booth 801.

💰 Indianapolis, March 2025—Zucchetti North America launched Lybra Assistant, a next-generation revenue management system (RMS) at HITEC Indianapolis. With over 1,600 European hotels using it, Lybra Assistant improves revenue and efficiency by analyzing real-time demand data and flight searches. Designed for properties with over 20 rooms, the system offers automated rate recommendations for 365 days. Fulvio Giannetti, CEO of Lybra, highlights its AI-driven approach, aiming to enhance North American hotel profitability.

📺 INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana—In June 2025, LG Electronics unveiled Pro:Centric+ at HITEC, transforming hotel TVs into business tools. This platform allows seamless integration of third-party services, enhancing energy management, advertising, casting, location services, and WiFi monitoring. LG showcased partnerships with Anacove and TraknProtect, providing AI-enabled energy solutions and employee safety features. The new web interface simplifies device management, offering smartphone or tablet access for wireless provisioning, aiming to reduce costs and boost hotel profitability.

🏛 E20X HITEC 2025 in Indianapolis celebrated its 10th anniversary. Eight start-ups vied for the Judge’s Choice Award and People's Choice Award, both won by Levee. Levee, co-founded by Al Lagunas, showcased an AI housekeeping assistant enhancing inspection efficiency and accuracy, winning a $5,000 prize. Other notable pitches included Albie by TAG, Bookboost's CRM, Ediphi’s AI trainer, and SEE Carbon ZERO's sustainability platform. The event provided exposure and mentorship to all participants.