Innovation

💻 Hospitality leaders in 2025 leverage AI and IoT for enhanced guest experiences and operational efficiency. Unified, cloud-based AI platforms enable predictive decision-making by consolidating data on guest preferences, energy use, and staff activity. AI-driven systems optimize resource usage, personalize guest services, and support sustainability goals with intelligent HVAC and water management. Moreover, AI asset tracking and staff safety systems improve service speed and safety, fulfilling sustainability and personalization demands while reducing costs.

📁 Mark Fancourt, founder of TRAVHOTECH, shares insights into hospitality technology's evolution. His expertise spans both hospitality firms and solution providers. Check his article on hotel PMS software's role in tech stacks. Listen to his podcast replay for more. Subscribe for episode insights, or join discussions on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Explore advertising options with Hospitality Daily. Music by Clay Bassford from Bespoke Sound enhances the show.

🛳 Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Orient Express are entering the luxury cruise market. In October 2025, Ritz-Carlton’s Luminara will host a seven-night Mediterranean voyage with Sotheby’s art events, visiting Portofino, Livorno, and Mallorca. Orient Express' Corinthian, debuting June 2026, will be the largest sailing yacht, featuring 54 suites, hybrid technology, and dining by Yannick Alléno. Both ventures target affluent travelers seeking luxury and cultural experiences on the sea.

🏨 Limehome is converting an unused building in Burgos' historic center into a 50-room hotel, located between the Cathedral and Plaza Mayor. The renovation, part of Limehome’s northern and central Spain expansion, will conclude by 2028. Founded in 2018, Limehome operates over 10,300 units across 153 European cities, with 650 in Spain. In 2024, they plan for 600 new units in Madrid and Valencia, emphasizing sustainable urban development and digital accommodations.

🏨 Meininger Hotels achieved over 200 million EUR in total revenue with 4.5 million overnight stays and nearly 80% occupancy. By 2025, they'll open their first Spanish property in Barcelona and re-enter the UK market with Edinburgh. Renovations were completed in Berlin, Munich, and Paris. Digital initiatives include self-service group bookings and a fully digital check-in by 2025. Sustainability efforts include EV charging and green electricity use. Employee retention rose by 8% in 2024.

📈 Canadian hoteliers are transitioning from Preno to alternative Property Management Systems (PMS) as of June 19, 2025. These alternatives offer real-time updates, better group management, and local support, enhancing operations for boutique hotels. The shift aims to improve efficiency and customer service in the competitive hospitality market. ???? Hotelogix is a resourceful platform providing insights and trends on these developments.

📺 LG Electronics unveiled Pro:Centric+ at HITEC 2025 (June 16–19, Booth #3805). Pro:Centric+ integrates third-party services into hotel TVs, reducing operating costs and increasing safety while simplifying installation and management. The platform supports energy management, advertising insertion, casting services, location services, and Wi-Fi monitoring. Anacove and TraknProtect showcase integrations for energy savings and staff safety. A new web interface simplifies device management. LG emphasizes revenue opportunities through advertising and monetization programs for hotel owners and brands.

🛡 TravelPerk's research highlights that 44% of business travelers lack official company travel insurance. In the UK, 62% of employees have company-provided coverage, compared to 51% in Germany. TravelPerk launched a new medical and baggage insurance product for European business travelers, addressing issues like uncovered medical incidents (30%) and lost luggage (39%). The insurance, available via the TravelPerk Platform, offers comprehensive protection powered by battleface, ensuring seamless coverage for global business travels.

📶 Awareness of eSIMs is low in the US, UK, and China, with only 33% of consumers globally aware. A YouGov survey of over 6,500 adults shows 52% of US respondents are unaware of eSIM technology. China leads in usage, with 27% having tried it. Despite this, 49% of consumers are open to using eSIMs for travel, with higher interest in the UK (56%) and China (60%). Companies like Revolut and Carrefour are already offering travel eSIM services.

🌏 Sunweb, a major tour operator, partners with Hubby to provide eSIM-based internet access in 200+ destinations, enhancing travel experiences for customers from the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, UK, Sweden, and Denmark. Customers traveling to Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt can use their regular mobile numbers without roaming charges. The 1GB eSIM is activated upon arrival, offering a simple solution for connectivity through Sunweb’s branded app.