Innovation

💾 PAR Technology Corp. unveiled its PAR POS Spring Release, enhancing guest convenience with contactless payment options like Pay via SMS and QR code, and allowing payment through loyalty accounts. The update introduces Geofencing Integration for ETA on Kitchen Chits, streamlines pickup operations, and offers tailored pricing on item modifiers. It also improves tax support catering to regions like Ontario, Canada, and incorporates marketplace facilitator taxes from delivery services. The platform now allows custom data management via API, with significant performance boosts, reducing sync times to nearly instant. The release aims to balance stability and innovation for restaurant operators.

💰 Loyalty check sizes are increasing across restaurant concepts and c-stores, with 50% of FSRs, 44% of QSRs, and 31% of c-stores seeing over 10% growth year-over-year. However, 12-25% of brands experienced declines, and about a quarter saw no significant change. The 2025 Paytronix Loyalty Report highlights the importance of AI-enhanced data analytics, qualitative behavior feedback, and personalization to drive loyalty spend and visit frequency. AI-driven personalization, smart upsells, and relevant offers can transform loyalty programs into revenue generators. Note: As an AI language model, I don't have direct access to external content such as the "2025 Paytronix Loyalty Report" and therefore cannot extract data or content from it. The summary provided is based on the information you included in the initial request.

🏠 At the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, running from 28 April to 1 May in Dubai, AI's role in advancing travel will be highlighted. AI and machine learning capture about two-thirds of global tech investment deals in travel since 2020. Danielle Curtis, ATM Exhibition Director, promises visionary speakers and innovative solutions in booking and data analysis. Cassie Kozyrkov, ex-Google AI expert, will discuss AI adoption in travel on the opening day.

🏗 Tour Partner Group, a B2B destination management company, has acquired JacTravel and is implementing Nezasa’s TripBuilder platform to improve operations and reach. This technology is expected to decrease time for client offers by 25% and enhance productivity. Their collaboration, a three-year contract, aims to strengthen Tour Partner Group’s market position and grow its B2B2C channel.

💰 BizAway acquires Spanish AI business travel solution Aervio, expanding its technological assets and workforce with most of Aervio's staff joining BizAway's Spanish offices. Aervio, known for its AI tools that reduce travel planning time by 90% through Natural Language Processing, was founded in April 2016. BizAway, with offices in Italy, Spain, Albania, and Dubai and over 360 employees, aims to enhance its platform for better service. Since 2015, BizAway has raised over €50 million, including €35 million in September 2024 from investors like Mayfair Equity Partners, MundiVentures, and others. CEO Luca Carlucci emphasizes the human factor in customer assistance alongside technological growth.

💰 Zenmer launched Zenia V2 with Agentic AI, enhancing its AI travel assistant for business travellers and agents. Zenia V2 utilizes Large Language Model (LLM) for natural language processing, one-click bookings, and supports cancellations and post-booking operations. It aids travel advisors with multi-language support, personalized understanding of travel policies and client preferences, increasing productivity and personalization. Nikunj Agrawal, CEO of Zenmer, highlights Zenia V2 as the first OBT with such capabilities.

🏨 RoomRaccoon, a global hotel management software provider, partners with AI company Pricepoint to offer a dynamic pricing solution for independent hotels. This two-way integration leverages artificial intelligence to analyze booking curves and customer behavior, updating room rates in real-time across sales channels. Aimed at optimizing revenue management without manual intervention, the solution is now available to hoteliers worldwide, enhancing competitiveness and operational efficiency.

📦 Accelya launches FLX ONE Cargo, a cloud-native platform, to enhance airline cargo operations with AI and machine learning on AWS Cloud. The platform aims for better capacity planning, overbooking strategies, cargo space utilization, and reduces costs. FLX ONE Cargo enables real-time operations, digital connectivity, and offers to settlement lifecycle support. Tim Reiz, the Chief Product & Technology Officer at Accelya, emphasizes the necessity for modern infrastructure in the air cargo industry. The API-first architecture of FLX ONE Cargo complies with IATA standards, including ONE Record.

📢 TRYBE, a cloud-native all-in-one booking solution, has integrated ResDiary, a restaurant reservation and table management platform. This integration enables guests to book restaurants with live availability while organizing their spa packages, streamlining interactions between hotel, spa, and dining services. TRYBE Co-Founder, Ricky Daniels, emphasizes the enhanced guest experience and operational simplicity. Colin Winning, Director of ResDiary, highlights the benefits for hotels and guests with this innovative partnership.

🎢 Odysseus Solutions adds Windstar Cruises to its portfolio, marking its entry into boutique sailing and motor yachts. Monish Luthra, the CEO, announces the partnership which brings luxury sailing yacht options to its platform. Windstar Cruises is known for small-ship experiences with 150 to 350 guests, sailing to destinations including Europe, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Windstar will introduce two new ships, Star Seeker in December 2025 and Star Explorer in December 2026.