Innovation - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 251

2 min

TTI addresses AI uses at its annual conference

📈 Travel Technology Initiative (TTI) held an event last month in London to discuss AI use in the travel industry. Google's Lalit Gupta showcased Generative AI applications, emphasizing a shift from query-driven to multi-modal searches. Trip.com's European GM, Andy Washington, discussed personalization of trip recommendations through AI. Autoura CEO Alex Bainbridge highlighted the importance of AI in itinerary planning. Worldpay, which sponsored the event, presented on eCommerce fraud prevention with AI. The day also included a live coding tutorial.

You are the greatest souvenir

🏖️ Marriott Bonvoy launches “You Are The Greatest Souvenir” campaign on Apr 8, 2025, focusing on travel's transformational experiences over material items. The campaign, developed by Wieden+Kennedy New York and directed by Fleur Fortuné, showcases Marriott's outdoor lodging, award-winning dining, and boutique hotels. Featured during major events like the NCAA Final Four, it will be seen on TV, streaming services, airports, and in-flight entertainment.

SuiteOp Raises $3 Million in Funding

💰 SuiteOp has secured its first external funding of $3 million to fast-track development, launch advanced automation tools, and penetrate new markets. ScOp led the seed funding round, roping in Dream Capital, Kunal Shah, Sudeep Singh, Song Pak, and a private European fund. The platform, created by Sosuite co-founders Jean-Emmanuel Losi and Simon Seroussi in Philadelphia, evolved from the operational challenges of managing numerous short-term rental units. It caters to diverse lodging businesses, streamlining operations through IoT, smart automation, and guest experience enhancement tools. SuiteOp's growth includes a fivefold run rate increase, 15% monthly growth, and maintained zero customer churn. The new capital will deepen automation and support expansion in the face of heightened demand for integrated hospitality technology. Founded in 2023, SuiteOp aims to revolutionize property management efficiency and stress reduction.

4 min

Diving in: 5 Cruise Revenue Management Questions Answered

🚢 A record 19 million passengers projected to cruise in the US in 2025. IDeaS Cruise RMS supports cruise operators to maximize revenue and optimize cabin capacity. Revenue management helps cruise lines manage perishable inventory (cabins), maximize ticket fares, and ensure profitable voyages. Demand for cruises surged post-pandemic with changes in booking patterns. IDeaS provides forecasting, automation, advanced analytics, and customizable solutions for cruise lines. Collaboration across commercial organizations is emphasized for future revenue optimization.

2 min

IHG Hotels & Resorts Names Anacove a Preferred Vendor of Connected Thermostats

🏦 Hi Auto, an AI-powered voice tech startup for the QSR industry, secured $15 million in Series A funding led by Delek Motors, the Zisapel Family, and others, totaling $23 million raised with a $4 million credit line for expansion. Hi Auto's SaaS platform delivers 96% order accuracy and over 90% completion rate, tackling labor cost challenges like California's $20/hour minimum wage. With clients like Bojangles and Popeyes UK, the company's dynamic upselling feature boosts average ticket sizes. Founded in 2019 by Roy Baharav and Eyal Shapira, Hi Auto has a team of 100 people globally.

3 min

Cutting Through the Noise: Three Impactful Hospitality Trends Revenue Leaders Can’t Ignore

📌 Hoteliers are focusing on technology investments to enhance profitability and net operating income by uniting departments, personalizing guest experiences, and adopting new technologies. Hotels are integrating systems to break down operational silos and improve revenue management, which now includes tracking events and competitor pricing. Personalization strategies involve attribute-based selling and tailored packages, aiming to rival local travel experiences and home-sharing sites. Meanwhile, selecting the right technology amidst a plethora of options remains a challenge, with AI advancements requiring a solid operations and data management foundation before implementation.

3 min

Cybersecurity in Restaurants: Evolving Threats and the Role of AI

🛡 Joseph Frisk, VP and CISO at Dine Brands, and Marcus Wasdin from the Restaurant Technology Network Board of Governors highlight the complexity of cybersecurity in the restaurant industry. Cyber threats exploit human error, loyalty programs, and use AI for attacks. Restaurant IT must educate employees, secure customer data, monitor threats in real-time, and prepare for post-quantum cryptography to combat rapidly evolving cyber risks while balancing user experience.

3 min

Tambia presents a new look and feel inspired by its Colombian origins

☕ Tambia, a Colombian speciality coffee brand, is evolving its packaging this month to a new look with fully recyclable packs. The new design features a deep navy-blue background, gold logo, and a hummingbird, symbolizing Colombian biodiversity with 160 hummingbird species. The range includes Finca La Sierra, Castillo washed in light, medium, and dark roasts, and limited editions Geisha washed and Pink Bourbon washed coffees. These are available for purchase on Tambia’s website, Amazon, select retailers, and via subscription service starting at £7.43 for a 200g bag. The Arabica beans are grown on high-altitude land on Cerro Bravo, ensuring traceability and quality from seed to cup.

2 min

Leading TV and streaming provider Allente switches on to Philips MediaSuite to deliver premium TV entertainment and experiences for hotel guests

🏠 PPDS and Allente partnered to improve hotel entertainment with Philips MediaSuite TVs in Scandinavia. The collaboration, started in 2020 after Allente formed from Canal Digital and Viasat Consumer's merger, targets one million customers across Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Philips MediaSuite, the first hospitality TV with Netflix readiness and Google Cast, joins Allente's premium live sports, movies, and TV series, aiming to provide guests with a home-from-home TV experience. This service offers competitively priced content packages, enhancing in-room entertainment by allowing guests to access streaming accounts with personal devices. PPDS’ Nils Brovold and Allente’s Therese Mellin both emphasize the elevated guest experience this partnership offers.

2 min

Vacances Bleues strengthens Its digital strategy with new leadership appointment

📅 Vacances Bleues appointed Arnaud Vogel as Director of Digital Transformation and Organization, who brings over a decade of experience to the role. From January 1, 2025, Vogel will lead a team of about 20, aiming to enhance digitalization, CRM and loyalty programs, improve data quality, and integrate AI. The company operates 26 properties in France and offers travel to 120 international destinations, focusing on accessible, sustainable tourism. Vogel's expertise is seen as a vital asset for Vacances Bleues' long-term strategy and competitiveness.

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