Innovation

🤖 Richtech Robotics unveiled Clouffee & Tea, featuring Adam the AI barista, in Las Vegas on Feb. 9. The robotic barista can interact, take orders, and serve milk teas, coffees, and desserts at Town Square shopping Center. Richtech's president, Matt Casella, emphasized the milestone in leveraging AI for the hospitality industry. Plans for more locations are underway, with Adam already operational since last June at a Ghost Kitchens International site in Dawsonville, Ga.

📌 Amadeus' "Travel Dreams" report analyzed feedback from 6,000 travelers across the US, China, India, UK, France, and Germany. It revealed that 63% of hotel guests are willing to pay more for specific features, potentially increasing hotel revenues by $5,300 per room annually. Approximately 12% could be added to the average daily rate with these features. While 50% of travelers prioritize personalized services, 52% are open to sharing personal data for tailored deals. Business travelers (71%) prefer online or self-service check-ins and 22% are interested in using cryptocurrency or digital wallets. Globally, the average perceived loss due to lack of travel insurance stands at $1,210 per person, with Chinese travelers estimating over $2,500. Additionally, 82% of business and 66% of leisure travelers are interested in using virtual reality tours, and 18% would let AI assist with writing reviews.

💻 IT solutions provider theICEway rebrands to nevetal, aiming to reflect its growth and commitment to digital transformation in the cruise and travel industries. CEO Ian Richardson underscores that the change symbolizes an expanded vision, enhanced services, and innovative solutions focus, maintaining that it's more than a mere name change.

📍 ConnectSmart® Kitchen (CSK) by QSR Automations® helps restaurants reduce ticket times by 40%, improving service and guest satisfaction. It optimizes workflow, boasts a 94% average ROI, and cuts ticket times by 2-20 minutes. CSK integrates with over 80 POS systems and other tech, enhancing front and back-house connection. It is trusted by brands like Darden and Dave's Hot Chicken, with nearly 30 years of industry experience.

🏨 New Zealand-based STAAH and Sayaji Hotels in Mumbai signed a MoU at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai, with NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and 80+ officials present, aiming to drive India’s hospitality sector's digital transformation. The partnership will see Sayaji Hotels use STAAH’s solutions to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations. This collaboration emphasizes the growing economic relationship and tech-driven synergy between New Zealand and India.

💰 In 2024, average RevPAR in hotels grew by 1%, with occupancy at 63.9%. Data security concerns are pushing hotels towards PCI DSS compliant digital platforms that don't store payment info. The global mobile payment market is expected to grow from $3.8 trillion in 2024 to $27.8 trillion by 2032. AI chatbots to expand from $15.6 billion in 2024 to $46.6 billion by 2029. In-app payments on U.S. social platforms could increase from $19.1 billion in 2024 to $94.5 billion by 2030. Payment fraud costs are rising, with 60% of surveyed companies in 2024 reporting over $5M in financial impact, up 136% from the previous year. Agentless payment solutions can save large contact centers over $250,000 annually and increase operational efficiency. One hotel brand reported guests spent an additional $22 per night on average for personalized experiences in 2023—$41 for luxury brands.

🏨 AI is transforming hotel operations, with RobosizeME already saving hotel groups thousands of hours through automation of tasks like financial reconciliation and rate code management. The future points toward conversational AI interfaces for real-time insights and proactive alerts, potentially rendering static reports obsolete. Hospitality Net hosted the discussion on these innovations. #AIinHospitality #Automation #DigitalWorkers #HotelTech #HospitalityInnovation #RobosizeME #ConversationalAI