Innovation

🚧 Bob W, in collaboration with Furthr, developed ‘LEGIT’, a tool for detailed environmental impact metrics which show hotel carbon emissions are at least five times higher than previously estimated. Bob W's LEGIT expands upon the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI) used by over 30,000 operators, including industry giants like Hyatt and Marriott International. LEGIT factors in additional elements such as construction materials and waste, revealing that Bob W’s carbon footprint was 419% higher than HCMI's calculations – specifically, a difference from 1.48 kgCO₂e/night to 19.7 kgCO₂e/night for Bob W's Koti Katajanokka building in Finland. Bob W's sustainability efforts include offsetting 100% of their operational emissions, aiming for net-zero by 2050, and a commitment to transparency by publishing guest emissions data. The company's rapid expansion, a 200% growth in portfolio, contributed to a 90% increase in total carbon footprint in 2022, totaling 4,489 tCO₂e.

🏠 Louis de Vilmorin, former International Director of Guerlain Spas, helped open approximately 15 spas in luxury hotels. A market study is emphasized before adding a spa, given that 60% of five-star hotels have spas, while 40% do not. Investing in a luxury hotel spa can require 10 to 20 million euros, and profitability often depends on local clientele memberships. Partnerships with brands like Guerlain are seen as beneficial for their expertise and retail opportunities. The integration of wellness in hospitality management, especially in education like at EHL Lausanne, is debated for its macro importance.

🚧 Bob W and environmental consultancy Furthr developed 'LEGIT', which shows hotel emissions are five times higher than previously thought. Bob W now includes per-night emission data for each room-type on their booking site and app. Using LEGIT, Bob W's emissions were 419% higher than the HCMI estimate. For example, Koti Katajanokka in Finland showed emissions of 1.48 kgCO₂e/night with HCMI, but 19.7 kgCO₂e/night with LEGIT. Bob W's 2023 Sustainability Report shows a total footprint of 4,489 tCO₂e, a 90% increase from 2022.

🏨 Orascom Hotels Management, leveraging Oracle Hospitality's cloud-based system, has streamlined the guest experience, eliminating 30 redundant workflows and introducing "Experience Ambassadors" for improved check-ins and personal service. This transformation has led to 90% faster processes, 60% reduced call times, 99% quicker rooming list imports, 90% lower external vendor fees, and a 35% increase in Experience Ambassador tips. Positive online reviews have surged, demonstrating a successful balance between guest satisfaction and profitability.

🏨 Independent hoteliers in 2025 face challenges with rising operating costs and high guest expectations. They are turning to all-in-one property management systems (PMS) to streamline operations, reduce technical integrations, and cut down tech partnerships. These systems create a consistent operations environment, improve data management, incorporate embedded payment processing, and enhance loyalty programs through data-driven insights. Multi-property management with an all-in-one PMS helps hotels operate more strategically. Hoteliers should choose tech partners carefully for seamless integrations and avoid unnecessary deployment delays. Warren Dehan, president of Maestro PMS, emphasizes the importance of technology in maintaining hotel profitability and operations efficiency.

📅 Travelport, a GDS and travel technology specialist, and Atriis, a travel technology provider, have enabled corporate clients to book and manage NDC content through the Atriis global travel platform. This expanded agreement adds to the existing multi-source content partnership, offering low-cost carrier, hotel, and rental car options. Business Travel Partners (BTP Group) is among the initial clients using Travelport's NDC content, aiming to provide personalized bookings and enhanced value for corporate travelers. The integration facilitates a one-stop comparison of NDC and traditional content for travel management companies (TMCs) and corporate travel managers.

🌍 Holiday Pirates and Trending Travel announce a strategic partnership to offer a platform with over 1.1 billion reach for tourist boards, tour operators, and travel retailers. This initiative aims to provide a full-funnel marketing solution, integrating sales teams, and promoting travel deals and content across social media, WhatsApp groups, and newsletters for enhanced consumer engagement. CEOs David Armstrong and Keith Herman highlight the partnership as a unique, cost-effective opportunity for travel industry partners.

🚀 Mize, a fintech-based solutions firm for the travel industry, has acquired RightRez, a company specializing in air industry automation and post-booking optimization. The acquisition aims to expand Mize's multi-vertical leadership by integrating RightRez's expertise, with more than 20 years in the air travel sector, into Mize's service offerings. Mize will now deliver greater value to its global client base of over 200 by combining accommodation and air travel solutions and fostering new growth and efficiency opportunities. Mize's CEO, Dor Krubiner, and COO, Omry Litvak, express confidence in the enhanced capabilities and potential for innovation through the acquisition, while RightRez's CEO, Maria von Foerster, anticipates unmatched solutions for customers in the evolving travel industry.

📱 Visito, an AI platform for independent hotels, launched Visito Voice to handle guest calls using AI, resolving over 50% of inquiries. Available 24/7 in 50+ languages, it integrates with property management systems and allows transitioning to WhatsApp, automating up to 97% of interactions. It provides hotel staff with call summaries and guest preferences insights. Pormer Sarram, co-founder and CEO, emphasized its efficiency and personal touch maintenance in high-volume call handling.

📅 American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) teams up with Lufthansa Group to expand New Distribution Capability (NDC) fares, enhancing customer value with access to NDC-only rates and promotions from airlines like Lufthansa, Swiss International Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines, and Discover Airlines. Amex GBT's NDC programme already includes over 20 carriers, and the partnership aims to provide robust, NDC-enabled solutions for corporate customers, promising a seamless and personalized experience.