Innovation

🏨 Sean Seah, SVP of Strategy, Technology and Innovation at Langham Hospitality Group, emphasizes innovation tailored to specific problems in hospitality. Langham plans to grow from 32 to 100 hotels in ten years, focusing on customer experience and digital transformation. CEO Bob van den Oord, appointed in 2023, tasked Seah with disruptive ideas and innovation. Langham's move to a cloud-native property management system aims to centralize customer data for enhanced personalization. Seah is leveraging AI for targeted customer offers and operational efficiency, with pilot projects like Microsoft's AI co-pilot for back-office improvements. The first hotel cloud migration took six months, prioritizing learning and scaling with empathy. The overarching mission is to maintain Langham's luxury essence while innovating at scale, serving property owners, customers, and the team.

💻 The travel and hospitality industry, valued at $5 trillion, dedicates about 7% of its revenue to digital marketing, with giants like Booking.com and Expedia spending $16 billion in 2024, representing 30% to 50% of their revenues. In contrast, hotels typically spend 2% to 5% on marketing. AI platforms like ChatGPT, which achieved 200 million monthly users and 100 million app downloads in over a year, are reshaping consumer behavior. Despite the high cost of AI development, with new models estimated at $100 million, smaller companies are finding opportunities through third-party AI models. OpenAI faced a $5 billion loss in 2024, highlighting the challenge of sustainable revenue models in the AI industry. As AI evolves, incorporating real-time Availability, Rates, and Inventory (ARI) becomes a likely next step, mirroring metasearch advancements. Major companies are integrating AI to stay competitive, but AI's high costs could impact short-term profits. The hospitality marketing landscape is on the cusp of transformation due to AI's increasing influence.

💻 Stable Kernel launched a Data & AI Practice led by Ben Manning, Ph.D., featuring Agentic AI, which enables autonomous decision-making and adaptation. Agentic AI is transforming industries including foodservice and retail by streamlining operations and enhancing customer experiences. A quick-service restaurant (QSR) saw an 80% faster time to market, reducing promotion rollout from 3 weeks to 3 days. For a video-on-demand (VoD) platform, Stable Kernel's solutions scaled operations and forecasted peak demand, supporting competitive market presence.

🚀 Ukraine's largest airline, SkyUp Airlines, has migrated to IBS Software’s iFly Res to support its commercial operations restart as the airline resumes regular flights in the EU. This transition is seen as a "key milestone" for the airline's recovery after its temporary phase as an ACMI and charter carrier. The new Passenger Services System (PSS) provided by IBS Software aims to enhance customer service and ensure operational efficiency. Chief Commercial Officer Daria Alieksieienko expresses excitement for future opportunities and the strengthening of the airline post-conflict in Ukraine.

📈 Amadeus, a GDS and travel technology specialist, invested in hivr.ai via Amadeus Ventures. Based in Germany, hivr.ai was founded by four ex-Expedia managers and offers AI-led solutions to automate and consolidate group sales across various channels like hotel websites and third-party venues. Their technology aims to streamline hotel processes, shorten sales cycles, and boost revenue from meetings and groups. Amadeus is also planning to integrate hivr.ai's tech with its own sales and catering solution, Delphi, and enhance its MeetingBroker product. Terms of the investment are undisclosed.

🏩 Air India introduced eZ Booking, an AI-driven platform for easier reservation. Exclusive to Maharaja Club members, this feature simplifies booking by reducing steps and screens on their website. Powered by Agentic AI, eZ Booking employs machine learning and natural language processing. Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Dr. Satya Ramaswamy, highlighted its aim to enhance customer experience. The Red Dot Design Museum in Singapore displays the award-winning design concept. eZ Booking will soon be available on Air India's mobile site and app.

✈ SITA and Cathay Pacific have embarked on a new agreement to upgrade network bandwidth in 51 global airports, increasing it by up to five times through SITA Connect Go service. The service offers up to 300 Mbps bandwidth, dual Internet connectivity, and includes three Gateways for legacy systems. The 12-month project began in April 2024, expecting completion and full operation in early Q2 2025, enhancing operational efficiency and Cloud application transition while ensuring cost-effectiveness.

📍 TPConnects Technologies has integrated NDC content for Air France and KLM on its Iris platform, enhancing distribution for the airline group and expanding TPConnects' airline partnerships. Travel sellers will gain access to fares, seating, baggage options, special meals, and more, with guaranteed live availability and real-time pricing. This strategic enhancement demonstrates TPConnects' commitment to providing comprehensive content, as stated by VP Giuseppe Candela. Hichame Lahkim Bennani, commercial director for Air France-KLM in India and the Middle East, highlighted the integration's value in their NDC distribution strategy.

✈ Corporate Travel Management's (CTM) booking tool Lightning now shows Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) scores for over 250 airlines during flight selection. Initially tested with a pilot group in the UK and Europe in early 2024, SAF scores are now free for all customers in North America, Asia, with Australia and New Zealand to follow in 2025. This feature aids in making sustainable travel choices, considering factors like price, policy status, seat availability, and detailed carbon emissions.