Innovation

🍻 In the U.S., 35% of legal-aged Americans participated in Dry January in 2022, with many reducing alcohol consumption permanently. Bacari, a Los Angeles-based chain, and Another Broken Egg Cafe with 102 locations, noted a decrease in alcohol sales. Mocktails have surged in popularity, with menu mentions up 37.4% since 2019. These zero-proof drinks are priced around $6-$18, nearly matching the profit margin of alcoholic beverages despite lower costs. Bacari's complex "Waste Not Want Not" and Dirty Habit's "Lavender Lie" exemplify the trend towards inclusive, premium alcohol-free options.

🏨 A survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association indicates 67% of hotels experience staffing shortages, with 12% severely understaffed. These shortages impact guest satisfaction and operational efficiency. AI technologies are being used to enhance guest experiences, but property technology integration can better address staffing issues by automating routine tasks, improving revenue management, and increasing operational efficiency. An integrated technology approach can help hotels optimize operations and alleviate staffing challenges without removing the human touch essential for memorable guest experiences.

💾 61% of consumers prefer personalized experiences and would pay more for them. AI in hospitality can summarize guest profiles for a personalized welcome. Flexible payment options, including one-click payments and popular local methods, enhance guest experiences. Multilingual booking engines improve conversion rates. Engaged guests spend 46% more than disengaged ones—a difference of $230 on a $500 expenditure. Email marketing in hospitality can yield a 42:1 ROI. Personalized check-ins offer guests control, with options for digital keys or traditional methods. The Chloe in New Orleans, using Mews, exemplifies personalized guest experiences by starting with a cocktail.

💻 AI in hospitality improves guest experience by providing intuitive security and convenience, and managing workforce costs. AI-based fraud detection in hotels identifies anomalies by analyzing booking and payment patterns. AI-powered self-service enables instant identity verification and personalized room assistance. Non-Obvious Analytics (NOA) listens to silent guest feedback through data analysis, enhancing future stays. AI will be critical for handling increased demand during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The author Sowmya Rajagopalan leads TCS’s Travel, Transportation and Hospitality Business Unit in the Americas, with 29 years of IT industry experience.

🏦 UK-based Travelogix has entered a multi-year agreement with TMC, Blue Cube Travel, member of The Advantage Travel Partnership, in 2025. The partnership involves the implementation of Travelogix’s Analytix platform, including DataValet and DataShare modules, to enhance Blue Cube Travel’s data management and reporting capabilities. Chris Lewis, CEO of Travelogix, and Kevin Trill, director at Blue Cube Travel, both emphasize the alignment in vision and innovation that this collaboration represents for the travel industry.

✈ The 32nd Arabian Travel Market (ATM), set for April 28-May 1, 2025, at Dubai World Trade Centre, will focus on 'Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity'. Key topics include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which doubled in production to 1 million tonnes in 2024 and is expected to reach 2.1 million tonnes in 2025. Emirates and Etihad have cut CO2 emissions using SAF on various international routes. Industry revenues for 2025 are projected to surpass $1 trillion with traveler numbers hitting 5.2 billion, a 6.7% increase over 2024, while flights are anticipated to reach 40 million. Business travel is predicted to rise, with 40% of companies planning to increase travel and 42% expecting higher spending than in 2024. Gen Z and millennials are prioritizing airport entertainment, with 43% choosing destinations based on airport offerings. The 2024 ATM had 4.5% of exhibitors from the aviation sector, taking up 10% of the space, with growth anticipated in 2025.

📈 Travelport signed a long-term content agreement with China Eastern Airlines, integrating New Distribution Capability (NDC) content. This enables travel agents to manage NDC reservations, including cancellations and exchanges. The deal aims to scale NDC adoption and enhance content accessibility through Travelport's AI-driven Content Curation Layer and Content Optimiser in Travelport+. China Eastern's Vice President Fu Jian highlighted the commitment to top-tier content and customized customer experiences, while Travelport's goal is to be the industry's leading content aggregator, simplifying NDC content access and management.

🌍 Travelsoft launches Travelsoft Services, a white-label multi-consolidator for its 1,200 clients, expanding offerings across its platforms like Atcore and TravelgateX. Based in Palma de Mallorca, it's led by Celeste Mussetti as managing director. Services include access to hotels, flights, trains, and more, with XML connections to key suppliers. Manuel Aragonés, CEO of Travel Compositor, emphasizes innovation and client growth through this initiative.

💻 Mews, a hospitality cloud firm, acquired Clarity Hospitality Software Solutions, marking its 12th acquisition. Clarity, a New Zealand-based company, opened a UK office in 2016, servicing hotel groups and venues across APAC and the UK. Mews' technology is adopted by numerous hotels in these regions. Valued at over $1 billion, Mews has over 75,000 users and increased UK customers by 42% and APAC by 16%. Mews CEO Matt Welle intends to build a global network of connected hotels. Clarity's CEO Dougall Love emphasizes technology-driven productivity and guest experiences.