Innovation

🛫 SmartRyde and Amadeus partner to streamline airport transfers in Japan and South Korea, launching this month. Travelers gain access to pre-booked transfers via Amadeus Transfers at over 1,000 airports worldwide, with upfront pricing and real-time availability. This collaboration integrates SmartRyde’s services into Amadeus, enhancing travel itineraries with seamless transportation options. The partnership aims to offer a full-service experience, expanding global airport transfer solutions across 150+ countries.

🏆 Kevin King, CEO of Shiji, received the Lifetime Achievement Visionary Award at the 2025 Hotel Visionary Awards in Atlanta, Georgia, recognizing over 30 years in hospitality and nearly 30 years in hospitality technology. Under his leadership, Shiji expanded globally, providing cloud solutions to over 91,000 hotels, including IHG and Peninsula Hotels. The awards, now in their 20th year, honor transformative leaders in the industry. Shiji employs over 5,000 people worldwide.

💻 In October 2025, ChatGPT launched Apps reaching 800 million users on the first day, revolutionizing hotel bookings with AI-driven recommendations. Expedia and Booking.com integrated early, emphasizing trust over ads. AI mentions in travel company reports rose from 4% in 2022 to 35% in 2024, with 45% of startup funding now AI-focused. Only 2% of travelers currently let AI book for them, but this is expected to grow. Hotels must quickly build App infrastructure for direct AI integration or risk being excluded.

💻 Google is revolutionizing travel search and booking with its latest AI advancements. This shift necessitates rapid adaptation by hotels to maintain control, reminiscent of challenges faced during the online travel agency boom.

🛔 MAINE, 19 November 2025 – Acres of Wildlife campground enhanced operations by adopting RMS, saving over 32 staff hours weekly and boosting upsell revenue. With RMS, online bookings surged tenfold. Unregistered visitor detection increased fee revenue by 15-20%. In July 2024, ADR rose 36.8% from 2020. The switch streamlined bookings, automated pricing, and reduced RV move disruptions. RMS's tools and support optimized operations, benefiting staff and guests alike.

💻 Canary Technologies was recognized on the 2025 Deloitte Technology Fast 500™. In its 31st year, the ranking celebrates the fastest-growing tech firms in North America based on fiscal revenue growth from 2021 to 2024. Canary, honored for the second year, partners with hotel giants like Marriott and Wyndham, serving over 20,000 hoteliers in 90+ countries. Eligible firms needed a minimum of 50% growth, $5 million in revenue, and 4 years in business.

📈 OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman confirmed future plans for GPT-5 to handle hotel bookings with one-click. At the Progress Conference, economist Tyler Cowen noted GPT-5's role in hotel selections. OpenAI has commerce integrations with Klarna, Shopify, Instacart, and Walmart, with travel next. Hotels must adapt or risk becoming mere inventory, as the AI-driven model bypasses traditional SEO and booking strategies. Booking requires structured offers, live rates, and API access. One-click bookings via AI are imminent.

📰 Hotel PMS implementation success hinges on clear communication and strong leadership. Ryan King, Senior VP of the Americas, highlights the importance of disciplined planning and alignment among corporate and property teams. Effective change management increases project success by 30-40%. Integration readiness 60 days before go-live is crucial to avoid chaos. Appointing property champions accelerates adoption. Consistent communication and a clear project plan help mitigate resistance and confusion during transitions.

📶 In 2025, hotel tech evolves with BLE, NFC, and cloud-based mobile keys. Yet, most hotels still operate with hybrid systems. EasyKey, made in Europe, offers 24/7 autonomous check-in, supports RFID, NFC, and instant cards. Kiosks stabilize hotel operations, reducing bottlenecks and enabling seamless check-ins. Comprehensive services from kiosk.eu include installation, RMS, and FMS, ensuring smooth, uninterrupted hospitality operations. Despite digital advancements, many guests prefer physical key cards for familiarity and security.