Innovation

🏨 Radisson Hotel Group launches Creator Hub, connecting nano influencers (1,000-30,000 followers) with 210+ hotels globally. Influencers receive non-monetary three-night stays for two, crafting content that aligns with Radisson’s brand. This initiative bolsters authenticity and innovation. By 2026, expansion into new markets is planned. Created in collaboration with Apple Tree, the platform leverages social media to enhance genuine storytelling, aiming for broader engagement and brand awareness. Apply via Instagram or TikTok for participation.

💻 In spring 2025, Google introduced an AI-driven feature called Agentic Commerce, now widely available, enhancing search with agentic capabilities. This AI mode, using Google's Gemini, performs deep, real-time searches across 351 sites, such as Yelp and OpenTable, for restaurant reservations in San Francisco. Though still in testing, it aims for seamless, in-window bookings, potentially changing travel discovery by reducing intermediary reliance. Google may monetize through transaction fees and promotional listings.

📱 In 2–3 years, hotels will adopt voice AI for handling guest calls, enabling multilingual communication and actions like bookings. Last year, Onsai began introducing this tech at ITB Berlin. Recently, at The Hospitality Show in Denver, BluIP Inc. showcased Voice AI, prompting discussions on the future of call center roles. Human interaction is still valued for personal hospitality experiences. Success lies in blending automation with genuine connections to enhance guest loyalty.

📈 In 2025, Google's AI Overviews (AIOs) dramatically impacted search click-through rates (CTR). Organic CTR decreased from 2.74% in June 2024 to 1.62% by September 2025, a 41% drop. Paid CTRs showed a 68% decline for AIO queries, from 19.70% to 6.34%. Being cited in AIOs improved performance: organic clicks rose by 35%, paid clicks by 91%. Google’s AI Overviews are reshaping search behaviors significantly as we move into 2026.

📆 Survey of hotel sales professionals shows a 58% vs. 42% split in lead management: 58% enter every lead into their system immediately, while 42% wait to qualify leads. System-first teams prioritize data capture for accuracy and forecasting. Proposal-first teams focus on immediate engagement. AI tools like ProposalPath Assistant streamline proposal creation, aiding both approaches by enhancing speed and personalization. This balance can be crucial in competitive markets, improving conversion rates without altering established workflows.

🏨 CIOs, CFOs, and VPs from major lodging companies joined educators and advisors in focus groups at HITEC 2025. They envisioned the "Guestroom of 2075" with intelligent bedrooms, adaptive architecture, and tech-driven labor models. 31 professionals spotlighted AI and LLMs as vital. Predictions included AI-regulated sleep environments, biophilic designs, and robots in housekeeping. The industry's future hinges on cultural and operational shifts, with ethical data systems and adaptive designs already in motion.

🛳 Southampton Cruise Centre, a subsidiary of Travel Village Group, has launched a new cruise platform in partnership with Dreamlake. This next-generation website enhances the cruise booking experience with intuitive design and advanced technology. It emphasizes the SailorMade Cruise & Stay packages, combining curated itineraries and land stays for a personalized experience. The platform targets the UK market, facing increased competition and narrow margins, by focusing on user experience and conversion optimization.

💻 DerbySoft partners with Corporate Travel Management (CTM) to enhance real-time hotel connectivity through CTM's Sleep Space platform. This integration with DerbySoft's Business Travel Solutions ensures live access to hotel rates and availability, improving data quality and booking efficiency. As business travel rebounds, projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2027, this partnership modernizes industry systems. By 2026, CTM and DerbySoft aim to expand this collaboration to more partners, meeting evolving traveler expectations.

🏨 La Sinfonia leverages D-EDGE's support to balance OTA partnerships with a direct booking strategy, enhancing profitability and guest relationships. This strategy builds a sustainable digital ecosystem, empowering the team and brand. The success highlights that with the right hotel technology and smart marketing solutions, boutique hotels across Asia can achieve growth and efficiency. D-EDGE continues to support La Sinfonia and others in their digital journey.