Innovation

🏨 Chet Pipkin, founder of Belkin and Desolation Hotel, integrates decades of consumer tech experience into hospitality. He's employing technology to streamline guest experiences, from EV charging to seamless bike checkouts. Chet emphasizes removing friction and solving issues, focusing on guests and staff. His approach simplifies systems to enhance service. Explore the episode for practical insights on elevating technology use in hospitality. Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound accompanies the show.

💳 Berlin, Germany, November 13, 2025 – Shiji launched new payment functionality for Daylight PMS, powered by Stellaris Digital Payby. This integration allows hotels to manage payments, pre-authorizations, and cards directly within the PMS, enhancing efficiency and security. It supports PCI DSS and 3DS PSD2 compliance. Shiji, with 5,000 employees, provides tech solutions to over 91,000 hotels globally. This feature helps streamline workflows and improve financial accuracy.

💳 Berlin, Germany – Shiji launched a new embedded payments feature for Daylight PMS, powered by Stellaris Digital Payby. This integration allows hotel teams to manage payment requests directly within the PMS, improving operational efficiency and security. Key features include end-to-end workflow, real-time synchronization, and compliance with PCI DSS and 3DS PSD2 standards. Shiji, with over 5,000 employees, supports 91,000 hotels globally with technology that enhances seamless operations.

💰 Hotel fraud targets hotels by exploiting vulnerabilities in payment systems, online bookings, and loyalty programs. High volumes of sensitive data make hotels prime targets. Common fraud types include credit card fraud, phishing, and employee misconduct. Fraud leads to financial loss, operational strain, and loss of guest trust. Detection involves monitoring unusual requests and payment attempts. Prevention strategies include secure payment systems, staff training, and regular audits. AI and automation are pivotal for future fraud prevention.

💻 Atlanta, 2025: Christine Lising of Shiji Group discusses the impact of AI and tech on hotel Food & Beverage operations. Key insights include mobility, AI, predictive analytics, and automation for seamless and personalized experiences. Shiji’s global hotel tech platform aids 91,000 hotels. Upcoming webinar on December 4th, 2025, at 2:00 PM EST explores hotel F&B tech advancements. Join the session to learn more about AI-driven and empathy-based innovations.

💸 Sonder's liquidation follows the collapse of its Marriott deal. Despite branding as a "tech-enabled hospitality" disruptor, it relied on traditional hotel operations like room leasing and renovations. Sonder's $2.2B SPAC valuation in 2022 was driven by tech hype rather than solid unit economics. Similar to WeWork, its capital-intensive model faltered due to thin margins. The lesson: tech must be backed by strong operational execution.

✈️ European air travel volume increased by 4.4%, while airfares rose by 4.6% last year, according to SAP Concur data. At the GBTA + VDR Europe Conference in Hamburg, SAP Concur introduced AI-powered features to improve business travel efficiency and compliance. Yet, 69% of travel managers and 81% of CFOs find insufficient budgets hinder necessary travel. SAP's Joule AI, integrated into Concur Travel & Expense, offers assistance by automating tasks and enhancing spend management.

🌐 Revolut, Mews, RateGain, and Juniper Group have been active in the travel industry's M&A market, announcing acquisitions within a month. Japan-based JTB Corporation acquired Northstar Travel Group, while Travolution was acquired by eventiz, a Travelsoft subsidiary. Travolution will operate independently, led by existing editor Kate Harden-England. Plans include integrating Tom.travel into Travolution, ensuring editorial impartiality. Travolution's exclusive event on December 2 will precede its major awards night.

✈️ AACO, SITA, and Amadeus are collaborating to enhance aviation sustainability through data and technology. Their initiative merges SITA's Eco Mission with Amadeus' Travel Impact Suite to provide accurate emissions data, empowering travelers to make informed decisions. This partnership leverages verified operational insights for airlines, travel agencies, and passengers to understand and act on environmental impacts. Abdul Wahab Teffaha of AACO and Yann Cabaret of SITA emphasize transparency and trust in driving progress.

🚀 Three UK university teams won the Future of Travel Innovation Challenge held at the Shangri-La Hotel in The Shard, London. Hosted by Dida and Headstart Global, winners include Team Trip Sentinel from Durham University for AI-powered travel, Team RME Solutions from University College London for sustainability, and Team Synapse from Imperial College London for accommodation design. Each team receives a cash prize and a visit to Dida's HQ in Shenzhen.