Innovation

📈 In 2026, 300+ hotel professionals indicated a preference for Best-in-Class systems over All-in-One systems. 30% of All-in-One users plan to switch, compared to 14% moving the other way. Best-in-Class systems show higher satisfaction: 70% for property management and 59% for revenue management, versus 55% and 51% for All-in-One respectively. Integration is a top challenge for 38% of respondents. 68% of hotels with 101-250+ rooms adopt Best-in-Class, while 54% with 100 or fewer rooms opt for All-in-One.

🗺 British travellers are booking holidays 4.9 months in advance, leading Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In 2026, 77% plan more trips than in 2025, with Gen Z and Millennials averaging six and five trips, respectively, against a national average of four. Notably, 62% of Gen Z and 57% of Millennials use AI for planning. Multi-country travel interest is at 41%, with destinations like Oslo and Rabat gaining popularity. 46% prefer luxury stays, with all-inclusive options at 26%.

💻 Marriott International launches the Marriott Tech Accelerator (MTA) in Hyderabad, India, marking a pivotal step in advancing hospitality technology. The MTA aims to accelerate innovation aligned with Marriott's global tech vision. This strategic move focuses on empowering teams to execute with purpose and precision in the fast-paced AI-driven era.

📈 Revenue leaders in the hospitality sector are now focusing on total profitability. Traditional metrics like RevPAR are outdated. New leaders, known as commercial strategists, are prioritizing total profit optimization and aligning marketing, operations, and finance for long-term success. AI and Business Intelligence are crucial, automating 76% of manual tasks, allowing teams to concentrate on strategy and value creation. LodgIQ supports this shift from revenue management to commercial strategy.

🗺️ Kansas City, MO: According to MMGY's latest report, 66% of U.S. travelers plan to travel in the next six months, with 53% traveling for winter holidays. Notably, 36% prefer leisure vacations with immediate family, while cooking class interest rose to 19%. The 2026 FIFA World Cup entices 21% to spend an average of $3,652 per trip. AI tools are used by 40% for travel planning, with human recommendations still more trusted than AI-generated ones.

📑 Adrienne Hanna, CEO of Right Revenue, started her tech journey in her late 40s, leveraging 30 years in hospitality. In 2017, Right Revenue was founded to bridge the tech gap for independent hotels, offering tools usually available to big brands. Her system supports 'also Revenue Managers' who juggle multiple roles, with user-friendly dashboards and recommendations. Adrienne emphasizes balanced automation and human intuition, advocating for more integrated revenue management across departments for long-term success.

🎤 Safemark, based in Orlando, FL, has introduced the Marshall Heston 60 TV soundbar to bolster hotel in-room entertainment. With over 70% of travelers prioritizing entertainment, this soundbar features Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and customizable sound modes. It's designed for flexible installation and long-term reliability. Safemark, a leading hospitality solutions provider, continues expanding its product line to include more innovative products like Indel B mini refrigerators and Marshall Homeline speakers.

💻 In the hospitality industry, digital transformation is crucial for operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Despite advancements like Fidelio and cloud computing, the sector lacks a unified selling platform to integrate all services. A cohesive sales enablement platform is necessary to boost revenue beyond rooms, as siloed inventory limits visibility and consumption. Emphasizing a unified sales approach could revolutionize how hospitality products, such as rooms, dining, and activities, are marketed, ultimately enhancing customer experience and operational growth.

🏨 SiteMinder's 2025 Partner Awards honored 12 businesses across five continents for their innovative contributions to hotel technology. Winners include Hotel Solutions (Colombia), RevenYou (Australia), and Golden Collection Hotels (Mexico), which achieved 30% revenue growth. Visito (USA) developed AI handling 90% of guest inquiries in 50+ languages. Welcome Pickups (Greece) expanded to 150 destinations. Awards recognized the transformative impact of tech partners in hospitality. SiteMinder supports 130 million reservations, generating over $55 billion annually.

🚀 IBS Software has partnered with AWS to modernize airline retailing through a multi-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement. The collaboration introduces iRetail, an AI-first platform that revamps the Offer–Order–Settle–Deliver value chain. With AWS's cloud capabilities, iRetail offers personalized experiences, increasing operational efficiency and innovation. The partnership aims for global deployment with 99.99% availability. By 2027, IBS and AWS plan to enhance customer journeys through a joint R&D roadmap, setting new benchmarks in airline retail modernisation.