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Accor Deploys Hospitality's First AI Concierge at Scale, Travelers Are Two Years Ahead of the Industry on AI, The Middle Management Layer Nobody Develops
Thursday brought Accor launching ALL Concierge across 1M+ pilot conversations in 11 languages on five platforms including WhatsApp, a four-party study finding 54% of travelers use AI for trip planning while only 22% of DMOs offer AI capabilities, and a World Panel viewpoint on middle management as hospitality's most underdeveloped leadership layer. A 7% PMS API score for most vendors, Lighthouse on generic AI versus purpose-built hotel platforms, and a ten-property day from SIRO Miami to Chania rounded out the session.
Why Supercity Aparthotels turned to investors
Supercity Aparthotels MD Philip Houghton shares how a six-month PMS selection process, including input from institutional lenders, led to a migration that unlocked faster adoption of new technology partners.
By Ryan Haynes, Director/Lead Consultant, Hoteliers' Voice Podcast/ Haynes MarComs Ltd
Latest
MGM Resorts International's Board of Directors Confirms Commitment to Execution of MGM Resorts' Strategy as a Standalone Company
MGM Resorts' Board reaffirms its standalone strategy after People Incorporated withdrew its acquisition proposal, citing Las Vegas leadership, regional properties, BetMGM, and MGM Osaka as key value drivers.
Newport Hospitality Group’s Hilton Garden Inn Frederick Embarks on Major Renovation Inspired by the Region’s History, Landscape, & Culture
Newport Hospitality Group and owner Roch Capital are renovating all areas of the Hilton Garden Inn Frederick, with completion expected in early spring 2027, drawing design inspiration from the region's history, agriculture, and winery culture.
Two Audiences, One Pool
Opinion piece examining the strategic, commercial, and contractual tensions luxury resorts face when opening pools or F&B venues to non-resident guests, including operator selection and fee structures.
By Gretel Kutan
Recent Appointments
View AllGeneral Management
Teryn Flood has been appointed as General Manager at Hotel Teatro
General Management
Rob Brandenberg has been appointed as General Manager at Populus Seattle
Conrad Hotels & Resorts Expands its 1/3/5 Program to Help Guests Maximize Their Time and Experience Local Cultures
Conrad Hotels expands its 1/3/5 program globally, offering concierge-curated one-, three-, and five-hour cultural experiences across properties on five continents.
Hotel Optimize Prices but Ignore the People Paying Them
A revenue management lecturer argues that hotels over-index on algorithmic pricing while ignoring behavioural economics principles like loss aversion, anchoring, and choice overload that drive actual guest booking decisions.
By Rocio Montero, Clinical Professor in Rooms Division & Revenue Management, Les Roches-Marbella
From Clicks to Conversions: Six UI Design Tweaks To Boost Spend and Engagement on Your Hotel Guest Directory and F&B Ordering Platform
IRIS UX designer Jobie Yip outlines six UI design principles for hotel digital menus and guest directories to reduce friction, improve discoverability, and increase guest spend.
SIRO Expands to the U.S., Plans Brickell Hotel and Residences for 2030
Kerzner International Holdings Limited (“Kerzner”) is pleased to announce the signing of SIRO Brickell, Miami, the first SIRO hotel and branded residences in the United States. Slated to open in 2030, the property will anchor Miami's vibrant Brickell district - a dynamic hub where business, culture, and wellness converge - marking a bold new chapter for the SIRO brand.
Ernest vs generic AI: Why Claude and ChatGPT alone can't run your hotel's commercial strategy
Lighthouse argues that generic AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT lack the live commercial data, revenue management logic, and autonomous routines needed for hotel commercial strategy, positioning its Ernest platform as the purpose-built alternative.
By Jonathan Gough, Content Team Lead, Lighthouse
Supplier News
View allHBX Group and Virtuoso expand global partnership to enhance luxury travel offering
HBX Group expands its 25-year North America relationship with Virtuoso to a global scale, giving 20,000+ luxury travel advisors worldwide access to Bedsonline's full accommodation, mobility, and experiences portfolio.
Blastness partners with DirectBooker to bring hotels onto AI platforms and drive direct bookings
Blastness clients can now list hotel inventory on ChatGPT and Claude via DirectBooker, with commission below one-third of typical OTA rates and no setup or fixed fees.
Cloudbeds and Klook Expand Distribution Opportunities for Hotels Across Asia Pacific
Cloudbeds integrates with Klook to let hotels across Asia Pacific tap into a travel ecosystem spanning experiences, transport, and attractions alongside accommodation bookings.
The Beauty of Imperfection: Wabi-Sabi in Hospitality
The article applies the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi to hotel design, arguing that imperfection, age, and natural materials can create a richer guest experience than conventional luxury perfection.
Venuelocity Elevates Hotel Sales with the Launch of vProposal, a Design-Forward, Integrated Proposal Platform
Venuelocity launched vProposal, a mobile-optimized proposal platform that integrates with CRM and catering systems to help hotel sales teams create visual, data-synced group sales proposals.
Avalora Powers the Connected Hotel with Agentic AI and Cloud PBX
Avalora launches agentic AI assistant VAIA and a Cloud PBX platform for hotels, reporting up to 60% reduction in front desk call handling across tens of thousands of live rooms in North America, the UK, and Europe.
Actabl Appoints Susan Walker as Chief Financial Officer
Actabl names Susan Walker, former Stack Overflow CFO with 30+ years of finance experience, as its new CFO to lead financial strategy as the hotel tech firm expands its AI capabilities.
Stayntouch Powers Full PMS Migration Across Imperial London Hotels, Including the Largest Hotel in Western Europe
Stayntouch completed a cloud PMS rollout across all seven Imperial London Hotels properties, including the 1,379-room Royal National Hotel, the largest hotel in Western Europe.
Ginger Jorhat Opens, Strengthens Presence in the Northeast
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the opening of Ginger Jorhat, Club Road in Assam. Located in the heart of the city, the hotel offers seamless access to key commercial hubs, making it an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers.
Elewana to Open Second Explorer Property Overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater in June 2027
Elewana will open the highly anticipated Ngorongoro Explorer Lodge in June 2027. Located at the highest point of the eastern rim, the property offers one of the most elevated vantage points on the Ngorongoro crater rim, providing privileged bird's-eye views of the caldera, including spectacular sunrise scenes.
Corinthia Group to develop luxury hotel and branded residences in Turks & Caicos
Corinthia Group announces that it will develop a landmark ultra-luxury hotel and branded residential project on Grace Bay in Turks & Caicos in partnership with Carolina Partners Ltd., further advancing its international growth through third-party management, strategic acquisitions, partnerships, and development.
Canada hotels reported eighth straight month of rate-driven growth
Canada's hotels posted August 2026 RevPAR of CAD216.31, up 6.9% year-over-year, with Toronto and Montreal leading major markets on the back of major events.
Wyndham Garden to Make Istanbul Debut with Tuzla Marina Opening in October
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's largest hotel franchising companies, has announced the upcoming opening of Wyndham Garden İstanbul Tuzla Marina, marking the brand's debut in Türkiye's largest city. The 93-room hotel is expected to open in October 2026.
Wyndham Garden Opens in Antalya's Konyaaltı District
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's largest hotel franchising companies, has announced the opening of Wyndham Garden Antalya Konyaaltı, marking the latest addition to its Wyndham Garden portfolio in Türkiye.
The 2026 PMS API study
Only 7% of 343 audited hotel PMS vendors publish fully self-serve API documentation, with composite scores ranging from 80.0 (Mews) to 26.3 (Oracle OPERA 5) across 18 scored profiles.
Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Gains Momentum on Strong Fundamentals: CBRE
CBRE reports Asia Pacific hotel investment hit $8B in H1 2026, up 21% YoY, led by Japan, Mainland China, and Korea, with ADRs at historic highs and new supply growth near 1% annually.
Shambhala Hills Signs Membership Agreement with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to Develop Nivara Resort & Spa Udaipur, a Registry Collection Hotel
Shambhala Hills has signed a membership agreement with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to develop Nivara Resort & Spa Udaipur, a Registry Collection Hotel, bringing a new luxury hospitality experience to one of Rajasthan’s most celebrated destinations.
Sofitel Announces Sofitel Berlin Das Stue, Bringing French Luxury to One of Berlin's Most Iconic Hotels
Accor, a global leader in hospitality, announces the transition of SO/ Berlin Das Stue to Sofitel Berlin Das Stue, further strengthening Sofitel's presence in Germany and reinforcing the brand's growth in Europe's leading cultural capitals. Scheduled to officially join the Sofitel network in Q1 2027, the iconic 78-room hotel will combine its distinctive heritage and celebrated design with Sofitel's signature French zest and heartfelt luxury.