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Marriott Solved the Discovery Problem by Trading One Intermediary for Another, Middle East Tensions Put $600M Daily at Risk, Radisson Launches Real-Time AI Price Matching
Thursday brought a pointed analysis of Marriott's Google AI Mode deal as an intermediary swap rather than a distribution win, a World Panel viewpoint on the commercial shockwaves and tailwinds of Middle East tensions, and Radisson Hotel Group's launch of real-time AI price matching across all its properties. Two HITEC floor conversations with Agilysys and Trybe, strong C-suite appointments, and a bumper day of property openings across four continents completed the session.
Four Ways Technology Can Improve the Guest Wellness Experience
The article outlines four design principles for integrating fitness technology in hotel wellness spaces, positioning equipment as a service, revenue, and sustainability asset.
By Gary Young, Regional Director of Hospitality Sales, EMEA, Matrix
Latest
Psychological Well‑Being and the Future of Guest Experience
A new 2026 report argues psychological well-being should be treated as a strategic priority in hospitality, covering employee culture, space design, human connection, and transformative guest experiences.
By Valentina Clergue, Assistant Professor, EHL
How AI is transforming the hotel commercial engine: Group sales, revenue management, and unified strategy
AI-powered group quoting agents and commercial strategy tools can unify hotel sales, revenue, and marketing teams on a single data view, cutting RFP response times from days to minutes.
By Alan Young, VP, Strategy | Hospitality, Infor
Agilysys' Frank Pitsikalis: fix the data before you fix the AI
We didn't go to HITEC 2026 for the demos. We went for the conversations. We sat down with exhibitors right there on the show floor. No script, no prepared questions, just one starting point: tell us what you do, in plain language. This is where it went with Frank Pitsikalis, SVP of Product Strategy and CMO at Agilysys.
Recent Appointments
View AllGeneral Management
Daniela Kohoutek has been appointed as General Manager at Hotel MOTTO
General Management
Gary Henden has been appointed as General Manager at COMO Parrot Cay
Operations & Strategy
Tapa Tibble has been promoted to Vice President, Americas at COMO Hotels and Resorts
Why Governance Is Now Mission-Critical for Hotels
Rising legal exposure, health inspection failures, and leadership scandals illustrate why formal governance frameworks are now a strategic necessity for hotel operators of all sizes.
By Oren Roelofsen, Founder, Guvrix
Travel demand remains strong as safety and value shape Europeans’ holiday choices
ETC's Wave 25 survey finds 81% of Europeans intend to travel June-November 2026, with safety, affordability, and climate concerns reshaping destination choices across the region.
Hotel Yearbook Article The Hotel Yearbook 2026 - Technology Edition
The Execution Layer Hotels Are Missing, and Why It Matters Before Agents Arrive
George Roukas identifies the layer most hotel AI strategies are skipping entirely: execution. Brands can build sophisticated loyalty programs and accept intent-rich bookings from AI agents, but if the operational infrastructure cannot reliably deliver what was promised — the right room, the right amenities, the right moment — none of it compounds into loyalty. His argument is that an ontology-based digital twin of hotel operations is what closes that gap, and that now is the time to build it.
By George Roukas, President, GAIPAN
Radisson Hotel Group expands French Riviera footprint with Cannes Seaside opening
Radisson Hotel Cannes Seaside welcomes guests to one of the French Riviera's most iconic destinations. The contemporary 100-room hotel marks the latest addition to Radisson Hotel Group's growing portfolio in France, combining Radisson's signature hospitality with relaxed Riviera charm and offering effortless access to Cannes' celebrated beaches, cultural landmarks and year-round events.
Hotel & Spa des Beaux-Arts, a member of Radisson Individuals, introduces an authentic boutique escape in Bourges
Hotel & Spa des Beaux-Arts, a member of Radisson Individuals, is a 52-room boutique lifestyle hotel located in the historic center of Bourges, France. Blending the elegance of a heritage property with contemporary comfort, the hotel offers a dedicated wellness spa, refined social dining, and an authentic gateway to one of France's most celebrated cultural destinations. The opening strengthens Radisson Hotel Group's presence in France while introducing the Radisson Individuals brand to the Centre-Val de Loire region, a destination renowned for its medieval heritage, artistic legacy, and growing appeal among travelers seeking authentic, experience-led escapes.
Supplier News
View allHotel Details That Elevate the Coolcation Experience
Hotels catering to coolcation travelers can strengthen guest experience through natural materials, locally inspired amenities, and operationally practical details like gear storage and flexible breakfast hours.
10 critical hospitality challenges AI is transforming and why hotels can no longer ignore them
RateGain's VP APAC MENA outlines 10 AI use cases for hotels, from predictive pricing to 24/7 chat, as 70% of APAC travelers already use AI across the travel journey.
Fitzroy Island Resort Australia Achieves 50% Night Audit Efficiency Gain With Agilysys Hospitality Ecosystem
Fitzroy Island Resort replaced fragmented legacy software with the Agilysys cloud-native ecosystem, cutting night audit time by four hours per shift and enabling AR reports to be configured in under five minutes.
Laasie and Stayntouch Announce Strategic Integration to Power Next-Generation Hotel Loyalty Experiences
Laasie and Stayntouch have integrated their loyalty and cloud PMS platforms, giving hotels real-time profile sync, flexible reward options, and tools to boost direct bookings across 3,000+ properties.
GreenStar Hotels Elevates Sustainable Hospitality with Canary Technologies
Finland's first carbon-neutral hotel chain has deployed Canary's digital check-in, AI messaging, and upsell tools across its five-property portfolio.
Suncani Hvar Hotels standardizes operations with Shiji’s Infrasys POS across multi-property portfolio
Suncani Hvar Hotels deployed Shiji's Infrasys POS across nine properties and 40+ outlets in Croatia, unifying order management, payments, and reporting on a single cloud platform.
Fitzroy Island Resort Australia Achieves 50% Night Audit Efficiency Gain With Agilysys Hospitality Ecosystem
Fitzroy Island Resort replaced fragmented legacy software with Agilysys's cloud-native platform, cutting night audit time by four hours per shift and enabling automated financial reporting in under five minutes.
Shiji Expands Meridian Experiences with Scheduled Activities and Integrated Resource Commissions in Daylight PMS
Shiji's Daylight PMS gains two new Meridian Experiences features: Scheduled Activities for group session bookings and Resource Commissions for automated staff commission tracking and payouts.
Radisson Hotel Group launches hospitality industry-leading AI-powered real-time price matching technology
Radisson Hotel Group's AI system automatically detects and matches lower OTA rates on RadissonHotels.com in real time, replacing the manual Best Online Rate Guarantee claims process across all properties worldwide.
Is AI Enhancing Customer Support, or is Customer Support Enhancing AI?
Research shows 53% of U.S. consumers have received incorrect information from AI bots, highlighting the risk of over-automating customer service at the expense of human judgment and empathy.
By Shep Hyken, Customer Service and Experience Expert, Keynote Speaker and Bestselling Author, Shepard Presentations, LLC.
WTTC Calls for Coordinated Action to Safeguard EES Implementation Without Disrupting Travel
WTTC warns that EES border delays of 3+ hours could deter up to 41 million arrivals and put $45.4 billion in visitor spending at risk, calling for digital pre-registration, traveller communications, and operational readiness.
Sacramento Poised for Long-Term Lodging Growth
Sacramento's lodging market shows RevPAR growth driven by ADR gains, with ~36 hotels in the development pipeline supported by major anchors including the Railyards, airport expansion, and new healthcare facilities.
By Brandon Conner and John Berean
AHLA Statement on Working Families Tax Cuts Act Anniversary
AHLA CEO Rosanna Maietta marks the first anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, citing billions in capital investment and job creation driven by the no-tax-on-tips and overtime provisions.
Hilton Expands Florida Keys Portfolio with the Debut of Hilton Key West Resort & Marina
Today, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) celebrates the official debut of Hilton Key West Resort & Marina, the newest addition to the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio in the Florida Keys. Located on Stock Island at the eastern edge of Key West, the 175-room waterfront resort expands Hilton's presence in one of the country's most sought-after leisure destinations, offering guests a marina-front setting, island-inspired dining, flexible meeting space, outdoor adventures, and signature Hilton hospitality.
The Badischer Hof is back – historic Grand Hotel reopens for business
A piece of hotel history is set to return. The Badischer Hof in Baden-Baden will reopen for business today and start to welcome guests again. The hotel, which is able to look back on a rich tradition, will commence operations under the Leonardo Hotels name as part of the Leonardo Limited Edition brand, a carefully curated collection of individual hotels characterised by their history and character and by their link to the respective destination.
IHG Hotels & Resorts Unveils New Dual-Branded EVEN Hotel and Staybridge Suites Near Universal Orlando Resort
EVEN Hotel Orlando Universal Blvd by IHG and Staybridge Suites Orlando Universal Blvd by IHG announce the opening of their dual-branded property, bringing together two complementary stay experiences in one of the nation’s most sought-after destinations for leisure and business travel. Thoughtfully designed with contemporary finishes, elevated amenities and welcoming spaces to restore and connect, the hotel delivers a vibrant and stunning arrival experience that is as impressive as its prime Orlando location.
How to Map the Hotel Customer Journey and Increase Bookings
A practical guide to mapping all six stages of the hotel guest journey, from inspiration to post-stay loyalty, with tactics to increase direct bookings at each step.
An Iconic Pairing: Marriott International and The Coca‑Cola Company Come Together in Strategic Beverage Agreement
Marriott named Coca-Cola its global beverage partner across carbonated soft drinks, hydration, and functional beverages, with a phased rollout across guestrooms, restaurants, lounges, and events worldwide.