Press Releases

HFTP Announces 2025 HITEC North America Advisory Council

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) producers of the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), has announced the 2025 HITEC Advisory Council. An expert group of distinguished industry professionals selected to develop and coordinate the education program for HITEC’s North American event. With over five decades of history, HITEC has become a must-attend event, drawing thousands of professionals to explore the latest trends, innovations in technology, best practices and solutions in the hospitality industry. HITEC 2025 will take place from June 16–19 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

What are the most significant challenges hotel groups face in adopting AI technologies?

As artificial intelligence (AI) technology becomes more pervasive in hospitality, the industry's potential to transform guest experiences and operational efficiency grows significantly. In the latest Hospitality Net Insider video, Bojan Pavicic, Director Technology & Digital at citizenM hotels and Stephan Wiesener, Founder & CTO at Apaleo delve into the realities hotel groups face in embracing AI, from streamlining guest personalization to optimizing booking systems and back-end operations.

How Generative AI and the Rise of the Travel Super App Will Revolutionize Trip Planning

A new wave of innovation in the travel industry is on the horizon, driven by advancements in generative AI. Research from Accenture reveals that nearly all travelers (97%) are looking for a comprehensive, all-in-one platform—a "super app"—that can streamline their travel experience. This demand stems from a growing frustration with current trip-planning tools, where users are often required to make separate bookings for flights, accommodations, and activities, creating a fragmented process. More than half of travelers express openness to adopting AI-driven solutions, particularly conversational tools, to ease these pain points.

IHG Hotels & Resorts Taps into the Future of Travel Planning at SXSW Sydney 2024

IHG Hotels & Resorts is offering festival-goes and consumers a stress-free way to plan their next holiday at South-by-South-West Sydney (SXSW) this October 14-20, thanks to innovative technology that taps into the subconscious mind. The aptly-named IHG Hotels & Resorts ‘Mind Lobby’ is a futuristic, experiential activation that will launch on Sydney’s International Convention Centre Forecourt throughout the week-long event and sits at the heart of IHG’s official partnership with SXSW Sydney 2024.

HFTP India Chapter to Host the Inaugural CIO Summit in Goa

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) India Chapter is excited to announce its inaugural CIO Summit, scheduled for October 14-16, 2024, at the luxurious Taj Cidade Heritage, Goa. This landmark event will bring together industry leaders, technology innovators, and hospitality executives to delve into the rapidly evolving technological landscape within the hospitality sector.

Marriott International Announces Marriott Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad, India

Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR, “Marriott”) is establishing a new Marriott Tech Accelerator, the company’s first global capability center (GCC) in Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana state in India. Leveraging Hyderabad’s top tech talent, the Marriott Tech Accelerator is an expansion of the company’s global technology team and will support Marriott’s tech infrastructure, engineering capacity, next-gen solutions, and security capabilities across its global enterprise in 141 countries and territories.

Why Modernise Your Hotel’s Obsolete PMS

Staying ahead of guest expectations and operational challenges is not just an option—it’s a fundamental necessity. The Property Management System (PMS) is crucial in achieving this. A modern, next-generation PMS is the backbone of a hotel’s operations, providing integrated functionality across various departments, from reservations and guest services to housekeeping and revenue management. Upgrading to a state-of-the-art PMS is crucial for a hotel’s digital transformation and overall success. Let’s explore how upgrading a hotel’s PMS can impact a hotel’s success. Let’s explore how upgrading a hotel’s PMS can impact a hotel’s success.

ICYMI: U.S. Travel’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel Makes Capital Area Airport Field Visits, Advances Work to Modernize Travel Process

Last week, over the course of two days, U.S. Travel Association’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel convened to advance their work to innovate the travel process and determine how the United States can more effectively compete for global travelers. The Commission toured Washington Dulles International Airport with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Systems Integration Facility near Reagan National Airport with TSA Administrator David Pekoske.