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AS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE continues to permeate society on every level, there is a place for it in the hotel industry, AAHOA said. AI technology can improve operational efficiency and cut costs, the association said, but it must be developed and used ethically. AAHOA referenced two recent research studies, one conducted by the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership at the University of Houston, and another by Morgan Stanley, to endorse the integration of artificial intelligence into hotels for enhanced guests' experience. The University of Houston's study explored AI's transformative impact on the industry and its acceptance among hotel guests. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley's research report released on August 18, titled "AI for Hotels: Will the Hotel of the Future Fit in the Palm of Your Hand?" documented the benefits of hoteliers, online travel agencies and hotel brands adopting AI technology early.

HOSPITALITY SOFTWARE PROVIDER Canary Technologies recently closed a $50 million Series C funding round to research AI guest technology in the hospitality sector, bringing its total fundraising to nearly $100 million. The company's software includes mobile check-in and checkout, tablet registration, upsells, guest messaging, Canary AI and digital tipping. The recent investment round was led by global software investor Insight Partners, who also led the company's Series B, with participation from existing investors F-Prime Capital, Thayer Ventures, Y-Combinator and Commerce Ventures, Canary said in a statement. California-based Canary is led by CEO Harman Singh Narula and President SJ Sawhney. "AI is transforming the way we live, work and travel," said Narula. "Canary is at the forefront of delivering enterprise-grade hospitality AI solutions that empower hoteliers to streamline operations, boost efficiency and elevate the guest experience, This funding milestone is a reflection of the team's hard work and the immense impact that Canary is making for hoteliers, including many of the world's largest enterprise hotel brands. We continue to see significant demand in the market for our products and are excited to extend our partnership with existing investors."

STAYNTOUCH, A CLOUD-BASED hotel property management system provider, recently launched 'Stayntouch Academy 2.0,' an updated online training course. It uses AI and large-language models to deliver eLearning content, streamline lesson plans and reduce production time by 91 percent, with more frequent updates. The PMS features an intuitive interface, allowing staff to complete training in two days or 1.5 hours per module, Stayntouch said in a statement. "Stayntouch Academy 2.0 enhances our training capabilities, offering a more intuitive learning experience for our customers," said Priya Rajamani, Stayntouch's senior vice president of implementations and support. "By leveraging AI, we can update content faster and provide targeted, role-specific lessons, helping hotel staff master the Stayntouch platform more efficiently and focus on guest experiences."

What Is Apaleo Agent Hub? APALEO, A PROPERTY management platform, recently launched Agent Hub, which it calls "the first-ever AI agent marketplace for hospitality." The platform enables industry collaboration by connecting property managers, hoteliers, developers and service providers to accelerate AI adoption. Agent Hub lets hospitality players select AI solutions suited to their needs and integrate them without costly system overhauls, Apaleo said in a statement. "Agent Hub is the next step in Apaleo's evolution-an open, collaborative space where hoteliers can create AI solutions as easily as tech-savvy developers," said Ulrich Pilau, Apaleo's CEO. "By helping accommodation providers integrate and scale AI effortlessly, Apaleo makes this technology more practical and accessible for hospitality businesses everywhere."

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association and its technology committee, Hospitality Technology Next Generation, recently released an updated Staff Alert Device Buyer's Guide to help hoteliers choose personal safety devices for staff and guest safety. The guide is the latest in a line of hotel industry employee and guest safety efforts, AHLA said in a statement. "Hospitality starts with maintaining a safe environment for guests and employees. Through various AHLA and AHLA Foundation safety initiatives, America's hotels are focused on doing just that," said Kevin Carey, AHLA's interim president and CEO. "Our updated employee safety device guide and comparison matrix will help hoteliers across the nation select the best devices to ensure the safety of nearly two million hotel employees." The guide, first launched in 2019 and compiled by HTNG's Staff Alert Technology Workgroup, covers devices with features like location tracking, communication options and AI-driven emergency response systems.

Group travel business can bring hotels much needed revenue. Jeff Bzdawka, CEO of research firm Knowland, offers tips on how smaller hotels with limited meeting space can capitalize on this revenue stream. There is a science to sales. Those of us who work in the hospitality industry know many essential qualities are needed for successful sales outcomes. Qualities include verbal and non-verbal communication skills, listening skills, and the ability to convey information persuasively. Empathy, product knowledge, problem-solving skills, and a goal-oriented mindset are crucial when understanding and relating to the customer's needs, concerns, and emotions. When these skills come together, the salesperson can build trust and rapport. These are the essential elements for closing the deal.

WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS recently launched Wyndham Connect, a new guest engagement platform by Canary Technologies, in North America. The platform, first announced at the company's 2023 global conference, is available at no additional cost to owners, with nearly 2,000 North American hotels already using it, Wyndham said in a statement. "We always put our franchisees first, and investing in innovative technology like AI sets them apart from the competition," said Scott Strickland, Wyndham's chief commercial officer. "With access to powerful solutions like Wyndham Connect, our franchisees can manage their businesses more efficiently and curate guest experiences to help make stays more meaningful than ever. The result? Happier guests, higher chances for repeat business and money in franchisees' pockets."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE improved in the second week of June compared to the previous week, showing mixed year-over-year results, according to CoStar. All key metrics, including occupancy, RevPAR and ADR, increased compared to the prior week. Occupancy rose to 70.3 percent for the week ending June 15, up from 69.1 percent the previous week, despite a slight 0.6 percent year-over-year decrease. ADR increased to $161.70 from $160.90, a 0.9 percent rise compared to last year. RevPAR increased to $113.62 from $111.26 the previous week, marking a 0.3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, San Francisco recorded the highest year-over-year increases: occupancy rose 14.8 percent to 71.1 percent, ADR increased 11.3 percent to $226.70, and RevPAR grew 30.3 percent to $179.97. The market's performance was boosted by the Data + AI Summit.

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS is working with Be My Eyes, a mobile app that connects blind and low vision users with sighted volunteers and companies through live video and AI, to provide more accessible experiences for guests with visual impairments. They are piloting an AI-powered assistance and dedicated support for reservations and customer care across the U.S. and Canada. Assistance is available across various Hilton brands, including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, DoubleTree, and Hampton by Hilton, providing personalized support for leisure and business travelers who are blind or have low vision, the companies said in a joint statement. "As a leading hospitality company, Hilton is committed to creating an experience that is welcoming for every guest, at every hotel, every time," said Mike Gathright, Hilton's senior vice president of customer excellence and innovation. "We believe that every guest-regardless of ability or any other factor-deserves a reliable and friendly travel experience. We are proud to partner with Be My Eyes to make that a reality for thousands of users."