Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Association (HFTP®) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lyle Worthington, CHTP, as its 2026 EU Operations Advisor. A seasoned industry leader and founder of Worthington Consulting, Worthington brings decades of technology strategy and operational expertise to this pivotal role.
HIA Named Top 3 Hotel Accounting Software in 2026 Hotel Tech Awards!
HIA, the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform built for hospitality, has been named a Top 3 Finalist for Best Hotel Accounting Software in the prestigious 2026 Hotel Tech Awards. Presented by Hotel Tech Report, this recognition highlights HIA’s innovative platform that goes beyond traditional accounting software by connecting accounting, operations, and business intelligence to meet the unique back-office needs of hotel management.
Middle East hotels demonstrate resilient performance in luxury and midscale segments
Dubai, UAE, February 17, 2026 – Shiji, the global leader in hospitality technology, announced that the Middle East hotel market continues to stand out for its operational excellence and consistent guest satisfaction. The region’s five-star segment demonstrates exceptional stability, with minimal seasonal variation and a guest review index (GRI) of 91.1%, compared to 83.1% for four-star properties, among the widest performance gaps globally.
BirchStreet Unveils AI-Powered Smart AP Solution to Optimize P2P and Accounting Efficiencies for Hospitality
LAS VEGAS – February 17, 2026 – BirchStreet Systems, a global provider of the complete hospitality operations platform, has announced the launch of BirchStreet Smart AP™, a next-generation solution that automates the entire accounts payable process, from invoice capture to payment execution. Powered by advanced AI that manages both header and line‑level exceptions, Smart AP allows for faster, more accurate invoice processing with stronger control, higher efficiency, and real-time visibility. As a result, customers will incur significantly reduced manual workloads, faster payment cycles, virtually eliminated processing errors, and robust fraud prevention.
Why Bob W treats hotels like software
What if a hotel operated less like a hotel, and more like software?
Sojern’s 2026 State of Destination Marketing Report: Measuring Economic Impact Ranks as DMOs’ Top Priority Amid AI Disruption
SAN FRANCISCO – 17 February 2026 – Sojern, the leading digital marketing platform built for hospitality and recently acquired by RateGain, today announced the launch of its “State of Destination Marketing 2026” report, examining how destination marketing organizations (DMOs) are navigating economic pressure, rising performance expectations, and accelerating AI-driven change across the travel industry.
Success story: The Priory Hotel
Situated in the historic town of Caerleon, The Priory Hotel & Restaurant offers visitors a quaint and unique stay with 27 bedrooms and a 100-cover restaurant. Known for its warm hospitality and charming character, the hotel caters to leisure and business guests who are looking for an unforgettable experience.
Sencie Launches Collaboration with The Bower Coronado to Layer Sleep Wellbeing into Luxury Guest Rooms
Irvine, California – February 17, 2026 — Sencie, a restorative design and sleep health company, has launched today to bring a new, integrated approach to in-room sleep and wellbeing for luxury hospitality. Through its signature “WellSense” design framework, Sencie layers carefully choreographed sensory experiences directly into the guest room—blending scent, sight, sound, touch, and materiality to create immersive experiences that leave guests feeling rested and restored without adding friction to their stay.
Quinta’s Daniel Doppler on Why Hospitality AI Now Starts With Data, Not Chatbots
There is a lot of noise around hospitality AI right now. Every week brings a new interface, a new demo, a new promise that the “experience” will be revolutionised. But when you listen closely to Daniel Doppler, the founder behind Quinta (formerly Quicktext), the story becomes far less theatrical and far more useful.
IHG unveils new premium collection brand, Noted Collection™
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) today announces the launch of its new premium collection brand, Noted Collection, with initial discussions already underway with multiple owners, including several with portfolios of hotels, for potential addition into IHG’s system.

