News

Technology shouldn’t get in the way of hospitality. It should make it effortless. That’s the thinking behind the Mews Summer Release, fittingly named Smooth Operations. It’s designed to create more fluid, connected experiences for both guests and teams, with automation doing the heavy lifting in the background.

The hospitality industry is facing an immediate and existential competitive threat unlike any seen since the rise of the OTAs. In the past, your website data was a marketing expense; today, it has become the primary fuel source for the next generation of conversational AI and automated booking agents. The simple rule is that if your data is published, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can, and will, scrape it to train its models and service its customers. This practice is fundamentally transforming the distribution landscape by creating a massive, scalable data problem that bypasses the hotelier’s website entirely. This shift pits the world’s most powerful technology companies (Google, Microsoft, OpenAI) and their integrated partners (Expedia, Booking.com) directly against your direct channel strategy.

As the countdown begins to Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World in Dubai later this month, we put the spotlight on Innovation & Technology, one of the content tracks at this year’s conference designed to explore the transformative trends in hospitality.

In a world where hotels, restaurants, and tourism organisations face unprecedented complexity – from digital disruption to climate challenges – Professor Ioannis S. Pantelidis of Ulster University invites us to look beneath the surface. His latest work, REEF: Transformational Leadership, draws on lessons from the ocean’s most adaptive ecosystems to inspire a new form of leadership – one that is rhythmic, empathetic, and resilient.

As the landscape of luxury hospitality continues to evolve, guest expectations are shifting toward more meaningful, personalized, and purpose-driven experiences. Today’s high-end travelers are not just seeking opulent environments — they seek services that align with their values, lifestyles, and emotions. From wellness to hyper-personalization, luxury hospitality is embracing innovation to meet these modern demands.

In an era where digital check-ins and touchscreen menus dominate the guest experience, a surprising trend is quietly taking hold across the world’s most stylish hotels: the return of the pen.

I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that the end of a great trip – whether for business or leisure – often sparks reflection. I think back on what stood out, while my mind drifts toward the next adventure: what I hope for, what I’d repeat, and what I’d do differently.

Canary Technologies, the award-winning global leader in hotel guest management technology, today announced that Arlo Hotels has adopted Canary’s guest management solutions to enhance service and streamline operations across its portfolio.

Say hello to Crafted, a new collection of hotels and clubs crafted by name, crafted by nature, opening its first destination, Crafted at Powdermills, on the 17th November.Set within a Georgian Grade II-listed country house, surrounded by ancient woodland, wildflower pastures, and a seven-acre private lake, Crafted at Powdermills reimagines traditional hospitality with a focus on rest, restoration, and creativity. Guests and locals alike are invited to step off autopilot and reconnect with the things that matter: nature, food, wellbeing, craft, people, and play. Outside, three beautifully crafted private cottages also await – named Ash and Oak (both with 3 bedrooms) and the spacious Lake House (5 bedrooms) each has a kitchen diner, cosy living space with a stove, and plenty of room to stretch out. The Lake House elevates a stay even further with a private garden, outdoor pool, and a deck onto the water. Perfect for larger groups, company retreats, birthdays, or unforgettable getaways.

Europe, the world’s most visited continent, attracts nearly 700 million travellers each year* — a testament to its rich culture, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality. This remarkable success presents not only opportunities but also a shared responsibility to ensure tourism remains a force for good, enriching local communities while protecting the environment for generations to come.