From robots to RPA , hoteliers weigh AI's promises and pitfalls at Singapore Hotel Association event .

Technology

From robots to RPA , hoteliers weigh AI's promises and pitfalls at Singapore Hotel Association event .

https://www.hotelinvestmenttoday.com/ By: Patricia Wee

SINGAPORE – The hospitality industry faces immense opportunities and disruptions with the advancement of AI, heard some 300 hoteliers and industry stakeholders who agreed at Singapore Hotel Association's second Hospitality Exchange at Hilton Singapore Orchard on September.

Beyond silos, AI Agents can tackle multiple hotel functions - and even operationalize cross-functional workflows. For example, a hotel's front desk system could “talk” directly with the kitchen, housekeeping, or a travel agent, removing the need for separate apps or constant staff coordination. In fact, companies like Walmart are already deploying “super AI agents” across multiple business functions, Khanna pointed out.

Hotels can start with automating simpler tasks. Ahmed Disokey, senior vice president, Technology, Peninsula Hotels, said: "I really encourage every decision maker to focus on Robotic Process Automation (RPA). It brings the benefits, especially for those systems that are not connected to each other.

"Modern robots, powered by foundation models trained on thousands of hours of human movements, can perform tasks they have never done before, from making beds to delivering food. This general-purpose capability reduces costs, increases versatility, and helps maintain productivity as hotels face staffing challenges.

Hotels should therefore embrace AI in a measured way, through hybrid pilots, reorganizing teams for higher-value work, and managing risks such as data privacy and system errors , the experts advise.

Hotels & Tourism

1. A balanced breakfast: How hotels are serving the most important meal of the day

More than ever, guests are prioritizing purposeful, health-conscious meals .

https://hotelsmag.com/news/a-balanced-breakfast-how-hotels-are-serving-the-most-important-meal-of-the-day/

Being strategic with breakfast is more important than ever. Consider a continental buffet paired with made-to-order hot items , which, according to a Turner/HotStats survey (a full release of which comes in October), is the most profitable approach to breakfast, and an example of critical insights that can help hotels make better choices for their breakfast offerings.

In the kitchen, portion control and waste management are more important than ever, said Marc Ellert-Beck , corporate food & beverage director at Bridgeton , which manages Ruschmeyers in Montauk, NY “We keep a keen eye on daily food costs and work with multiple vendors to source strategically, ensuring we're getting the highest quality ingredients at the best possible value,” he said. In addition, smaller, more efficient menus with cross-utilization of products, along with a lean, skilled group of cooks , aid in keeping breakfast profitable.

"We tackled it by integrating temperature and humidity-controlled hot holding drawers at the main pass. This allowed us to pre-cook, hold at perfect quality, and finish to order. It sped up service, reduced the need for extra chefs , and avoided losing front-of-house space to kitchen expansion," he said.

As guest expectations evolve and operational challenges intensify, those who innovate without compromising quality will ensure that breakfast continues to be the most satisfying—and strategically important—meal of the day.

National strike in France: These are the affected airports and flights.

Nice Airport will be one of those affected by the strike in France. Source: Adobe Stock

https://www.hosteltur.com/171616_huelga-nacional-en-francia-estos-son-los-aeropuertos-y-vuelos-afectados.

The DGAC has recommended that passengers check directly with their airlines about the status of scheduled flights. To minimize the impact, the authority has asked airlines to reduce their scheduled flights by half during this period, which will mean canceling around 50 of the more than 10,000 operations scheduled across France on Wednesday.

The mobilization will also affect other modes of transportation, as disruptions are expected on certain rail lines in the country, according to union organizations.

The Sud Aérien and CGT Air France unions have confirmed their participation in the strike, thus joining the nationwide protest. Meanwhile, Sncta , the largest air traffic controllers' union, has called a strike for September 18, anticipating further disruptions in the coming days.

Investment

Investing In Ultra Luxury

https://www.hotelinvestmenttoday.com/ by: Jeffrey Weinstein

Recognizing the value of scarcity, new equity players pursue the creme and lift valuations for potential sellers.

SAN FRANCISCO – Family offices and high net worth individuals have dominated investment in small, ultraluxury hotels for years. But Ad Altius CEO Thomas Brown says that is starting to change with institutional capital recognizing the value of scarcity and since COVID pursuing more of these assets, creating a very different pricing environment and lifting valuations for potential sellers.

"Scarcity is the only moat left. You can always build another tower. You cannot build another clifftop, another centuries-old vineyard, or another shoreline where zoning will never allow a repeat," wrote Brown, who's San Francisco bay-area firm places ultraluxury hotels with less than 100 keys. "That's why family offices and institutions are competing head-on for the same assets. Families lean in for identity and legacy. Institutions lean in because they've realized scarcity — not scale — is where returns hide."

On the sell side, even artists who create these unique, true luxury assets have noticed an opportunity to cash in.

Nonetheless, the time has arrived, Brown believes, and more deals bringing in institutional capital will happen.

But he is quick to advise institutional players that the things that make small ultraluxury hotels attractive now are the things they have to preserve and protect because that's where they are going to harvest real value for LPs.

DUHC&S | Strategic Hospitality Consulting & Advisory

We transform hospitality and tourism businesses through  strategic solutions, operational efficiency, and comprehensive renovation . With over  40 years of experience  working with brands like Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton, and Sonesta , we enhance asset value and profitability through:

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