#62 - Travel Giants, AI Kitchens & the Digital Dining Revolution
Techne Times Issue #62
Accommodation Tech
STR Company UnderTheDoormat Group Raises $7 Million: London-based UnderTheDoormat has raised $7M in a round led by Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group). The funds will fuel international expansion, enhance tech platforms Hospiria and TrustedStays, and support the rollout of legalized short-term rentals across Oman and the Gulf. The investment builds on a 2022 partnership with OMRAN, when Visit Oman selected Hospiria to drive STR growth – an initiative aligned with Oman’s Vision 2040 to boost tourism, empower SMEs, and digitize the rental ecosystem. 09/02/2025 Read More
Dubai-based hospitality startup lands $1.8 million: Dubai-based hospitality startup Seraya secured $1.8 million in seed funding and brings its total funding to $2.15 million. Founded in 2024 by Ibrahim Shami and Pepijn Haima, Seraya aims to reimagine serviced accommodation with a guest-centric, design-forward brand aligned with modern living, travel, and work. 09/02/2025 Read More
RYE gets €1M boost to drive sustainable growth in hospitality: London-based energy intelligence startup RYE has raised €1 million in a pre-seed round led by CapitalT, January Ventures, and Norrsken Evolve, with participation from notable angels. As energy costs rise, RYE aims to help multi-site hospitality and retail businesses modernize infrastructure and adopt smarter, more sustainable energy management. 09/04/2025 Read More
Hotel Tech-in: Marriott takes holistic wellness high-tech across luxury portfolio: Massage robots, virtual reality meditation and red-light therapy are among the tech-driven wellness treatments the hotel company is offering. Marriott Senior Director of Global Spa, Fitness and Wellness Suzanne Holbrook highlights how the brand is evolving to meet the expectations of younger, wellness-focused luxury travelers. 08/28/2025 Read More
Radisson deploys CellPoint Digital’s Payment Orchestration Platform: Radisson Hotel Group has successfully implemented CellPoint Digital’s Payment Orchestration Platform across its network of 1,580 hotels across 100+ countries, standardizing payment processes to improve efficiency and guest experience. The platform provides centralized payment flows, multilingual hosted payment pages, optimized approval rates and unified reporting, and lays the groundwork for future growth with digital wallets, mobile payments, and integrated check-in/out. 09/02/2025 Read More
Hospitality Tech Merger Between DigitalGuest and Chicostay Sets New Standard in Hotel Guest Experience and Operational Efficiency: DigitalGuest and Chicostay have officially merged, now operating under the DigitalGuest brand to offer a unified platform spanning the full guest journey. The move aims to streamline hotel operations, enhance guest engagement, and drive revenue across the hospitality sector. 09/06/2025 Read More
New integration from RoomRaccoon and i-Checkin simplifies hotel check-in: RoomRaccoon, a leading hotel management system for independent properties, has partnered with international access automation specialist i-Checkin to deliver a seamless, app-free smart entry solution for hotels and vacation rentals. Guests now receive secure digital keys via WhatsApp or email upon booking, enabling tap-to-unlock access with no apps, codes, or physical keys. This streamlines check-in, lightens front desk workload, and enhances the arrival experience for hotels and vacation rentals. 08/26/2025 Read More
Turning Lobbies into Revenue with Grab & Go Technology: Hotels are leveraging self-service tech to offer personalized experiences at every stage of a guest’s stay, including convenient access to amenities and services on the go. A 2024 study found travelers would pay 5% more for faster, more convenient service – making Grab & Go solutions a win-win for guest satisfaction and hotel revenue. 09/04/2025 Read More
Fiserv Expands Clover Offerings for Hospitality with CardFree Acquisition: Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI), a global leader in payments and financial services tech, has acquired CardFree, a mobile commerce platform known for custom order, pay, and loyalty solutions. The move strengthens Clover – Fiserv’s smart POS system – by adding a plethora of features to help small hospitality businesses scale with enterprise-grade tech. 09/04/2025 Read More
OTAs’ high hopes for social, AI channels as Q2 marketing spend hits $5B: The battle between OTAs for customers remains fierce. The largest online players – Airbnb, Booking Holdings, Expedia Group and Trip.com Group – invested a combined $5.2 billion on marketing in the second quarter of 2025. Airbnb’s sales and marketing spend increased to $691 million in the quarter, up from $593 million in Q2 2024. 09/08/2025 Read More
The Next Big Wave in Hospitality Tech: Underdog SaaS Startups Leading the Charge in 2025: The hospitality industry is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by SaaS startups that are redefining operational efficiency and guest experiences. The global hotel SaaS market is set to grow from USD 2.13B in 2024 to USD 5.63B in 2025, fueled by AI, IoT, and cloud-native solutions. These underdog innovators are offering scalable solutions that tackle labor gaps, sustainability, and the need for hyper-personalized guest interactions. 08/29/2025 Read More
Sunday Hotels and OYO Parent Rebrands to PRISM: Oravel Stays Limited, parent of Sunday Hotels and OYO UK, has rebranded to PRISM to reflect its expanded global portfolio and long-term vision. Founded in 2012 by Ritesh Agarwal, OYO evolved from an Indian budget travel-tech brand into a diversified hospitality player spanning premium hotels, vacation homes, and international markets. 09/08/2025 Read More
Hotels go high-tech to woo guests: In an era where digital experiences often precede physical ones, hotels are embracing cutting-edge technologies like AR, VR, and immersive video to captivate potential guests to redefine the guest experience right from the booking stage. Traditional hotel photos and descriptions are no longer sufficient to convey the true essence of a property. 09/08/2025 Read More
HM Exclusive: How the Bright Group blends hospitality and technology: The Bright Group, led by CEO Deniz Dorbek Kocak, is redefining hotel tech by offering holistic, user-friendly systems tailored for boutique hoteliers. By integrating property management, mobile check-in, and smart infrastructure, the company blurs the line between tech provider and hospitality brand, making operations seamless and guest experiences intuitive. 09/02/2025 Read More
Psychological Insights into AI in Hospitality: AI in hospitality is reshaping the industry, but the real challenge isn’t just technical; it’s human. This piece explores how guest and staff attitudes shape AI adoption and offers strategies for leaders to ensure tech enhances, not undermines, the human touch at the heart of service. 09/05/2025 Read More
AI, luxury travel set to catalyze global hospitality M&A: Report: Amid a complex deal environment, investors will focus on technology to enhance guest experiences as well as opportunities in the growing luxury segment, according to KPMG. In the first half of 2025, the global travel, leisure and hospitality sector saw $10.8 billion in mergers and acquisitions activity, a 17.3% year-over-year increase in deal value. 09/05/2025 Read More
Travel Tech
American Express GBT completes $540m CWT acquisition: The deal brings together two of Europe’s top three TMCs – Amex GBT ranked #1 in Europe’s Leading TMCs 2025, with total European sales of €10.21B, while CWT was in third place with European sales estimated at €4B. With the close of the acquisition, Amex GBT welcomes CWT’s customers and employees to its leading software solutions and services for travel, expense, meetings and events. 09/02/2025 Read More
TBO Co-Founder on $125 Million Classic Vacations Deal and Building U.S. Presence: India-based travel distribution company TBO Tek announced it will be acquiring Classic Vacations, a California-based luxury travel wholesaler, in an all-cash deal worth up to $125 million. Following Oyo’s Motel 6 buy last year, the move shows how Indian travel companies aren’t just playing catch-up globally, they’re setting the pace and shaping the game. 09/03/2025 Read More
Understory Lands €12M to Help Experience Providers Automate their Business: Danish travel tech platform Understory secured €12 million in Series A funding. Founded in 2023, the startup offers booking, payments, and marketing tools via its AI-powered platform. The capital will accelerate Understory’s growth in the experiences market, a segment which McKinsey & Company estimates is worth over $3 trillion. 09/08/2025 Read More
Holiwise bags €1.45M to bring one-click booking to premium travel: London-based travel startup Holiwise, which helps premium travelers instantly book full itineraries via a single platform, has raised €1.45M in its first institutional round. Led by Bobby Previti (Bank of America) and execs from Barclays, Goldman Sachs, DHL, Google, and Padium, the raise values the startup at £6.5M and marks its transition from bootstrapped beginnings to investor-backed growth. 08/26/2025 Read More
Transfeero launches the new app: a faster, smoother, and more international platform to transform private transportation: Transfeero’s redesigned app introduces in-app payments, agency management tools, and a sleek user experience. Available in five languages, it connects users and transport professionals in a secure, intuitive environment, delivering a globally tailored solution for private mobility. 09/02/2025 Read More
Zamna Launches Patented Identity Tech with Iberojet to Transform Travel Compliance and Cut Airport Queues Across Iberian Long-Haul Routes: London-based Zamna has partnered with Iberojet to deploy its patented identity infrastructure, streamlining compliance and reducing airport queues. The tech pre-validates travel documents before departure, helping Iberojet – part of Ávoris Corporación Empresarial – cut manual checks and meet tightening international travel regulations. 09/04/2025 Read More
TAT builds global bridge for travel tech innovation: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) successfully hosted of the “TAT Travel Tech Startup Networking: Together for Future Travel” event, a platform designed to link Travel Tech Startups with tourism operators, investors, and policymakers. The initiative reinforces Thailand’s strategy to position innovation as a driving force for sustainable growth and global competitiveness in tourism. 09/02/2025 Read More
ITB India 2025 Sets New Milestones at Jio World Convention Centre, With 600+ Travel Professionals and a Strong International Presence Showcasing MICE and Travel Tech Advancements: ITB India 2025 marked a significant milestone in the travel industry, showcasing the latest advancements in MICE and travel technology. This year’s edition attracted a strong international presence, reflecting the growing global demand for innovative travel solutions and strategic industry partnerships. 09/05/2025 Read More
F&B Tech
The $3m F&B tech comeback of Flash Coffee’s co-founder: David Brunier, co-founder of Flash Coffee, has launched Cata, a SaaS platform that helps F&B businesses rapidly build branded consumer apps. Emerging from stealth with $3M in funding, Cata promises 5x–10x ROI through digital customer acquisition, loyalty programs, and integrated marketing, giving restaurants a fast track to mobile-first growth. 09/01/2025 Read More
Sagtec Global Secures AI Licensing Deal with Kinetic Seas to Accelerate Scalable Growth in F&B Tech Market: Sagtec Global (NASDAQ: SAGT), a leading innovator in POS systems, announced a strategic licensing agreement with Kinetic Seas Incorporated (OTCQB: KSEZ). Through the agreement, Sagtec will integrate Kinetic Seas’ AI platform, Skilliks, into its portfolio, creating a powerful foundation to scale AI-powered solutions across Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing F&B market. 08/25/2025 Read More
New technologies can help reduce food waste: New technologies like AI, IoT, and non-destructive inspections are advancing traceability across the food supply chain – crucial for reducing the 13% of global food lost between harvest and retail. With perishables especially vulnerable, smarter tools enable real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, driving a shift toward a circular, waste-minimizing food system. 08/31/2025 Read More
AI Kitchen Market is Going to Boom | Whirlpool, Bosch, Tovala: HTF Market Intelligence projects the global AI Kitchen market to grow from $0.2B in 2025 to $0.48B by 2033, at a CAGR of 11.2%. The study highlights major players including Moley Robotics, Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, Bosch, and Tovala, each driving innovation in smart ovens, robotic cooking systems, and connected appliances as AI reshapes home and commercial kitchens worldwide. 09/08/2025 Read More
CAVA Scales Kitchen Tech: Can Efficiency Power the Next Growth Leg: CAVA Group, Inc. is leaning into a technology-driven operating model designed to strengthen efficiency and support long-term unit growth. With nearly 400 restaurants as of second-quarter 2025, and a target of 1,000 by 2032, the company’s Connected Kitchen initiative represents a structural effort to align throughput, consistency and cost management across the system. 09/08/2025 Read More
Pecan Presents Smarter POS, Challenges One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Restaurant Tech: Pecan POS is a modular, customizable, and dealer-friendly solution that enables flexibility and challenges existing traditional, restrictive restaurant tech solutions. It especially caters to small to medium business owners which make up the majority of the US foodservice industry yet are often overlooked by bigger tech platforms. 08/26/2025 Read More
New FSTEC Technology Guide helps restaurants navigate complex tech landscape: Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Business have launched the inaugural FSTEC Restaurant Technology Guide, a free digital resource to help operators evaluate nearly 200 tech solutions. With 88% of restaurants planning tech investments this year, the guide offers strategic insights and ROI benchmarks to navigate a crowded, fast-evolving market. 09/09/2025 Read More