The hospitality industry was massively hit during the COVID pandemic. Today, as travel resumes and countries across the world remove travel restrictions, the tourist inflow is more than ever. This forces hotel and property owners to automate manual tasks via advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, contactless technologies, and IoT devices, to save time and money. In addition, tourists expect a better guest experience which leads to the adoption of voice technology, chatbots, immersive technology, and other in-room technologies. This data-driven report examines the top hospitality trends and innovations impacting companies in 2023.
Innovation Map outlines the Top 10 Hospitality Trends & 20 Promising Startups
For this in-depth research on the Top 10 Hospitality Trends & Startups, we analyzed a sample of 1 980 global startups and scaleups. The result of this research is data-driven innovation intelligence that improves strategic decision-making by giving you an overview of emerging technologies & startups in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. These insights are derived by working with our Big Data & Artificial Intelligence-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering 2 500 000+ startups & scaleups globally. As the world’s largest resource for data on emerging companies, the SaaS platform enables you to identify relevant startups, emerging technologies & future industry trends quickly & exhaustively.
In the Innovation Map below, you get an overview of the Top 10 Hospitality Trends & Innovations that impact companies worldwide. Moreover, the Hospitality Innovation Map reveals 20 hand-picked startups, all working on emerging technologies that advance their field.
Top 10 Hospitality Trends & Innovation
- Artificial Intelligence
- In-Room Technology
- Internet of Things
- Immersive Technology
- Internet Marketing
- Sustainability
- Touchless Technology
- Robotics
- Personalization
- Connectivity
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Tree Map reveals the Impact of the Top 10 Hospitality Trends
Based on the Hospitality Innovation Map, the tree map below illustrates the impact of the Top 10 Hospitality Trends. Startups and scaleups are developing solutions to bring digitalization and automation to the hospitality industry. This is why artificial intelligence and in-room technologies such as keyless doors, online ordering, and integrated guest applications are the top trends in the industry. The competitiveness in the industry makes organizations adopt IoT & connectivity, immersive technologies, robotics, personalization, and internet marketing to achieve maximum guest satisfaction and attract more customers. Additionally, increasing consumer awareness encourages hotels and restaurants to adopt sustainable practices to reduce their carbon emissions.
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Global Startup Heat Map covers 1 980 Hospitality Startups & Scaleups
The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the global distribution of the 1 980 exemplary startups & scaleups that we analyzed for this research. Created through the StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, the Heat Map reveals high startup activity in the US, UK, and India.
Below, you get to meet 20 out of these 1 980 promising startups & scaleups as well as the solutions they develop. These 20 startups are hand-picked based on criteria such as founding year, location, funding raised, and more. Depending on your specific needs, your top picks might look entirely different.
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Top 10 Hospitality Trends & Innovation in 2023
1. Artificial Intelligence
The ability of artificial intelligence to do traditionally human tasks at any time of day means that it is becoming more and more significant in the management of the hotel industry. This would imply that hotel owners can save a lot of money, get rid of human mistakes, and provide better service. Through the implementation of AI, a lot of tasks can be automated, such as price forecasting and predictions through historical data to improve hospitality services.
Sysotel automates Revenue Management
Sysotel is an Indian startup that develops an automated revenue management platform, SYSIRMS, for the hospitality sector. SYSIRMS uses artificial intelligence along with human inputs to automate the process of market research, demand forecasting, and pricing analysis. The system further extracts hotel data to give insights into inventory and customer management. The startup also offers SYSCM for managing the bookings through various online listings. Its solutions allow hotels to automate their processes and have competitive prices to increase their revenue.
Proppos builds a Food Items Recognition Solution
Proppos is a Spanish startup that offers FastPay, a self-checkout solution for restaurants. The solution is a plug-and-play installation that uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to automatically recognize food items and generate the bill accordingly. The startup’s food recognition platform is customizable and allows clients to train and deploy models for various checkout needs. In addition, the solution minimizes the customer wait timing and queues at billing counters of restaurants, airports, and train stations, resulting in higher productivity and customer satisfaction.
2. In-Room Technology
The air conditioning and the temperature are the two areas of smart technology that are most frequently encountered in hotel rooms. Customers can now remotely control their rooms thanks to the recent launches of digital devices and apps by big companies like Hilton Hotels.
Tmrw Hotels offers Digital Guest Systems
Tmrw Hotels is a Hungarian startup that builds advanced digital guest systems to enhance guest satisfaction throughout its customer journey. The startup’s phone application digitalizes and automates the processes of bookings, check-in, check-out, upselling, and payments. The application works as a digital key hence eliminating the need for a physical key or keycard. In addition, it offers an integrated payment platform for self-checkout and electronic invoices. The startup enables hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs to save costs while increasing efficiency and reducing their carbon footprint.
Jurny provides Application for Device Control
Jurny is a US-based startup that offers Software-as-a-service-based management solutions for hospitality businesses. The startup’s Access Control System makes it possible to control several devices through one application. The user can integrate and remotely control devices such as a smart thermostat, cameras, co2 & noise sensors. Further, the startup also offers solutions for AI-based pricing, automatic guest screening, and reputation tracking. The startup’s solutions allow hospitality management companies to save time and enhance their overall guest experience.
3. Internet of Things
IoT-connected gadgets are used to improve the visitor experience and the hotel management system for workers and administrators in a smart hotel. The hospitality sector has good potential to improve smart hotel rooms with automation systems. The convenience and comfort of the guests are boosted, and the efficiency, cost savings, and contentment of the guests benefit hotel owners and operators.
MYRA builds a Self Check-in Kiosk
MYRA is a Spanish startup that develops a self-check-in and check-out kiosk for hotels. The Myra STAND is a self-check-in kiosk that comes with a 15.6-inch touchscreen display, an inbuilt ID scanner, a keycard dispenser, a high-resolution camera with an active infrared, and an integrated payment solution. The kiosk comes with an integrated firewall and uses encryption for secure communication and data protection. The kiosk is fully customizable as per the hotel’s requirements. The startup also offers other self-service solutions such as Myra COMPACT, Myra Zip, Myra ONLINE, and Myra BOLT. The technology allows hotels to speed up the guest arrival process and increase operational efficiency.
Kartan Technologies provides IoT-based Employee Monitoring
Kartan Technologies is an Indian startup that develops IoT solutions for the hospitality industry. The startup’s end-to-end mobile application and web solution enable IoT-based employee monitoring. Each employee is given a digital ID card which allows them to mark smart attendance, and auto-update entry and exit times. The employers are able to track the geo-locations of the staff and assign tasks accordingly. The solution further ensures that no guest is left unattended and gets service on time.
4. Immersive Technology
According to a recent survey, the increasing use of immersive technologies like augmented and virtual reality will push consumer-facing companies, like those in retail, consumer goods, and travel, to increase investment in new capabilities and experiences to blend physical and virtual worlds. If they don’t, they risk falling behind.
Hotelverse offers a Hotel Immersive Experience
Hotelverse is a Spanish startup that develops an API platform for an immersive experience of the hotel. The startup has built innovative UX processes that allow property owners to showcase a 3D digital twin of their hotel to the customers while booking their stay. Its API platform integrates with any booking engine or property management system. Hotelverse enables guests to have a virtual tour of a room, restaurants, spa, garden, and other amenities of the hotel. As a result, hotels are able to up their sales and eliminate the middleman for bookings.
Aryel offers SAAS Marketing Platform
Aryel is an Italian startup that offers a Software-as-a-service marketing platform to make marketing campaigns engaging with augmented reality (AR). The custom webAR allows travel agencies and hotels to create AR content through drag and drop feature without having to code. The software comes with ready-to-use photos, graphics, and 3D models. The hospitality industry’s AR advertising engages potential customers from across the globe without having to worry about language barriers.
5. Internet Marketing
Social media is crucial for marketing in the hospitality sector. To attract visitors, employ eye-catching graphics, informative content, and good testimonials. If you back these up with a positive customer experience, you’ll see that your fan base is continually expanding.
Ezus builds a Travel Software
Ezus is a French startup that builds travel software to simplify tour planning for travel companies. The software allows travel agencies to manage their website and construct their itineraries. The tool comes with an integrated CRM system, invoicing system, map itinerary, and project pipeline. Travel agencies are able to customize their own budget builders and manage suppliers through a single tool. The startup allows travel planners to attract more customers and efficiently sell custom trips.
HotelPort Monitors Content Accuracy
HotelPORT is a US-based startup that offers content accuracy monitoring through its propertyVIEW solution. PorpertyVIEW combines human intelligence along with AI and machine learning technologies to audit the content on hotel and third-party websites. The solution checks the accuracy of all descriptions, pictures, and amenities and generates an accuracy score for hotels and restaurants to make improvements. The solution attracts potential guests via quality content and increases revenue.
6. Sustainability
There are numerous advantages to using sustainability in the hospitality industry. In addition to bringing in more clients and appropriately addressing what many see as a moral duty in light of the current climate catastrophe, sustainable initiatives provide incentives for hospitality firms.
Wayaj gives Hotel Sustainability Ratings
Wayaj is a US-based startup that offers sustainability solutions for the hospitality sector to know and reduce their carbon footprint. The startup develops a B2C booking platform, Alight that lists sustainable accommodations. The platform allows responsible travelers to make reservations at sustainable hotels and resorts and gain carbon offsets during their checkout. It also develops a hotel sustainability rating (HSR) that gives eco scores to a hotel based on 7 sustainable practices. Further, the startup’s proprietary software, IMPPACT consists of a carbon footprint calculating engine (CFC Engine) and possible sustainable actions for neutralizing the carbon footprint.
Sunsai Nature provides Eco-friendly Products
Sunsai Nature is a German startup that offers eco-friendly products to restaurants and hotels as an alternative to replacing single-use plastic products. Its product range includes paper straws made of recycled paper, compostable takeaway boxes, as well as biodegradable spoons, knives, and folks. Other than cutlery items, the startup also sells bamboo toothbrushes, bamboo combs, reusable laundry bags, and biodegradable vanity sets. The startup’s products allow hotels and restaurants to reduce their plastic waste production significantly.
7. Touchless Technology
A touchless check-in and check-out process is one of the top concerns for guests trying to avoid the busy front desks. Hotels must make investments in more flexible booking strategies through specialized booking engines or online distribution channels as more customers make their bookings online. With a remote digital concierge system that is intended to smoothly handle end-to-end operations contact-free, Hotelogix led this fundamental transition on a global scale. We have prioritized safety for both guests and workers with contactless choices for check-in/out and touchless services for reservations without affecting the integrity of the system, which is connected centrally through the cloud.
Loxe converts Smartphone to Hotel key
Loxe is a US-based startup that develops end-to-end solutions for mobile keys. With the startup’s mobile application guests unlock their doors through their phones, eliminating the need for a physical key or a keycard. In addition, the startup’s mobile app also allows guests to access other room services with just a few clicks. Further, the startup upgrades the existing locks of the hotels to mobile-ready door locks, by connecting a Bluetooth module to keycard door locks. The solution offers guests greater convenience while opening new revenue streams for hotels.
TablePort builds Contactless Order & Payment Solution
TablePort is an Israeli startup that develops a solution for contactless ordering and payments at restaurants and hotels. Once the customers scan a hotel’s QR code through their mobile device, they are able to place their order from an intuitive and personalized menu. As soon as the order is placed and completed payment is made automatically. The digital solution reduces the wait time for customers and makes ordering as well as bill settlements fast and efficient.
8. Robotics
Modern robots can be either autonomous or semi-autonomous and may make use of artificial intelligence (AI) and speech recognition technology. With that being said, most robots are programmed to perform specific tasks with great precision, with an example being the industrial robots seen in factories or production lines. The use of artificial intelligence within the field of robotics is one of the most exciting and promising applications for individuals and businesses operating within hospitality management.
MiRobots develops Customizable Robots
MiRobots is an Indian startup that provides robots for the hospitality industry. The startup programs the robots with artificial intelligence algorithms and customizes them according to the specific task. For instance, humanoid robots work as check-in robots at hotels to automate the task and disinfection robots for cleaning and sanitizing spaces so that humans are not exposed to germs. Similarly, the delivery robots ensure contactless food deliveries in restaurants. The startup allows the hospitality industry to automate a lot of operational tasks with the help of robots.
Bear Robotics builds Restaurant Service Robots
Bear Robotics is a US-based startup that builds serving robots for hospitality management. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are useful for taking orders to the tables or clearing empty dishes from the tables. The robots are a combination of agile movement with a versatile design and come in two models; Servi and Servi Mini. The robots are capable of serving heavy drink orders, multiple food trays, and bussing tables with a bussing tub. This allows the staff to focus on customer experience and satisfaction.
9. Personalization
The purpose of personalization is to improve the customers’ experiences and answer their needs more effectively and in a shorter time. This way interactions between the company and the buyers are easier and the satisfaction of the latter is increased. It is tailoring our offer to our individual customers.
Flavor enables Personalized Food Ordering
Flavor is a US-based startup that develops a food ordering application with a personalized layout for each user. The application, with the help of user history and predictive analytics, personalizes the menu of each food outlet by hiding the dishes that the user does not like. Further, the application also notifies the user if a dish they like from a menu has a new ingredient that they don’t like. The food app helps restaurants grow their sales by making food ordering easier and adding a 5-second video of each dish.
Upswing provides a Guest Intelligence Platform
Upswing is an Indian startup that offers data-driven cognitive solutions for the hospitality industry. The startup’s guest intelligence dashboard solution, AURA, is powered by guest data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The platform is partially hosted on a private or consortium blockchain. AURA uses data from multiple sources to give a full insight into the guest’s likes, dislikes, preferences, and purchase patterns. The solution allows hotels to create a personalized experience for each guest and serve them in the best possible way.
10. Connectivity
The Internet of Things, room automation, artificial intelligence, and virtual assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa are making headway in the hotels and hospitality sector, but none of this is possible without the right foundation of secure connectivity. No matter how luxurious your hotel, how sumptuous the food, or how relaxing the spa is, if you don’t offer secure connectivity and mobile guest services, you are unlikely to fill your rooms.
LEVL offers Device Intelligence
LEVL is a US-based startup that offers a full-stack device intelligence solution for hotels. LEVL’s patented solution assigns a unique identifier (LEVL-ID) to every individual device on the network. It identifies and verifies all devices accessing the network with a passive out-of-band approach. In addition, it helps recognize what type of devices are using the network along with their activity analysis. It is a simple plug-in solution that allows hotels to enhance their wifi network services without compromising users’ data privacy.
F3TCH converts Smartphones into Hotel Telephone
F3TCH is a US-based startup that develops a patented mobile application for hotel guests. The application allows guests to connect their hotel telephones to their smartphones and advances communication and service delivery. F3TCH converts smartphones into a hotel intercom and allows guests to order services via voice calls, or text messages. The startup enables hotels to update their communication style and improve the guest experience.
Discover all Hospitality Trends, Technologies & Startups
The top 10 trends of the hospitality industry bring about innovative changes in the hotels and restaurants that attract more customers as well as enhance customer satisfaction. Soon, the hospitality industry will be free of manual servers as robotics will find more applications. Further, the metaverse and immersive technologies make the entire travel experience more interactive and enthusiastic for guests. Finally, renewable energy, recyclable materials, vegan food, and waste management solutions will continue to make the hospitality sector more and more sustainable by reducing emissions.
The Hospitality Trends & Startups outlined in this report only scratch the surface of trends that we identified during our data-driven innovation and startup scouting process. Among others, elevated customer experiences, process automation, and smart sensor technology look set to transform the sector as we know it today. Identifying new opportunities and emerging technologies to implement into your business goes a long way in gaining a competitive advantage. Get in touch to easily and exhaustively scout startups, technologies & trends that matter to you!
