Hospitality
Impact and Misconceptions of AI in Hospitality
By Prince Thampi, Founder and CEO of Hudini
AI in hospitality is here to stay, but which technologies will immediately impact the industry, and how do we overcome adoption hurdles?
Let’s be clear. Artificial intelligence in the hospitality industry is here to stay. All over the world AI-powered technology is being implemented in hotels in some form or other, and over the next decade AI will evolve to become even more sophisticated, driving a record transformation of the industry.
AI in hospitality globally was valued at USD 90 million in 2022 and is estimated to reach USD 8,120 million by 2033, with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 60%, according to research by WeMarket. Further to this, research by Colliers International estimates 73% of manual activities in the hospitality industry have the technical potential for automation.
THE IMMEDIATE IMPACT OF AI
Today, AI fuels hotel technology across a spectrum of features and services already. Here, I’d like to spotlight three areas where I believe AI is poised for significant growth and impact in the industry.
- Revenue and cost
The strength of AI-driven analytics is the ability to analyse huge amounts of data with a speed and accuracy beyond human capabilities. This is valuable in many aspects of hotel operations, but especially critical in roster optimisation and dynamic pricing strategies. Previously, these used to rely on manual predictions based on historical trends. With data-driven analytics and algorithms, a multitude of variables such as past booking patterns, room occupancy rates, seasonal trends, competitor rates, and even local events can be computed in real-time, allowing hoteliers to make informed pricing and staffing decisions.
- Conversational experiences
Hotels need to be accessible on the same channels as their guests. Chat-based conversations are expected by today’s travellers, and, quite frankly, this is an easy win for hoteliers. Automated and assisted conversations – including WhatsApp, WeChat, Siri, Alexa and Messenger – are the new norm within customer service. What’s more, multilingual AI assistants can bridge language gaps effortlessly by communicating with guests in their preferred language. In the future, we will see more advanced options, such as sentiment detection, emotive conversations, and human-bot cooperations be deployed in customer service.
- Assistive technology for staff
A digital assistant for hotel staff can help manage daily operations while, at the same time, increase efficiency and alleviate staff burnout. Automated tasks include data entry, digital communication across the property, unified guest communication across multiple channels, guest check-in, and ID registration. Furthermore, assistive tech can automate the verification of guest meal/entitlement plans in outlets, integrate the verification with point-of-sale systems, and present dashboards with a bird’s-eye view of operations and analytics to support decision making.
DEBUNKING MISCONCEPTIONS
Tech adoption accelerated during the global pandemic with the immediate need for contactless solutions. However, looking at other sectors such as retail, banking and e-commerce, it seems hospitality as an industry still lags when it comes to digital transformation. Some hoteliers may not fully understand how AI technology works or how it can benefit their business. This lack of understanding can lead to skepticism and hesitancy about investing in AI solutions. So, let’s look at some of those misconceptions.
AI is expensive
It is a common misconception among hoteliers that a huge investment is required to deliver results. The truth is that there are many cost-effective AI applications that start giving a return on investment within the first year. For example, at Hudini we have seen customers using chatbots in customer service operations save 15-30% man-hours per year, and savings of 60-70% man-hours per year with AI powered check in solutions.
AI is only for large hotel chains
No, size doesn’t matter. Independent and small hotels can also leverage the benefits of AI depending on how it is deployed. Face recognition, for example, can be implemented for compliance purposes and guest convenience regardless of the size of the hotel, and a digital concierge can upsell in any type of hotel based on existing guest data.
AI is impersonal
58% of guests feel that AI improves their hotel booking and stay experiences, according to Hotel Tech Report. Personalisation, made possible by AI-powered data handling, is key here. Also, future generations of guests, such as Millennials and Gen Z, prefer contactless self-service available round the clock. AI in customer service, such as chatbots, automated social media messaging, and push notifications can reply instantly to inquiries 24/7.
AI will replace the hotel staff
No, AI will never replace all the staff human staff and the work they do. In fact, one hotel in Japan tried operating with 100% robot staff, and it failed. Instead, AI increases staff productivity by handling manual and repetitive work, for example check-ins, standard guest queries, and wake-up calls. 70% of guests find chatbots helpful for simple inquiries but prefer human interaction for more complex requests, according to Hotel Tech Report.
AI cannot be integrated into the existing software
Yes and no. AI might not integrate into the existing software unless vendors upgrade their products, but it can definitely run alongside. A good middleware solution can feed data from these systems as well as data captured from user experiences into clean data sets. AI models can leverage this data to create personalised experiences for guests and automation for staff – without having to upgrade or replace the existing systems in a hotel’s tech stack. Even though a hotel may have a multi-vendor landscape of 10-30 different systems, it is still possible for middleware technology to connect with these systems, to create a common façade, reducing the complexity to a handful of business services, scalable and secure.
In conclusion, the benefits of integrating artificial intelligence in hotel management and operations far outweigh the hesitations. The technology is here to stay. My advice to hoteliers and owners: you’d better get onboard.
Hospitality
FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE: HEALTHY SIPS FOR DADS WHO PUT WELLNESS FIRST
This Father’s Day, skip the usual gifts and treat health-conscious dads to something that supports their wellbeing from the inside out. UAE homegrown brand Saba Plant-Based offers a range of organic, probiotic-rich drinks crafted using fermentation, live cultures and carefully selected ingredients to support digestive wellness while delivering great taste. Convenient, refreshing and easy to incorporate into daily routines, these functional beverages make thoughtful gifts for fathers looking to prioritise healthy habits.



Water Kefir
Light, fruity and refreshing, Saba Plant-Based’s newly launched Water Kefir is packed with live probiotics that support gut health. This water-based fermented drink is caffeine-free, gentle on digestion and ideal for staying refreshed throughout the warmer months.
Flavours available in Blue Spirulina & Lemon Mint and Dragon Fruit, Strawberry & Lemon.

Apple Cider Vinegar Shots
For dads who appreciate practical wellness solutions, these convenient gut health shots are made with raw apple cider vinegar and designed to support healthy daily habits. Easy to enjoy at home, at work or on the go, they offer a simple addition to any wellness routine.
Flavours available in Cardamom & Ginger and Verbena & Orange Blossom.

Plant-Based Kefir
Made with organic coconut milk and live vegan kefir cultures, this creamy dairy-free alternative is rich in beneficial bacteria that support digestive wellbeing. It can be enjoyed on its own or added to smoothies and breakfast bowls for a probiotic boost.
Flavour available in Natural, Vanilla and Mango-Pineapple.

Organic Kombucha
As the first brand to locally brew organic-certified kombucha in the UAE, Saba Plant-Based offers a naturally refreshing fermented tea made with live cultures and organic ingredients. Raw, unpasteurised and low in sugar, it provides a flavourful alternative to conventional soft drinks.
Available in Classic, Mango, Raspberry, Peppermint, Hibiscus Basil, Cardamom and Ginger Turmeric.
Whether your father is a fitness enthusiast, wellness advocate or simply looking to make healthier everyday choices, Saba Plant-Based’s range of probiotic drinks offers a thoughtful Father’s Day gift that supports gut health, hydration and overall wellbeing.
The brand’s full gut-healthy product range can be purchased on www.sabaplantbased.ae or at supermarkets across UAE including Kibsons, Spinneys and Waitrose.
Hospitality
ROHINI DUBAI LAUNCHES REFLECTIVE KINTSUGI KAHANI EXPERIENCE FOR CREATIVE AUDIENCES
On 27 June, Rohini will host the Kintsugi Kahani Experience, inspired by the Japanese art of golden repair. Rooted in the philosophy of embracing imperfection, the experience invites guests to explore creativity through a hands-on workshop that celebrates the beauty found in flaws and life’s imperfections.
Throughout the evening, participants will create a meaningful keepsake to take home while engaging with the centuries-old concept of transforming brokenness into something beautiful and unique. Designed as a reflective and creative experience, the workshop offers guests an opportunity to connect with the art form in an intimate and inspiring setting.
Hospitality
GCC Travellers Are Heading Away Earlier for Eid Al Adha, Dragonpass Data Reveals
Dragonpass, the world’s leading provider of digital airport ecosystem platforms, has revealed new travel data showing a notable shift in how travellers across the GCC are planning their Eid journeys, with demand surging before Eid Al Adha rather than during the holiday itself.
According to Dragonpass data, travel activity across the GCC increased by 69% in the week leading up to Eid Al Adha 2026. However, rather than peaking during the holiday period, travel activity declined by 24% during Eid week and a further 18% in the week immediately after, suggesting many travellers chose to depart ahead of the holiday period.
The trend marks a clear contrast to Eid Al Fitr earlier this year, when travel activity across the GCC rose by 6% during the holiday week itself before declining by 20% in the following week. Saudi Arabia recorded the strongest Eid Al Fitr uplift in the region, with travel activity increasing by 25% during the holiday week.
Several GCC markets recorded particularly strong growth in the lead-up to Eid Al Adha. Kuwait saw the largest increase, with travel activity rising by 124.7% week-on-week, followed by Bahrain (+108.5%), the UAE (+79.2%), Qatar (+59.5%) and Saudi Arabia (+58.4%).
Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer at Dragonpass, said: “The contrast between Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha is one of the most interesting travel trends we have observed this year. While Eid Al Fitr generated a more traditional holiday-week travel spike, Eid Al Adha saw travellers moving significantly earlier, with demand building before the holiday rather than during it.
“This highlights the dynamic nature of travel behaviour across the GCC and reinforces the importance of understanding how demand shifts around key travel periods. Despite periods of disruption affecting regional travel earlier this year, demand across the GCC has remained resilient, with travellers continuing to prioritise leisure and holiday travel.”
Saudi Arabia remained one of the region’s strongest-performing travel markets throughout both holiday periods. During Eid Al Fitr, the Kingdom recorded the clearest holiday-driven uplift in the GCC, with growth spread across several major airports. Madinah recorded the strongest increase at 58%, followed by Jeddah (29%), Dammam (25%) and Riyadh (22%).
During Eid Al Adha, Madinah again stood out as a key exception to the wider regional trend, recording a 20% increase during Eid week and a further 58% increase post-Eid, reflecting continued religious travel activity around the holiday period.
Looking ahead, Dragonpass expects strong travel demand across the GCC throughout the summer months. The latest Eid travel trends suggest travellers are becoming more deliberate in how they plan journeys around peak holiday periods, while demand for regional and international travel remains resilient. As summer travel gathers pace, these shifting patterns are expected to continue shaping passenger flows across the region.
As aviation connectivity continues to expand across the GCC, understanding how travellers adapt their behaviour around major holidays and peak travel periods will become increasingly important for airports, airlines and the wider travel ecosystem.
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