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Impact and Misconceptions of AI in Hospitality

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2 years ago

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AI in Hospitality Hudini

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.

  1. 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.

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Hospitality

Qatar Airways Unveils Onboard Signature Music Created in Partnership with Award-Winning Composer Hans Zimmer

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1 day ago

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November 7, 2026

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Qatar Airways today unveiled its new onboard signature music, created in partnership with world-renowned composer Hans Zimmer.

Inspired by Qatar and its culture, Qatar Airways’ new onboard music brings a distinctive sound identity to the passenger experience through its collaboration with the iconic composition of Hans Zimmer. The music is also featured on the ‘Burgundy Symphony’ album, a bespoke five-track album that encapsulates the airline’s wider sound identity and signature sound elements.

The collaboration brings together Zimmer’s acclaimed cinematic storytelling and Qatar Airways’ commitment to delivering memorable experiences, creating a recognisable sound that reflects the emotions, moments and memories that define travel.

The launch was celebrated at Hans Zimmer’s highly-anticipated concert in Doha on 6 November, where audiences were given an exclusive first look at the story behind the collaboration through a specially created film on the creative process and inspiration behind Burgundy Symphony, alongside a preview of the music. Qatar Airways passengers can experience the new composition onboard from today.

The Burgundy Symphony album captures the rhythm of travel through five original tracks, each reflecting a different stage of the journey:

Dawn opens the collection with a sense of anticipation and possibility experienced when stepping beyond the daily routine and discovering new horizons.

Dusk reflects the tranquillity of flight as daylight fades and travellers are carried above the clouds beneath a sky illuminated by stars.

The Orchard introduces a restorative pause, inspired by moments of calm and reflection amidst the pace of everyday life. The inspiration for the composition is drawn from the sense of escape offered by the ORCHARD – one of Hamad International Airport’s most distinctive passenger experiences.

Homecoming reflects the quiet gift of returning home and the small but lasting ways travel enriches life. The track encapsulates the adventure continues beyond touchdown, with memories of places and skies keeping moments of wonder alive long after the journey ends.

An Ode to Qatar, concludes the album with a tribute to the nation’s rich heritage and forward-looking vision. The piece brings together a sense of history, culture, and ambition, reflecting a country where tradition and progress exist in harmony.

Following the unveiling, Burgundy Symphony is now available on the Qatar Airways YouTube channel, inviting audiences around the world to experience Hans Zimmer’s original compositions inspired by the journey of travel and the spirit of Qatar Airways.

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Coral Beach Resort Sharjah Wins Sustain Sharjah Award for Second Year Running

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2 days ago

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November 6, 2026

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Coral Beach Resort Sharjah has won the Sustain Sharjah award for Hotel Properties at the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum 2026, organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). This marks the resort’s second consecutive recognition under the initiative.

The accolade acknowledges the property’s progress at Level 2 of the programme’s Explorers journey, structured around four core pillars: Guest, Experience, Local, and Story. Across each pillar, the resort has prioritised measurable, practical measures that engage guests, support the surrounding community, and ensure transparent sustainability reporting.

Central to this achievement are three primary operational initiatives:

  • Onsite water bottling plant: Replaces single-use plastics with reusable glass bottles, eliminating approximately 300,672 plastic bottles annually.
  • Winnow AI food-waste system: Weighs and monitors kitchen waste in real time, enabling culinary teams to curb excess directly at source.
  • Onsite biodigester: Installed in 2026, making the property the first hotel in Sharjah to process organic waste entirely on site.

Commenting on the achievement, Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, said: “Securing the Sustain Sharjah award for the second consecutive year is an honour for our entire team. Initiatives such as our water bottling plant, AI-driven waste monitoring, and onsite biodigester reflect our daily operational commitment—one shared with our guests, partners, and the local community. We thank the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority for this recognition and for their steady leadership in advancing sustainable tourism across the emirate.”

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah is a signatory to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and continues to align its operations with broader international climate targets.

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Qatar Airways Connects Doha to Caracas, Venezuela, and Bogotá, Colombia with First Flight

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2 days ago

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November 6, 2026

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Qatar Airways has inaugurated its new twice-weekly service connecting Doha with Caracas and Bogotá. The service represents a significant milestone for the airline, as Qatar Airways becomes the first Gulf carrier to serve Venezuela, and the first airline to operate nonstop services from the Middle East to both Bogotá and Caracas. The new route underscores the airline’s commitment to strengthening global connectivity for the region and is operated on Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.

Qatar Airways flights to Caracas (CCS) and Bogotá (BOG)

Qatar Airways’ flight schedule has been designed to provide smooth onward connections through Hamad International Airport to key markets including Australia, China, Japan, Lebanon, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. This offers passengers greater flexibility and seamless transfer options across Qatar Airways’ global network of over 170 destinations.

Departing every Wednesday and Sunday:

Doha (DOH) to Bogotá (BOG) – Flight QR783: Departure 07:35; Arrival 16:25

Bogotá (BOG) to Caracas (CCS) – Flight QR783: Departure 17:55; Arrival 21:00

Caracas (CCS) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR783: Departure 23:30; Arrival 20:35

The addition of Caracas and Bogotá marks the 16th and 17th destinations in the Americas served by Qatar Airways. The airline began serving South America in 2010 with its inaugural flight to Brazil’s São Paulo.

The airline has recently expanded its partnership with LATAM to include LATAM Airlines Colombia, offering travellers greater access to the region. Qatar Airways will place its code on LATAM-operated flights between Bogotá and key domestic destinations including Cartagena, Armenia, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cúcuta, Ibagué, Leticia, Medellín, Montería, Neiva, Pereira, Pasto, Riohacha, San Andrés Island, Santa Marta, and Yopal.

Qatar Airways continues to strengthen global connectivity, serving more than 170 destinations this winter. Bookings can be made at qatarairways.com or through the airline’s mobile app.

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