Hospitality industry accelerates AI and digital payment adoption

Global hospitality leaders are accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence and digital payment solutions to transform the guest experience and secure direct bookings. Major hotel groups, including Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Marriott, and IHG, are deploying conversational AI tools to meet changing consumer behaviors, particularly among Gen Z travelers who increasingly rely on visual platforms for inspiration.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has launched a native ChatGPT application to facilitate intuitive, conversational geographic exploration and service filtering across its 8,400+ properties. This initiative is part of a broader technological investment plan exceeding $450 million since 2018. Similarly, Choice Hotels International has implemented the ‘CHARLIE’ virtual assistant to support franchisees and optimize internal sales, while IHG Hotels & Resorts is testing conversational search functions to synthesize guest reviews.

In the fintech space, Blastness has introduced ‘Blastness Pay,’ a new payment solution developed in collaboration with Adyen. The tool aims to simplify financial flows and streamline the purchasing experience on official hotel websites. The solution is designed to help hoteliers manage credit card data securely in compliance with European data protection regulations while improving administrative efficiency across various booking channels.