Choice Hotels Integrates Oracle’s AI Merchandising Technology Across Upscale Properties

Choice Hotels Integrates Oracle’s AI Merchandising Technology Across Upscale Properties

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 17, 2024

Choice Hotels International, a leading global lodging franchisor, has announced a strategic partnership with Oracle Hospitality to implement the Oracle Nor1 AI-driven merchandising solution across its upscale hotel portfolio. This initiative will cover esteemed brands such as Radisson Blu, Radisson, Cambria, and the Ascend Collection.

Oracle Nor1 leverages advanced AI technology to provide personalized service offerings to guests, enhancing their overall experience. By integrating this system, Choice Hotels can tap into incremental revenue opportunities by targeting guests with personalized offers at various stages of their journey, from room upgrades at booking to additional services like daily breakfast or late checkout during their stay.

The implementation of the Nor1 eStandby Upgrade has already shown promising results in Radisson Americas properties, where it was initially rolled out. In 2023, more than 100 properties saw an average increase of 17% in upsell revenue over booked rates per transaction, indicating significant financial benefits, although results may vary between franchisees.

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Indy Adenaw, Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Choice Hotels Upscale, highlighted the strategic fit of the Nor1 system, noting, "Nor1 not only enhances revenue opportunities for our hotels but also significantly improves guest satisfaction and loyalty by providing a more tailored experience."

Alex Alt, Executive Vice-President and General Manager of Oracle Hospitality and Retail, also commented on the deployment, stating, "The AI-driven insights from Nor1 empower hotels to offer customizable experiences to guests, thereby boosting property profitability and guest satisfaction."

The full integration of the Nor1 eStandby Upgrade is designed to work seamlessly with digital marketing tools to automate offers throughout the guest's pre-arrival phase, regardless of the underlying property management system used by the franchisee or owner.

This move by Choice Hotels to incorporate cutting-edge AI technology underscores their commitment to enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiency across their upscale properties globally. As the rollout continues, it is expected to set a new standard in how hotels personalize guest interactions and capitalize on revenue opportunities.

For more information on Choice Hotels’ innovations and Oracle’s technology solutions in the hospitality industry, visit their respective websites. This partnership marks a significant advancement in the integration of AI technologies within the hotel industry, promising a future where hotel stays are more personalized and profitable.


Air India Hits One Million Inflight WiFi Users Across Connected Fleet

Air India Hits One Million Inflight WiFi Users Across Connected Fleet

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 19, 2026

Air India has recorded more than one million inflight WiFi users over the past 12 months, reflecting the growing demand for onboard internet services among travellers.

According to the airline, over one million passengers connected to its inflight WiFi service between June 2025 and June 2026 across its WiFi-enabled fleet. The service is currently available on more than 55 daily flights operated by 28 connected aircraft.

The airline said passenger adoption has increased significantly during the year, with WiFi usage rising from 30 per cent in June 2025 to 55 per cent in June 2026.

Usage data shows that inflight connectivity is being driven largely by entertainment and social media. Around 89 per cent of connected passengers used the service to stream content or access social media platforms, while the remaining 11 per cent used it for web browsing, emails and messaging applications.

Over the 12-month period, passengers consumed nearly 500 terabytes of data through the airline's onboard network. Streaming services accounted for 86 per cent of total data usage, while web browsing made up the remaining 14 per cent.

Air India's inflight WiFi service is currently available on international routes served by its connected fleet, including flights to London, New York, Newark, Frankfurt, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali, Manila and Mauritius.

The airline said it plans to gradually expand onboard connectivity as more aircraft are equipped with WiFi, extending the service to additional routes in the future.

Introduced as part of Air India's broader efforts to enhance passenger experience and digital services, the inflight WiFi platform has witnessed steady growth over the past year. The airline noted that demand has been particularly strong on long-haul international flights, where passengers increasingly expect uninterrupted internet access throughout their journey.

While Air India did not disclose the number of individual devices connected or the average data consumed per passenger, it said the service has maintained consistent growth since its rollout.


TCS Named Strategic Technology Partner for New Terminal One at JFK Airport

TCS Named Strategic Technology Partner for New Terminal One at JFK Airport

By Hariharan U

Published on July 16, 2026

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been appointed as the strategic technology and innovation partner for The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), supporting the development of a next-generation digital ecosystem designed to transform the airport experience for passengers, airlines, and operations teams.

As part of the partnership, TCS will build the digital foundation for the terminal by deploying advanced technologies across passenger processing, artificial intelligence-driven IT operations, infrastructure management, and cybersecurity. The collaboration aims to create a seamless, connected, and efficient airport environment powered by real-time data and intelligent automation.

The New Terminal One at JFK is part of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $19 billion transformation programme for JFK Airport, one of the largest airport redevelopment initiatives in the United States. The project is envisioned as a world-class aviation hub focused on enhancing passenger experience through modern infrastructure and innovative technology.

Through the partnership, TCS will leverage its digital solutions, including Cognix and ignio platforms, to enable end-to-end visibility across critical airport operations such as passenger processing, baggage management, terminal security, and IT infrastructure.

The deployment of AI-powered systems will help improve operational efficiency, enhance predictive capabilities, and support faster decision-making across multiple airport functions. The technology foundation is expected to enable a more reliable and personalised travel experience for passengers while helping airport teams manage complex operations more effectively.

Commenting on the partnership, Jennifer Daniel Aument, CEO, The New Terminal One at JFK, said that TCS will play an important role in helping the terminal achieve its vision of becoming one of the world’s leading airport experiences, delivering enhanced services for partner airlines and travellers.

Amit Bajaj, President, North America, TCS, highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of aviation experiences. He noted that AI will support a seamless and dependable passenger journey while helping transform The New Terminal One into a technology-led experiential destination.

With airports worldwide increasingly adopting digital transformation strategies, the partnership reflects the growing role of technology in improving passenger journeys, operational resilience, and security. From automated processes and predictive analytics to intelligent infrastructure management, digital platforms are becoming central to the future of global aviation.

The collaboration between TCS and The New Terminal One at JFK represents a significant step towards creating a smart airport ecosystem where technology, innovation, and hospitality converge to deliver a more efficient and engaging travel experience


Radisson Hotel Group Launches AI-Powered Real-Time Hotel Price Matching Technology

Radisson Hotel Group Launches AI-Powered Real-Time Hotel Price Matching Technology

By Hariharan U

Published on July 5, 2026

Radisson Hotel Group has launched a new AI-powered real-time price matching technology, aimed at transforming the way guests book directly through hotel websites and strengthening transparency in hotel pricing.

The system automatically identifies lower publicly available rates for Radisson properties listed on third-party platforms such as OTAs and search engines, and instantly matches those prices on RadissonHotels.com. This removes the need for manual claims, screenshots, or approval processes that are typically required under traditional best rate guarantee programs.

Unlike conventional models, the new system operates in real time. When a lower rate is detected on platforms including Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, Trip.com, and others, the AI engine verifies the pricing difference and automatically applies the matched rate, redirecting users directly to the hotel’s booking platform.

According to Gianni Di Fede, Global Chief Commercial Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, modern travellers expect speed, simplicity, and confidence when booking. He noted that the new feature ensures guests always receive the best available price when booking directly with Radisson.

For guests, the system eliminates uncertainty around pricing and simplifies the booking journey. For hotel teams, it reduces administrative workload associated with manual price match requests and allows staff to focus more on guest service and operational efficiency. The tool also provides better visibility into pricing trends and booking behaviour.

The AI-powered price matching feature is now live across all Radisson Hotel Group properties worldwide, marking a significant step in the company’s digital transformation strategy.

The initiative forms part of Radisson’s broader push toward automation and AI-driven solutions aimed at improving direct bookings, enhancing transparency, and creating a more seamless digital experience for travellers. By replacing traditional reactive pricing guarantees with a fully automated system, Radisson is positioning itself at the forefront of hospitality technology innovation.

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