IHG and EnviroSpark Energise Hospitality with Expansive EV Charging Network

IHG and EnviroSpark Energise Hospitality with Expansive EV Charging Network

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 17, 2024

In a strategic move to accommodate the surging adoption of electric vehicles, IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced a partnership with EnviroSpark, a company specialising in electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. This collaboration is set to significantly expand the availability of EV charging stations at IHG-branded hotels throughout the United States and Canada, augmenting the hospitality giant's existing global network of 1,100 EV-equipped hotels.

This initiative allows individual IHG hotels to work directly with EnviroSpark to develop bespoke EV charging solutions that meet their unique needs and guest demands. In an era where sustainability is increasingly prioritised by travellers, this move not only enhances guest convenience but also supports the broader transition towards a low-carbon economy.

Recognizing the importance of accessibility to charging infrastructure for EV owners, IHG has also updated its mobile app with a new feature. Guests can now utilise an EV charger search filter, enabling them to easily identify hotels with charging facilities and plan their travel routes accordingly.

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Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Global Guest Experience at IHG Hotels & Resorts, emphasised the alignment of this partnership with IHG’s sustainability commitments under its Journey to Tomorrow initiative. "Providing guests with more EV-charging convenience is a natural next step for IHG,” McGuinness stated. "Through our agreement with EnviroSpark, we’re offering more options for IHG owners to install EV chargers at hotels while facilitating easier travel for sustainability-minded travellers.”

Aaron Luque, Founder and CEO of EnviroSpark, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the partnership’s role in promoting environmental sustainability and EV adoption. "Together, we aim to create a seamless and environmentally friendly experience for travellers, contributing to a greener future and bringing us closer to our vision of widespread EV adoption,” Luque remarked.

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To further encourage the installation of EV charging stations, IHG is providing hotel owners with a comprehensive EV charging guide. This initiative is part of a broader effort to equip over 4,100 IHG properties in North America with the infrastructure needed to support eco-friendly travel.

By expanding its EV charging network in collaboration with EnviroSpark, IHG Hotels & Resorts underscores its leadership in sustainable hospitality. This initiative not only enhances guest convenience but also significantly contributes to the industry's transition towards greener, more sustainable travel practices.


Wilding Hotels enhances luxury stay with Volo in-room tablets, blending guest experience and sustainability

Wilding Hotels enhances luxury stay with Volo in-room tablets, blending guest experience and sustainability

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 14, 2025

Wilding Hotels, renowned for its immersive wilderness retreats, has taken a decisive step in marrying luxury with sustainability by introducing Volo’s in-room concierge tablets across its properties. This strategic collaboration with Volo Solutions aims to modernise guest engagement, streamline operations, and support the brand’s strong eco-conscious mission.

"At Wilding Hotels, we focus on providing a seamless and elevated guest experience while fostering sustainability," shared Amy Hansen, Head of Hotel Operations. "Implementing Volo in-room tablets has enhanced guest experience, streamlined operations, and supported our sustainability goals."

The decision to integrate Volo was driven by the platform’s user-friendly interface, robust customisation options, and responsive customer support. The tablets, tailored to each Wilding location, allow guests to effortlessly explore hotel services, place orders, contact concierge, and access curated local recommendations—all from an in-room iPad. This has dramatically reduced response times and improved communication, freeing staff to focus on delivering more personalised, high-touch service.

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A key advantage of adopting Volo’s digital solution is the elimination of traditional printed directories, menus, and brochures, significantly cutting down on paper waste and printing costs. This aligns seamlessly with Wilding’s sustainability initiatives without compromising on the luxury experience guests expect.

Beyond operational efficiency and eco benefits, the tablets have proven to be effective revenue drivers. They encourage guests to discover and book dining experiences, spa treatments, and bespoke adventures. Looking ahead, Wilding Hotels plans to deepen this digital experience with AI-led recommendations and smart room integrations that will further personalise each guest’s stay.

"Volo's intuitive platform and exceptional support made this transition seamless, and we've already seen increased engagement and revenue," Hansen added. "These tablets are central to delivering a high-touch experience aligned with our brand's luxury and innovation."

With properties in Alaska and Texas, Wilding Hotels continues to carve out its niche as a luxury wilderness brand that balances comfort with a deep respect for nature. The addition of Volo’s in-room tablets reaffirms this commitment—offering guests an effortless, modern stay while treading lightly on the planet.

For more details, visit getvolo.com and wildinghotels.com.


Zoomcar Unveils ZoomPro Dashboard to Power India’s Evolving Self-Drive Fleet Economy

Zoomcar Unveils ZoomPro Dashboard to Power India’s Evolving Self-Drive Fleet Economy

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 13, 2025

Zoomcar has introduced ZoomPro, a smart fleet management dashboard built to enhance the efficiency and performance of India’s self-drive mobility ecosystem. Tailored for large B2B fleet operators, the platform enables users to manage bookings, pricing, and vehicle performance with ease, marking a major step in Zoomcar’s vision of tech-led transformation.

ZoomPro arrives at a time when Zoomcar is celebrating strong performance in FY25, which includes a 10% year-on-year rise in bookings and an 86% surge in repeat users. These trends signal growing consumer confidence and the rising demand for tech-enabled self-drive options.

“We’re building more than a marketplace, we’re enabling the operating system for self-drive mobility in India,” said Anirudh Lamba, Head of Marketing and Partnerships at Zoomcar. “With ZoomPro, our B2B toolkit empowers fleet operators to drive better performance, higher earnings, and superior guest experiences at scale.”

The dashboard offers a data-first interface that reflects how modern operators function across multiple cities and users. It provides real-time insights on vehicle metrics and customer behavior, allowing for more accurate decision-making and enhanced fleet control.

According to Vishal Ramrakhyani, Head of Engineering, “ZoomPro has been designed to scale with our partners. It supports long-term growth through tools like bulk onboarding, AI-powered recommendations, and soon, LLM-based customer support for faster and more personalized issue resolution.”

Zoomcar’s FY25 milestones also include a USD 4.25 million contribution profit at a 47% margin, a 58% rise in high-rated host vehicles, and a 67% drop in operational losses, validating its pivot to partner-first innovation.

The launch of ZoomPro is set to redefine how India's self-drive car rental sector operates, offering greater transparency, higher efficiency, and scalable tools for large fleet operators aiming to stay ahead in a rapidly growing market.


Mews expands Digital Key with Salto integration for seamless guest access

Mews expands Digital Key with Salto integration for seamless guest access

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 12, 2025

Mews has announced a strategic integration with Salto’s smart locking system, enhancing its Digital Key offering and paving the way for a more seamless, contactless guest experience. Through this partnership, hotels using Salto’s access control can now enable guests to unlock rooms via their mobile devices using the Mews Hospitality Cloud—eliminating the need for physical keys altogether.

This move streamlines the check-in process, reduces manual front desk tasks, and strengthens overall security. Matt Welle, CEO of Mews, said, “Every step of the guest journey should be effortless. With Salto smart access for hospitality compatibility, more properties can reduce the friction around arrival and check-in. Digital Key is a win-win because it’s as much about operational efficiency as it is about improving guest satisfaction.”

Early results from Belgian brand YUST, which operates a hybrid model for short and long stays, show the integration’s impact. At its Antwerp property, 12% of guests checked in using Digital Key in the first month without any promotional push, and 64% of those with an active digital key used it to access their rooms. Dirk Van Gompel, CTO of YUST, shared, “Digital Key makes it easy for guests to go straight to their room, while creating real-time savings for our team, who can then focus on building real human connections.”

Salto’s Nora Urquiza highlighted the value of this collaboration, stating, “Our integration with Mews reinforces our commitment to delivering a seamless, secure, and modern digital experience through strong technology alliances.”

Beyond convenience, the integration also cuts down on environmental waste by removing the need for plastic keycards and supports a fully digital, on-the-go check-in and check-out process. Fully embedded within the Mews Hospitality Cloud, the Digital Key capability allows hotels to customise and automate the guest experience, opening new avenues for upselling and enhanced guest engagement.

Mews has been on a roll with tech enhancements, recently rolling out a Multicurrency feature for customers across Europe.

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