Mapping each room in thousands of hotels is a huge project, but more undertakings like that are needed to bring the hotel industry into the 21st century.
As the big tech companies reveal what they've been working on in travel, it raises questions about the longevity of small companies that have been working on similar projects.
We saw during the pandemic how important it was for companies to have plenty of cash and the ability to borrow more. Airbnb and Booking Holdings have ample resources for big things on their to-do lists.
The future role of the global distribution system could be a lot different than it is today. Amadeus is investing to ensure it maintains its place in that future.
Hostaway's first major fundraise fits in with its ambition to grow both organically and inorganically. Given the size of the round, it's likely that there is some acquisition in the offing.