Hotel Innovation: Technology, Cybersecurity, and a Leading Model
Hotel Innovation: Technology as a Driver, Cybersecurity as a Challenge, and a Benchmark Model at ILUNION Hotels
March 27, 2025
A new benchmark report shows that the hotel sector earns a barely passing grade in innovation, identifying technological transformation as the main driver of change and highlighting cybersecurity as an unresolved challenge.
Technological innovation is consolidating its role as a key pillar in the transformation of the hotel industry, while cybersecurity remains one of its greatest challenges. These are the findings of the new benchmark report developed by ILUNION Hotels, which analyzes the current state of innovation in the sector and highlights the main milestones featured in the 2024 Innovation Report.
According to the report’s conclusions, the sector receives an average score of 1.6 out of 3—equivalent to 5.3 out of 10—revealing that although progress has been made, there is still a long way to go.
Technology, Innovation, and Sustainability: Strategic Pillars of the Hotel Industry
Hotel chains are firmly committed to digitalization, but key areas remain underdeveloped. The report was prepared by Opinno, the firm responsible for the Spanish edition of MIT Technology Review, and is based on the analysis of 18 hotel chains using 24 variables gathered from public sources such as annual reports, websites and specialized press.
What began as an internal analysis exercise has evolved into a sector-wide diagnostic offering a global view of the current state of innovation, its trends, and its challenges.
The study reveals that 100% of the hotel chains analyzed have implemented digital improvements in their processes, yet only 33% have a clearly defined innovation strategy. Furthermore, although 94% have launched new services in the past three years, the adoption of innovative business models remains limited.
In terms of cybersecurity, 44% of companies make no mention of a specific strategy, and 55% limit their efforts to merely complying with current regulations, without implementing additional measures.
According to Juan Rodríguez Tornos, Innovation Specialist at ILUNION Hotels,
“this report provides a clear understanding of the current state of the hotel industry and helps us better assess its evolution and upcoming challenges.”.
ILUNION Hotels, a Benchmark in Innovation with the #InnovACTION Model
ILUNION Hotels leads the innovation ranking in the report thanks to its cross-cutting approach that combines technology, sustainability, and social commitment. This model, known as #InnovACTION, is embedded in all areas of the business and serves as a driving force for continuous transformation.
The 2024 Innovation Report highlights the main developments driven by the company over the past year, such as the redefinition of internal roles, the reorganization of the Innovation department, and the implementation of sustainable technologies and personalized guest experiences.
“Our approach to innovation is structured, with clearly defined processes aimed at generating real impact on our customers, employees, and society as a whole”,
emphasizes Carlos Bello, Director of Innovation at ILUNION Hotels.
Through these publications, the company promotes a more human, purpose-driven, and transformative vision of innovation—one that invites reflection on the present and future of the hotel industry.
