Why Payment Infrastructure Is Key to AI’s Impact on Travel
AI is transforming the travel industry, but the full benefits depend heavily on solid payment infrastructure. Jess Conroy, founder and CEO of ROH, highlights that without upgrading payment systems, travel and hospitality businesses can’t take advantage of new AI-driven innovations.
ROH is a payment management platform focused on hospitality. It recently secured $9.2 million in funding led by Highgate Technology Ventures and Acrew Capital. Before ROH, Conroy built Carats & Cake, a platform helping couples manage upfront payments for wedding venues.
Payments: The Backbone of Guest Experience
Conroy points out that payments are both the starting point and the final step in the guest journey. Yet, about 80% of hotel transactions still require manual processing by staff.
- “If we don’t invest in infrastructure, especially with AI and all the new tech, we can’t capitalize on any innovation,” she says.
- “Without the right foundation, employees stuck with piles of paperwork will fall behind and miss out on tech benefits.”
How ROH Simplifies Payment Management
To show the impact, Conroy describes how ROH automates payment tasks for hotel events — a process traditionally filled with manual steps.
- Contracts are uploaded and automatically read by the software, which generates invoices.
- Guests can pay with one click using their preferred method.
- Payment confirmations are sent automatically, and follow-ups happen throughout the booking.
- If booking details change, ROH updates the payment info seamlessly.
Innovation Focused Beyond Revenue Growth
Conroy notes that most hospitality innovation targets top-line revenue—making every experience more valuable to the business. But operational efficiency often lags behind.
For every new revenue stream, additional operational challenges arise, which can slow down staff and reduce overall efficiency.
ROH’s Role: Supporting Existing Systems
ROH doesn’t aim to replace hotel management platforms. Instead, it acts as a foundational layer that integrates with existing systems.
- “We want to handle the payment infrastructure so hotels can focus on hospitality,” Conroy explains.
- This lets property teams concentrate on revenue-generating activities instead of payment headaches.
- Reducing operational burdens frees up staff to deliver better guest experiences.
For those in hospitality and events looking to stay ahead, upgrading payment infrastructure is a practical step. It enables smoother operations and unlocks AI’s full potential in delivering seamless guest interactions.
To explore how AI tools can support hospitality workflows, check out automation courses and AI tool databases at Complete AI Training.
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