The hospitality industry is evolving fast, and many businesses struggle to keep up. Efficiency and profitability now depend on how well operators integrate and leverage technology. But with new tools emerging at breakneck speed, the biggest challenge is not just choosing the right tech, it is making sure it actually works for the business.

At Synergy, we see too many hospitality operators struggling with underused tech, integration gaps, and staff training challenges. That is why we teamed up with Dominique Fisher AM and the team at Paddl.com, a platform designed to speed up tech adoption, to explore the five biggest tech challenges facing hospitality in 2025.

1. Lack of Tech Support & Training

The right tech can transform a business, but only if staff know how to use it. Poor onboarding leads to underused systems, frustrated teams, and wasted investment. 

Hospitality businesses face rapid turnover and ever-changing tech stacks. Paddl helps organisations streamline tech onboarding by mapping tech apps to employee roles and delivering only the ‘need to know’ training content. Their research shows that a centralised, role-based training system reduces friction and accelerates adoption.

By implementing structured, role-based training, businesses can boost tech adoption, confidence, and overall efficiency, helping teams keep pace with evolving guest expectations while maximising the ROI of their investments.​

2. Tech System Integration Struggles

The average hospitality business uses 46+ tech solutions, according to Paddl. That’s across reservations, payment systems, inventory management, guest experience, and more. But many of these tools don’t talk to each other. Data sits in silos, workflows become clunky, and businesses end up relying on inefficient manual workarounds.

Integration gaps create operational bottlenecks, with staff double-handling data, guests getting inconsistent service, and decision-making based on incomplete insights. The solution? Prioritising systems that integrate seamlessly, using APIs to connect tools, and working with vendors who offer tailored integration support.

A fully integrated tech stack doesn’t just improve efficiency, it enhances the guest experience by ensuring every touchpoint is connected, from booking to checkout.

3. Keeping Up with the Tools You’re Paying For

New features, updates, and optimisations are constantly released across hospitality tech, but how do you know which updates matter? Most businesses don’t have the time (or patience) to sift through newsletters, product updates, and release notes, meaning they are paying for tools they’re not fully using. 

There needs to be a structured way to track tech updates, whether through a dedicated staff member, an AI-powered summary tool, or vendors highlighting relevant changes. Platforms like Paddl.com help businesses navigate tech adoption more effectively, ensuring they make the most of the tools they invest in.

4. AI’s Role in Hospitality’s Future

AI is no longer a futuristic concept, it’s actively shaping hospitality. However, AI adoption must be strategic, or it can quickly become another underused tool without a clear use case. 

Businesses must focus on AI-driven solutions that solve specific pain points, whether automating repetitive tasks, improving personalisation, or reducing operational costs. The goal is to create a smoother, more personalised guest experience that keeps customers coming back.

5. Cybersecurity & Data Protection

Hospitality businesses handle vast volumes of customer data, which makes them prime targets for cyber threats like data breaches, payment fraud, and phishing attacks.

With many operators juggling multiple vendors and platforms, security vulnerabilities can slip through the cracks. Weak passwords, unsecured Wi-Fi, and lack of staff training are common issues that increase the risk of cyberattacks.

Businesses need robust cybersecurity protocols, including:

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all systems
• Regular staff training on phishing scams and cyber hygiene
• AI-powered fraud detection and security monitoring

Cyber threats are evolving, and businesses that don’t take cybersecurity seriously risk financial loss and reputational damage.

The Recipe for Success 

Whether it’s streamlining training, making smarter use of AI, or improving system integration, businesses that take a proactive approach will increase efficiency, enhance guest experience, and drive profitability.

Synergy and Paddl help hospitality businesses ensure their tech stack works for them, not against them.