Ascott scales up AI-ready infrastructure as it eyes 'agentic commerce'

Atiqah Mokhtar

/ EdgeProp Singapore

April 23, 2026 12:30 PM SGT

propertyeditor@edgeprop.sg

Light

Dark

Kevin Goh (pictured, middle), CEO of The Ascott: Instead of waiting to see how agentic AI plays out in travel, we are building the infrastructure to shape how it does (Picture: The Ascott)

Summary

Ascott partners with Accenture, Amadeus, and EHL to build AI-ready infrastructure across its 1,000-property global portfolio, targeting agentic commerce.
By integrating Amadeus Central Reservations System, Ascott enables AI agents to match guest preferences by room category and property attributes.
EHL’s collaboration with Ascott launches training to foster AI adoption and brand pride, starting with Ascott and expanding to Oakwood and Citadines.

AI generated

CapitaLand Investment’s wholly-owned lodging arm, The Ascott, has announced three strategic collaborations aimed at scaling its AI-ready infrastructure, as it seeks to position itself at the forefront of “agentic commerce”.

The term refers to an emerging form of e-commerce where autonomous, AI-powered agents complete tasks for users such as purchasing products or, in Ascott’s case, book travel stays.

“While AI is already helping Ascott make meaningful strides across commercial and operational functions, the bigger opportunity lies in what comes next,” said Kevin Goh, CEO of Ascott, in an April 23 press release. “Instead of waiting to see how agentic AI plays out in travel, we are building the infrastructure to shape how it does.”

Ascott’s three new AI-focused collaborations are with global consulting firm Accenture, Spain-headquartered travel technology company Amadeus and Switzerland’s EHL Hospitality Business School.

Together with Accenture, Ascott will design “the foundational architecture required for a next-generation AI-enabled travel ecosystem”. The architecture will integrate Ascott’s core systems — such as its central reservation, property management and loyalty platforms — to facilitate machine-mediated interactions that can be deployed across different guest interfaces.

This includes Ascott’s existing AI tool, Cubby, a chatbot that the company launched in 2023. Serving as a “travel buddy” to guests, it can provide insights including destination highlights, accommodation recommendations and travel tips.

Through the new infrastructure, Cubby could potentially expand “from travel companion to personal travel agent”, with agentic functions such as comparing options, planning itineraries and completing bookings on behalf of guests, says Ascott.

Ascott’s collaboration with Amadeus will focus on implementing the Amadeus Central Reservations System (ACRS). The application programming interface-enabled software will allow Ascott to define and distribute inventory across its diverse portfolio of over 1,000 properties by both room categories and other property attributes.

This, in turn, will allow AI agents acting on behalf of guests to better match stays based on their preferences, the firm adds.

Meanwhile, to facilitate a talent culture that embraces AI, EHL is working with Ascott to develop training programmes that will equip its associates with the tools and capabilities to support the transformation. In addition, the programmes are anticipated to cultivate brand pride and a shared hospitality mindset across Ascott’s portfolio.

Rollout of the training has started with the Ascott brand, and will be followed by Oakwood, Citadines and others.

Property updates, 24/7.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Market insights, delivered weekly.