The Tricycle of Guest Service Excellence: A Perfect Model For Remarkable Experiences
Doug Kennedy | October 4th, 2024
Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | October 2nd, 2024
The Tricycle of Guest Service Excellence: A Perfect Model For Remarkable Experiences
Doug Kennedy | October 4, 2024
Complimentary Registration Now Open For Doug Kennedy’s Next Hospitality Training Webcast! Sponsored By Travel Outlook and Track Hospitality Software Register your team and participate live, or view the recording, of Doug Kennedy’s next 40-minute training webcast scheduled for Monday, October 21, from Noon – 12:45pm EST. REGISTER HERE “Speakers and trainers like me are always looking for new ways to represent intangible concepts,” said KTN President Doug Kennedy, “So I’m excited to share the model we use, a simple tricycle. I think it’s the perfect model to represent the components needed for a guest to have an overall ex...
Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | October 2, 2024
Santa Fe, New Mexico (October 2, 2024): Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™, proudly announces its latest partnership with Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino, a leading gaming and entertainment destination in the Pacific Northwest. This collaboration will enhance the resort’s guest services by providing seamless, high-quality call center solutions. Travel Outlook’s unique combination of advanced technology and personalized human touch aligns perfectly with Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino’s commitment to offering unforgettable guest experiences. Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino: An Unmatched Destination in the Pacific N...
The Benjamin Royal Sonesta Hotel New York Unveils Multimillion-Dollar Transformation
Sonesta International Hotels | September 20, 2024
NEW YORK (September 20, 2024) – Today marks a historic milestone for one of New York City’s iconic premier luxury boutique hotels as The Benjamin Royal Sonesta Hotel New York unveils the first phase of its transformation. Designed by the celebrated DLR Group, the initial phase of the hotel’s reimagination reveals a present-day interpretation of the urban oasis, combining design elements of classic elegance with modern flair to create an elegant ambiance reminiscent of a members-only club. Located just steps from some of the city’s most famous attractions, the midtown hotel features elegant new public spaces, including a refreshed lo...
Debunking Common Myths About AI: Why Human Hotel Staff Are Still Irreplaceable
John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook | September 17, 2024
By John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook September 2024 As technology evolves, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a valuable tool across industries, especially in hospitality. However, with this rapid advancement, misconceptions about AI's role in replacing human workers have also surfaced. Conversational AI systems like Annette, the Virtual Agent™ (Annette) from Travel Outlook, complement rather than replace human staff. Dive in below as we address some widespread myths and explain how AI supports hotel teams in providing an exceptional guest experience. Myth 1: AI Systems Work Right Out of the Box A misconception i...
Percipia Collaborates With Amazon’s Alexa Smart Properties Hospitality to Launch VIVA+
PERCIPIA | September 16, 2024
CHICAGO, September 16th, 2024 – Percipia, a leading provider of hospitality phone systems and enhanced guest room technology for hotels, resorts, casinos, and conference centers, announces the release of VIVA+, an all-in-one hospitality solution built on Alexa Smart Properties (ASP) for Hospitality that is available now to all new and current Percipia clients. VIVA+ integrates Percipia’s IP phone system, Frequency PBX and Frequency Stratus, and guest voicemail solution, Precision Voicemail, by utilizing their middleware engine, Parallax. VIVA+ transforms the guest experience by offering a comprehensive suite of features in a single, sl...
U.S. Open Serves Up Growth for New York Events Industry Increasing Year-Over-Year Volume by 30.2 percent in August, Knowland Reports
Knowland | September 10, 2024
Las Vegas led the top 25 markets boasting seven consecutive months of double-digit growth ARLINGTON, Va. — Sept. 10, 2024 — Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reported that New York ranked second among the top 25 markets, with over 30 percent year-over-year (YoY) meeting volume growth driven primarily by sports tourism for August. Las Vegas ranked first with 36 percent YoY growth. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform designed to help hoteliers protect and grow their revenue base. While Las Vegas headed the top 25 markets list, ...
Maestro All-In-One PMS and Data Plus Collaborate To Provide Seamless End-to-End Integrations for the Famed Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort
Maestro | September 10, 2024
The historic sports training destinations is now benefitting from improved access to financial management technology and enhanced integrations across all operations departments MARKHAM, Ontario, Sept. 10, 2024 — Maestro PMS, the hotel industry’s leading Web Browser-based cloud and on-premises all-in-one property-management system, has teamed with industry-leading financial management platform Data Plus to elevate the technology offerings at the famed Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort. The seamless end-to-end integration is giving the property valuable insights into their financial performance, including occupancy rates, revenue s...
Kimpton De Witt Partners With IRIS To Provide Guests With a Self-Serve, Mobile F&B Ordering Experience
IRIS | September 9, 2024
Guests can now enjoy an enhanced, efficient F&B service in the hotel’s café IRIS, a global market leader in digital F&B, guest directory and concierge solutions for hotels and restaurants, has partnered with Hotel Kimpton De Witt (part of the Lore Group and IHG) to bring a new era of digital guest experiences to life with the launch of IRIS's mobile F&B ordering platform in their co-working space, Café Celia. Nestled in the heart of Amsterdam’s bustling city centre, the luxury boutique hotel offers 274 guest rooms, a fitness suite and a restaurant, and is renowned for its modern approach, unique personality, and five-sta...
Minor Hotels to Debut in Singapore With Avani Hotels & Resorts Lifestyle Brand
Avani Hotels & Resorts | September 3, 2024
Singapore, September 3, 2024: Minor Hotels, a global hospitality leader with over 550 hotels, resorts and residences in 56 countries, has announced plans to launch its Avani Hotels & Resorts lifestyle brand in Singapore, marking the group’s entry into the country. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027, the 13-story upscale property aligns with Minor Hotels' expansion strategy to strengthen its footprint in major global destinations. To develop the 200-key hotel, Minor Hotels has partnered with Singapore’s Kajima Development and Abu Dhabi-based Alwathba Investment. With a prime address at 24 Peck Seah Street, guests will...
Navigating the Complex World of Conversational AI – Part 4
John Smallwood | August 28, 2024
Why Hoteliers Can't Afford to Ignore AI: The Impact of Annette, The Virtual Hotel Agent™ By John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook August 2024 Over the past couple of months, we've explored the evolving role of conversational AI in hospitality, particularly focusing on Annette, The Virtual Hotel Agent™ by Travel Outlook. This series has highlighted Annette's advanced capabilities, which include handling complex guest requests, personalizing interactions, and providing multilingual support. These features have positioned Annette as a critical asset for hoteliers looking to enhance guest experiences and streamline internal operat...
Louisville, Kentucky Nearly Doubles Year-Over-Year Event Volume, Hits 94.9 Percent Growth in July
Knowland | August 21, 2024
Up-and-coming market consistently leads in meeting event growth in 2024, while Philadelphia led in the top 25 markets ARLINGTON, Va. — Aug. 21, 2024 — Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reported that while Philadelphia led in the top 25 markets, Louisville, Ky., doubled year-over-year (YoY) event volume growth, hitting 94.9 percent. This is the fifth month Louisville has ranked in the top five secondary markets this year. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform and designed to help hoteliers protect and grow their revenue base. Lo...
Crafting a Unique Employer Brand for Today’s Talent Market
Veronika Mercier | August 14, 2024
By Veronika Mercier In today’s competitive job market, employer branding has become an essential strategy for attracting and retaining top talent. However, many managers still don’t know what exactly constitutes a strong employer brand. Is it down to company culture, work-life balance, benefits and compensation, or is there some other secret sauce that makes an employer desirable? To find out what makes an employer brand truly effective, we consulted with industry experts and entrepreneurs who have devised proven strategies for creating a unique and strong employer brand. From their experience and diverse roles in renowned companies...
Why Travelers Prefer Single Guest Itineraries
Warren Dehan | August 13, 2024
The modern hotel PMS is helping guests stay organized and hotels remain profitable By Warren Dehan Technology was supposed to make everything so easy. Instead, travelers are more overwhelmed than ever by their devices, each vying for attention every second of every day. Not only are travelers focused on getting from point A to point B, but they likely are managing work emails, speaking with family members, or are distracted by whatever book or video series currently has their attention. Therefore, travelers love it when hotels make things easy. That includes having a single itinerary with all purchase, experience, and reservation inform...
How Much Should a Hotel Website Cost?
Lodging Interactive | August 12, 2024
Lodging Interactive offers a SaaS model where a hotel pays a nominal fee upfront and continues with monthly payments for the term of the contract, after which the website is fully owned by the property. Thanks to website and hosting technology advancements over the past 15 years, spending tens of thousands of dollars to build a high-converting hotel website is no longer necessary. This is important for hotel marketers to understand, as they typically allocate less than 5% of their annual budget to marketing. “Independent hotels typically allocate about 4-5% of their total revenue to their overall marketing budget. Within this budget, ...
Navigating the Complex World of Conversational AI – Part 3
Travel Outlook, the premier hotel call center™ | August 7, 2024
Elevating Hotel Operations with Conversational AI By John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook August 2024 Recently, we explored how conversational AI, particularly Annette the Virtual Agent™, enhances guest experiences by understanding complex requests, personalizing interactions, and providing multilingual support. In the third part of our series, we will explore Annette's ability to handle a multitude of frequently asked questions (FAQs), route calls to internal departments, and seamlessly transition guests to live agents when needed. Dive in below as we explore the advanced capabilities of Annette, and how she helps your hotel...
The Top 7 Pain Points in Hospitality Procurement and How to Overcome Them
Johannes Vocke | July 24, 2024
By Johannes Vocke, FutureLog Chief Financial Officer Siloed and fragmented procurement software often complicates the procure-to-pay process. Outdated solutions are typically expensive, inflexible, and inefficient, yet many organisations persist in using these antiquated systems. This reliance on old-fashioned procurement management systems hinders operational efficiency. A 2023 Procurement Insights report reveals that 80% of organisations still depend on manual or semi-digital tools to manage their P2P cycle. These businesses typically utilise ERP or accounting software—an approach comparable to using a flashlight to crack a nut. W...
Navigating the Complex World of Conversational AI – Part 2
Travel Outlook, the premier hotel call center™ | July 16, 2024
AI's Role in Hospitality: Enhancing Guest Experience with Conversational AI By John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook July 2024 As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a powerful tool that allows hoteliers to unlock new levels of efficiency. Not all AI is created equal, and what works for one industry may not work for another. In our previous post, we explored the fundamental questions hoteliers should ask when considering AI solutions, focusing on how AI can provide guests with a warm, engaging, and personalized experience. Continue reading below as we dive into the conversati...
HITEC 2024 Welcomes Nearly 6,000 Industry Stakeholders to Explore Latest in Hospitality Technology
HFTP | June 28, 2024
Hospitality professionals traveled from all over the world to Charlotte, North Carolina, June 24-27 for the largest and longest-running show of its kind. The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) was created over 50 years ago to break barriers and celebrate innovation in the hospitality technology space, a purpose that has resonated with the industry, attracting industry professionals by the thousands annually and making it the largest event of its kind in the world. This year was no exception, with over 5,900 attendees convening for HITEC North America 2024, June 24-27 at the Charlotte Convention Center in ...
HFTP® Acquires Leading Hospitality Industry Brands: Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, The CIO Summit and The Executive Vendor Summit
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
The popular brands will seamlessly merge with HFTP, further solidifying the association’s position as a leading provider of resources and events for the global hospitality community. June 25, 2024 (Charlotte, N.C.) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), the global association for finance and technology professionals in the hospitality industry, has announced the strategic acquisition of several prominent hospitality industry brands. The acquisition includes Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, the CIO Summit and the Executive Vendor Summit, further solidifying HFTP's position as a leading provider of resou...
SalesAndCatering.com and LodgIQ™ Announce Partnership To Deliver Market-Leading AI Revenue Management for Group Sales
SalesAndCatering.com | June 18, 2024
Seamless integration delivers powerful group commercial optimization capabilities, empowering hotels to make data-driven decisions that accelerate revenue growth and sales performance. Charleston, SC—(June 18, 2024) –SalesAndCatering.com and LodgIQ™ today announced a new strategic partnership to integrate LodgIQ's revolutionary artificial intelligence (AI) revenue management technology into SalesAndCatering’s award-winning group and event management platform, STS Cloud. Effective group revenue management is critical for hotels seeking to maximize revenue and profitability in today’s competitive marketplace. Both companies will wo...
Las Vegas Leads in Meetings and Events Growth in May With an 18.5 Percent Uptick Reports Knowland
KNOWLAND | June 5, 2024
Oahu Island hits 17.9 percent growth with technology and travel groups acting as key drivers to growth ARLINGTON, Va. — June 5, 2024 — Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reported that Las Vegas took the lead in group business with a solid 18.5 percent growth in May year-over-year (YoY). Oahu Island pulled in second at 17.9 percent YoY growth. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform and designed to help hoteliers protect and grow their revenue base. The average space used for meetings in the Top 25 markets was 3,615 sq. ft., and ...
Brandt Hospitality Group Getting Great Results From Accounting Software Partner
Aptech | June 5, 2024
The tech-savvy third-party hotel management and ownership company calls Aptech’s PVNG Enterprise Accounting Solution ‘user friendly’ and ‘intuitive’ and says support is ‘best in the industry’; Visit Aptech at HITEC Charlotte June 24-27 in Booth #2644 PITTSBURGH, June 5, 2024 — Brandt Hospitality Group, a third-party hotel management company based in Fargo, N.D., is always looking to be more efficient and keep its overhead costs low. With 17 hotels and 10 different brands in its growing portfolio and ownership in most properties, the operation’s team set out to find a scalable accounting system to deliver on the expectat...
International Visitors Spent Nearly $20.1 Billion Traveling Within the United States in March
National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) | May 23, 2024
Data recently released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) show that in March 2024: International visitors spent nearly $20.1 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States, an increase of more than 22 percent compared to March 2023 and very close to surpassing pre-COVID levels of monthly spending realized in 2019. Conversely, Americans spent nearly $20.7 billion traveling abroad during March, the thirty-sixth (36) consecutive month of growth, yielding a balance of trade deficit of $591 million for travel and tourism-related goods and services. International visitors have spent nearly $...
The Art of a Great Arrival for Luxury Hotels
Adam and Larry Mogelonsky | May 22, 2024
By Adam Mogelonsky, Larry Mogelonsky In the realm of luxury hotels, guests have a highly discerning eye. And as they say, first impressions are everything. Combining these two, it’s no surprise that resorts and other envious properties around the globe spent an inordinate amount of time and money on crafting a great arrival experience. Having the honor of working with some of these over the years, we can say that there are lessons for all that are replicable at the non-luxury level. To start, you must understand the luxury mindset – something we articulate in our ‘Mille Club’ designation and playbook for clients with ‘mille’...
