Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience...
Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | October 2nd, 2024
Debunking Common Myths About AI: Why Human Hotel Staff Are Still Irreplaceable...
John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook | September 17th, 2024
Webinar: Hospitality Business Intelligence Insights That Drive Profits
Otelier | September 4, 2024
Tuesday, September 17, 2024 · 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada) About This Webinar Learn how centralizing data from across your hotel and portfolio will provide actionable insights that lead to more profitable strategies. Discover how an integrated technology platform will eliminate manual data entry and aggregation, uncover correlations among diverse data sets, and lay the groundwork for a robust AI strategy. REGISTER NOW Agenda Centralizing data from essential sources to gain comprehensive performance insights Empowering leaders to shift from revenue management to profit management strategies Effective methods for o...
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...
What Is Corporate Performance Management in Hospitality?
Vic Chynoweth | August 27, 2024
With the right methodologies and metrics, hospitality companies can implement Corporate Performance Management strategies to drive operational efficiency, enhanced guest experiences, and financial success. By Vic Chynoweth Corporate Performance Management (CPM) refers to the processes and systems used by organizations to monitor, manage, and improve their business performance. CPM encompasses a wide range of activities, including planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and analysis. It helps organizations align their resources and strategies with their goals, measure progress, and adjust tactics to optimize outcomes. Speci...
Why Smart Hospitality Companies Are Accelerating CapEx Digital Transformation
Johannes Vocke | August 27, 2024
How modern capital expenditure solutions lead to efficiency, savings and long-term growth By Johannes Vocke, FutureLog Chief Financial Officer Historically, hospitality professionals have viewed procurement as a cost centre. But now, after years of social, economic, and political upheaval, procurement is evolving into a strategic function that helps hospitality organisations realise their broader business goals. Look no further than CapEx- Capital Expenditures, funds used to obtain or maintain assets with a useful lifespan exceeding one year. According to McKinsey research, strategic CapEx management can reduce overall capital spen...
Cash in Hand: Examining the Role Hotel PMS Plays in Digital Tipping and Employee Rewards
Warren Dehan | August 27, 2024
Hotel companies must consider the impact of digital tipping trends on employee satisfaction as we trend toward a cashless society By Warren Dehan Tipping is an integral part of North American service culture, but it has always had challenges in hospitality. Travelers today carry fewer cash bills than ever, with a recent study showing that just 16 percent of all transactions today are handled using cash. More businesses are turning to digital tipping solutions to adapt to this shift in consumer behavior, but common barriers exist in the hotel tech stack that prevent some independent hoteliers from quickly offering digital tipping. Tipping is...
Shiji and FreedomPay Announce Partnership to Transform Mexican Hospitality Payment Solutions
Shiji | August 21, 2024
The collaboration brings integrated payments to Shiji’s POS and PMS solutions into Mexico, facilitating the global shift towards integrated and contactless payment technologies. ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, August 21, 2024 - Shiji, the global hospitality technology innovator, and FreedomPay, a leading provider of secure commerce technology, have announced a partnership that marks a significant expansion into the Mexican market. This partnership underscores Shiji and FreedomPay's commitment to improving staff and guest experiences in the hospitality businesses across Latin America, aligning with the industry's shift towards smoo...
Why Is There a Gender Imbalance in Hospitality Technology Jobs?
Max Starkov | August 20, 2024
By Max Starkov A recent article on PhocusWire discussed the “woeful gender imbalance” existing in the travel technology space, which is “holding back the whole technology sector.” I believe the main reason for gender inequality in hospitality technology is the unsatisfactorily role both parents and educators play to foster female interest in STEM sciences and in the technology sectors in hospitality and the economy as a whole. I am a firm believer that today’s gender inequality in technology has nothing to do with machism or gender discrimination and has everything to do with family upbringing, school education and mass...
Cloud, AI and Big Data Trending Themes in Hiring in Q2 2024, Reveals GlobalData
GlobalData | August 20, 2024
Job postings increased by 7.3% YoY Cybersecurity and big data were the other noteworthy themes RTX, Cargill, LVMH, and JPMorgan Chase & Co top recruiters The global job market dynamics in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024 revealed a positive year-on-year (YoY) trend, despite layoffs by major companies like Google LLC, Nestle SA, Ford Motor Co, NIKE Inc, Amazon.com Inc, and Walmart Inc. Meanwhile, travel and tourism, foodservice, and retailing saw significant YoY growth in job postings during the quarter. Key technology themes driving hiring trends included cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cybersecurity, and eco...
Otelier, Stayntouch Partner to Enhance Data Access for Hoteliers
Otelier | August 16, 2024
A new integration allows hoteliers to ingest detailed property-level data into Otelier’s business intelligence software for centralized access and actionable insights. ATLANTA and BETHEDSA, August 16, 2024 – Otelier, the hospitality performance optimization platform that puts data and efficiency at the heart of hotel operations, announces a new integration with Stayntouch, a global leader in cloud hotel property management systems (PMS) and guest-centric technology. Through the integration, hoteliers can access detailed reservations, guest, and financial transaction data from Stayntouch into IntelliSight, Otelier’s business intellige...
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...
Grupo Brisas Selects Shiji To Modernize Operations and Elevate the Guest Experience
Shiji | August 13, 2024
Transforming Mexican hospitality and improving process efficiency at the iconic hotel brand with Shiji Enterprise Platform PMS and Infrasys Cloud POS. FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, USA, August 13, 2024 – Shiji, the global leader in hospitality technology, is thrilled to announce that Grupo Brisas has chosen Shiji Infrasys Cloud POS and Shiji Enterprise Platform (PMS) to transform and elevate guest experiences across their prestigious properties in Mexico. Known for its authentic Mexican spirit and luxurious services, Grupo Brisas manages three different brands from coast to coast in Mexico, including the iconic NIZUC Resort & Spa, Las...
Park Hotel Group Replaces Legacy PMS With Shiji Enterprise Platform for Superior Guest Experience
Shiji | August 12, 2024
Combining luxury, service excellence, and cutting-edge technology for improved guest services at Park Hotel Group's locations throughout the Asia-Pacific region. SINGAPORE, August 12, 2024 – Shiji, the global hospitality technology innovator is excited to announce that Park Hotel Group has selected Shiji Enterprise Platform to further enhance the experience of their guests. As one of Asia Pacific’s leading hospitality companies, Park Hotel Group continues to innovate by incorporating state-of-the-art technology. Located in Japan’s scenic Ishikari Bay and known for its breathtaking views and exceptional amenities, Grand Park Ota...
MOP by Visual Matrix Helps Hoteliers Achieve Efficiencies in a Strained Labor Market, Industry Adoption Grows by More than 400%
Visual Matrix | August 8, 2024
Visual Matrix MOP continues to improve hotel operations, optimize guest satisfaction, and set new standards for worker safety Richardson, Texas, August 8, 2024 – Visual Matrix, a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the hospitality industry, has increased the growth of its MOP technology 440 percent since Visual Matrix acquired the technology in November 2021. MOP is now used at more than 1,000 hotels representing than 33 brands in the industry, including Wyndham, Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Choice, and more. “MOP was designed to help hoteliers overcome the many operating challenges they face today, in addition to the crunch...
Shiji Introduces Seamless Integration With Wi-Q for Enhanced Mobile Ordering
Shiji | August 7, 2024
Adding additional mobile ordering options to Shiji’s Infrasys Cloud POS boosts F&B efficiency, enhances guest experiences, and streamlines operations for hoteliers. ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, August 7, 2024 – Shiji, the global leader in hospitality technology, is thrilled to announce the seamless integration of its Infrasys Cloud POS with Wi-Q, a leading mobile ordering platform for the hospitality industry. The integration facilitates a smooth and unified experience for both guests and hotel operators, significantly simplifying the ordering process and optimizing menu management. With the robust open API capability t...
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...
IRIS Partners With W Sydney To Enhance the Guest Stay With Mobile F&B Ordering and Guest Directory App
IRIS | July 30, 2024
Darling Harbour's newest luxury hotel leverages IRIS’ app at their hotel to enhance F&B operations and provide a seamless digital experience to guests. IRIS, a global market leader in mobile ordering and digital guest experience solutions for hotels, has been chosen by W Sydney to provide a personalised, digital ordering experience to guests and improve operational efficiencies with its cutting-edge hospitality platform. With 588 stylish rooms and suites, and multi-venue dining experiences, W Sydney brings a new energy and modern take on luxury to the city and harbour waterfront. The five-star hotel, rising over Darling Harbour, was...
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...
Robots? In My Hotel? Three Ways AI Is Stepping Up as Hospitality’s Next Great PMS Support Tool
Warren Dehan | July 23, 2024
Artificial intelligence is uniting departments and supporting hospitality from behind the scenes By Warren Dehan Where did all of these robots come from? While hospitality may seem like the last place you might expect to find Artificial Intelligence, this technology has significantly impacted how hoteliers do business. While most generative AI today reacts to text prompts, it will soon rewrite the rules for hotel operations. Properties of all sizes, branded and independent alike, will benefit from automation taking over repetitive, mundane tasks — but our industry often struggles to explain how this will play out in practice. Unlike scie...
Revolutionizing Point-of-Sale for the Lodging Industry With rezStream POS
rezStream | July 17, 2024
Denver, CO – rezStream, a leader in property management solutions, proudly announces the launch of rezStream Point-of-Sale, rezPOS, a revolutionary, cost-effective point-of-sale system integrated within their Property Management System, rezStream Cloud. This cost-effective innovation is set to transform operations for independent hotels, B&Bs, and resorts by providing a seamless, all-in-one solution for managing onsite sales and guest services. A Seamless Solution for Simplified Operations In an industry where efficiency and customer service are paramount, the newly launched rezPOS by rezStream offers a comprehensive solution that...
New P3 Gift Voucher Module Enhances Hotel Revenue Opportunities and Streamlines the Guest Experience
P3 Hotel Software | July 16, 2024
July 16, 2024 — Dublin & Denver — P3 Hotel Software, a leading innovator in hotel booking solutions, today announces the introduction of its latest product module, P3 Gift Vouchers. This new feature seamlessly integrates with existing P3 Booking Engines, enhancing operational efficiency and streamlining the online guest experience. Part of a comprehensive suite of P3 products, the Gift Voucher module ensures that hotels can manage all aspects of the guest journey, from direct booking and online check-in/out to ancillary add-ons and more, without relying on multiple software vendors. Seamless Integration and Effortless Management ...
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...
Shiji Launches Langham’s 10th Shiji Enterprise Platform Implementation at Cordis Auckland
Shiji | July 9, 2024
Shiji’s innovative platform enhances guest experience and operational efficiency at New Zealand’s largest hotel, raising the bar for luxury accommodations. SYDNEY, Australia, July 9, 2024 - Shiji, a leader in global hospitality technology, announced the successful implementation of the Shiji Enterprise Platform at Cordis Auckland, marking the tenth deployment of the platform for Langham Hospitality Group. This significant milestone underscores the continued collaboration between Shiji and Langham, reflecting their shared dedication to enhancing guest experiences through advanced technology. Cordis Auckland, New Zealand's lar...
Modern PMS: Anchoring Today’s Hotel Tech Stack
Audrey MacRae | July 9, 2024
Conversations at HITEC Charlotte confirmed that an All-In-One property-management system with Open APIs, centralized guest data, and embedded payments will provide the technology stabilization operators need to weather turbulent times and be grounded for future growth By Audrey MacRae “NOW is the time to invest in hotel technology.” That was the general consensus among attendees at the industry’s premier Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) last month held in Charlotte, N.C. Topping the list of sought-after solutions were platforms that consolidate multiple systems into one and feature Open APIs that al...
California’s New Junk Fee Law Now Has Worldwide Effect. Here’s What You Need to Know to Avoid Costly Litigation
Jim Butler | July 3, 2024
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com On July 1, 2024, California’s new Junk Fee Law took effect. It could have worldwide impact if prices for goods or services are publicly advertised and reach California residents. How can you avoid that with online ads and other public broadcasts over commercial media? In anticipation of this event, many international hotel companies, cruise lines, travel providers, ticket sellers, and online sellers have already changed their advertising and promotions to comply with California law rather than risk violation. Watch for a big change to ...
