Percipia Collaborates With Amazon’s Alexa Smart Properties Hospitality to Launch VIVA+
PERCIPIA | September 16, 2024
The Top 7 Pain Points in Hospitality Procurement and How to Overcome Them
Johannes Vocke | July 24, 2024
Technology
IBC Brings Relationship Management to Independent Hotels via Strategic TrustYou Partnership
IBC | May 2, 2017
Using the TrustYou Stars Lite post-stay feedback tool, independent hoteliers can improve their online ratings and drive bookings by collecting and marketing positive reviews Munich and Phoenix – May 2, 2017 – IBC (InnDependent Boutique Collection), a leading provider of hospitality technologies for independent hotels and alternative lodging, today announced an agreement with TrustYou, the world's largest guest feedback platform, to bring guest feedback management via its platform to IBC customers. Through this integration, independent hotels and soft brands using the proprietary IBC hotel management platform will have free a...
Hospitality Technology Veteran and Wellspring of Energy Wendy Zapach Joins ALICE as Director of Sales, North America
ALICE | May 1, 2017
New York, NY -- ALICE, the operations platform powering the world's best hotels, is excited to announce hospitality technology sales and leadership veteran Wendy Zapach has joined the company as Director of Sales, North America. Zapach joins ALICE from Yext, where, as Director of Sales, she covered major hospitality partnerships, such as Sabre, Vizergy, HeBS Digital, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Prior to Yext, Zapach served as the Director of Sales at TravelClick, where she was responsible for a $8.5M book of business. A President's Club winner every year, Zapach sold more than $7.5M of new business during her four-...
Entrepreneurs’ Corner: In Conversation With Nikolai Jaeger, An Innovative Modular Hotel Real Estate Developer
Thomas Mielke | May 1, 2017
By Thomas Mielke At last month's International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin, the event organisers arranged a panel discussion with four entrepreneurs and (co-)founders of new hotel concepts. The question up for debate: "Where is the innovation?". Jean-Pierre Parra Bandeira, Co-Founder and CEO of Light Human Hotel; Olivia Byrne, Company Director at Eccleston Square Hotel; Hans Meyer, Co-Founder of Zoku and Chris Penn, Founder of SteelBMB talked about how independent and alternative hospitality brands, such as their own, deliver innovative experiences tailored to the changing market conditions of the hospitality industry. The session ...
Hospitality Investors Trust Acquires Seven Hotels from Summit Hotel Properties for $66.8 Million
Hospitality Investors Trust | May 1, 2017
NEW YORK, May 1, 2017 -- Hospitality Investors Trust, Inc ("HIT REIT" or the "Company") announced today that it has successfully refinanced two loans and, simultaneously, completed the acquisition of seven hotels pursuant to its previously announced purchase agreement with Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. ("Summit") (the "Summit Portfolio"). The new loans, which total approximately $1.225 billion, each carry a two-year initial term with three one-year extension options subject to conditions, and consist of: (i) A mortgage loan and related mezzanine loans with an aggregate principal balance of $915.0 ...
Vizergy® Receives Recognition as Top Web Development and Design Solution Provider
May 1, 2017
JACKSONVILLE, FL – CIO Review has named Vizergy® Digital Marketing as one of the 20 Most Promising Web Development and Design Solution Providers for 2017. "The Vizergy team is incredibly proud to receive recognition from such a well-known technology publication" say Joe Hyman Vizergy CEO. "Innovation in hospitality-focused website development and digital marketing is critical to ensure the company's clients prosper in today's integrated marketing landscape." Vizergy's Digital Marketing Platform and cloud-based CMS is a true demonstration of client-focused innovation. The platform enables hospitality marketers to efficiently ma...
Isn’t “Success” the Ultimate Sign of a True Leader?
James Houran | April 28, 2017
By James Houran, Ph.D. "Pay for performance" models dominate today's compensation schemes, a fact that seems to say implicitly that outcomes are the only thing that matter. Janet Jackson summed it long ago with her popular lyrical meme, "What have you done for me lately?" But, there is also a 1970s lyric by Gordon Lightfoot that speaks to another, equally potent reality, which is "heroes often fail." Leaders simply do not win every battle or war. We recently heard from a colleague who shared one of his life lessons after reading our take on servant leadership. He wrote… "Early in my career I was in the running for a promotion but...
Now Available for Download: HeBStrategy Q2 2017 Hotel Marketing, Technology, and Trends Whitepaper
HeBS Digital | April 27, 2017
As part of its position as a hospitality industry thought leader, HeBS Digital is pleased to announce the release of the second installment in a series of HeBStrategy whitepapers for 2017. The HeBStrategy Q2 edition assesses the climate of the hospitality industry, explores creative approaches to brand loyalty and guest recognition programs, and highlights key findings hoteliers should be mindful of in auditing their hotel digital marketing strategies. Download the HeBStrategy Q2 2017 whitepaper to learn about: What's Trending in Hospitality: Stay up-to-date on what will affect hoteliers over the next few months, including the mas...
Rates Hold Steady in First Half of 2017 Despite Decline in Bookings
TravelClick | April 27, 2017
Transient Leisure Travel Remains Strong in Second Quarter of 2017 NEW YORK – April 27, 2017 – As North American hoteliers forge ahead in 2017, average daily rates (ADR) are holding strong in both the second and third quarters of 2017 despite declines in committed occupancy*, according to new data from TravelClick's April 2017 North American Hospitality Review (NAHR). In the third quarter, for example, ADR for group travel is up 4.5 percent, but bookings are down -5.9 percent. Similarly, across all travel segments for the same quarter, ADR is up 1.9 percent, but bookings are down -4.3 percent. The transient leisure segment is...
TrustYou Analysis Identifies Review Topics that Impact the Hotel Reputation the Most
TrustYou | April 27, 2017
'Service Friendliness' biggest driver for positive scores +++ 'Hotel room' biggest impact factor for negative scores Munich, 27 April 2017 - TrustYou, the world's largest guest feedback platform, identified the biggest drivers of positive and negative online reviews through a detailed "Impact Score" analysis of the 90 million reviews that were analyzed in 2016. When more than 95% of customers make their booking decisions based on online feedback, the ability to improve and spotlight hotels reviews is critical. Impact Scores are determined based on an algorithm that lets a hotel know which praises or complaints in a review have the g...
Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino Cashes In on Total Guest Value with Profit Optimization Solution from The Rainmaker Group
Rainmaker | April 27, 2017
Downtown Las Vegas casino resort turns to gaming and hospitality revenue management leader for total guest revenue optimization ALPHARETTA, GA – April 27, 2017 – Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino (Downtown Grand), a newly renovated urban resort located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, has bolstered its revenue management processes and profitability through the successful implementation of The Rainmaker Group's (Rainmaker) guestrev® solution. Downtown Grand recently deployed guestrev® to more accurately and strategically set rates and pricing for various guest and player segments, by analyzing total guest value to ...
The Five Megatrends That Will Impact the Middle East’s Travel and Tourism Industry: PwC Report
PwC | April 26, 2017
PwC issues report: "Global Megatrends and their impact on the Middle East's travel and tourism industry" Emerging markets will overtake developed markets as a tourism and hospitality destination but also as key provider of customers Report finds an increasing need for mid-market accommodations to cater to a younger generation that does not put much emphasis on star ratings The global megatrends are set to have a profound and disruptive effect on the Middle East travel and tourism industry, says a new PwC report. According to PwC, the five global megatrends that are widely believed to be shaping the future of our world...
Infor Hospitality Announces New Integration with CeloPay
Infor | April 26, 2017
New Collaboration to Offer More Secure Payment Processing Options for Hospitality Industry NEW YORK – April 26, 2017 – Infor, a leading provider of beautiful business applications specialized by industry and built for the cloud, today announced a new collaboration with CeloPay. As international standards continue to increase for payment processing, Infor Hospitality now integrates with CeloPay, a leading global payments solutions provider, to offer current and future customers a solution that will help mitigate guests' risk of card-not-present fraud losses. Infor Hospitality offers a fully integrated suite of operational and...
Vimana Franchise Systems is Restructuring Its Deal
Vimana Franchise Systems LLC | April 26, 2017
Hospitality's friendliest franchisor is removing the painful haggling when negotiating windows, royalty fees, initial fees and more; At Vimana, it's 'No More Nonsense' [Birmingham, Ala. – April 26, 2017] — If franchisees don't want to leave the system, the franchisor is doing something right . . . at least that's the perception at Vimana Franchise Systems LLC. In January, the owner of Centerstone Inns/Hotels/Plaza Hotels, Key West Inns/Hotels/Resorts, and the Independent Options by Vimana unveiled a radically-enhanced infrastructure of franchise support services that is making it easy for franchisees to compete head on with ...
Data Quality and Cleanliness the Biggest Challenge Reported by Travel Tech Professionals
EyeforTravel | April 26, 2017
46% of respondents to EyeforTravel's industry-wide survey find that data quality and cleanliness is a challenge EyeforTravel's new State of Data and Analytics in Travel Report 2017 has identified data quality and cleanliness as the biggest challenge facing the more than 450 travel data professionals surveyed for the report. According to Alex Hadwick, Head of research at EyeforTravel: "It is unlikely that this issue will diminish in the near future as the potential universe of data available to the travel and tourism industry is increasing exponentially. Travel brands will have to question whether they can adequately put in place systems...
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald Preserves Classic Style While Enhancing Security with Installation of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality’s Innovative Locking Solutions
ASSA ABLOY Hospitality | April 25, 2017
Luxurious Canadian hotel turns to hospitality's leading security technology provider to increase security and efficiency with VingCard Classic RFID locks. Stockholm – April 25, 2017 – Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, an iconic four diamond luxury hotel located in the heart of downtown Edmonton, Alberta, announces the successful installation of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality's VingCard Classic RFID door locks and Visionline locking solution. Known for its state-of-the-art guestroom amenities, Fairmont Hotel Macdonald selected ASSA ABLOY Hospitality's innovative locking solutions to enhance overall security for its guests, while blending wit...
GuestTek Chosen for Aruba Surf Club GPNS Upgrade
April 25, 2017
Ensuring Guests Surf Confidently in Aruba. Calgary, Alberta & Palm Beach, Aruba – April, 25 2017 – GuestTek, the global leader in broadband technology and converged interactive solutions for the hospitality industry, has been chosen to complete a full property upgrade of the high-speed internet at the Aruba Surf Club, a Marriott Vacation Club Property, in compliance with Marriott's Global Property Network Standards (GPNS). Located in picturesque Palm Beach, Aruba, Marriott's Aruba Surf Club hosts 900 guestrooms and suites, welcoming its guests with sophisticated accommodation and outstanding amenities. With a full pr...
Move Over Information Age – This is the Age of Experience
April 25, 2017
By Jos Schaap, CEO, and Founder, StayNTouch To say that the information age is over is a bold statement, however, when one looks at all the dramatic changes taking place involving new technologies that will truly change our lives, it is true that this information time has passed and we are now in the Digital and Experiential Age. Looking back, the agricultural and industrial ages both ended and were replaced by the information age. They will always be present, we will continue to need agricultural, industry and information but we are now seeing a new phase. Thanks to mobile screens, virtual reality, wearables and the Internet of Things ...
The Mobile Journey: A New Perspective on Mobile Hospitality
Mike Murray, Co-Founder, TripCraft | April 25, 2017
By Mike Murray, Co-Founder, TripCraft It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who famously said, "Life is a journey, not a destination." Though Emerson's humanity and today's technology may not always seem like friends, they are fundamentally intertwined. The technology exists not simply to help us get from point A to point B faster or to make us smarter, but instead to make our lives better, to make the journey richer. Emerson's belief in the journey is essential to how we should view mobile technology and mobile hospitality. We must see the technology as a way to offer guests a better experience across their entire journey (not just on arrival). W...
Is Google Out to Kill Bookings Competition?
Phil Butler | April 25, 2017
By Phil Butler If you missed the news at the beginning of April, Google is now experimenting with flight and hotel packages in the UK and Germany. Speaking at the first European Skift Forum, Oliver Heckmann, Vice President Travel and Shopping at Google Inc., said that although searchers will be shown bundled packages, they will still be able to "buy the individual components separately or together." The idea of package bundles is not new – Kayak has attempted it – but Google does bring something new on the market with a dynamic product that counts on intelligent algorithms rather than displaying flight and accommodation pac...
UniFocus Starts 2017 with a Formidable First Quarter, Gaining 17 New Clients for Its Industry-Leading Workforce Performance Solutions
UniFocus | April 25, 2017
DALLAS – April 25, 2017 – The service industry's most comprehensive workforce management systems and tools provider, UniFocus gained 17 new clients in the first quarter of 2017 and expanded its relationship with nine existing partners. This strong start to the year has resulted in installations at 136 new locations across the United States, Canada, Asia, and the Caribbean. According to Mark Heymann, founding partner and CEO of the Dallas-based company, "Given the pace and nature of the service industry today, managers are increasingly reliant on technology to boost efficiency, better understand their workers and customers, a...
ADA Conformity: It’s More Than Just Lawsuits
Milestone | April 25, 2017
Everything you need to know about making your website ADA conforming You may have heard about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but do you know how it applies to your digital presence? What is the ADA? The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. As part of the ADA, the law mandated that websites should abide by a minimum set of best practices to ensure that users with impairments would have equal access to the world-wide w...
TravelClick’s Industry-Leading Demand360 Business Intelligence Solution Expands International Reach by Adding Eight Key Data-Providing Brands
TravelClick | April 24, 2017
Demand360's Forward-Looking Market Intelligence Allows Global Hoteliers to Identify Trends and Capitalize on Revenue Opportunities NEW YORK – April 24, 2017 – TravelClick, a global provider of innovative, cloud-based and data-driven solutions for hotels to maximize revenue, today announced that the Company's future-looking business intelligence solution, Demand360, has recently partnered with eight major international brands, vastly expanding its network of global data providers. The data available via Demand360 empowers hoteliers across the globe to maximize revenue based on in-market trends. New international brands that h...
Duetto to Provide Revenue Strategy Solutions for First Central Hotel Suites, Dubai
Duetto | April 24, 2017
Agreement for Cloud-Based Price Optimization and Revenue Intelligence Solutions at 500-Room Property in the Heart of Dubai, Marks Duetto's Entrance in the Middle East London, April 24, 2017 – Duetto, the market leader in hotel profit optimization technology, announced today that it will implement its cloud-based Revenue Strategy application, GameChanger, and Revenue Intelligence solution, ScoreBoard, for First Central Hotel Suites, a leading hotel in the heart of Dubai. Under the agreement, Duetto will provide the property with unprecedented market intelligence, the benefits of Open Pricing, and the ability to fully optimize reve...
Four Points Surabaya Prefers Teledex Phones
Cetis | April 24, 2017
Four Points by Sheraton Surabaya Indonesia installs 421 new Teledex I Series hotel phones. Cetis reports that the beautiful Four Points by Sheraton Surabaya hotel, located at Jl Embong Malang 25-31 Surabaya, East Java 60261, Indonesia, has specified Teledex I Series hotel phones for the property's 238 rooms, suites, and hotel lobby. Cetis channel partner, Tiga Ikan Enterprise, completed the installation of 421 Teledex phones, including 326 I Series A105S single-line 5 button analog speakerphones, 35 I Series AC8105S 5 button cordless telephones, 40 I Series A101 lobby sets, and 20 I Series A103S single-line 3 button speakerphones. A...
