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Technology
5 Remarkable Hotels Innovating in Social Responsibility
Nancy Huang | February 9, 2017
by Nancy Huang Although many hotels make an effort to integrate corporate social responsibility into their operations, there are some that have gone above and beyond. From social enterprise schemes in local communities to sustainability projects that reduce carbon footprints and protect wildlife, the following five hotels showcase remarkable initiatives in environmental and social responsibility. Good Hotel Created by two young Dutch designers, Good Hotel is a floating 148-room property that helps the long-term unemployed find work through a custom-made training program. After an initial training phase, candidates are given on-the-job ...
Cloud5 Contact Center Achieves Major Service Record with One Million Hotel Reservations Booked
Cloud5 Communications | February 9, 2017
Chicago, IL (February 9, 2017) — Cloud5 Contact Center, the only provider of reservations optimization and enhanced agent services exclusively for the hospitality and travel industries, achieved a major contact center record last year booking one million reservations for its hotel clients. One million reservations were generated by Cloud5's servicing of more than 1.5 million calls into its multi-facility operation during 2016. Cloud5 Contact Center clients include major hotel groups and independent chains for economy, mid-range, and luxury brands, as well as fine hotel and resort loyalty programs. Centers provide a unique range of...
Maestro PMS Announces 2017 Software Roadmap for Independent Operators
Maestro PMS | February 8, 2017
Handheld Tools for Guest Interaction, Streamlined Workflow for Higher Productivity, Tablet Enhancements for Personalized Service, and Direct Booking Flexibility Give Independents an Edge February 8, 2017 – Maestro PMS, the preferred hotel management system provider for leading independent resorts, hotels, condos, and multi-property groups, revealed its 2017 software development roadmap. Maestro will enhance its suite of 20+ integrated modules with advanced tools for handheld mobile guest interaction, tablet use, direct booking, and Spa system functionality. New solutions include: Handheld on-property 2-way guest communication t...
Duetto to Provide Revenue Strategy Solutions for easyHotel
Duetto | February 8, 2017
Game-Changing Price Optimization and Revenue Intelligence Capabilities for 24 Hotels Encompassing Close to 2,500 Rooms in Markets across Europe London and New York, February 8, 2017 – Duetto, the market leader in hotel profit optimization technology, announced today that it will implement its cloud-based revenue strategy solutions, GameChanger and Scoreboard, for easyHotel plc (AIM:EZH), the owner, developer, operator and franchisor of "super budget" branded hotels in European gateway markets. The agreement comes as easyHotel expands its portfolio of company owned and franchised properties quickly across Europe. "We are ...
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts CEO Bill Simpson on Tradition and Technology in Business
Andrew Hazelton | February 8, 2017
By Andrew Hazelton Some atypical brands are both iconic and notable for their nostalgia factor. CEO Bill Simpson is the current steward of a business grounded in one of these rare brands – Hershey. Everyone knows and loves the chocolate, but Bill has worked for approximately 20 years to make Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R) a premier guest service company wrapped in a timeless destination that provides memories that are just as sweet. Bill was appointed CEO in January 2013 after holding a string of progressively senior leadership roles at the company. He joined the company in 1996 as general manager of Hershey Lodge....
Fuel and Flip.to Reveal Key Components of an Effective Website in New Leisure Travel Behavior Study
Fuel | February 8, 2017
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., Feb. 8, 2017 – Fuel, the travel and tourism industry experts on driving direct bookings, has partnered with hotel advocacy platform pioneers, Flip.to, to create a behavior study that will improve hotel and travel websites. The research reveals key traveler insights, including who is visiting, how they got there and what they want. The study addresses many travel research behaviors regarding average booking times, influential sources, price factors and loyalty programs. The results are compiled from more than 2,300 respondents, all of whom planned and experienced at least one vacation in the past year. Among oth...
Lightstone Installs Aptech’s Execuvue® Business Intelligence
Lightstone | February 8, 2017
Developer with $2B portfolio in 26 states analyzes performance data, delivers reports to investors and management. PITTSBURGH – February 8, 2017 – Aptech Computer Systems announced that Lightstone, a national real estate investor/developer, installed Aptech's Execuvue Business Intelligence System. Lightstone broad hospitality portfolio operates more than 3,800 keys in 7 states. Its current portfolio emphasizes select services hotels, branded by Marriott, Hilton, IHG, and Starwood. Aptech is the leading provider of hotel software for business intelligence, budgeting, and enterprise financial accounting. Click here for more o...
SiteMinder Announces Integration with Agilysys to Offer Integrated Distribution Solution to PMS Customers
SiteMinder | February 8, 2017
Dallas, US – The global hotel industry's leading cloud platform, SiteMinder, today announces a partnership agreement with Agilysys, Inc. whereby SiteMinder's Channel Manager will connect with Agilysys' next-generation cloud hospitality platform, rGuest®, to integrate with Agilysys' award-winning property management systems and automate the flow of rates, availability and reservations for hotel customers. SiteMinder's Channel Manager allows hotels to continuously promote available rooms on all their booking channels and immediately update inventory across those channels when a booking is made. It eliminates manual entry and red...
Agilysys Visual One® Hosted PMS Delivers Predictable IT Costs, Accelerated ROI, Enhanced Guest Service
Agilysys | February 8, 2017
New Offering Adds Above-Property Deployment Option to Industry-Leading Solution ALPHARETTA, GA. — February 8, 2017 — Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that Visual One® PMS, its award-winning comprehensive property management system, has recently been expanded to include a hosted deployment option in addition to traditional on-site implementation. Key benefits of Visual One Hosted include more predictable IT costs, accelerated return on investment, increased speed and scalability, improved security and enhanced guest se...
Avison Young Hospitality Group Announces Hilton Garden Inn Sale
Avison Young | February 8, 2017
Michael Bernath Andrew Broad ATLANTA – February 8, 2017 – Avison Young's newly formed hospitality group announced today that it advised on the sale of a Hilton Garden Inn in the Midwest region of the United States. The seller was an institutional hospitality platform based in the Southeast and the buyer was a West Coast-based family office. Michael Bernath and Andrew Broad, senior hospitality brokers, represented Avison Young in the transaction. "The sale of Hilton Garden Inn represents a general flight to quality that we are seeing in today's transaction market," said Bernath. "The seller was able to realize a strong retu...
EAST, Miami Installs Latest Generation of Door Lock Technology from ASSA ABLOY Hospitality
ASSA ABLOY Hospitality | February 7, 2017
Innovative hotel taps leader in door opening technologies for increased operational efficiency and guest satisfaction with New VingCard Essence lock Stockholm – February 7, 2017 – EAST, Miami, the first hotel venture in North America from Swire Hotels' EAST brand, is adding cutting-edge innovations to its new hotel location, situated on top of Brickell City Centre in Miami, with the implementation of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality's New VingCard Essence door locks and Visionline locking solution. ASSA ABLOY Hospitality officially announced the launch of its New VingCard Essence door lock in December of last year. Rolling out several...
A 21st Century Quandary: Pause To Assimilate But Never Stop Running
Thomas Mielke | February 7, 2017
By Thomas Mielke Wherever I go, I see signs of people wanting to hit the pause button, to take a moment to assimilate what is happening around them. Overwhelmed by fast-paced developments and an ever-changing environment, some are longing for the orderly and structured world of times past. These are unprecedented times, and one can either embrace the new realities or rescind and give up. So, wearing my hat as an organisational advisor in talent management and human resources, I have been asking myself, 'Is hitting the pause button the right thing to do? What is needed for leadership talent in the hotel industry to adjust to and not be o...
Safeguarding the Future of the Concierge Through Technology: Why Your Concierge Needs a Modern-Day Toolset
ALICE | February 6, 2017
Few roles in the hotel have been as affected by technology as that of the concierge. Mobile internet and apps have decreased the reliance of most guests on the concierge, while at the same time changing the relationship concierges have with their own workplace tools. ALICE Concierge is a modern-day toolset for concierges that acknowledges the demands of today's guests, as well as concierges' own expectations of technology. It's a product attuned to the challenges and opportunities of the modern concierge role, and the importance of the concierge role to the hotel when it comes to guest engagement and service differentiation. What about ...
Global Hotel Alliance Selects Sabre Hospitality Solutions as an Alternative Distribution Provider
Global Hotel Alliance | February 6, 2017
DUBAI and SOUTHLAKE, Texas – Feb. 6, 2017 – Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands, has selected Sabre Hospitality Solutions as an alternative distribution provider for its members. Under the landmark agreement, GHA's 35 hotel brands, representing over 550 hotels, resorts, palaces and spas, now have the option to choose the Sabre SynXis Central Reservations (CR) as their distribution solution while still enjoying the benefits of GHA's multi-brand DISCOVERY loyalty program. "Similar to the airline alliance model, GHA offers independent and privately-owned hotel brands the opportu...
IHG® Notifies Guests of Payment Card Incident at 12 Properties in the Americas
IHG | February 6, 2017
ATLANTA, Feb. 6, 2017 -- IHG® values the relationship it has with its guests and understands the importance of protecting payment card data. On Dec. 28, 2016, IHG reported it was conducting an investigation after receiving a report of unauthorized charges occurring on some payment cards that were used at a small number of U.S. hotel properties. IHG hired leading cyber security firms to examine the payment card processing systems for the hotels that it manages in the Americas region. Based on the investigation, IHG is providing notification to guests who used their payment card at restaurants and bars of 12 company managed properties...
FCS Computer Systems Expands Operations into Vietnam with Newly Opened Regional Office
FCS | February 6, 2017
Ho Chi Minh City-based branch set to provide Vietnamese hospitality market with cutting-edge operations management solutions Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 6 February, 2017 – FCS Computer Systems (FCS), a leading comprehensive hospitality solutions and services provider, has announced the opening of its newest office location in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Situated at 46 Dach Bang 2 Street on the first floor of the Kicotrans building, the new office will be tasked with supplying regional hospitality professionals with industry leading solutions designed to streamline backend operations and maximize guest satisfaction. "With a domestic ...
SiteMinder Adds 10,000+ Rooms to Its Distribution Network With TFE Hotels
SiteMinder | February 2, 2017
Dallas, US – The global hotel industry's leading cloud platform, SiteMinder, today announces it has secured a corporate deal to power the distribution of TFE Hotels (Toga Far East). The deal adds the more than 10,000 apartment and hotel rooms of TFE Hotels' 70 properties across Australia, New Zealand and Europe to SiteMinder's distribution network, further heightening SiteMinder's dominant market share in the Pacific and building on its solid presence within the European region. TFE Hotels' brands include Adina Apartment Hotels, Medina Serviced Apartments, Rendezvous Hotels, Vibe Hotels, Travelodge Hotels and the new TFE Hotels Co...
What If…
Ken Greger | February 1, 2017
By: Ken Greger What if we could truly achieve understanding, unity and enhanced communication within our organizations, particularly the larger corporate environments? Anything is possible if we can start to think differently. One of my pet peeves is when I hear a C-suite executive refer to the employees as "them." I just cringe. What happened to "Us?" Conversely, too many employees head to coffee or lunch and throw endless jabs at the C-suite. This is inherent in a disconnected company, and hardly productive. To make it worse, the C-suite implements "policy" so that everyone fits. But, we all know that everyone doesn't fit, and that im...
North American Hoteliers Greeted with Growth in the New Year
TravelClick | February 1, 2017
Rates and Revenue per Available Room Show Promising Gains in First & Second Quarter of 2017 NEW YORK – February 1, 2017 – As North American hoteliers kick off the early months of 2017, most travel segments are experiencing healthy average daily rate (ADR) and committed occupancy* gains in both the first and second quarter of 2017, according to new data from TravelClick's January 2017 North American Hospitality Review (NAHR). Occupancy for the transient segment in particular is seeing significant growth in the second quarter, up 10.8 percent for transient leisure travel, 8.6 percent for transient business travel and 10.4 ...
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Selects Sabre’s Digital Platform to Accelerate Its Technology Transformation and Global Expansion Plans
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | February 1, 2017
SOUTHLAKE, Texas – Feb. 1, 2017 – Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, has taken an important step in its global expansion plans by signing a new agreement with leading technology provider Sabre Hospitality Solutions. Carlson Rezidor tapped Sabre Hospitality Solutions to develop and implement a global digital platform to power its ecommerce business for all of its brands including: Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu®, Radisson®, Radisson RED, Park Plaza®, Park Inn® by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM to improve online brand performance and dri...
Customer Service is the ‘New Marketing’
Lodging Interactive | February 1, 2017
PARSIPPANY, NJ – February 1, 2017 Lodging Interactive, an award winning digital marketing and social media engagement agency exclusively serving the hospitality industry, published a new article on Hotel Business Review explaining how customer service has become the NEW marketing. "The hotel business, frankly like any other business, is about creating relationships, human-to-human and it's your job as a hotel operator to humanize your hotel and your brand in order to gain the highest level of customer service as perceived by your guest", says DJ Vallauri, Founder and President of Lodging Interactive. The article highlights that pe...
The Hotel Industry and SaaS. Does it Differ from Other Industries?
January 31, 2017
By Jos Schaap Founder and CEO StayNTouch Software-as-a-service has gone mainstream, and statistics related to the adoption rate of SaaS applications by industry are everywhere. The one interesting observation is that the hotel industry is not necessarily mentioned in any of these statistics. This fact is surprising since the hotel industry drives over 493 Billion dollars in revenue annually per Statista, the statistics portal. Even with this impressive number, for some reason, our industry often goes unnoticed. Adoption of SaaS is growing exponentially in most every industry, with SaaS cloud hardware and infrastructure software spending...
Cambria White Plains is Making Guest Stays, Meetings More Memorable with Kube Mobile Device Charging
January 31, 2017
Meyer Jabara Hotels is showing its commitment to guest satisfaction by featuring the Kube 5 Portable mobile device charging system at yet another of its managed hotels What happens when a hotel guest sitting at the bar needs to charge his cell phone but there are no electrical outlets in sight? Either he leaves the bar and goes to his room to charge the device or he tethers himself to a nearby wall socket. What about a meeting attendee in the same predicament? She could fight fellow attendees to plug into one of two available outlets in the room, but it is far from her seat and she needs to access content stored on her tablet during the...
Agilysys to Showcase Industry-Leading Product Portfolio at ICE Totally Gaming 2017 in London
Agilysys | January 31, 2017
LONDON — Jan. 31, 2017 — Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that the company will exhibit at ICE Totally Gaming 2017, continuing to demonstrate its leadership position in hospitality solutions for gaming hotels and resorts. The annual B2B exhibition, which brings together the worldwide online and offline gaming sectors, will be held Feb. 7-9, at ExCeL London. During the event, Darren Student, director of gaming sales at Agilysys, will participate on a session panel entitled: Growth & Stability: How to Maximize Technology...
