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Technology
Summit Hotel Properties Completes Acquisition of the Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Watertown
Summit Hotel Properties | October 1, 2018
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 1, 2018 -- Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. (NYSE: INN) (the "Company") reported today that it has completed the acquisition of the 150-guestroom Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Watertown and the previously announced sale of the 148-guestroom Hyatt Place Fort Myers/at the Forum. "We are thrilled with the acquisition of the Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Watertown, which represents a continuation of our capital allocation strategy by acquiring an exceptionally well-located hotel in a vibrant market," said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel P. Hansen. "With the completion of...
OpenKey Launches Mobile Key At MiniMax Premier Hotel In China
OpenKey | October 1, 2018
Innovative Solution Opens Doors Via WeChat Social Platform DALLAS, TEXAS and SHANGHAI, CHINA (October 1, 2018) – OpenKey, the industry standard for universal mobile key in hotels, has launched an innovation in the keyless entry space at the MiniMax Premier Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao supported by the OpenKey China office in Shanghai, China. Similar in many respects to the well-known OpenKey mobile app used around the world, the OpenKey China version includes several innovations to address specific needs in the Chinese market including the ability to request an invoice required for reimbursement of business expenses and most significan...
Beat the OTAs: Use Your Hotel Website to Tell a Unique Brand Story
Steffan Berelowitz | October 1, 2018
By Steffan Berelowitz Competing with OTAs for direct bookings continues to represent an uphill challenge for hotels. The likes of Expedia and Booking.com have become masters at conversion, investing millions to whisk shoppers from browsing to booking in the minimum amount of steps. However, the transactional nature of this experience is far from inspiring. It also makes it hard for hotels to stand out and showcase their unique personality. Deals and limited offers therefore become the means of differentiation, which clearly isn't good for business. To stand out from the crowd and drive more direct bookings, it's important to think of yo...
Shiji Acquires Industry Leading Golf and Spa Management Provider Concept Software Systems
Concept Software Systems | October 1, 2018
Shiji today announced they have completed the acquisition of Concept Software Systems, a leading provider of golf, spa and activities management systems for luxury hotels. Shiji's acquisition of Concept Software Systems furthers its mission to create an open technology stack for the hospitality industry that transforms how the industry connects across systems and industries thus increasing business opportunities and revenue for its customers. By combining Concept Software Systems' solutions, Shiji is continuing to create a broad and innovative network of technology solutions interconnected between systems while remaining completely open...
Basic, Better, Best: Low Season Revenue Strategies
Ian Chinn | September 27, 2018
By Ian Chinn Low season; it's a term no hotelier likes to hear. In times of lower demand, some hoteliers adopt the 'busy hotel is a successful hotel' strategy, accepting lower-rated business and relying on the in-house spend in food and beverage, spa, ancillary and more, to top up revenue. However, guests paying significantly lower room rates are also typically less likely to spend on the spa, luxury dining or experiences needed to compensate for a cheap room rate. The longer-term ramifications of rate reductions to boost business in times of lower demand are far reaching. Not only does this impact brand perception but it al...
Now Available for Download: Smart Hotelier’s Guide to 2019 Digital Marketing & Technology Budget Planning
HEBS Digital | September 27, 2018
With budgeting season comes the time to analyze digital marketing initiatives and plan for trends that may arise throughout the year. When constructing your budget, think about upgrades your property needs to make regarding digital technology and marketing strategy. Knowledge of where the industry's key benchmarks are headed is critical to budgeting appropriately and knowing where to focus your efforts to see results. According to STR, the US hotel industry is projected to see growth, slow yet steady, through 2019. However, supply will continue to outweigh demand in many major markets (2.3% vs 2%). Occupancy is increasing by 0.3%; A...
McCarren Hotel & Pool Debuts OpenKey’s Mobile Key Access
OpenKey | September 27, 2018
Innovative technology delivers convenience that today's travelers expect DALLAS, TEXAS (September 27, 2018) – McCarren Hotel & Pool, one of the most sought after urban retreats located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has unveiled keyless room access powered by OpenKey's innovative technology. OpenKey, the industry standard for universal mobile key in hotels, will support the McCarren's efforts in delivering an unparalleled experience to its digital native guests. McCarren Hotel & Pool is a neighborhood oasis where guests can enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences paired with luxury amenities and first-class service. The modern gue...
Europe Goes Digital… Yes We Can!
Georges Panayotis | September 26, 2018
By Georges Panayotis Cocorico! Google set up a research centre on artificial intelligence last week in Paris. The arrival of our President has something to do with it, he believes in the importance of becoming a great digital nation. In the long term, a thousand jobs will be created by the American giant in Paris, including a significant proportion of researchers in development and artificial intelligence. This is good news for the future of our sector because the number of uses we can find for this new science is, by definition, infinite. Artificial intelligence has been around for a few years, but it is still in its infancy in France,...
How Artificial Intelligence Is Revolutionizing the Travel Industry
Natasha Prats | September 26, 2018
By Natasha Prats Artificial intelligence (AI) now infiltrates every element of the travel process. Today, website chatbots, personalized search platforms, and in-room virtual assistants are being deployed to improve customer engagement, boost conversion rates, and personalize the entire guest experience. Thanks to AI, reaching our destination is becoming easier too. This year, Google Flights started predicting delays and announcing them before the airlines. How far might things go? In the following article, we'll look at how travel brands are using the latest artificial intelligence to learn more about their customers, influence their d...
Reimagining Sales Leadership With Josh Lesnick, President & CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels
Andrew Hazelton | September 26, 2018
By Andrew Hazelton AETHOS recently "picked-the-brain" of Josh Lesnick, President & CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels – the parent company of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) and Worldhotels. Both are leading global hospitality services organizations that specialize in luxury-level and upper-upscale independently owned or operated hotels and resorts around the world. Associated Luxury defines success as enabling their member hotels to maintain an independent identity while competing effectively with the world's biggest hospitality chains. Lesnick is no stranger to leading complex global teams, having recently served ...
IBC Integrates With Amazon and PayPal and Is Chosen as the Technology Powering MasterKey Alliance
IBC | September 26, 2018
Properties and guests can now use Amazon Pay and PayPal as alternative payment methods through IBC's integrated payment processing Phoenix – September 26, 2018 – Today IBC Hospitality Technologies announces two exciting accomplishments. First, the company has been selected by MasterKey Alliance as the technology to power its Association's online B2B online marketplace. As the industry's only all-accommodation association, MasterKey will use IBC Hospitality Technologies to power its coalition of independently-owned and operated corporate housing, vacation rentals, serviced apartments and independent hotels. Next, integration ...
Latin American Giant TOTVS Signs on as SiteMinder’s 250th PMS Connectivity Partner
SiteMinder | September 25, 2018
Dallas, USA – The largest enterprise technology company in Latin America, TOTVS, has entered into a partnership with SiteMinder to become the 250th property management system (PMS) provider that will connect into SiteMinder's market-leading hotel guest acquisition platform. The partnership, which comes one day ahead of the ABAV Expo in São Paulo, will allow the 2,500 hotel users of TOTVS's PMS – CMNet – to enhance and automate the distribution of their rooms to the vast sales channels that are available through SiteMinder's platform. SiteMinder's channel network includes more than 350 of the world's top-performi...
AccorHotels Deploys Infor Revenue Management Solution Across France
Infor | September 25, 2018
212 French Hotels Gain Better Visibility to Optimize Revenue NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2018 -- Infor, a leading provider of industry-specific cloud applications, today announced that its revenue management solution dedicated to the hospitality industry, Infor EzRMS, has been deployed by AccorHotels in France. This is part of a global project and aims to replace the existing solution that will disappear soon and that had been installed in nearly 150 Accor sites in France. EzRMS is currently in place in 212 hotels in France, throughout the territory, allowing each of these establishments to benefit from a better visibility on the customer deman...
GJP Hotel & Resorts Invests in Infor Software
Grupo GJP Hotel & Resorts | September 25, 2018
Infor EzRMS Helps Hotel Group Drive Revenue NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2018 -- Infor, a leading provider of industry-specific cloud applications, announced that GJP Hotel & Resorts Group is implementing Infor® EzRMS, a revenue management solution used for demand modeling and forecasting, to help better manage revenues and help build a successful revenue strategy across all its key hotels in Brazil. Competition is increasing in the hotel sector and, as such, it is essential for hoteliers to understand and react to customer behavior and business trends to ensure that customers are always offered the right product, at the right price and ...
Takeaways From the 2018 Guest Experience Assessment Report: Better Alignment of Tech & Value for Guests
Jos Schaap, CEO -Founder and CEO | September 25, 2018
By Jos Schaap CEO and Founder - StayNTouch The relationship between hospitality and technology is ever-evolving as the demands of the modern guest continue to redefine the industry landscape. With the on-going need for guest personalization and value-driven service, the most successful hotels will be those who allocate more of their budgets for technology that actually aligns with delivering a better guest experience for all types of travelers. This may empower a self-service model for some guests, and high-touch, personalized service for others. To gain a better understanding of current guest assessment trends and technological, guest-...
Groups and Events: Disruption Is on the Agenda for Hotels in 2019
Lauren Hall | September 25, 2018
By Lauren Hall The emergence and subsequent evolution of transformative, industry-shaping technology cannot happen without some disruption. It's a now-familiar scenario, when we reference the likes of Uber and Airbnb, in which a brave new player comes into the mix to offer a service or product that does things in a way that no one else has (successfully) attempted. Disruptive innovation within industries is often what keeps them alive, bringing forth new ideas and processes that allow companies to continuously cater to modern consumers. The hospitality realm is admittedly notorious for lagging behind other industries in terms of adoptin...
HEBS Digital Named the Leading Travel Merchandising Solution Provider in North America by the World Travel Awards
HEBS Digital | September 25, 2018
Summary: HEBS Digital's innovative smartCMS® website technology platform was named the best travel merchandising solution provider in North America at the 2018 World Travel Awards Caribbean & North America Gala ceremony. New York (September 25, 2018) - HEBS Digital, a leader in hotel digital marketing and technology, was named the leading travel merchandising solution provider in North America by the World Travel Awards. HEBS Digital received this award in recognition of their innovative smartCMS® website technology platform and will be honored at the 2018 World Travel Awards Caribbean & North America Gala ceremony. The ...
BirchStreet’s New Executive Hires, CCO Paul Rantilla and CFO Jeremy Grosgebauer, Increase the Pace for Global Procure-to-Pay Growth
BirchStreet Systems, LLC | September 25, 2018
September 25, 2018 (Newport Beach, California) — BirchStreet Systems, the market leader in P2P software for the hospitality industry, announce the additions of Paul Rantilla as the company's chief commercial officer (CCO) and Jeremy Grosgebauer as the company's chief financial officer (CFO). Rantilla is a seasoned sales executive with over two decades in the hospitality industry focused on enterprise software. Grosgebauer brings to the BirchStreet executive team years of experience as a senior financial executive with privately held and publicly owned companies in the SaaS space. The demand for BirchStreet's product is robust and ...
Hospitality Management Corporation Appoints Peter Ambros as New General Manager of Four Points by Sheraton® in Little Rock, Arkansas
Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC) | September 24, 2018
Dallas, TX - Leo Spriggs, President and CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC), is happy to announce that team member Peter Ambros has taken the role of General Manager at the Four Points by Sheraton® in Little Rock, Arkansas. Prior to joining the team in Little Rock, he held the position of General Manager at HMC's Holiday Inn® Airport and Conference Center in Memphis, TN. With extensive professional hospitality experience and wide-ranging knowledge of the Hotel and Food & Beverage industries, he will be an invaluable asset in building the Four Points by Sheraton® clientele, guest services and overall perfo...
Why You Should Be Listening to What Your Voice Agents Are Saying Right Now to Potential Guests
Doug Kennedy | September 24, 2018
By Doug Kennedy As I often say in my conference presentations and training sessions, voice reservations is the forgotten distribution channel, at least at most hotels these days. Too many marketing and distribution execs buy-in to stereotypes such as "Millennials only book online and never want to talk with humans…" and "The only ones who still call are elderly and don't know how to work a computer..." On the surface, the numbers might even support this as web booking continue to grow while voice bookings decline. However, many of those who book online started out by first calling the hotel; others call after booking but prior to...
SHR Announces New CRS Product Features, Plus PMS and OTA Integrations
SHR | September 24, 2018
HOUSTON, TX, September 24, 2018—SHR, Sceptre Hospitality Resources, a pioneer of advanced hotel distribution technologies, has unveiled several new features within their Windsurfer® CRS Enterprise and Essentials products, in addition to two new key product integrations. Windsurfer Enterprise clients will now be able to Assign Policies by Channel, allowing them, for example, to set one cancellation policy for the Windsurfer® Booking Engine and a different policy for GDS. They will also enjoy a newly-expanded Registered Guest Reports feature. This means that reports can now be pulled at hotel level or chain level, helping En...
Cendyn Is North America’s Leading Hotel CRM Technology Provider & Data Driven Marketing Agency for 2018, as Voted by Prestigious World Travel Awards
Cendyn | September 24, 2018
Boca Raton, Florida – September 24, 2018 – Cendyn, the leading provider of hotel CRM and hotel sales platforms in the hospitality industry, has been voted as North America's Leading Hotel CRM Technology Provider and North America's Data Driven Marketing Agency for 2018. The prestigious World Travel Awards recognizes companies, organizations and brands that push the boundaries of hospitality industry excellence. "We are truly honored to have won these awards. Cendyn was founded over 20 years ago in North America, so these awards really resonate with our continued efforts to innovate and evolve with the hospitality indust...
Hospitality & Technology – Innovation is Being Stifled by Lack of Leadership
Thomas Mielke | September 21, 2018
By Thomas Mielke Whenever a company is merging with or being taken over by one of its competitors — something increasingly commonplace in 2017 and 2018 (thanks largely to Accor's busy buying spree) — AETHOS is keen to point the sector's attention to the importance of senior leadership "stepping up its game" to proactively manage transition periods. The same, of course, is true for times of major industry shifts which alter the conditions and the environment businesses operate in. Sadly, it seems, ignorance is wide-spread when it comes to all that is happening in the tech space with few leaders taking decisive steps forward t...
IHG and Covivio to Debut Kimpton Brand in London with Soon to Open Kimpton Fitzroy London
IHG | September 21, 2018
IHG® will soon debut its boutique luxury brand Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants® in the UK with the opening of Kimpton Fitzroy London late October 2018. Kimpton Fitzroy London, the first UK hotel for the brand, will open in London's Bloomsbury neighbourhood in an iconic heritage building which originally opened in Russell Square in 1898. The hotel will be named after the original architect of the hotel, Charles Fitzroy Doll; a titan of British architecture in the Victorian and Edwardian eras who specialised in designing hotels. Today, the Kimpton Fitzroy London stands for vision and craft, history and modernity, and luxury and t...
