Skip to main content

Home/ Hospitality Technology/ Group items tagged #hotel

Rss Feed Group items tagged

Filter: All | Bookmarks | Topics Simple Middle
jordanskj

A GDS Primer: What is the GDS and Which Travel Agents Need It? - 0 views

hostagencyreviews.com/...what-is-gds

Technology Hotel tech business software travel Hospitality

shared by jordanskj on 14 Sep 19 - No Cached
  • The advantage to travel agents is that the GDS not only can show you many fares from multiple airlines, but it also offers a great depth of information about each flight in one place. The carrier, the times, the costs, the class of the seat, aircraft type and so much more. It’s a smorgasbord of options. So if you’re booking a high volume of tickets, it’s great to have access to every minutiae of information from multiple carriers in one go.
  • In today’s world, the GDSs have a bit of a split personality. There is the old school, traditional GDS commonly called “the green screen.” Then there’s the hip side of the GDSs, which people will call “point and click” or “GUI” (Graphical User Interface). Essentially, it’s a more intuitive and prettier looking version of the GDS.
  • To learn the GDS green screen takes intense training, and to become proficient takes tons of practice and constant use. That means daily use with a mentor (for at least 6 months to a year), not just booking a ticket for a client every few weeks.
  • ...16 more annotations...
  • While new agents can partially navigate the GDS with the GUI interface, the code that comes back still has important information like fare types and rules that the agents really needs to understand. So many agents, in the end, need to learn the green screen (and find it faster) regardless.
  • One of the reasons that most leisure agents don’t need the GDS is because the air will be included in a vacation package by the tour operator, or you can book it with the cruise line and you don’t need to use the GDS.
  • Global Distribution System (GDS) is a travel agent’s motherboard for booking airline tickets and other sorts of travel goodies (like hotel and car)
  • It can be easy to confuse the GDS with a Central Reservation System or Computerized Reservation System (CRS). CRSs are automated inventory-tracking systems that were (originally) owned and run by individual vendors (like airlines, car companies and hotels).
  • GDSs function as an umbrella for many many CRS systems. It’s like a CRS motherboard. (In fact, many vendors outsource their CRS systems to a GDS.)
  • an show you many fares from multiple airlines, but it also offers a great depth of information about each flight in one place. The carrier, the times, the costs, the class of the seat, aircraft type and so much more. It’s a smorgasbord of options. So if you’re bookin
  • If you are a leisure travel agent, there’s a huge whopping huge chance that you don’t need to use a GDS
  • American Airlines created the first CRS system in 1946. And while this helped automate inventory for vendors, travel agents did not have direct access to that inventory. Travel agents would need to call the airline’s booking center, who would then contact one of their CRS operators, then relay the results to the travel agent over the phone (literally, like playing telephone). It took a lot of people power to book a single airline ticket. Travelers booking their own ticket? Forget about it! 
  • There are many GDS options, and each GDS system will has access to their own pool of carriers. The four largest GDSs are: Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport (which is the parent company of Apollo/Galileo and Worldspan).
  • Let me be blunt: unless you’re some kind of prodigy, the GDS green screens are not user friendly. Be afraid, be very afraid.
  • he GUI is the point-and-click version of the GDS. You may have heard of options such as Sabre Red Workspace and TravelPort Smartpoint. So why doesn’t everyone use it? Here’s the problem: At its current stage of development, even GUI users need to understand the language of the green screen.
  • Essentially, the GUI interface isn’t quite there yet . . . and developing this technology is reeeeeally expensive and comes with a lot of growing pain
  • To book in the GDS, you must have an IATA/IATAN accreditation number, in addition to an ARC accreditation number if you’re located in the United States.
  • As a new agent, you can’t get these accreditation numbers because they require a lot of experience. So you come into the industry under a host agency (more on what a host agency is) and use their accreditation number instead.
  • Corporate travel agents book a whole lot of air, so the GDS is pretty much a must for them.
  • If your specialty is around the world tickets or you have a steady stream of clients with multi-stop itineraries, the GDS will be a necessity. 
  • llaff002 on 14 Sep 19
     
    This article looks at GDS and GUI systems and gives a holistic viewpoint of performance, positives and negatives, and what type of agencies can utilize each system. I felt that the more complicated system and its requirements for agency users to have and understanding of coding, made the GUI system more likely to have a higher utilization in the future.
  • mfont039 on 25 Jan 20
     
    The article delves into the importance of GDSs and travel agents along with the controversy surrounding their evolution as airlines are trying to encourage more direct bookings to make more profits and avoid paying commission to travel agents.
  • jordanskj on 12 Sep 22
     
    This article goes into detail about GDS's, the history of GDS's, and if travel agents actually need to use them. The article first explains what a GDS system is, a brief description stating "Global Distribution System (GDS) is a travel agent's motherboard for booking airline tickets and other sorts of travel goodies (like hotel and car)". The article then quickly goes into a brief history of the GDS. GDS was created by America Airlines in 1946, making it easier to check inventory for vendors, though it would still take some time for this technology to reach the travel agents. "Travel agents would need to call the airline's booking center, who would then contact one of their CRS operators, then relay the results to the travel agent over the phone (literally, like playing telephone). It took a lot of people power to book a single airline ticket". We then take a turn, and learn about the usability of a GDS, and that it's quite low. GDS's are not user-friendly, but sadly sometimes a necessity for certain types of travel agents. These types mostly being the ones who book lots of corporate travel arrangements. Lastly, the article discusses if a GDS is right for your business, and if you decide it's not, how to go about booking things without it.
slain006

How Virtual Reality (VR) is Transforming the Travel Industry | Revfine.com - 0 views

www.revfine.com/irtual-reality-travel-industry

Technology Hospitality Hotel travel tech

shared by slain006 on 12 Sep 22 - No Cached
  • Although VR has a long history, it has come to the forefront of mainstream consumer technology
  • While many virtual reality applications centre around entertainment, the technology is also being utilised by marketers in a number of interesting ways.
  • VR Applications in the Travel Industry
  • ...10 more annotations...
  • customers are looking to purchase experiences, rather than products,
  • Many hotels and travel companies are now providing virtual reality elements on their websites or apps
  • ‘try before you buy’ option
  • Additionally, many businesses are experimenting with VR-based user interfaces, replacing traditional computer or mobile interfaces.
  • 1. Virtual Tours of Hotels
  • . The key benefit of this is that it allows potential customers to experience what the hotel looks like before they arrive, offering more transparency than standard images.
  • 2. Virtual Booking Interface
  • Effectively, this replaces the need to use a traditional computer mouse, or touch screen, in order to make a hotel or flight booking.
  • 3. Virtual Travel Experiences
  • offering hotels, travel agents, and other businesses within the tourism industry the opportunity to provide prospective customers with a virtual travel experience.
  • slain006 on 12 Sep 22
     
    This article talks about how virtual reality and augmented reality and transforming the travel experience within the hospitality industry. Hotels and travel companies are now using devices or using 360 tour of hotel rooms as if guests were actually inside. Also, this is considered a way for customers to try before actually making a booking.
kspac001

How Can AR and VR Technologies Benefit the Tourism Industry? - 0 views

This was an interesting Article about the AR/VR relative to the hotel business. It would seem that the biggest challenge today is simply awareness of the option. Then it will be to get guests eng...

Technology Hospitality Hotel software tech

started by kspac001 on 14 Sep 22 no follow-up yet
claudecole

Sustainable Hotel Waste Management | RTSSustainable hotel waste management - How hospit... - 0 views

www.rts.com/...-is-tackling-its-waste-problem

hotel hospitality management sustainable systems technology software business solution

shared by claudecole on 27 Sep 22 - No Cached
  • What impact will PPE waste streams have on waste management within hotels, and can the industry find better ways to deal with them?
  • Convenience and service have always been at the core of hotels, and a focus on hygiene is an integral part of that.
  • this means large quantities of waste – from single-use shampoos and plastic-wrapped bathrobes to breakfast buffets that encourage indulgence.
  • ...12 more annotations...
  • The pandemic has had a major impact on hotels and there is an entirely new stream of hotel waste – PPE.
  • , often with single-use plastics, it could mean a huge step back.
  • items such as reusable masks for staff can help reduce PPE waste, with multiple options now available and the WHO still approving the use of properly manufactured fabric masks.
  • microplastics in the food chain or the estimated $2.5 trillion in damage and lost resources it causes to fisheries, aquaculture, recreational activities, and global wellbeing.
  • uch as plastic hotel key cards. While reusable, they will end up in the trash eventually, and many end up broken or lost after a few uses.
  • Food is the single largest component of US landfills with roughly 80 billion pounds being thrown away each year in America.
  • Even the most stringent company policies on plastic and food could still leave a hotel having to deal with more waste than expected.
  • over half of global travelers are now looking to travel more sustainably, and more than 60% of Americans are willing to spend more on sustainable products.
  • Rotana, for example, announced that it would remove all single-use plastic toiletries from its hotel rooms, saving an estimated 17 million plastic bottles and 100 tons of plastic every year.
  • replacing plastic key cards with mobile apps.
  • implement more robust recycling programs that help deal with waste in a sustainable way.
  • Beyond this, some hospitality establishments are now offering outreach to teach guests and staff more about sustainable waste management. This can extend beyond physical waste, to inform people about reducing hotel power and water waste as well.
  • claudecole on 27 Sep 22
     
    This article discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic caused an influx in plastic waste due to an increased need for PPE. This article also talked about how hotels are trying to combat the effects of microplastics by limiting their implementation in their operation by finding other alternatives such as mobile apps and QR codes. One thing I found to be extremely interesting that was mentioned within the article was the fact that companies are investing in educating both their guests and staff on waste management.
shawndab

2022 social media trends hoteliers need to know about - Insights - 0 views

insights.ehotelier.com/...s-hoteliers-need-to-know-about

social media trends insights technology hospitality hotel

shared by shawndab on 30 Sep 22 - No Cached
  • Social media features all the possibilities to put communities in a single circle.
  • #tiktoktravel hashtag
  • Note that these 26.1 billion users are not only millennials.
  • ...9 more annotations...
  • . At times, the process needs you to blend in before positioning where you can outshine the competitors.
  • Influencer marketing wins if you’re after a reliable social media strategy
  • identify the influencers who can assist you in boosting your social media hotel awareness.
  • have a trademarked hashtag and inspire potential audiences to use a particular hashtag whenever they stop by your hotel.
  • requesting personalities like famous figures or celebrities in your hotel can assist in building trustworthiness
  • authenticity
  • You can target several sponsored posts in specific areas using the users’ GPS.
  • Most users prefer short-form videos, running at approximately 90 seconds or fewe
  • social media marketing has grown to become a strategy that converts – even in hotels.
  • shawndab on 30 Sep 22
     
    This article talks about how hotels should make use of TikTok and using certain hashtags, influencers or inviting celebrities to stay at their hotel. It is talking about the importance of being consistent and short like 90 seconds or less. Using trademark hashtags and GPS sponsored content.
amdelgad

Baha Mar Launches Its First Marketing Campaign | Travel Agent Central - 1 views

www.travelagentcentral.com/...s-its-first-marketing-campaign

technology hospitality hotel tech travel

shared by amdelgad on 02 Oct 22 - No Cached
  • Aiming to highlight Baha Mar's power to elevate real life moments for every guest into something spectacular, the campaign celebrates Bahamian warmth and Baha Mar’s distinct positioning as a destination offering a moment in the sun and everything else under the sun, according to the resort.
  • Each family member experiences the same resort destination, whether looking for “me time” or “we time,” and leaves having fulfilled different personal desires and expectations.
  • We needed to communicate that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach at Baha Mar. Every nuance of the resort from amenities to special experiences and offerings is purposefully created.”
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Baha Mar is billed as one of the largest hospitality projects ever built in the Western Hemisphere, with partners including Grand Hyatt, SLS, Rosewood, Jack Nicklaus, sbe, Peter Burwash International and luxury retailers including Bulgari, Cartier, Rolex, Tiffany & Co., amongst others.
  • amdelgad on 02 Oct 22
     
    Baha Mar was recently built to compete with the long time staple in Nassau; Atlantis. In order to overcome the already popular destination, Baha Mar knew they needed to knock the marketing and advertising out of the park. This article talks about how the marketing campaign aimed to highlight all the perks of the 4.2 billion dollar destination. I have personally received a ton of social media ads for Baha Mar, and the sell is that they have 3 different properties for each type of person on vacation. Whether for kids, a romantic getaway, or adults only, they covered all bases with their ads.
claudecole

4 Use Cases of Facial Recognition in The Hospitality Industry | revfine.com - 0 views

www.revfine.com/cognition-hospitality-industry

hospitality industry tech hotel software business

shared by claudecole on 03 Oct 19 - No Cached
  • Facial recognition systems are an example of biometric technology, and can be used to identify people by analysing their faces. This is usually achieved by comparing a scanned image or a frame from a video with the faces contained within a database, matching them up based on facial features and skin textures.
  • The hospitality industry deals with large volumes of customers at once, and for hotel owners, airlines and other companies, it is a top priority to deal with them efficiently, without compromising on safety. As a result, it is an ideal field for facial recognition technology to be implemented. In particular, facial recognition systems can be used to automate certain verification or authorisation processes along the customer journey, and to improve the customer experience. Moreover, the ability to identify specific people, even in large groups, can be extremely advantageous, helping to make security systems more robust.
  • 4 Ways Facial Recognition Can Be Used in the Hospitality Industry
  • ...17 more annotations...
  • 1. Security and Access
  • One of the main ways facial recognition can be deployed within the hospitality industry is for security and access purposes. Within a hotel setting, this might mean using the technology to grant guests access to their hotel room,
  • When it comes to security, the technology can also be vital in helping to identify troublesome guests, or guests who have previously been removed from the premises.
  • 2. Customer Service
  • The technology can also be used by those within the hospitality industry to deliver a greater level of customer service. For example, facial recognition can allow employees to quickly identify guests, perhaps before they even check-in, and deliver more personalised greetings and a more tailored service.
  • 3. Payment Authorisation
  • Facial recognition also has a role to play in helping to authorise payments, making that process more efficient. Companies like MasterCard have already implemented systems powered by facial recognition, where a customer can confirm a payment using the camera on their phone, or a camera supplied by the vendor.
  • 4. Research and Information
  • The technology can be set up for market research purposes, helping companies to know exactly how many people are in a location at a particular time. Additionally, it can be used to draw conclusions about customers too, reading their expressions to ascertain their mood, or their facial features to ascertain their age or gender. Most impressively, this data can be gathered automatically, at any time of the day or night.
  • One of the challenges for hotel managers and others within the hospitality industry looking to introduce facial recognition is balancing the benefits with privacy for customers. Indeed, many people have concerns about facial recognition, due to the fact that it means even more data about them being collected and stored.
  • Furthermore, many people fear their data being sold on to other companies against their will, and dislike the idea of businesses being able to track their every move. It is, therefore, important that the hospitality industry takes these concerns seriously and takes steps to avoid misusing data. In some cases, one of the best solutions may be to make facial recognition an opt-in or opt-out service, so that users have a choice in the matter.
  • If a company has a customer reward scheme, members may be given the option to upload a photo during the sign up. Facial recognition can then allow that company to instantly identify members and provide them with rewards. The technology may also identify returning customers, allowing them to be rewarded too.
  • To date, one of the most effective uses of facial recognition within hospitality management has been as part of the hotel check-in process. In two different Marriott hotels in China, for example, guests now have the option to bypass the traditional check-in desk and instead head to a kiosk. There, facial recognition technology scans their face, identifies them and provides them with a key card, all in the space of around one minute.
  • imagine a hotel where guests go to a kiosk, check out using facial recognition and confirm their payment in the same way, with no need to interact with a single hotel employee. Kiosks can also be used in restaurants, allowing customers to pay seamlessly on their way out.
  • Finally, in order to understand customers, improve services and optimise processes, hotels and other companies need to be able to gather feedback and data. This is an area where the uses for facial recognition may be less immediately obvious, but where those uses can be extremely beneficial.
  • The technology can also be used more generally to recognise certain things about faces, such as whether a face belongs to a man or a woman, or what age range the person is likely to be in. Facial recognition is used by security services, law enforcement and technology companies, and is becoming more prevalent in the hospitality industry.
  • Facial recognition technology can help hotel owners and others in the hospitality industry to improve the customer experience, make processes more efficient and enhance security. In particular, it allows for queues to be avoided, check-ins to be automated, and security and research to be more comprehensive.
  • kakaboshi on 03 Oct 19
     
    This article discusses the 4 advantages of using facial recognition technology in the hospitality industry. These are security and access improvement, customer service improvement, payment authorization, and collecting data. This article also talks about the disadvantage which is the privacy concern from the customers. As technology advances, and consumers are more accustomed to using facial recognition technology in their daily lives such as Apple Face ID login and payments, and facial recognition social media apps, I believe that it is a matter of time until facial recognition technology becomes a norm in the hotel industry.
  • claudecole on 04 Oct 22
     
    This article from "Revfine" details the innovation and implementation of facial recognition into operations within the Hospitality industry. The article not only talks about how it is used to optimize the check-in and check-out process but also how it can be used for security purposes and payment authorization. This article also presented an interesting issue in terms of privacy as hotels also use facial recognition for data collection.
llibe010

This is personal: Cybersecurity and the hospitality industry | HLB - 1 views

www.hlb.global/y-and-the-hospitality-industry

Technology hospitality hotel software security

shared by llibe010 on 19 Oct 22 - No Cached
  • The hospitality industry has been a prime target for cyberattacks in recent years. From ransomware to data breaches, hotel chains and other businesses in the hospitality industry have experienced a variety of attacks
  • First, hospitality businesses deal with large amounts of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), including credit card information and contact details of customers.
  • Second, the hospitality industry relies heavily on technology, creating additional attack surfaces for criminals to exploit. For example, many hotels use electronic key cards that can be easily hacked
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • Finally, the hospitality industry is often slow to adopt new security measures, leaving it behind the curve in protecting against emerging threats and scams.  
  • One type of attack is known as malware injection. This occurs when malicious software is injected into a hotel's or restaurant's computer system. The malware can then be used to steal customer data or take control of the system
  • Fortunately, there are steps that the hospitality industry can take to protect itself from these types of attacks, including investing in robust cybersecurity solutions, educating employees about cybersecurity risks and best practices, which can help reduce employee mistakes that could lead to an attack, and staying up-to-date on cybersecurity threats and trends
  • To protect themselves, these businesses need to follow GDPR guidelines (General Data Protection Regulation), a set of regulations that European Union member states must implement to protect digital data privacy
  • The most important thing you can do is to use a unique password for each account. This may seem like a lot of work, but it's the only way to ensure that your data is safe
  • This ensures that if an attack does occur, critical information can be recovered quickly. Additionally, it is important to keep software updated with the latest security patches. Many attacks exploit known vulnerabilities, so by staying up-to-date, businesses can make it more difficult for attackers to access their systems
  • llibe010 on 19 Oct 22
     
    The article discusses the relevance of cybersecurity for hotels in light of more and more people working from home after the pandemic. Common risks and their safeguards have been described along with a set of best practices that hotels should adopt to prevent breaches.
ajean132

How is artificial intelligence changing the hotel indus... | Mews Blog - 0 views

www.mews.com/...elligence-hospitality-industry

hotel artificial intelligence hospitality

shared by ajean132 on 13 Jul 22 - No Cached
    • jtarr003
      jtarr003 on 13 Jul 22
       
      this articles talks about what is artificial intelligence and how it can helps the hospitality industry. This article talks about some advantages of using artificial intelligence in the hotel industry for example it can lower the human involvement in everyday tasks that can go into running a hotels, which has many benefits like it will lead to less human error, save money, and can allow the hotel to focus more on the guest experience.
  • Chatbots can be used to answer frequently asked questions, and handle concierge services and housekeeping requests such as to get extra pillows or blankets delivered to the room. Not only can these requests be dealt with more easily, but they can also be handled more quickly; with our instant gratification culture, being able to take care of guest’s needs in a timely fashion is key to offering great service.
  • It can decrease human involvement in the everyday tasks that go into running a hotel, which leads to less human error, saves you money, and allows you to deliver a top-notch service
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • Implementing a hotel property management system, which uses machine learning to interpret big data, allows you to better take care of revenue management and make data-driven decisions to improve your sales and operations
  • There are many advantages to using artificial intelligence in the hotel industry. It can be used to enhance the customer experience by fully understanding the customer journey, better profiling guests and discovering what they’re looking for in order to improve service.
  • Data can then be quickly sorted, interpreted and applied so that your hotel can draw conclusions about performance data and put into practice the learnings. This will help you better understand your target guests based on your current guests, and allow you to adapt your strategies in order to attract a different target audience.
  • Having the technology in place to serve a multilingual population will allow your hotel to appeal to a wider range of guests and make you less dependent on hiring multilingual staff. 
  • Hyperdynamic pricing based on AI can be used together with booking engines to automatically update prices based on user data, information compiled from social media about potential guests, as well as market data to display rates that will maximize profits. This can be updated in real time based on current demand trends. The software is getting better all the time, but the idea is to use data available on social media about the user to offer hotel rooms or offers that most appeal to a potential target grou
  • With the ability to carry out human functions more efficiently, hotels can use this technology to optimize operations and to streamline the guest experience in order to boost guest retention rates and drive sales.
  • ajean132 on 24 Oct 22
     
    This article dives into the increased popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) in the hospitality industry. AI allows businesses to serve guests as accurately and efficiently as possible, ultimately increasing their satisfaction. AI also contributes to having effective revenue management and sales and operations systems.
llibe010

Business on Cloud: Hospitality | Cloud technology | Cloud Kinetics - 0 views

www.cloud-kinetics.com/y-business-on-cloud-technology

cloud computing hotel hospitality

shared by llibe010 on 27 Oct 22 - No Cached
  • The hospitality industry has undergone a transformation in the last decade, mostly due to data explosion, social media boom as well as changing customer expectations and behaviour
  • Working together with other cloud-based next-generation technologies, Cloud technology is helping hoteliers gain a deeper understanding of their operations and their customers, across locations
  • Strong demand growth with hotel software spend forecast to grow at 7-8% over the next three years globally
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • The Hospitality Industry, like any other service industry, can gain the ability to monitor, test, and implement better solutions to improve guest experience, streamline operations, and provide better data security by migrating their applications to the cloud
  • Hospitality industry is a competitive space with hotels looking to offer promotions to attract guests
  • Cloud services allow for information to be readily available in a user-friendly set up, with access from multiple devices
  • Most cloud providers operate on a Pay-as-you-use model. This means that cloud services can be obtained in timely manner when the need arises. In other times, cloud resources can be shut down, when not in use.
  • It is important to partner with the right cloud solution provider in pursuing your company’s most important objectives
  • llibe010 on 27 Oct 22
     
    The article discusses the various applications of cloud computing in the hospitality and hotel industry. It focuses on the use of cloud servers in property management and includes several benefits such as scalability due to the seasonal nature of demands, ease of connectivity, better accessibility and reduction to IT and infrastructure costs. The article also shows how cloud computing helps hotels transform the guest experience. Various categories of cloud-based apps have been discussed as well including marketing, booking appointments, POS transactions, and managing reservations and events. The article concludes by cautioning hoteliers to partner with the right cloud service provider as it is necessary to align the business objectives with the service offering of a particular provider and ensure synergy.
amdelgad

All Bets Are Off on Casinos and Cybersecurity | UpGuard - 0 views

www.upguard.com/...f-on-casinos-and-cybersecurity

technology hospitality hotel tech casino travel

shared by amdelgad on 10 Oct 22 - No Cached
  • better malware tools and access to deep funding make today's cyber criminals more than a bad movie, especially when lucrative payloads are for the taking.
  • In May 2015, attackers were able to steal cardholder names, credit card numbers, and CVV codes belonging to hotel guests and customers. In 2016 they suffered similar incidents due to malware being installed on POS systems, allowing attackers to steal customers' credit card information.
  • It may come as no surprise that casinos and gaming firms are ideal cyber attack targets, but how competent are these enterprises when it comes to rudimentary security?
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Online gambling upstart Ignition Casino offers Blackjack, Slots, Poker on its website; fortunately, the company has also taken the requisite security measures for bolstering its website security and email security.
  • amdelgad on 10 Oct 22
     
    This article focused on cybersecurity in hotel casinos. They mention how casinos seem to be a target for a lot of cyber attackers because they tend to not invest as they should on protecting themselves. Casinos hold a TON of financial data; customer info., bank info., and credit card info. I enjoyed the article because they even went as far as giving a few casinos a "security score" in how well/bad they are in staying secure.
jordanskj

10 Ways to Reduce Cybersecurity Risk for Your Organization | UpGuard - 0 views

www.upguard.com/...reduce-cybersecurity-risk

Technology hospitality hotel software business tech solution

shared by jordanskj on 10 Oct 22 - No Cached
  • ‍Cybersecurity breaches have been on the rise, and it's expected that by 2023, they'll have grown to 15.4 million
  • Make sure all your sensitive data is encrypted
  • Saving your data in normal-text format only makes it easy for hackers to access
  • ...10 more annotations...
  • Some data encryption software even lets you know when other people try to alter or tamper with the information
  • You should also conduct regular backups for your important information
  • statistics show that over 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent globally
  • a hacker may send an email impersonating leaders in the organization asking for personal details
  • make sure you use a patch management system to automatically manage all updates and uphold information security
  • over 80% of organizational data breaches result from weak passwords
  • Chances are that your cyber security is highly dependent on third-party vendors, which is why you can’t afford to ignore vendor risk management
  • Conduct a security assessment and determine whether your critical infrastructure is safe from security breaches.
  • have your IT security teams analyze all server logs frequently and conduct cybersecurity framework audits to make sure their integrity is intact.
  • you should defend your networks from cyber attacks by installing firewalls
  • jordanskj on 10 Oct 22
     
    In this article, the author discusses many different ways to help a business reduce their risk for cyber attacks. The article touches on a statistic about cybersecurity, stating "During the first half of 2021 alone, over 118 million people were impacted by data breaches". There is quick talk about how the policies that a business implements is the make or break of the cybersecurity for your business. For example, one of the main tips to reduce cyber attacks in your business is to make sure your data is encrypted. "Saving your data in normal-text format only makes it easy for hackers to access. Data encryption, on the other hand, limits data access to parties that have the encryption key". Another tip to prevent cyberattacks highlighted in the article is to keep all your employees educated and informed about malicious emails. Conducting regular employee trainings about the dangers of these types of emails could save your business. These types of emails are known to send links that could hack the system, as well as pretend to be higher-up employees in the company asking for personal data or financial information. The article is extremely educational to every business, as well as just the everyday consumer. Keeping your confidential information as confidential as physically possible is very much doable, as long as you make sure you follow these 10 simple tips.
llibe010

The Top Five Cyberthreats Hotel Brands and Franchisees Need to Know About | Netsurion - 0 views

www.netsurion.com/...p-five-cyberthreats-for-hotels

Technology hospitality hotel software security

shared by llibe010 on 23 Jun 22 - No Cached
  • ay for guests, it also opens hotels to digital threats perpetrated by malicious actors. Consequently, hotel operators should be aware of the types of cyber attacks, which can significantly hurt their brand reputation and bottom line, not to mention the safety and welfare of employees and guests.
  • In January, for example, cyber criminals took over a luxurious Austrian hotel’s computer-controlled key-card system, locking 180 guests out of their rooms until hotel managers paid a nominal ransom
  • A ransomware attack may disable or alter performance of hotels’ computer-driven systems such as air conditioning and lighting, putting guests’ comfort and, worse yet, safety at risk. In addition, booking systems are extremely vulnerable to ransomware attacks because they process information belonging to the hotels, third-party applications and their customers.
  • ...18 more annotations...
  • 1. Ransomware:
  • hey present further ransomware opportunities to hackers by using computers to automate functions.
  • distributed denial of service, or DDoS
  • One of the largest data breaches in history was conducted through a third-party vendor when hackers stole data from 70 million credit cards by gaining access to a mega-retailer’s network through credentials belonging to an HVAC contractor.
  • 2. Remote hacking through third-party vendors:
  • 4. DDoS attacks on the hotel network:
  • 3. Phishing scam targeting customers and hotels:
  • Train employees. Hotels should train employees to not open suspicious emails or links inside them as they may contain malware.
  • Statistics indicate that such incidents will become more frequent, so it is not a matter of if but when the next cyber attack will occur.
  • Integrate a managed SIEM. Hotels should bring on a managed security information and event management (SIEM) platform for their remote locations to be warned right away of cyber attacks. They may also want it for inside the perimeter if they lack the expertise and resources to properly use SIEM internally.
  • Maintain PCI compliance. The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) has put forth a set of stipulations, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), in response to rapid PCI expansion. Hotels should make sure they are compliant with these regulations, which require businesses to send credit-card information in a secure environment, to prevent paying heavy fines and losing data, revenue, and customer trust.
  • Install antivirus on all devices. Hotels should ensure they have reliable anti-virus and anti-malware software installe
  • 5. Theft of personal information over public Wi-Fi.
  • According to the FBI, the number of cyber threat occurrences quadrupled to 4,000 per day last year from 1,000 per day in 2015
  • The number of cybersecurity incidents worldwide increased 38 percent in 2015 from 2014, according to the Global State of Information Security Survey 2016 by PwC, CIO, and CSO.
  • In addition, there are large volumes of payment card transactions between restaurants, on-site shops, spas, parking, and the front-desk, ensuring there is plenty of customer data for a hacker to compromise.
  • Hotels are especially vulnerable to this type of attack where a type of malware disrupts access to a system until a ransom is paid. This is because they often use integrated POS systems
  • Hackers can break into hotels’ payment systems through a remote access point belonging to one of its vendors, so they should closely monitor third-party access to their networks
  • CHARLENE ESCOE BARNETT on 23 Jun 22
     
    This article outlines some of the main cyber attacks on the Hospitality industry. It exposes the threats due to the wealth of data stored in PMS, POS and CRM and suggests steps to take to protect against malware and randsomeware. The article further highlights the necessity for antivirus software on all devices.
  • llibe010 on 19 Oct 22
     
    The article describes the five most common cybersecurity risks for hotel brands such as ransomware, remote hacking and DDoS attacks. The operational elements of each risk have also been discussed. It also covers best practices that hotels and other hospitality organizations can adopt to curb breaches.
llibe010

Benefits of Point of Sale Software for Hotels - 0 views

www.revfine.com/point-of-sale-software

cloud computing hotel hospitality software technology solution

shared by llibe010 on 03 Nov 22 - No Cached
  • Point of sale software, or POS software, is used as part of a wider POS system and is primarily designed to allow users to process payments from customers. However, at the same time, POS software can be used to automate various parts of the sales process, such as updating inventory information and sales data.
  • For those in the hotel industry, point of sale software can be one of the most important investments, because it can provide staff with a range of tools that can be of benefit to them, and to the business.
  • One of the biggest benefits of using point of sale software within the hotel and hospitality industry is the ability to process payments easily. This includes processing payments of a variety of types, including cash payments, debit card payments, credit card payments, mobile wallet payments, and more.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • Point of sale software within the hotel industry is also invaluable for the role it can play in terms of improving inventory management. As an example of this, stock levels on products can be automatically updated as and when sales are processed, meaning employees will always have the most accurate data at their disposal.
  • Another major plus point associated with the use of point of sale software within hotels is centred around the opportunities it provides for upselling, cross selling, and marketing. Upselling and cross selling are strategies for maximising revenue per customer and in hotels, this can mean selling room upgrades or extras.
  • POS software and systems can also help hotels when it comes to employee management and there are a number of ways this can be achieved. For instance, employees connecting to the POS system can be used to monitor when they were in work, when they left, and the amount of hours they worked, potentially making payroll easier.
  • The data gathered by point of sale software can be extremely useful for reporting purposes, making it one of the most vital pieces of hotel technology. Generally, a POS system will automatically track basic performance indicators related to sales and revenue, and hotels can configure software to track RevPAR and similar metrics too.
  • Finally, point of sale software also offers excellent compatibility and integration with other examples of hotel software, with property management systems (PMS) among the most significant examples of this.
  • Point of sale software can be especially useful within hotel restaurants, and within the restaurant industry as a whole, because it allows for smoother transactions, while also automatically feeding back which meals have been ordered. Of course it is also important to stay up-to-date with the various other ways the software is being used.
  • llibe010 on 03 Nov 22
     
    The article discusses the benefits of using POS software in hotels and how POS software can improve revenue generation over time. Some of the key benefits discussed include ease of processing payments, better management of inventory, opportunities to upsell and market different products, improved employee management and more analytical insights. The article further highlights a POS system's ability to integrate with the hotel PMS to further increase efficiency. Current and future trends have also been covered.
llibe010

5 ways AI and robots will affect future travel | Flash Pack - 1 views

www.flashpack.com/...bots-will-affect-future-travel

AI travel agent hospitality hotel software

shared by llibe010 on 08 Nov 22 - No Cached
  • We accepted driverless trains very easily – London’s DLR, for example, has been trundling around without drivers since 1987. Driverless cars we’ve been more sceptical about, but seem to have made peace with their inevitability (aids for human drivers like lane assist are pretty much standard in every new car). But if either of those concepts blows your mind and/or has you feeling a little uneasy in the pant department, just wait until you board a pilotless aeroplane! That’ll feel completely fine, right? But it will almost certainly happen – it kind of does now, to an extent
  • The Vdara Hotel & Spa in Las Vegas uses two robot ‘butlers’ to deliver room service. This Chinese company claims to have created an AI receptionist. Even hotel mega-giants Hilton experimented with a Watson-powered robot concierge called Connie
  • an omnipresent army of artificially intelligent travel agents who can find the perfect holiday for you, powered by deep learning and a vast collective knowledge of everything travel-related except what it feels like to get sunburnt
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • recognition, be it facial or cornea or fingerprint, could soon be your way through passport control: it’s already being trialled at Changi airport in Singapore
  • You might have heard of smart cities. Super-connected, intelligently-planned urban conurbations aimed at making life an absolute dream, both now and in the future, through the use of technology
  • And while ‘more planes’ doesn’t sound very environmentally friendly, that AI technology can be used to make all kinds of transport more efficient. Fewer empty planes and trains, less stacking over airports, more intelligent planning of onboard catering (no more fish dishes = less food waste IMO – who eats them?) – it all helps the goal of green tourism
  • llibe010 on 08 Nov 22
     
    The article discusses 5 potential use cases of artificial intelligence with a focus on travel and hospitality. The first example is of driverless vehicles and airplanes and the second speaks of AI receptionists and robot concierges. Other examples include AI-powered travel agents that use deep learning and create customized holiday packages for guests in the future. Biometric recognition as a replacement for passports has also been discussed along with using AI for green tourism. In general, the article highlights the role of AI technologies in improving travel efficiency and sustainability while acknowledging that there are pitfalls and that these technologies still require years of development.
sherylehlers

Navigating today's hotel security challenges | Security Magazine - 1 views

www.securitymagazine.com/...days-hotel-security-challenges

security hotel challenges technology hospitality

shared by sherylehlers on 20 Jun 23 - No Cached
  • Priorities for hospitality security in 2023
  • Surveillance Technology Loss Prevention Communication Executive Protection Event Planning
  • Surveillance, loss prevention efforts and communication have remained critical over the past years.
  • ...9 more annotations...
  •  The careful balance of overt and covert security plays an important role in hospitality security
  • surveillance is a key tool for hotel security leaders to extend the reach of their teams and ensure safety at their facilities. “The most important technology you can have in a hotel is your audio and video systems,”
  • importance of communication with internal and external stakeholders to maintain a safe hotel environment.
  • uniforms play a part in maintaining the balance of overt vs. covert security in hospitality spaces.
  • ecurity knowledge across departments such that they can act as the extended arm for the security department
  • hotel security departments, which may face workforce shortages and retention issues
  • risk assessment and communication techniques to further bolster their security posture.
  • security leaders can look to
  • The biggest thing is communication with your administration, as well as with your staff, guests and other security professionals,”
  • sherylehlers on 20 Jun 23
     
    The new challenges that the hospitality industry will face with security will encompass the need for the very best surveillance technology. Surveillance is a key element to security especially when so many hospitality businesses are experiencing labor shortages. In addition, a hotel will need to develop a strong communication link between all departments and have a well thought out risk management plan. If you have all of these items in place you are ensuring the safety of your guests and staff.
sherylehlers

12 Ideas for Your Hotel's Social Media Marketing Strategy in 2023 - 1 views

www.cloudbeds.com/...tel-marketing-and-social-media

social social media social media marketing media marketing technology hospitality hotel

shared by sherylehlers on 13 Jun 23 - No Cached
  • social media is one of the most crucial tools in any hotel’s marketing strategy for promotion and advertisement. Social networks can give your property exposure like never before to help increase brand awareness and drive more direct bookings.
  • promote your hotel as an experience,
  • Social media marketing requires consistent posting, testing, and optimization across various social media channels to attract new customers and build brand awareness.
  • ...30 more annotations...
  • Engagement.
  • Brand awareness.
  • Analytics
  • Acquisition.
  • Content marketing
  • Customer service
  • TikTok
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • find an influencer that aligns with your hotel’s brand and voice
  • Snapchat.
  • key to standing out is to develop your brand’s voice and consistently share your values to attract like-minded travelers to your property
  • 5 most popular social channels in 2023
  • you must emphasize features that make your hotel stand out, including your unique design, beautiful surroundings, local food specialties, and nearby attractions worth sharing.
  • launch a marketing campaign that offers exclusive loyalty discounts. This approach shows both past and potential guests that you value their loyalty and are willing to recognize them with rewards.
  • launching contests on various platforms, you engage with a larger portion of your customer base and accumulate more followers.
  • To maintain active engagement and foster new bookings, you need to make sure you:
  • Regularly share updates
  • Answer prospect inquiries in a timely manner Add new, high-quality images and videos Showcase your property’s best features Promote a unique guest experience
  • tools like Hootsuite or Sprout Social to help manage your accounts by allowing you to schedule future posts in bulk and view and manage all your social media platforms from one dashboard
  • Influencers are usually content creators or bloggers who are viewed by their followers as brand ambassadors and people who share authentic experiences.
  • Once you’ve found your brand’s voice, your visual content, videos, descriptions, and interactions with travelers must be consistent with your brand culture and follow brand guidelines where possible
  • By strategically adding popular hashtags to your content, you make your social media posts more searchable and easier for potential guests to find
  • digital marketing tool you can use is paid social media campaigns
  • Facebook ads are probably the most popular way to target your audience, and from the Facebook Ads Manager platform, you can also create ad posts for Instagram.
  • a “call to action” button that links directly to your booking engine so visitors browsing your social media page can get to your booking engine in one click.
  • Love it or hate it, TikTok is the social platform taking over the world of social media marketing. Increasingly travelers are using TikTok to research and plan their upcoming trips, especially Gen Z’s and millennials, who make up 80% of platform users (between 16-34 years old).
  • To increase your online presence and rank higher in search engine results, 2023 is when hoteliers need to prioritize short-form video content as part of their marketing plan.
  • Highlight activities or local places to visit, like restaurants or cafes, in exchange for a repost on their social platforms.
  • sherylehlers on 13 Jun 23
     
    Social media marketing is impacting the hospitality industry and if you don't already have a strategy you need to start one. You can do this by reviewing your goals which might include increasing engagement, brand awareness, analytics, acquisition, content marketing or customer service. Next you will want to pick a social channel to implement your strategy on and be creative with it. Whatever you decide strategy wise start small and build on it to reach new customers and build loyal ones.
amajo017

Hotel Technology Challenges for Every Hospitality Business - 2 views

blog.advhtech.com/y-challenges-for-business-2019

hotel hospitality tech

shared by amajo017 on 17 Jan 20 - No Cached
  • Interoperability Data Management Security & Privacy Responsiveness
  • ue to the lack of standardization and specialized hospitality technology solutions, most hotels tend to develop their own proprietary solutions to manage assets.
  • Non-standardized technology can induce added learning times & on-boarding periods for guests.
  • ...17 more annotations...
  • This issue readily highlights the significance of applied technology management.    
  • Knowing and understanding customers is essential in predicting their behavior, future visits, and demands.
  • As the amount of data grows within hotel databases, the responsibility of back office management is quadrupled.
  • Authorization for data access, network & database security, and centralized database management are major concerns for hotels in the coming age. 
  • everal news outlets and hospitality professionals have already identified that hospitality companies are one of the most susceptible to data breaches. 
  • Hotel technology infrastructures must ensure that all digital interactions with guests are reinforced through robust security tech & privacy rules
  • Most hotels are handicapped by the knowledge and expertise they carry on the subject. A more reasonable idea is to consult with a technology management company that offers better insights, suggestions, and security framework designs for hotels. 
  • Advanced Hospitality has helped various hospitality ventures take root and develop their competency with technologies.
  • Hotels also need to enhance responsiveness for renovations and routine maintenance.
  • A responsive hotel tech infrastructure demands stronger resources, simpler network mapping, and seamless synchronization with hotel back office systems. 
  • Hospitality technology may be the most amazing transition to occur in the hospitality industry but remember it does come with a cost.
  • An efficient & effective hotel technology must be responsive and should acknowledge guest requests instantly.
  • thering gue
  • Gathering guest data is essential to the success of any modern business, hotels are no different.
  • Data management carries great emphasis in European countries, more so than their North American counterparts. While the current US government believes in a more lenient approach towards data retention and privacy,
    • amajo017
      amajo017 on 01 Jul 23
       
      Will be useful with regards to the lack of data privacy in US
  • With multiple point-of-sale (POS) touchpoints, an even larger number of smart devices, and that data from both demands a secure hotel network. Denying cybercriminals access to the network and preventing them from spying on guest devices is now essential for every business.
  • Highly optimized & synchronized systems leave almost no gaps when fulfilling guest requests. These technological marvels can even complete guest requests faster than hotel staff at times. This efficiency delivers a seamless guest experience while improving the responsiveness of technology. 
  • sherylvelazquez on 17 Jan 20
     
    This article discusses research that shows four hotel technology challenges in 2019. These challenged include Interoperability, Data Management, Security & Privacy, and Responsiveness. It argues that hotel management should be aware of these technologies because they can either help or hinder your business.
  • Luis Valdivia on 17 Jan 20
     
    This is an excellent article that explores that businesses in the hospitality face in their day to day running. The challenges that the article points out identifies include the interoperability of hotel technology systems, the management of data, the security and privacy of data, especially in the current era of cloud computing, and the responsiveness of hotel technologies. Although hotel technologies improve guest experience and foster efficiency in hospitality companies, such challenges may adversely their efficiency, and thus, adversely affect guest experience.
  • amajo017 on 01 Jul 23
     
    This article discusses what we talked about this week in regards to the different types of technological disruptors in the hospitality industry. It discusses data management issues, privacy issues, and how responsiveness can be improved within hotels. This article will be useful for future research as I look more into artificial intelligence within the hotel industry.
henderson_goh

10 Disadvantages & Risks of Cloud Computing | by Sarah Lavinski | FAUN Publication - 0 views

diigo.com/0p5yl3

Technology hospitality hotel software business tech travel solution mobile

shared by henderson_goh on 03 Jul 22 - No Cached
  • henderson_goh on 03 Jul 22
     
    Highlights: 1.Risk of data confidentiality 2. Depends on internet connection 3. The level of security 4. Compliance 5. Vulnerable in the event of an attack 6. Data Mobility 7. Technical problem 8. Low Connection 9. The future of cloud computing will be more sophisticated and better management. 10. First essential thing you need to do is finding the best cloud service is before moving to the cloud. 11.Overcome the shortcomings in cloud computing is to find service providers who want to provide your business needs and ensure the security of your server. 12. Inadequate infrastructure is one of the problems that is often experienced.
  • henderson_goh on 03 Jul 22
     
    Summary: As we learned that there are many advantages of cloud computing, there are several disadvantages as well. The disadvantages to include risk of data confidentiality, strong dependance on internet connection, insufficient level of security, vulnerable in the event of an attack. That being said, these disadvantages can be overcome by finding reputable service providers that caters to the need of the business as well as ensuring the security of the server. For example, a big business cooperation should invest is a more expensive and capable cloud computing software due to the amount of data involved. Whereas, a small business might just need a less sophisticated cloud computing software or store the data locally. In my opinion, due to the risks involved in cloud computing, all businesses should also have a back up of data locally.
earagon22

PCI and PSD2 Compliance: Why Are Hotels on the Hook? - 0 views

hoteltechreport.com/...pci-psd2-hotel-industry

PCI Compliance Technology hotel

shared by earagon22 on 04 Jul 22 - No Cached
  • In September 2019 the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) went into effect and applies any businesses who could potentially engage with European customers. Even businesses with little international business should
  • In September 2019 the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) went into effect and applies any businesses who could potentially engage with European customers. Even businesses with little international business should
  • Established in 2006, PCI stands for the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, which contains guidelines for accepting, storing, and processing credit card information
  • ...12 more annotations...
  • These days, cyber security and regulatory compliance aren’t just necessary skills for the IT team. Every hotel manager - even the “non-tech savvy” ones - must understand these crucial components of data protection in order to protect their businesses.
  • A few rules of thumb include using PCI-compliant POS and PMS providers, storing both digital and paper data securely, and limiting access to sensitive data to only the employees who truly need it.
  • Examples of these guidelines include using an online checkout/payment page controlled by a licensed 3rd-party service provider, storing credit card data via a 3rd-party “vault” provider rather than in your own system, and masking the full credit card number on receipts, showing only the last 4 digits instead.
    • earagon22
      earagon22 on 04 Jul 22
       
      As an example, if guests book through a 3rd-party like Expedia then I at the front desk see an Expedia card not the guest's card. The card I see is pre-loaded with the amount of the stay ONLY. Even then, I cannot see the 3rd party's full cc number. I only see the last 4 digits just like guest credit cards.
  • “The attack on Marriott was hapless and still has many gaps to fill on what actually happened. A popular entry point for adversaries is through email spoofing. This tactic is used in phishing in order to get malware onto a target network to then move laterally across all systems,” Ryan Cornateanu, Application Security Engineer @ CrowdStrike.
    • earagon22
      earagon22 on 04 Jul 22
       
      This attack mentioned compromised cc details, passport numbers, and dates of birth for 300 million guests in their database. This happened in 2014. https://hoteltechreport.com/news/marriott-data-breach#:~:text=And%2C%20the%20financial%20burden%20is,the%20largest%20data%20breaches%20ever.
  • because of increased payment security, the amount of chargebacks will likely become much lower, which is something all hoteliers can celebrate.
  • In September 2019 the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) went into effect and applies any businesses who could potentially engage with European customers. Even businesses with little international business should still comply, since regulations like these are often mirrored in the United States and other countries soon after.
  • PSD2 includes enhanced guidelines for online payments and the handling of sensitive data to reduce the risk of credit theft, fraud, and security breaches. One major change is the requirement of Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) for online transactions. With SCA, rather than simply typing in a credit card number and clicking “pay,” consumers will need to provide a second layer of authentication, which could be a PIN code or an SMS verification code, before the payment can go through.
  • Guests book nearly three-quarters of hotel reservations online, so PSD2 will likely impact every hotelier as Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) becomes a requirement for payment processing.
  • Are any charges processed after the guest has checked out, such as minibar chargers? To prevent any hiccups with payment after check-out, charge an authorization on the guest’s card for the full incidental amount and have the guest provide two-factor authentication in person, such as chip-and-pin, when the guest checks in.
    • earagon22
      earagon22 on 04 Jul 22
       
      A property rule where I work is that each guest must insert or tap their cc at check-in in order to follow this rule and we take an incidental hold each night. Guests that have not traveled for years are surprised by incidental holds which makes sense based on when this was implemented.
  • The key takeaway here is that transactions initiated by the hotel at a time when the guest isn’t present won’t comply with PSD2 requirements.
  • protect consumers’ sensitive data, and, as a result, every merchant that uses credit card information must follow these rules, from small businesses to large corporations.
  • By partnering with a trusted technology solution and investing in PCI and PSD2 compliance now, hoteliers can prevent the potential catastrophe that could come with the theft of sensitive data.
  • earagon22 on 04 Jul 22
     
    PCI compliance is a crucial and necessary set of guidelines that all hotels must follow. The Payment Card Industry Security Standard was created in 2006 and outlines rules regarding accepting, storing, and/or processing card information. These rules were put into place to protect consumers sensitive information. For example, in 2014 Marriott hotels was attacked and 300 million guests information was compromised. This attack led to new regulations being put into place, the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2). These regulations take into account international customers and enhanced guidelines for sensitive data.
« First ‹ Previous 1101 - 1120 of 1191 Next › Last »
Showing 20▼ items per page