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pjohn091

Hospitality security adjusts to COVID-19 constraints | 2021-02-08 | Security Magazine - 0 views

  • While COVID-19 has slowed the hospitality industry, security plays a more pivotal role than ever and the ongoing pandemic is challenging security professionals to adjust and adapt to new rules and procedures.
  • “The things people do in hotel rooms are things they would never do at home: prostitution, drug abuse. Suicide is huge, people kill themselves in hotel rooms because they don’t want to do it at home,”
  • The hotel industry came to a halt in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and things are only slowly starting to pick back up. Yet the burden on security is no less than it was before, and in many ways, the job has gotten harder.
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  • Occupancy levels dropped 90% for several months and have only recently returned to a consistent 40%, with many hotels still closed,
  • “Despite the low occupancy levels, we continue to have a significant number of incidents resulting in a much higher incident-to-occupied-room ratio than we have historically seen. We have seen a dramatic increase in heart attacks and suicides over the past few months, and continue to have increased numbers of fraud and guest-on-guest type incidents.”
  • Even as the need for security persists, many hospitality chains have pared back their security budgets.
  • Eventually COVID-19 will recede, but new risk categories will likely continue to unfold in hospitality. Security professionals can help to steer a course by reminding upper management that risk is more than just a monetary calculation.
  • Under these emerging policies, security is striving to put more active eyes on guest rooms — right at a time when COVID-related staff reductions are making it harder for security even to sustain normal operations.
  • Even if there’s only one person working the front desk, “they still need to be making the rounds,” Perman says. “They need to be knocking on doors and making contact, making conversation. You need them to keep up that level of human intervention.”
  • “A passive infrared detector can also be used to detect temperature in human beings, so a video camera that is infrared capable can detect fever in a human, and that is being done in a lot of places,”
  • Through COVID-19, though, technology can be a double-edged sword. For example, some hotels have turned to mobile-phone-based check-in to provide a touchless experience. “From a security perspective there are unintended consequences there,” Danson says. “Now you never have to go to the front desk, you never have to encounter a person.”
  • In some cases, entire corporate departments are being eliminated, so there is no centralized security department. There is no one providing corporate guidance, no one providing policies and procedures.”
  • With the onset of COVID-19, things have gotten even more challenging, as hotel security is increasingly tasked to do more with less. 
  • Even in this strained environment, other common risks persist in the hospitality world. Prostitution is a perennially complex issue for hotel security, for example, while human trafficking is an increasing area of concern.
  • When allocating resources in support of operational safety and security, “the chief of security needs to be informing corporate leadership of the potential risks, so that it becomes a risk-based decision and not just a budget decision,” Slotnick says. “Security has to make the case for risk, whether it’s a risk to brand reputation or other forms of risk.”
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    This article goes into great detail about how Covid-19 is affecting hotel security. With budget cuts, security personnel are being limited, but the need for security is more important than ever. The article talks about how suicides in hotels are higher than ever as well, making it all the more important to have a solid security presence.
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    In this article, it discusses the decline of the hotel industry following the COVID-19 pandemic, and how things have only slowly begun picking up again. However, the security burden is as great as it has ever been, and in many ways, it is even harder. Despite hotels closing their doors amid the pandemic, occupancy levels have only recently recovered to a consistently high 40%, with many still closed for months.
uhey77

COVID-19 and the global hotel industry: A roadmap to recovery, part 1 | PhocusWire - 0 views

  • the sudden COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak hit the “pause button” hard -full stop
  • The Chinese Center for Recreation and Tourism Research has estimated the total loss of Chinese tourism this year could reach three trillion RMB yuan.
  • the size of the hotel industry has also changed dramatically, with the number of Chinese hotels in 2019 being 50 times that of 2003
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  • With the Chinese hotel industry currently on indefinite hiatus and many hotel employees already on mandatory leave, hoteliers across the mainland - as well as surrounding Asian markets and even the wider global industry to a growing extent - may find themselves in a state of confusion and panic. What’s important now is to remain calm and maintain rational thinking with a focus on long-term strategies that account for multiple possible outcomes.
  • Revenue management, sales and marketing
  • Keep a close eye on your hotel’s revenue budget and forecast and make appropriate adjustments.
  • Right price: Focus on your competitive set and market trends to make appropriate adjustments to your pricing strategy, and keep an eye on your competitors’ reactions, such as whether they remain open or not.
  • Right customer: Focus on consumer behavior patterns.
  • Currently, hotels analyze their competition intensely. In the future, hoteliers should supplement competitive analysis with deeper study, insight and research into the needs, expectation and satisfaction of their guests.
  • Right product: After the recovery period, the market segmentation will have seen significant change, and hotel management needs to make adjustments accordingly.
  • Self-services with artificial intelligence technologies to avoid facing other people. Room control via mobile app to avoid touching in-room buttons. Room cleaning by specifically trained/screened housekeepers. External-circulation fresh air system and floor drain to prevent aerosol infection. Individual body temperature checks.
  • Channels, communication and confidence: Maintain channel promotions and sales during the epidemic.
  • Based on many client-success stories, the automatic data analysis-based pricing approach will meet customer needs while helping maximize hotel revenue.
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    As we prepare for the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, there are some precautions hotel managers and staff can take to improve guest and employee health and safety. Early evidence suggests that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread more easily than the virus that causes seasonal influenza, and it appears that the COVID-19 disease is more deadly than seasonal influenza.
mscan012

Why Now is the Time for Hotels to Invest in Advanced Technology Solutions | - 0 views

  • the impact of COVID-19 has caused a streamlining of investments in technological innovation within hospitality.
  • Innovation will allow hoteliers to leverage technology in order to navigate the hospitality industry’s new reality and make significant progress towards and beyond recovery.
  • Through the use of technology, hotels can adjust their flows of communication for increased safety. Creating alternative ways of communication that do not require employees to engage in human-to-human contact is a fundamental component of preserving a safe work environment.
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  • By leveraging digital innovation, hotels are finding actionable solutions to the complex challenges of safeguarding employee health on a day-to-day basis.
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    This article discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry and the technologies many companies are turning to enhance safety protocols. The high-risk atmosphere presents hotel managers with the challenge of maintaining a safe work environment for consumers and employees. Now more than ever, hoteliers need to invest in technologies that will not only help navigate COVID-19 but enhance business decisions. Facial recognition temperature scanning, light sanitation robots, digital monitoring systems, and wearable IoT devices are just a few technologies the hospitality industry adapted due to COVID-19. The hospitality industry must recognize and incorporate technology to harvest a safe, profitable, and efficient work environment.
anonymous

11 Tips to Improve Your Restaurant's Cyber Security in the COVID-19 Era | FSR magazine - 0 views

  • wealth of client data on tap from places with lax security
  • unknowingly serve credit card data to hackers. Due to the volume of credit card transactions and CRM data available, restaurants need to take cybersecurity seriously before a criminal gets wind of the vulnerability
  • A hacker only needs to gain access to a restaurant's POS system and install malware to steal customer credit card details.
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  • Take Chipotle, for example. The company got devalued by about $400 million after they suffered a data breach.
    • anonymous
       
      Major consequences for restaurants if discovered as the link
  • because most go belly up six months after an attack.
  • Unprotected WiFi
  • Criminals pretend to be from the U.S. government and inform targets their COVID-19 stimulus check is ready, but they would need to verify the details of the recipient first before they can send it.
    • anonymous
       
      Low level scammer
  • CRM software data, which may include names, addresses, and even birthdays. One of the most common ways to achieve this sort of attack is via malware (malicious software). Hackers find a vulnerable backdoor to a restaurant's network to install malware on the POS system. Malicious code then records every transaction and every detail, sending it back to the criminal's server over the internet.
  • GrubHub drivers scam both the restaurants and the customers by marking the deliveries as complete and pocketing the tip money, without bothering even to pick up the order from the establishment.
    • anonymous
       
      AHHHH
  • Businesses are scrambling to find suppliers amidst the chaos, and criminals have been taking advantage of the confusion
  • Scammers are posing as representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and other public health agencies
  • social engineering on the restaurant staff to pull off phishing attacks.
  • PCI compliant.
  • conduct a risk analysis
  • hiring a security expert either full time or as a consultan
  • Secure your network and always change the free WiFi access point's password with a strong one every day.
  • latest operating system updates
  • Force multi-factor authentication
  • strong passwords
  • Ensure sensitive data encryption
  • web-filter to secure your WiFi network
  • Install a robust security software program on all computers and devices to block, detect, and clean malware.
  • Conduct regular cybersecurity training
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    Restaurants have always been an easy target for cyber security hackers, in particular, hackers who are looking for credit card and ID information. Restaurants provide hackers with a "wealth of client data" due to the high "volume of credit card transactions and CRM data available." Once given access, a hacker could simple install malware and duplicate all customer information. Already facing critical financial issues during Covid 19, restaurants large and small need to take a stronger presence in the protection of their data. If discovered to be the start of a breach, customers will tend to avoid that business. "Chipotle, for example...got devalued by about $400 million after they suffered a breach," and many small restaurants "go belly up six months after an attack." Below is a summary of the types of attachs restaurants face: 1. Unprotected Wifi 2. Social engineering and phishing attacks. This is actually the one that stood out to me the most because of how sophisticated these attacks can be. It is a reminder that we are all at risk, both the technologically challenged and gifted. 3. Malware 4. Covid 19 Scams 5. Grub hub scams 6. Supply chain scams *A particular issue for restaurants and commercial businesses right now as companies scramble to find new vendors who can supply them with the products they require. 7. Public Health scams 8. Government Stimulus scams 9. Technical support scams How can we fight against these? Here are the recommendations: 1. PCI compliance 2. Hire and IT security professional to conduct a risk analysis and if possible, keep on as a consultant or full time 3. Keep a secure network and change free passwords daily 4. Use the latest operating systems, force multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, and use encryption services for data storage and transfers 5. Install and use robust web-filters and security software programs 6. Maybe most important!!! Train your employees. 5.
jenelleforbes

E-Commerce Booms While Hospitality, Restaurants Suffer Amid Covid-19 Concerns | Grit Da... - 0 views

  • E-Commerce Booms While Hospitality, Restaurants Suffer Amid Covid-19 Concerns
  • e-commerce sector may see an added boost over the next few months as people avoid in-door shopping to practice social distancing during the Covid-19 outbreak.
  • 31% of consumers said they were increasing their online shopping in surveys conducted March 13-15 and 16-17, 42% said the same March 20-22, a 35% increase.
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  • The substantial uptick in online shopping, while only one data point, matters all the more because the US is reporting thousands of more cases each day. That means areas that were not affected during one survey may be affected during the following survey three days later. It is reasonable to expect that trends currently affecting four out of 10 consumers will spread as additional states join the 23 that have already shut down non-essential businesses.
  • Unsurprisingly, the Covid-19 crisis is proving especially challenging for restaurants, the tourism and hospitality industry, and brick-and-mortars. A whopping 80% of consumers said in the latest survey that they are scaling down their restaurant visits, a 25% increase from the previous survey. Sixty-two percent are avoiding travel for business, and 42% are cutting back on in-store shopping for inessential items.
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    It is no surprise that in a time of a pandemic like Covid-19 the hospitality industry and restaurants are having a difficult time due to social distancing and e-commerce would be doing great. Media and marketing service firm Engine did a survey of 1000 people online and 31% of the people indicated the they were going to increase shopping online then just 7 days later that number went to 42% which was a 35% increase. 80% of people indicated that they would be cutting back on going to restaurants and 62% would not travel for business.E commerce will definitely be here to stay.
blevi022

Rwanda's Tourism Seeks Innovative Minds to Recover from Covid-19 Shock - KT PRESS - 1 views

  • Rwandans with tech or innovative business solutions will this June have an opportunity to pitch their business ideas that could help the country’s tourism and hospitality sector recover from the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis.
  • Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Private Sector Federation (PSF) ICT and Tourism Chambers will this June 4, host an online conversation and workshop to identify innovations and solutions the technology sector currently has, or could build to support the recovery process.
  • The digitalisation of tourism will play a big role in leading the needed recovery for the economy just like it is helping in other sectors like trade, education and healthcare as global economies face-off the Covid-19 pandemic,”
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  • focus on digitalisation of the tourism sector as the new driver of the economic recovery for tourism businesses, which have been one of hardest hit in the country as a result of closed travel for local and international visitors.
  • government has embarked on starting up a Rwf100billion Covid-19 economy recovery fund, which will largely support the tourism and hospitality, industry, and water, electricity, road infrastructure projects among other income-generating activities.
  • session will expose the sector to listen into new concepts and ideas that they (participants) have, so as to tackle different challenges emerging from Covid19 but also for the overall sector.
  • We want to be inspired with new ideas. Not only digital way to also expose more ideas, answering the potential challenges that we have, not locked to one way (digitalisation) but many more alternatives of improving the sector going forward,” Kariza told KTPress today. 
  • online workshop aims at opening up new opportunities for technology companies to better understand the need in the tourism sector and in doing so develop solutions fit for driving the sector’s growth.
  • largely focus on strategies that could leverage technology to encourage domestic tourism covering but not limited to travel and hospitality sectors.
  • ICT Chamber has been working with the Chamber of Tourism to promote digitalization of the industry, by supporting companies that are serving in the industry through incubation programs at the ICT Innovation Center in Kicukiro district.
  • accelerate digitalization of the tourism sector through public private dialogue. 
  • RDB’s intent is to leverage technology and the solutions we have to stimulate domestic tourism and help the sector’s recovery. Taking lessons from what has been done with e-commerce and the online e-learning platforms. RDB will also present to us their challenges that tech companies can turn into monetize-able opportunities
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    Rwanda is seeking to engage the technology industry in a conversation to generate ways that e-commerce can be used to help the Tourism and Hospitality sector recover in the wake of COVID-19. This will be an online conversation on June 4 to find ways the technology already has or could create to help tourism. It notes how digitization has been important to other sectors of the economy during the pandemic including sectors such as education and Healthcare. By leveraging technology it is hoped that ways can be found to stimulate the tourism industry
rhera004

The 2020 Pandemic: Impact Of COVID-19 On The Live Events Industry | LiveDesignOnline - 0 views

  • Aug 19, 2020 7:37pm
  • The Live Events industry is estimated to employ 12 million people and generate close to one trillion dollars in annual revenue.
  • lost over 75% of their business since March 2020,
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  • One company noted they are working on “normal business projects plus the addition of sterilization equipment, PPE face shields, and portable lighting for temporary hospital units.”
  • only 22.43% of the responding companies had not cut staff.
  • In terms of receiving some form of government support to make up for business and revenue losses, 45% reported getting PPP loans, 30% got unemployment insurance, 18% received other forms of help (such as EIDL and/or SBA loans or credit), and 30% reported getting no help.
  • almost half of the companies (48.60% of them) indicated it could happen in 2022
  • the remaining 25.23% not hopeful until 2023
  • To get back to 100% pre-COVID-19 levels, the majority is looking at 2023 (36.45%) or 2024 (29.91% of companies), while 25.23% companies are looking at 2022, and less than 9% expect to reach 100% during 2021.
  • the industry is not expected to bounce back to pre-COVID-19 levels at a rapid pace.
  • developing new products for next year,
  • massive domino effect
  • Another impact on the success of the live events business is the lack of the live events, such as tradeshows and conferences that support the industry.
  • While some of these events have pivoted to virtual and digital solutions, they do not solve the issues of unemployment and lack of personal contact with clients which is so essential for business success.
  • In addition, Live Nation, the world’s largest concert producer, has announced that their revenue plunged by 98% in the last financial quarter, after COVID-19 devastated the live music sector. The company reportedly only presented 24 concerts in North America, while the second quarter of 2019 saw over 7,000 events.
  • hopefully looks forward to enjoying in the future as the economy and the industry come back.
  • An industry fighting for its life, but hopefully one with the resources required to survive.
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    Covid-19 impact on Events Industry - 2020
anonymous

4 ways to use HR systems to communicate as COVID-19 develops - 0 views

  • As HR teams navigate the new remote work environment caused by COVID-19, an organization's human resource information system has become a critical tool for keeping employees connected
  • Managers are on the front lines of employee relations, so they are critical in facilitating business responses to COVID-19
  • Here are four ways HR can employ an HRIS during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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  • Use employee contact information
  • Up-to-date employee contact details are important so HR can share company news in a timely manner.
  • anagers will then be able to alert employees about new working hours, COVID-19 infections within the company and office closures.
  • Show policy changes
  • HR teams should keep the HRIS updated to reflect new and revised policies related to COVID-19.
  • Help the company stay on track
  • HR should ensure employees know how to view schedules and record time worked remotely. This may be a new process for employees who relied on their manager to post this information in a paper-based format.
  • Keep employees engaged
  • An HRIS system's collaboration or community features can provide managers with an environment that brings teams together to work on projects or just gives employees a way to keep in touch during a period of social distancing and remote work isolation.
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    These are some tips and tricks for managers to use in order to really utilize the full potential of an HRIS during this pandemic. With remote working become the new reality, it is important to still remain on the same page with your team.
dulvanesei

Francis Volpe on COVID-19's impact on the digital marketing industry - 0 views

  • Digital marketing is an industry that exists within the prism of the digital world.
  • digital marketing became essential.
  • It exists as a lifeline between the isolated customer and the stranded retailer, connecting the supply and demand chain. 
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  • The business was booming, but the reason for it was so unprecedented that most agencies were overwhelmed by the demand.
  • Our lives now exist in a very large part online, for this reason alone, the digital world is one that every business should create a space within.
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    This article is about an experienced digital marketer and who's also the co-founder of the New York-based digital marketing agency, Francis Volpe, and he talks about how although so many businesses and industries especially the Hospitality Industry have been harshly impacted by Covid-19 Pandemic, there are some positives coming out of it. Since Covid-19 digital marketing has become very essential for businesses to stay open and survive for the year.
danakissane01

How contactless technology is defining the customer experience post-COVID-19 - 0 views

  • Contactless technologies have proven to be a game-changer for the air transport industry and beyond in recent months.
  • touchless technology remains a high investment priority between now and 2023.
  • Amazon and Disney have implemented in order to minimise the spread of viruses and reduce the interaction between passengers and staff – ranging from contactless check-in and security processes, to ‘Zero-Touch’ IFE and contactless food & beverage pre-ordering.
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  • in April Etihad became the first airline to trial new contactless self-service technologies, which can estimate a passenger’s vital signs, to allow for touchless health screenings at airport kiosks and bag drops.
  • AirAsia also quickly followed suit and in May the airline introduced several contactless procedures for essential travel including contactless kiosks, Passenger Reconciliation System (PRS), contactless payments at the airport, as well as enhanced features on its mobile app to help ensure a smooth and safe travel experience.
  • Biometrics technology also has a major part to play in creating a touchless travel experience. The implementation of the technology in the aviation industry has been well underway in the past few years, but its potential to facilitate a more contactless travel experience has accelerated the adoption even further in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  •  Southwest Airlines, for instance, launched a series of improvements across its Inflight Entertainment Portal, which allows customers to stream inflight content without having to download an app before they board.
  • Qatar Airways announced plans to offer passengers touchless technology for its Oryx One inflight entertainment system (IFE) across its A350 fleet. The Zero-Touch technology, introduced in partnership with the Thales AVANT IFE system, will enable passengers to pair their personal electronic devices (PEDs) with their seat-back IFE screen by connecting to ‘Oryxcomms’ Wi-Fi and simply scanning a QR code displayed on the screen. They can then use their PEDs to navigate and enjoy more than 4,000 options on offer through the airline’s Oryx One IFE system.
  • in Europe, Schiphol Airport launched a pilot which allows passengers to pre-order food and drinks at Schiphol’s food & beverage outlets after security control. Passengers can now scan a QR code from one of the physical banners or media screens located at and after the airport security check. The QR code will allow them to place their order, pay online and choose a time to pick up their order after going through security.
  • The MagicBands let customers do everything seamlessly – from unlocking their Disney Resort hotel room doors and entering the theme parks, to making food and merchandise purchases. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Disney has brought even more contactless engagement, by using signage with QR codes throughout the park to encourage guests to use features on the park’s mobile app.
  • Disney has also highlighted that last year food and mobile order utilisation skyrocketed from 9% to 84%, and nearly 90% of all payments are now cashless. The company is also implementing contactless security screening using artificial intelligence at its theme parks and Disney Springs centre.
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    This article explains how due to Covid-19 more and more companies for developing and investing in contactless technology for customer experience.
jiayi017

How Technology Will Reshape the Hotel Industry Post-COVID-19 Pandemic | TravelPulse - 0 views

  • hotel industry finds itself scrambling to inspire consumer confidence while also working hard to safeguard both guests and employees against COVID-19.
  • accelerated the infusion of new technologies and applications into hotel operations.
  • As we move into the ‘new normal’ and hotels reopen for business, the expectation for customer experience is higher than ever.” He foresees that moving forward, guests will expect enhanced tools like live-agent or AI-powered support channels, and personalized communications, not to mention heightened hygiene standards. “Hotels that cater to these consumers' needs will win brand loyalty as we embrace the new normal and for the long term,”
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  • Tech features that might have originally been intended for introduction as novelties or extra conveniences are suddenly becoming necessities in an era
  • Location data can also work to activate touchless check-in upon guests’ arrival on property or prompt them for payment when they present for checkout
  • Especially as people are increasingly opting for road-trips in the name of social distancing, hotels can benefit from installing geofences that send push notifications to visitors who might arrive within a certain radius
  • tactics for keeping people apart while continuing to conduct business (i.e., “touch-free” or “contactless” solutions) are the order of the day.
  • On-site capacity limits and real-time conditions can also be communicated to visitors when they’re nearing the venue to help avoid high customer densities
  • today's robotic hotel staff members can at least aid important efforts aimed at reducing person-to-person contact amid the pandemic.
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    The article "How technology Will Reshape the Hotel Industry Post COVID 19 Pandemic" talks about how this industry is taking necessary measures in order to promote safety and security within their companies while implementing new technologies. It states that this pandemic has impulsed the implementation of new technologies into hotel operations. Contactless solutions, hotel check ins, mobile room keys, etc.. are just some of the examples hotels are taking in order to minimize contact and enhance customer experiences
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    This article mainly describes how the hotel industry can use technology to help it recover after COVID-19, and how to enhance the confidence of employees and customers. With the development of the epidemic, the hotel industry and even the entire hospitality industry are widely promoting contactless technologies. Therefore, various mobile and self-service AI technologies are integrated with hotel operations. In the future, with the development of this normalization, reasonable monitoring technology, non-contact communication technology, location detection technology, super sterilization, and robotics technology will all become important aspects of the future development of the hotel industry.
yvenisem

The Evolution of Cybersecurity Threats During COVID-19 and What You Can Do About It | U... - 0 views

  • As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, the risk for cyber-enabled fraud exploded in unparalleled scale and scope
    • yvenisem
       
      ill-prepared companies and much more opportunity for hackers
  • COVID-19 has changed many aspects of our lives—working from home, virtual meetings, and digital commerce are becoming our new normal
    • yvenisem
       
      Zoom is a huge part of this, imagine holding a very confidential meeting and it being intercepted by unauthorized peoples
  • Cybercriminals have taken advantage of this ‘new normal’ and have been exploiting cyber vulnerabilities among businesses.
    • yvenisem
       
      Since a lot of things have been moved online to promote spcial distancing, it only makes sense.
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  • 48,000 hits on malicious URLs, and 737 pieces of malware detected—all tailored with content relevant to COVID-19.
    • yvenisem
       
      It's become so much easier to prey on people who just don't know and are not aware of certain risks
  • They exploit our trust. The trust we have in the applications we use, the emails that we get,”
    • yvenisem
       
      This reminds me of a time I got an email that seemed like it was from my job, fortunately, i opened it from home rather than on the company network
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    This article seeks to make people and businesses aware of the threats that have risen due to covid-19. Now that people are away from their desks, their guard is down. However, they can still be connected to the network, making them especially vulnerable to attacks. Not only this, but when it comes to Zoom meetings, they can be intercepted by hackers, leaving the attendees unaware.
irinadolgopolova

Where do OTAs Stand in the Covid-19 Era? - 0 views

  • airlines have decreased capacities, withdrawn from routes, issued free cancellations and refunds to travelers, enacted flexible amendment policies to accommodate itinerary changes. However, these initiatives have also had negative impact on airlines’ operations and the balance sheets.
  • Historically, OTAs would offer alternate destinations or flight options to its travelers in times of crisis – hoping to still put a sale on its books. This time around, it is different. With several travel advisories, quarantine measures, and lockdowns in effect, people are least likely to spend their disposable incomes on travel just as yet.
  • Trip.com also guided towards a 45-50% year-over-year decrease in company-wide net revenues for the first quarter of 2020.
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  • The sudden spike in cancellations and limited interest in future travels is surely putting OTAs through an uncomfortable patch.
  • Considering the weak booking period that is to follow, the group has decided to reduce its cost base, curtailing projects, reduce marketing, overheads and discretionary spend, freeze new hiring, deferring salary increases and waiving off management bonuses.
  • The goodwill earned based on their actions during the ongoing crisis will likely pay off when the world bounces back and returns to traveling.
  • In-Airport Initiatives: OTAs such as Indonesia’s Traveloka handed over face masks to travelers visiting the affected countries (until border lockdowns were announced). Several also shared best airport and in-flight hygiene practices with their customer base.
  • Operating calls come with attached overheads, and despite the scale of cancelations most OTAs are absorbing this as part of their customer service initiatives. OTAs, however (and obviously) are prioritizing their assistance based on travel dates.
  • a number of OTAs have rolled out self-service tools, including chatbots, to mitigate the pressure from call center operations and offer instant resolution to travelers’ needs. These (semi-) automated modules are found across OTA websites and apps, which allows travelers to either opt for OTA credit for future bookings or instant refunds (subject to the airline policy).
  • With all the components now hurting, OTAs also have the unique position to revive growth in the industry.
  • Trip.com recently launched Travel Revival V Plan in China, the ground zero for Covid-19. Through the initiative, the OTA group aims to bring together hotels, tours, flights and attractions; and contribute over RMB 1 billion to boost measures for travel industry recovery.
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    As the entire travel industry, OTAs suffere a lot because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article are described not only financial losses of the OTAs, but also the steps that they are going to take towards the safety of the travelers, and the possible future conditions for the OTAs operations.
blevi022

Post COVID 19 Pandemic Global Property Management System (PMS) Market Research Report 2... - 1 views

  • Global Property Management System (PMS) Market analysis 2015-2027, is a research report that has been compiled by studying and understanding all the factors that impact the market in a positive as well as negative manner
  • Some of the prime factors taken into consideration are: various rudiments driving the market, future opportunities, restraints, regional analysis, various types & applications, Covid-19 impact analysis and key market players of the Property Management System (PMS) market
  • Major Market Players with an in-depth analysis: InnkeyPMS, DJUBO, Hotelogix, Oracle, eZee Technosys, InnQuest, MSI, Guestline, Frontdesk Anywhere, Northwind, RDPWin
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  • Property Management System (PMS) market research report also provides information on how the industry is anticipated to provide a highly competitive analysis globally, revenues generated by the industry and increased competitiveness and expansions among various market players/companies.
  • The latest Coronavirus pandemic impact along with graphical presentations and recovery analysis is included in the Property Management System (PMS) research report. The research report also consists of all the latest innovations, technologies and systems implemented in the Property Management System (PMS) industries.
  • The research report also provides light on various companies & their competitors, market size & share, revenue, forecast analysis and all the information regarding the Property Management System (PMS) Market.
  • Property Management System (PMS) Market research report provides an in-depth analysis of the entire market scenario starting from the basics which is the market introduction till the industry functioning and its position in the market as well as all the projects and latest introductions & implementations of various products. T
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    This discusses a research report that studies the impact of both positive and negative factors impacting the market for PMS software. This includes analysis on the impact caused by COVID-19.
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    This is a great article and I love that it highlights issues that we're currently facing! A relevant article about the several improvements that'll have to be made amongst improving our technology, guest preferences, manage reservations based on COVID-19, etc.
davidclark33

Restaurant Technology in the Post-COVID-19 World | Hospitality Technology - 0 views

  • Those who believe that business will resume under the same rules and rituals from before COVID-19 are not reading the social and emotional cues that have taken place over the last few weeks.
  • Our conventional payment models of cash and plastic credit cards are a petri dish of germs and potentially contagious agents. According to factmonster.com, a $1 bill is in circulation for 18 months; $5 bill, two years; $10 bill, three years; $20 bill, four years; and $50 and $100 bills, nine years. The number of hands that this currency will go through during the life of the currency presents a clear concern in the minds of a new germ-conscious consumer who emerging from the COVID-19 crisis will be better informed and educated about contagion.
  • The new awareness and concern over contagion will be a major driver for existing technologies to be fully implemented; this includes EMV, contactless, tap and pay, and mobile wallets. In each of these cases, there is no person-to-person transfer and the chance of passing any germs is greatly mitigated. All of these technologies have existed in the restaurant industry for years, and for the most part have been slowly and often begrudgingly adopted. 
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  • Organizations that do not embrace and promote a contactless payment environment will find themselves suddenly behind the operations-technology curve.
  • t has been clearly established that germs can exist on plastic surfaces for several days, and the newly educated customer base will be sensitive to the notion of being handed a menu that could easily be cycled a dozen or so times during this period. Restaurants should look to providing an option for a guest to pull up the menu on their own device as well as look to leverage digital menu board technology wherever possible. In some cases this may mean an alteration in the current serving model or perhaps new hardware to be developed that allows a server to bring a large digital menu to a table for ordering, but the intention is to avoid another concern that P-C19 customer will certainly have.
  • It would be an interesting capability should timeclocks have the ability to take a temperature either through some biometric means as part of the clocking in process, with the ability to alert the manager should anyone clock in with a high temperature.
  • Employees interact on a regular basis with POS hardware and other types of technology during the normal course of their business day. Many of these surfaces are plastic and allow germs to survive on them for an extended period of time. Surfaces like a POS touchscreen, a KDS expeditor, or a biometric thumb scanner can be used by dozens of people on any given day. It will be important for employers to look at solutions, such as anti-microbial POS screens, as well as improved cleaning habits, in order to avoid passing germs as well as to set their employees at ease. This may also be the kick-in-the-pants that the technologists need to further refine and perfect the voice ordering capabilities in order to virtually eliminate the need to use a POS touchscreen altogether. We have long spoken about the promise and potential of this technology only to see it expand rapidly in our personal lives with Google and Amazon and yet be almost non-existent in our commercial operations. Now would be a good time to step up development and implementation of this technology.
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    This article is about Restaurant Technology and how it is changing due to Covid-19. It highlights technology that may be necessary for the customer as well as technology necessary for the employee.
nbrac002

Transforming Disruption Into Opportunity: Post COVID-19 Hotel Customer Experience | Hos... - 1 views

  • With airline travel down by a staggering 90+ percent between mid-March and now (compared to last year), and hotel occupancy rates hovering in the low-single digits, global travel industry experts forecast a $2.1 trillion dollar loss for 2020, and a slow recovery that could take years.
  • oday’s new “norm” for user experience is the singular result of a worldwide health crisis that has already driven each and every travel and hospitality company into swift and decisive action,
  • and will require thoughtful and meaningful investments in digital technologies to improve the customer experience.
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  • Hotels are looking for innovative ways to communicate with customers, meet unprecedented demand on call centers, or have contact center staff work from home.
  • Going forward, all guests – not just loyalty reward members – will likely use a mobile device for reservations, check in and get room keys, bypassing the front desk altogether.
  • Hotel entrances may include thermal scanning at the entrance, and guest rooms and conference facilities will be sanitized between uses. Connected room technologies would allow guests to control the lights, temperature, curtains, television, entertainment and more in the room with their own smart device or contactless gesture control.
  • A profusion of devices and wearables, equipped with geographic mobility technologies, that track and provide data anytime, on any device.
  • More pervasive use of digital labor to augment human staff or automation
  • interpret and execute more than just transactional, process-driven actions.
  • Predictive analytics
  • monetize big data
  • Enabling technology support will be critical for these operational changes. Hotels will need to constantly track customer feedback and social media response and manage inevitable setbacks and negative reviews with tweaks to their customer experience strategy.
  • personal safety as well as customer data
  • Travel and hospitality companies that manage the impacts of this crisis unambiguously and compassionately will generate increased value for their organizations and ultimately emerge even stronger than before.
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    With the impact that COVID-19 has had on the travel and hospitality industry, companies have had to turn to digital innovations to improve customer experience and regain trust. Innovations such as digital temperature checkpoints, connected room technologies, and digital labor can increase safety and allow hotels to operate during a crisis in a way that still provides the upmost customer experience. Those who capitalize on these innovations in a timely manner, and who manage the impact of COVID- 19 compassionately, may increase both their customer confidence and their value as an organization.
emilywest5

Employees' perception of robots and robot-induced unemployment in hospitality industry ... - 4 views

  • As service paradigm and customer expectations shift from conventional customized and personalized services towards a digitalized service environment, such customer orientation may favor using service robots at scales that could render service employees redundant.
  • Beyond digitalization, other service concepts, such as contactless services with highly reduced human interaction, are becoming more prioritized by hoteliers and consumers
  • The notable exception, Ivanov et al. (2018) denoted that employees might resist working with the service robot as they might see them as a threat, while Lu et al. (2019) believed that collaborating with a service robot can have adverse effects like frustration, discomfort, and confusion for service employees.
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  • However, researchers and practitioners have emphasized the essential role of robots in the service industry have a positive impact on productivity and customer satisfaction (Lu et al., 2019), which directly affect the organization’s structure, culture, decision-making processes, and employment (Xu et al., 2020).
  • Hospitality 5.0 may influence the hotel industry’s high-tech adoption, and during COVID-19 technological use was increased dramatically in hospitality service (Zeng et al., 2020) due to contactless services and safety in customer journey touchpoints (Pillai et al., 2021). Specifically, COVID-19 enhances the use of service robots as a helping hand to provide necessary services to consumers and employees
  • On the other hand, the existence of robots in restaurants may induce some risks (privacy, financial, time, performance, psychological) that can negatively affect the attitudes and intentions of customers (Hwang et al., 2021). Furthermore, robots are perceived as a threat that may lead to unemployment (Vatan and Dogan, 2021) and adverse outcomes due to job insecurity (Koo et al., 2021, Lu et al., 2020).
  • They also showed that employees prefer to work with human colleagues because they should be replaced by human communication and colleagues. However, employees select robots as a replacement when it approaches their employment.
  • According to former studies, robotic advancement directly impacts unemployment; directness’s negative and substantial influence on unemployment is comparatively more significant, specifically during and post-pandemic periods (Du and Wei, 2021). According to Keynes : p-325) (1930), “We are being affected with a new disease of which some readers may not have heard the name, but of which they will hear a great deal in the years to come – namely, technological unemployment.” COVID-19 is one of the main reasons for decreasing employment, whereas increasing the use of robots (Parvez et al., 2021). Therefore, the robot that induces unemployment is a challenging concept.
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    Good Morning Emily, Thank you very much for sharing this article! It is a rather interesting one which will certainly generate varying opinions. Me, from a management standpoint, I believe that robotics does have a place in the workplace (a greater presence in manufacturing and less in customer service). Dealing with humans on a luxury vacation tends to enhance my experience. Honestly, I cannot possibly imagine going on a vacation and not having the opportunity to converse with an employee!
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    This article comes in lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic and originally stems from keeping people safe by having contactless service. With service robots being so popular during the pandemic they started to take the place of actual humans. This can cause issues in customer service where people would prefer human to human interaction. This article also discusses how humans feel about having jobs replaced by robots and their perception on how they feel about working WITH robots.
kjeewan

Application of AI and robotics in hospitality sector: A resource gain and resource loss... - 1 views

  • Stringent implementation of social distancing has increased the significance of robots in the hospitality sector to avoid the contagious spread of COVID-19.
  • Service automation and AI enable the hotel industry to provide customised, memorable, and cost-effective services [13]; amplifying their diverse usage more than humans can achieve for certain jobs.
  • Many hotels across the globe have implemented AI and robotics in their operations. Imminently, AI and robotics are going to change the decision making and operations managed in organisations [19]
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  • This robustness of AI and robots appears to be useful when serving quarantined customers at hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic [24,25]. One may claim that guest requirements have changed as they expect modern technology-based products and customised services [26]. Innovative technology and risk reduction practices attract customers [27].
  • To date, customers also look forward for advanced technology products and customised experiences [26,34]. Therefore, the hospitality sector has adopted advanced robots and AI to meet consumer demands [35]. The future foresees heavy use of AI alongside humans [36] at workplace, but human behaviour towards AI and robots remains untapped [37]. Use of AI and robots cannot be avoided in the future and it is already established that the implementation of these modern technologies increases employee TI, thus highlighting the need to identify key factors that can mitigate the influence of these technologies on employees' TI.
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) reflects the ability of a system to interpret external data appropriately to drive learning, as well as to use them to accomplish specific goals and tasks while adapting them as per circumstances [46]. It was known as a facilitator of tasks that is mechanical, but to date, it is recognised as a facilitator of tasks involving thinking and analytical capabilities. Accordingly [47], contended that due to the recent technological advancements, AI agents do not have the ability to handle tasks involving thinking and analytical skills. Robots are any machine introduced into the production process and can perform the tasks previously performed by workers [48].
  • The COVID-19 outbreak has enhanced the use of AI and robotics to avoid the threat of virus spread. Similarly, new technologies, i.e., AI, service automation, and robotics, are being used extensively in the hospitality and tourism industry. When AI and robots are applied in the hospitality setting, different benefits, such as cost reduction, accuracy, and speed, can be attained [35]. However, the utilisation of AI and robotics has created job insecurity among the employees of hospitality [42].
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    The COVID-19 outbreak has enhanced the use of AI and robotics to avoid the threat of virus spread. Similarly, new technologies, i.e., AI, service automation, and robotics, are being used extensively in the hospitality and tourism industry. To date, customers also look forward for advanced technology products and customized experiences. Service automation and AI enable the hotel industry to provide customized, memorable, and cost-effective services; amplifying their diverse usage more than humans can achieve for certain jobs.
danakissane01

New Far-UVC Light Technology Can Help Disney, Universal Battle Pandemic | Inside the Magic - 0 views

  • The theme parks around the world — including both Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando in Florida — have implemented several different safety protocols in order to operate during this unprecedented time.
  • UVC light is a very effective disinfectant and kills viruses just by shining light on it. But UVC light is different from far-UVC, which is the new groundbreaking technology that could help control the COVID-19 virus.
  • Far-UVC light inactivates viruses the same way as UVC, but the main difference is that it does not penetrate the skin or the eyes. Instead, it is absorbed by the dead skin layer and the tear layer within the eye, making it safer as there is less of a chance that a person would develop keratitis
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  • It is important to note that the far-UVC light will not eliminate coronavirus on its own. It needs to work in connection with the other safety protocols already put into place, including face coverings and social distancing, as well as the COVID-19 vaccine.
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  • If Disney Parks, including Walt Disney World and even Disneyland, or Universal theme parks decide to invest in these new far-UVC light devices, it could help them continue to operate safely during the pandemic. The major theme parks in Florida have already implemented several safety protocols including temperature checks, social distancing measures, face coverings, paperless payment methods, mobile ordering, and more, ever since they reopened their doors in summer 2020.
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    This article explains how theme parks are look for ways to ensure safety for all of the guest and employees during the Covid-19 pandemic. By using Far-UVC light technology to help clean and disinfect attractions and restaurants.
ahart054

How Technology Can Help Keep Your Event Safe | TSNN Trade Show News - 1 views

  • Mobile, web-based technology allows event organizers to easily meet government mandates requiring them to obtain registrant health information.
  • Event organizers can receive daily reports to ensure their health objectives are being met.
  • event organizers can use new technology solutions to add features that track vaccinations or negative COVID-19 tests conducted within a certain time frame before they arrive onsite to the event.
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  • By incorporating technology and multiple mitigation factors into the overall event health and safety plan, the events industry can help limit exposure and reduce major outbreaks.
  • More technology solutions are being developed every day which will only improve our ability to create the safest environments possible for all of our participants.
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    As we see more and more venues reopening for in-person events with COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, technology is helping to guide the way to ensure a safe event for guests. Technology firms have developed tools that feature contact tracing, COVID-19 vaccination test results tracking, health surveys, etc. With this technology, there are many reporting tools as well that include making sure their health objectives are being met and contacting those who may have been exposed.
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