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This article greatly described the importance and significance event management has for the tourism industry. Special events definitely draws individuals in to multiple destinations, which delivers a huge boost for the tourism industry.

This article talks about how different types of events are important for tourism. Events such as mega, hallmark, major and local events attract more tourists such as the olympic games or the Superbowl. Some destinations are visited only for special events, driving more tourism to that destination. As tourism has become very dependent on effective event management, small events such as arranging tours in a destination have led to an increase in tourism. The development of tourism and the introduction of new destinations reveals the huge perspectives for the growth of event management. The majority of most social activities, such as festivals, and other recreational events have become possible due to the successful event management and the travelers that they attract.

Event Management can be both local and global, it is the management of various activities including conventions, meeting and other major activities. Tourism is not considered a part of event management; it is classified as a set of tourism related activities. Tourism is thus divided into various niche activities. No matter what tourism type you choose, event management will always be a part of the activity. There are various types of classifications. Events may be condsidered Mega, Hallmark, Major or local. It is necessary to recognize the importance of events to the tourism product, and as such, you should never take for granted the need for proper and effective coordination. It is also important to note that events such as cultural activities also aid in destination development. A key factor in having these events is to promote the destination and attract more visitors, particularly at times in the season when things are slow. The introduction of events can serve to stimulate local economies and draw attention to unseen parts of the destination, as well as aid in the building of infrastructure in those communities. It is also important to note any event requires significant planning, the who, what, where and how allows a better understanding of how a proposed event may impact a destination's image and can help with building a stronger global brand. The significance of tourism in event management is centered around possible offshoot activities such as tours and entertainment or any other economic benefits that maybe be derived beyond the event itself. By creating such signature activities, it is likely that you broker relationships with visitors, which could likely create loyalty to your brand.

SUMMARY OPERA Property Management System is fully integrated with all the OPERA modules and offers the most extensive list of certified interfaces in the industry. FEATURES: Reservation, rate management, profiles, front desk management, back office interface, room management, cashiering, account receivables, commissions, reporting, fully configurable, global perspective, hospitality system interface, opera express, tailored to fit hotel's operational business needs, scalable to suit the size of the hotel, helps operators to become more productive, profitable and professional, and delivers fast, accurate and online information on property

A lot of hotels use OPERA as their property management system. I have never personally worked in a hotel so I am not familiar with PMS's but from everything that I have read and heard from people is that OPERA is very efficient with everything. This system seems as though it can do everything for your property just the way that you would like it to. OPERA is customizable to your company's needs which seems great. This is a great website that you posted as it informs all of us exactly what this PMS is capable of.

Great article about the use of Siri, Apple's voice activated virtual assistant, and the use of voice activated travel search. The video demonstrated by the CEO of Bonvoy Group travel demonstrates voice activated flight status searches as well as searching of future flights to which the Bonvoy systems emails you the results based on your search. The potential for voice activated flight is enormous and it will be interesting to see if other travel OTA sites such as Travelocity, Hotels.com, Orbitz etc, adopt similar uses of this technology. I can see the use of this on hotel booking sites either via thrid party as well as direct through the hotel. Also sites like Open Table make use of Siri for voice activated reservation. With Siri still in its "beta" phase, the opportunity for developers and the travel industry to build apps like these is very good.

I posted this article on Scoop.It. This is more evidence of the push towards mobile computing. It begs the question, when will we begin to see this adversely effect PC sales?

As the topic suggests information is the key for decision making in any business. Computerized modern information technology should make this process much quicker and more efficient. But, of course, as the old saying goes "Garbage in Garbage out." So it is a combination of the Right People and the Right System that makes a business successful. Computers cannot replace men. Good people along with a good computerized system is necessary. The software used for any hospitality business needs to be tailored to the specific needs of that organization depending on whether they primarily sell just room service or whether they offer a lot of food and beverage service or other services. Good I.T personnel should have good knowledge of all three components: System (flow of each activity), Software (that translate the activity in measurable terms both quantitatively and qualitatively) and Hardware (media through which we can see these activities) To achieve this at least two months of training should be done, of which one month must be on the job training. Once an appropriate mix of competent people and a good system is set up this should reflect in guest satisfaction, staff satisfaction, management satisfaction and owner satisfaction.

The IT staff in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino prefer to use the Policy Patrol Disclaimers from Red Earth Software in order to solve too goals: to standardize the signature on all outgoing e-mail with a more corporate and consistent feel, and the em-mail signatures had to be flexible enough to accommodate marketing promotions. E-mail is an important tool for team member to communicate with other parts as an entertainment marketing tools to streamline their brand and publicize the events. The reasons for choosing the Policy Patrol are, its close integration with exchange server and active directory. It can immediately applies updates to active directory contact information in the users' e-mail signature to make easy to maintain. Also, the Policy Patrol Disclaimers is very easy to operate and need little to maintain. It is consistent, reliable, and easy to use.

The article is talking about that the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino communicates with vendors, partners, legal teams, and hotel and casino patrons via e-mail. Hard Rock had two goals for the e-mail signature to improve their e-marketing. One is to standardize the signature and the second is to be flexible enough to accommodate marketing promotions. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino chose the Policy Patrol Disclaimers to help them achieve goals. The Policy Patrol has a close integration with Exchange Server and Active Directory. It allows the hotel to configure one template that is automatically personalized with the sender's contact information. The Policy Patrol also allows to easily updating e-mail marketing information for all e-mail signatures by configuring e-mail signatures from one central template.

This article mentions a marketing tool through e-mails and a specific solution, eSignature Solution, implemented by Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The employees at the Hard Rock increasingly communicate with co-workers, partners, vendors, and customers via e-mails. The company realized that e-mails could be an important marketing tool which costs less than other tools, such as TV commercials. Thus, the Hard Rock implemented eSignature Solution which allows them to send out e-mails to customers, vendors, and partners with upcoming events, special deals, and so on. In addition, this centralized e-mail signatures program enables the company to configure one template that is automatically personalized with the sender's contact information, and to customize e-mails and its contents (events or special offers) based on customer information. According to Mike Essig, the director at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, the new solution is very easy to operate, update and mostly cost effective. Along with social media marketing, marketing through e-mail could be very effective and potential as the number of use of e-mail is significantly growing and e-mail is widely used in our lives.

This article was very interesting and it was about how safety security is very important to the hospitality industry. This article also explained how a study shows the safety and security systems work in the hospitality industry. They also said that it is very important to update the emergency plan because you never know when something going to happen in the hotel and you always have to be ready for anything. This study just showed how an effective information system could prevent and being well prepared can definitely help prevent any emergency.

The article is a study that was conducted in regards to the security management within a hotel and how an effective security system can help in preventing accidents or emergencies from occuring. The main priority of a hotel or any establishment, besides the service provided, is having an effective emergency plan set in place to be able to respond and overcome a crisis. International hospitality being a focus over the recent years, has suffered crises, risks, and disasters causing negative impacts on tourism and the community. Hotels should "issue a check-list concerning a hotel's vulnerability to emergencies caused by natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis) or man-made crises (terrorist attacks, explosions, fires, spill, food poisoning)." Another part of the plan is to focus on the loss prevention aspect of a hotel by implementing information technology to secure or improve security. On technology mentioned was biometric to increase the hotel information system and also to help reduce cost and improve the way we recognize criminal activities. With the hospitality industry being one of the most vulnerable industries to crimes and disasters, it is important to recognize, improve and update the plans set into place to ensure accurate information. While it's impossible to say that these preventions are going to stop these problems from happening, it can help other learn about the proper steps to handling these situations. I personally think that as much as employers suggest different way, it's the job of the loss prevention team in every industry to construct a plan that address as many issues and conduct trainings that would help to prepare us for these occasions. Trainings are going to be the best way to properly analyze a problem and improve on the emergency plan set.

" " H°eats pads-for-delivery by Lava Gel Technologies is a water-activated, flame-free, self-heating pad that is placed between two food pans, disposable foil or stainless steel. This product provides safe, reliable, flame free heat for up to two hours and integrates seamlessly with existing equipment and supplies and does not require accessories or special equipment to buy.

Cloud computing is becoming more and more popular in today's business world. What are the main advantages that cloud computing can bring to Hospitality industry? Through the article I found the answer which are also the concerns of hoteliers that are a lower cost and a higher security environment. For instance hotel companies can be access to the latest version of what they are using without paying too much to buy related software. Secondly since the cloud is being used by federal government and financial institution which have higher level of regulatory requirements than most hotels, hotel companies can feel more safety in applying this high-tech in their business. But nothing is perfect. The author mentioned in this article that before we choose cloud service, we should get to know some information about the hospitality software suppliers. As for me I concerned about whether they have an offline mode which can continue the business activities for a while when the internet disconnection happens. For example how could hotels make sure the check-in, check-out, and reservation activities go on successfully when something wrong with the internet. The second concern for me is how could I get my data back if I discontinue my service in certain provider. Hoteliers should have ways to protect their data and other business activities. Cloud computing is developing very quickly and it will benefit us a lot only when we get to know the right way to use it. 

Module 3: Networking (Rebecca Noble)

This article covers the methodology and findings of a study conducted to examine the factors contributing to fraud risk in publicly traded restaurants. The article discusses factors in the fraud triangle, macroeconomic factors, and internal company factors that may contribute to fraud despite protections implemented per Sarbanes-Oxley. The study ultimately finds that internal company factors are insignificant when considering the impact on fraud risk, while macroeconomic factors, such as inflation or unemployment, drastically impact the level of fraud risk that a company may face.

A good information technology system consists of three parts, namely system, software and hardware. Choosing the right system type is the most important for any hotel operation. Choosing the right system requires expertise in hotel operations. Good IT personnel should have knowledge of all three components, namely the system (the process of each activity), software (software that can quantitatively and quantitatively translate activities) and hardware (the media through which these activities can be viewed). All these should be mainly reflected in guest satisfaction, employee satisfaction, management satisfaction and owner satisfaction. Proper training is the key to effective implementation. Many times, the hotel does not fully use the software. Although the system can provide various reports and usages, they have not been fully utilized due to lack of proper training and induction in the use of software.

In this weeks reading, the article, "Why Investing in Hospitality Technology is Investing in Good Business", mentions how due to the economic downturn hotels have turn to cutting technology and staff levels as a method to minimize costs, yet this is a recipe for disaster, if not conducted adequately. Technology is continuously evolving, it is important to make decisions regards IT investment that will be useful in the coming 3-5 years. Technological infrastructures should operate to facilitate a process or procedure for the overall benefit of the hotel, rather than take a day-by-day approach. In an ever-demanding industry, it is critical for hoteliers to be adequately prepared with automated systems, reducing if not eliminating important manually conducted tasks which are damaging the operations of the hotel due to the lack of real time information which will help revenue maximization. In moments of recessions, companies minimize their cost reducing what is foreseen as unnecessary such as IT investment, yet is important to maintain a level of preparation and not losing the opportunities presented by the market.

Hotel owners and managers are putting eyes on technology in the hospitality industry slow recovery period. All pundits agree this method can bring some recovery. The international hotel organizations have made many plans of improving investment in technology and staff. Progressive hospitality organizations have updated and invested in new technology and training, change the industry requirements and market. Before investment, the most important is to look at what operational efficiencies the technology can bring and how the technology will benefit the hotels. There are many technologies are good choices for investment, such as Revenue Management Systems. This technology is efficient and can help hotels track historic data, forecast future demand and so on. We also need to technology is changing all the time. So this is a big challenge of managers to make decisions for a long development. We also need to realize that the hospitality industry is changing, strategies will not always be applicable to new, unique situations. It is important for hotels to increase advantages in the competition.

Those hotel groups that fail to recognize the speed of change in technology and what this can bring to the business will find themselves significantly under prepared when the market starts to strengthen. While "its never too late" to act - there is a significant opportunity cost in doing nothing or worse still, cutting technology out of the day to day operations. For a hotel to effectively operate and ensure it is maximizing its incoming revenue, the right technologies needs to be in place. Through investing in the right technology at the right time, savvy hoteliers will be ensuring that their facility(s) are able to effectively maximize their ongoing revenue capability now and into the future.

Theft is a huge challenge in the restaurant industry and it's an expensive one. Now the POS system can assist with security by flagging suspicious transactions and identifying theft behaviors and flagging on video. This is an enormous help to the industry. The greatest area of impact is that having a system with this capability deters theft. The second area is that managers do not have to be present in order to catch theft and can do so at any time through device notifications and internet-based cameras. Video is flagged so there is now no need to watch hours of tape in order to find suspicious activity. Simply by the fact that Subway is now recovering $1.6 million in less than 1 year, it is clear that this system has huge value and will continue to positively affect finances in the restaurant industry as technology advances.

Very good post...and interesting one.

In the article, "Travel Agents Increase Use of GDS to Book Hotel Rooms," it talked about how the leading global provider of revenue is generating solutions for hotels, it shows how important GDS platforms are to travel agents. "84 percent of respondents indicated that they were using their GDS platform the same amount or more often than in the past, with 35 percent stating that they are using GDS more." Back in 2009, when the last study was conducted, about 26 percents of travel agents said that they used their GDS platform more often than in the past. This study also states that the annual GDS shopping displays will be over $50 million in 2011, which will increase more than a million bookings compared to 2010. There was another survey that was done and they surveyed different travel agents from across the world that were subscribed to a major GDS system. In the survey the travel agents indicated that promotional messages are effective and often prompt bookings. Out of the travel agents they surveyed, 66% said that they were aware of the "promotional messages requested addition information by looking at the screen attached to he promotional message." From this survey it showed that promotional messages are an excellent way to reach travel agents and from reaching the agent, they also reaching the customer, it's a win-win reaction.

I enjoyed the part about brand and promotional messaging, that is always a lure for me. When I see an attractive offer, evern If I'm not interested in booking or going to the destination, I often click on it anyway just to see the offer. It is a very effective marketing tool.

This gift hunt utilized a mobile shopping assistant app, Nate, to engage customers with various brands. Using location based marketing through QR codes, players found brands and then received information or promotions about the brand.

POS systems are evolving to not only being used for sales, but it can also manage staff. Some of the ways it can help manage staff is by making it easier to track time employees are working, it streamline the scheduling process, it can provide a detailed employee activity reporting, and it makes training easier as cloud based POS software are designed to be as easy as possible.

Event management software firm Active Network has launched a new suite of mobile applications for meetings and events that is designed to encourage attendees to engage with meetings' goals and conferences' brands, while helping the executives running them to better and more efficiently respond to attendees' needs. While Active Network has explored the possibility for years, it felt that earlier technologies were not good enough - for example, Bluetooth requires a multi-step device pairing before the exchange, and would drain mobile batteries too fast, says Miller.

An Event Management Software firm has launched mobile applications for specific meetings and events to encourage attendees to participate and review certain aspects of the specific event. The company has been in the mobile industry for a few years now and are working their way up the ladder with some pretty large events. The mobile apps the company offers are quite interesting and are a great way to keep the people attending the event involved. In a specific case during a presentation a guest speaker was not fully understood by some people and the attendees were able to review the speaker afterwards saying they didnt totally understand the technology of the app allowed the speaker to come back out and clarify themself. The company is certainly going in the right direction and offers great technological advances to a variety of different fields who host conferences and business events.

This article talks about the hotel industry and the inside scoop on their efforts to getting back out their and marketing themselves after COVID-19. There are a few things they need to consider while they are beginning to strategize their plan. One of them is timing. If the company remained staff, then they may begin marketing faster than those that furloughed employees. In that case, they may need to get that together before they invest in marketing. Another item to consider are their goals. Companies must think about what they can afford. They need to think about if they are able to have some leeway and able to take things slower, even if it means breaking even for a while or does your company absolutely need to be at the same profitability level pre-pandemic? Another consideration would be regions. Certain regions were hit harder than others. Therefore, recovery will be by a case by case basis. Some regions will be able to market and get back to business faster than others. Yet another consideration is channels. This refers to social media and other types of media in order to market. Travelers follow many travel pages on social media, therefore this should be a priority when trying to ramp up customer traffic again. All-in-all, the travel and hotel industry will make a comeback. Although it will be a slow comeback, the industry will prevail just as it has before.