Group items tagged

This article by Michael Toedt on "Data privacy matters in the hotel industry" speaks on the approaches that can be taken to protect guests' data and their privacy since these practices increase guests' trust and loyalty to companies. Accordingly, it is vital for hotels to securely store guests' information. Thankfully, CDM systems make it much simpler for hotel staff to manage data-related requests from clients, such as updating personal details. They also enable one-click deletions, preventing data disputes.

With privacy being a concern in the hospitality industry, hotels are incentivizing a customer sharing information with a heightened personalized experience. Customers are willing to share personal data to earn loyalty program benefits, receive special discounts and offers, and will shop more often with those brands that personalize their communications.

Even though we are aware that generally, individuals are more inclined to do things when there are benefits to them, this new exchange of data for access to certain benefits has now placed that transaction at the forefront of my mind. This is because schemes are not being applied to secretly obtain customers' personal data, but rather the customers are willing to share them. This exchange is beneficial to guests since they earn travelers' consent, unlock richer experiences, better service, and high long-term loyalty. In my opinion, this is a fair trade. Thanks for sharing this article on "How Hotels Can Drive Increased Revenue and Loyalty By Offering a Reciprocal Value Exchange with Guests."

The ability of proximity marketing will be able to reach markets based on location.

Proximity marketing is an exceptional way to target particular customers. Many companies have seen success by launching these marketing techniques.

I appreciate you sharing this article on "What is Proximity Marketing?" This article explains in details how "proximity-based marketing" or "mobile proximity marketing" use customers devices to entice them to make purchases whenever they are near locations that practices this type of marketing. Moreover, I understand why Proximity Marketing will gain momentum in the future. This is because a wealth of customer data is gathered through the type of technology used and the result of the same is beneficial to both the business and customers.

The article "10 Industry Experts' Picks For The Hottest Tech Trends of 2023" discusses the technologies which are predicted to trend for both businesses and consumers over the course of 2023. The trends include a shift in technology that drives efficiency; reliance on no-code tools such as Wordpress and Shopify; next generation AI that can perform task such as natural language processing; image recognition and decision making; technology that is able to create value to business and consumer through transparency; advanced car technology such as contactless payment version for cars; personalized content; advancements in digital healthcare; ai-generative tools; analyst who bring both science and business skills; and lastly advancements in the Metaverse.

The article "the pernicious side of electronics: the growing problem of e-waste," discusses e-waste and what we can do as a community to eliminate the issue. E-waste produces tonnes of toxic waste each year and it was predicted that within the last year around 2.13 billion PCS, tables, and cellphones were shipped worldwide. To eliminate this issue moving forward we must increase education on the harmful impacts of e-waste, improve designs for more sustainable electronic devices, and upgrade infrastructure where the consumer is able to recycle electronic goods safely.

In the article "Would Your Crew Wear Mobile Apps?" it talks about a new way of advertising through uniforms. On the back of a crew members uniform there is a QR code and the customer just has to scan the code it shows them coupons and deals the restaurant is promoting. I feel that this way of advertising is easy and fun; people love using technology and what better way to incorporate it then by using your Smartphone! In the article they asked different fast food restaurants if they would use this product and although they thought it was a good idea they felt that it would be taking away from a fast paced environment. In the article it states that traditional media is not what it use to be, ""There are billions of dollars being spent on it, and [traditional ads] are driving consumers to the stores, but at that point consumers still don't know what they're going to buy." Overall, I feel that this product would bring in a lot of customers and it's a great way to advertise things on the menu, I'm all for this idea!

according to the survey, the trend of using the new technology to order food is accepted by most of consumers. they are curious and want to try it. It is a good news for the restauran to renovate and upgrade. Such technology can attract more young guests who follow the fashion.  

Here Forbe magazine offers some tips on how to do proximity/mobile marketing right and some of the advantages. Companies need another marketing avenue to reach customers in this diverse field where competition is so intense. Technological advances will help one stand out in this large crowd.

This article give us an idear about use technology to promote marketing. In 21st century the mobile device is indispensable for everybody, for company, we have to keep forefront on technology.

This is an article about how 1/3 of all consumers would subscribe to receive mobile messages from their favorite suppliers, retailers, etc. It is interesting to note that 70% of respondents to the survey would not use mobile messaging with their work colleagues, but they will with financial institutions, healthcare (even to using mobile messaging with their Dr.) and travel instances/ie confirmations. Further, nearly half of consumers would subscribe if the message was personalized to them based on their specific choices or preferences.

E business is a kind of new and advanced business method, providing more trade opportunity for firms and more convenient service for consumers. In recent years, with developing of the computer technology, and along with the prosperity of e business in worldwide, to win over more and more customers, hotel industry makes a huge revolution. Not only large chains but also the motels are able to provide online bookings from their own website. The system could automatically check and charge deposits on credit cards without any hotel staff intervention. Hence, more and more guests are active Internet users, a great majority of them already have purchased travel online. The reservation clerk could work 24 hours/7 days a week and never get in sick. The guest could make entire reservation easily and quickly. For hotel, work efficiency has improved and cost of labor has reduced.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Sabre Travel Network have signed a multi-year distribution contract that will distribute all Royal Caribbean, Azamara, and Celebrity cruise schedules and fares on the Sabre GDS system. With the Sabre system travel agents in Mexico can now make bookings on Royal Caribbean cruises and associated lines. This system. This system will allow travel agents in Mexico to increase productivity when booking Royal Caribbean cruises. I think this is an interesting step by Royal Caribbean to expand their relationship with Sabre Travel Network and a new region for booking. The impression I get from this agreement is Royal Caribbean is looking at opening their cruises to a new consumer market. This focus is aimed more on making sales and entering a new market. Now Royal Caribbean will be focusing on Mexican consumers. This system will allow travel agents in Mexico to have an easier time at booking a cruise with Royal Caribbean, Azamara, and Celebrity.

this is a good article that goes over some trend changes in events, such as the Super Bowl, with regards to green initiatives. the Super Bowl committee developed a list of programs to make the event more sustainable; donating carbon credits, recycling, free bike programs, and more. I specially found it interesting that they recycled all the promotional material by collecting it and making it into other consumer products such as bags and wallets. I've always wondered why events as big as this one dont have recycling programs for the incredible amounts of wasted promotional items. When you think about it, not only does this help reduce waste but also helps generate some revenue from the products that are eventually sold. The article also shows that this trend seems to be happening at all levels from the committees, to the teams, and even the consumers! 

With smartphones evlving and getting smarter, smaller and speedier it is allowing for advances in mobile point-of-sale technology especially in the restaurant industr. There are now numerous POS platforms that support both iPhone as well as android. Tablets and iPads are also supported so that restaurants can process payments in the field with a credit card reader. Traditionally POS have been very costly and structured; now with mobile technology the flexibility is convenient, fast and user friendly. New applications allow restaurants to store customer spending patterns without retaining their personal credit card information. the use of smartphones also opens up very exciting opportunities when it comes to business-consumer communication. Restaurants can send text messages containg discounted coupons to their establishments. The key is to not over do it as customers may become annoyed with too many text messages. This article delat mainly with the restaurant industry but did mention the evolution of technological advances with the use of smart phones. Form personal experience I have used my iphone and ipad to conduct credit card transactions utilzing squareD which provides free of charge a mobile credit card swiper that is connected to the microphone port of either the iphone or Ipad. there is not monthly contract or fee. The only charge is 2.5% per settled credit card transaction and the amount is automatically deducted from the batched amount and within 1-2 business days the funds are deposited directly into ones checking/savings account. This is convenient, fast, and easy. I have been able to secure payment right on the spot instead of either handling cash which is always a ahzard or the risk of accepting checks. the use of smartphones and tbalets have revolutionozed the way business is being conducted making it fast, easy, and convenient to both cutomer and busoness owner alike.

The following article discusses the results of a survey called, "Market Intelligence Report: Consumer-Facing Technology" conducted by market research firm, Technomic, Inc. According to the survey, consumers have a strong desire to use technology in their restaurant experience. 51% percent of customers say it's important for restaurants to integrate technology in their ordering capabilities. This includes the use of tableside touch-screen devices that enable digital ordering and at-table payments. "Technology can be used as a point of differentation within the restaurant industry, especially with Millennials," says Darren Tristano, Executive Vice President of Technomic. Several companies have already taken note of the consumer's need for technology, and are experiencing increased customer loyalty. In Kitchen 67's Brann's Cafe, every table features a wireless phone-charging station and iPads that control a digital jukebox. It's important to note that this new use of technology should be used as a complement to printed menus to avoid alienating customers. As a restaurant employee and diner, I have seen bits of technology implemented here and there over the years. Owners realize there is a need for it, but are cautious of scaring off their established customer base. I believe that with time, owners will begin to fully embrace technology and the two will benefit from each other. One aspect I am completely on-board with is the use of iPad menus. A photograph of a dish has a bigger impact on a guest than a short sentence description. Even better, the apps can suggest wine and drink pairings for each entree that will increase guest checks.

This article introduced POS which is the tool to increase sales rate. The author pointed out that the POS management software can help the hotel analyze consumer demand and increase the rate of sales based on analyze. The author thought it is very easy to manage multiple activities when the hotel is small. However, if the business is big, then it is very hard to manage. The POS software can help for those businesses and it is very efficient in calculations. Also the hotel can make use of this software to get daily periodic reports. These reports can assist them to assess properly whether the customers are satisfied with their service or not. Based on the analyze, the hotel can make specific strategy to increase the sales rate and the system can enhances the customer service.

http://www.capetown.travel/blog/entry/real-world_e-marketing_implementation_insights_from_global_agencies/ This article is a summary of a roundtable meeting between four top online agency leaders. It introduced their thoughts and insights about e-marketing. These marketing, communications and creative agencies help build brands, find customers, manage reputations and convert awareness into profitable purchases. They discussed the key advantages of online media, difference in marketing tourism products and services compared to those in other industries, how it is different to market to a travel consumer as opposed to other consumers, the primary challenge facing in creating online experiences in tourism, whether branded company websites are on longer the most valuable online presence or not, the relation between video and conversion rates and the ways companies monitor and track their brand appearing in cutting-edge social media.

In hotels, international eMarketing is very significant because this service industry ensures sales by connecting and interacting with consumers across the globe. So the writer of this article introduse his/her opinion about that Facebook could be a international eMarketing tool, in order to attract international leisure travelers and increases potential sales. Also, the author mentioned that the internet exposure is a determinant of eMarketing adoption, the eMarketing is a kind of varying use of viral marketing, and the social networking websites which mapping social connections to widen relationships and spread information. There are seveal benefits and several ways of using the social networking website to promote the hotels.

I pretty believe that social medias are playing an important role in marketing of hotels, such as facebook. But something I have to say that facebook can not been accessed all over the world. The simple example is that we can not use it in China. The thing I mean that social media also have some negatives and we need to improve.

This article describes how third party companies are able to track and record consumer information and sell to companies. The way these companies gather the information is done when social media users sign in to their accounts via their mobile device. The information gathered by these companies are: the user's number, data that has been transmitted, the size of the data, the time and the date. Depending on the mobile carrier, this information is held for a specific amount of time. In my opinion, I think this is very valuable information for companies but there has to be some sort of legal regulations to ensure that the information is not misused, lost, or hacked. If companies wish to have access to this information, they should and must be willing to pay a significant amount of money for it.

Is this similar to Google releasing the information when consumers use their search platforms? Unlike the old days when consumers read the fine print to calm their suspicions, I fear everything being done on any mobile device is free game without any warning. I agree there should be some legal regulations.

Priceline has launched their online same day booking application for iPhone users.  The app will soon be available for Android users as well. Travelers are able to search for last minute inventory from 165 countries and 200,000 properties, the app shows a list of available hotels in the area of the device the user is using to search for hotels.  The quick 2 step process to booking a hotel is easy to use and user friendly, guests also get a map with directions on their display to help them find their hotel.  This technology was introduced last year and had secured $1 billion in transactions 40% of the mobile bookings were for the same day reservations. Today's travelers and consumers are looking for instant deals, bookings, and conformation, with the technology of this app and the continued improvements consumers continue to be in their favor.