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lavendersheshe

Cybercriminals are capitalizing on coronavirus fears, security firm warns - CBS News - 0 views

  • A leading cyber security firm says criminals and a group affiliated with China are capitalizing on growing fears over the coronavirus, leading to a spike in malicious online activity.
  • "They've been sending people emails to prey on people's fears and open attachments
    • lavendersheshe
       
      It is important to be careful on opening suspicious emails and rely on watching the news to learn about the coronavirus updates. Opening such emails and downloading attachments can launch a harmful virus into your system and lead to your computer being hacked
  • China-based adversary known as PIRATE PANDA uses major news events as a lure to implant malware that allows remote access to a victim's computer network
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  • Another group, identified by CrowdStrike as MUMMY SPIDER, is using the coronavirus theme in an "email thread-hijacking technique" that "ultimately led victims to download malware
  • The security firm said the strategy can be used to steal financial information or login credentials, and expanded to other targets
  • CrowdStrike also reported a surge in queries from companies who anticipate employees will work from home over the next three months, which can leave company data more vulnerable
    • lavendersheshe
       
      If employees work from home then an organization has less control over the security of online systems and exposes the company to more risk.
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    Cybercrime has been on the rise since the outbreak of the coronavirus and hackers are capitalizing on the fact that people are now more concerned about protecting themselves and their loved ones. It is important to be more aware now as an organization in making sure that employees are informed on safety measures on using systems when there at home, using the needed resources in increasing cyber security and backing up important information.
anaslip

Most companies taking 'wait-and-see' approach to coronavirus | CFO Dive - 0 views

  • Most companies taking 'wait-and-see' approach to coronavirus
  • North American companies are bracing for negative business impact due to the coronavirus outbreak
  • Despite rising concern of the effect coronavirus will have on their businesses, most U.S. companies are taking a "wait-and-see" approach when it comes to adjusting their executive pay and sales compensation programs
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  • Additionally, a survey from Gartner's risk management practice found that 56% of business leaders rated themselves as "somewhat prepared," for the outbreak, with 11% relatively or very unprepared.
  • Companies are increasingly expecting that the coronavirus will adversely affect their businesses. Yet, because the exact impact of the virus is uncertain, compensation committees and executives are not making immediate changes to their organizations’ pay programs — at least for now
  • 34% of companies expected the virus to have a "moderate or large negative impact" on their business over the next six months. 44% companies say their annual executive incentive plan has been or will be affected by coronavirus, but nearly one in five intends to adjust funding or targets for the plan.
  • A recent survey by Gartner’s risk management practice aligns with Willis Towers Watson’s findings; just 12% of Gartner’s 1,500-plus respondents believe their businesses are highly prepared for the impact of coronavirus, with 26% believing it will have a negligible impact at all.
  • 56% of respondents rated themselves somewhat prepared, and 11% said they were either relatively or very unprepared
  • It’s nearly impossible to predict exactly if or how a particular scenario will unfold or even when
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    This article is a perfect example of this week`s topic. It`s a good illustration of a "wait and see" approach. The article gives you a lot of numbers to support its point.
anonymous

Coronavirus Pours Gas on the Tech Revolution - 0 views

  • Society is seemingly trapped in amber—frozen in place by the coronavirus. But really we’re speeding ever faster toward a technological future. Changes that would have occurred over the course of years are happening in weeks.
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    This article introduces the impact of the new coronavirus on the technological revolution. It is mentioned in the article that coronavirus has promoted the development of contactless payment in the United States; promoted patients to accept online consultation services of virtual doctors; promoted the popularity of video chat programs such as ZOOM, etc.
ghoafat

Hotel digital transformation in the aftermath of coronavirus | PhocusWire - 1 views

  • The hotel industry has experienced its share of crises, including economic downturns, terrorism, and natural disasters, but nothing has shaken the hospitality sector quite like the COVID-19 pandemic
  • While hoteliers make decisions about layoffs and closures, hotel technology companies are grappling with emerging trends that will shape the future of the industry. 
  • In this article, we'll discuss six long-term trends that coronavirus has accelerated. We’ll connect these trends to technologies that are likely to see a surge in popularity in the aftermath. 
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  • this time will undoubtedly accelerate the long term trend towards digital transformation in hospitality in a variety of ways that will create a stronger hospitality industry in the medium to long term.
  • n the past, hoteliers might not have given much thought to managing their hotel from afar, but during this crisis, it became evident that technology solutions that employees can access remotely are crucial to keeping operations on track. 
  • loud-based property management systems enable hoteliers to manage their properties entirely off-site, from man
  • aging reservations to setting rates, in contrast to older local-based systems that staff can only access on hotel computers
  • cloud-based guest messaging systems allow hoteliers to communicate with their guests about reservation changes, cancellation policies, and refunds - all without setting foot on property.
  • Rehiring and training staff can be costly and time-consuming, so a savvy hotelier will look to digitization of SOPs via task management software, engineering software, and internal communication platforms to streamline the process.
  • We’ll surely see hotels reaping the benefits of leaner and more efficient operations for years to come when they realize opportunities to cut costs.
  • Hoteliers can reduce their expenses by switching payment processors, cutting vendors who charge high upfront integration fees and more
  • The only way to be this fast is to automate the revenue management process.
  • we anticipate that when the storm passes, we’ll see a rush of innovation and creativity coming from travel technology companies who can adapt to these six emerging trends.
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    This article is interesting because it hits directly at the hotel industry and how the coronavirus has affected them in a negative and positive way, Yes, it has placed a temporary standstill for them and has caused plenty of layoffs and furloughs, but hoteliers are taking this downtime to brainstorm about the future of the hotel industry. How this forced remote work will make them create a more technological approach to their systems in order to ramp up sales and turnovers.
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    I read you comment before I read the article and I was SURE there are no positives to this pandemic. However, you are so right! This time off allows companies to prepare for a major comeback. And, allows companies to prepare for where the industry is heading. I appreciate that the article talked about long term trends that COVID-19 will shape for the future of the industry.
davidclark33

Coronavirus cybercrime can attack your restaurant system, too | National Restaurant Ass... - 0 views

  • Protecting your business from a data breach is a constant struggle, and it’s even more important during a disaster.
  • Eliot, director of education and strategic initiatives for the NCSA, says cyber incidents and attacks, such as coronavirus-themed email phishing scams, increased as much as 300% to 350% in the first quarter of 2020 and adds that cyber scammers are now trying to target restaurant companies in particular.
  • Cybercriminals have mostly directed malicious emails at telework employees or people donating time and money to those impacted by coronavirus. “We're seeing a huge increase of cyber-related scams promoting coronavirus information or relief efforts. “It’s a big issue.”
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  • The PCI Security Standards Council claims that since March, malicious virus-related reports are up 475%. The reason for the uptick is that cybercriminals are trying to take advantage of rapid changes to the payment-card data environment. In addition, 41% of small businesses have said they’ve suffered breaches costing more than $50,000 to fix.
  • Contactless payment is one of the big changes within the payment data environment. Several restaurant companies – from chains to independents – are offering it because it reduces customers' physical interaction with the restaurant's POS system. As part of this move, some businesses have eliminated credit-card PIN numbers.
  • Eliot says malicious email is usually the easiest way for cybercriminals to access your networks. The emails typically show up as urgent requests for sensitive information, often pretending to be from the Small Business Administration or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When the intended victim types in his or her credentials and clicks on a specific link or downloads an attachment, criminals are in.
  • Anyone looking for easy-to-implement security tips can try these six to start. Reduce areas where payment-card data is stored. The best way to protect against a data breach is to avoid storing any card information at all. With many small operators offering curbside pickup and accepting payment over the phone instead of through face-to-face transactions, it’s important they train employees not to write down payment card details. Instead, have them enter numbers directly into a secure terminal. Use strong passwords. Using weak and default passwords is one of the leading causes of payment data breaches among businesses. Effective passwords must be strong and updated regularly. The most recent guidance is: the longer, the better. Think of it almost as a “passphrase” rather than a password. Use it in the form of a sentence, but mix in different characters within the phrase. It’s much harder to break a long passphrase than it is a short, complex password. Weak and vendor default passwords often result in small business data breaches. Also, don’t repeat your passwords. Update your software often. Criminals look for outdated software to exploit flaws in unpatched systems. Timely installations of security patches are crucial to minimizing the risk of a breach. Whenever updates are available, use them. They will improve performance and close out some of the vulnerabilities cybercriminals are searching for. Enable two-factor authentication. It's so important for restaurateurs, especially where their POS systems or any of their sensitive databases are concerned, to have two-factor or multi-factor authentication enabled. If an instance where credentials are stolen occurs, there will be a second layer of verification the operator can rely on to potentially reduce the chances that information will be breached. Segment your networks. If you are going to store payment data, make sure your POS system has its own separate, secure network. Do not store sensitive documents on public cloud services such as Google Docs or DropBox. If you’re going to store sensitive documents, house them in an encrypted, locked down location.   Be hyper-vigilant. Criminals are going to try to take advantage of this pandemic situation as much as possible. You can protect yourself by not giving out sensitive information, especially within unsolicited emails. Don’t click on links you’re not expecting and do everything in your power to protect all sensitive information.
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    This article is about data breaching and cyber crime in the restaurant business. The article specifically talks about the increase in cyber crime during a crisis, and in this case, a pandemic. It talks about contactless payment as a great form of protection for restaurants as well as customers. At the end of the article, it lists six easy to implement security tips.
kelseybarton

Coronavirus - Considerations for Hospitality Accounting | PKF O'Connor Davies - 2 views

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    (1 of 2) PKF O'Connor and Davies published an article at the beginning of the pandemic laying out how important hospitality accounting is and what accounting teams need to be cognizant of during a time that is very uncertain. The article states, "The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in substantial volatility in the global economy. The coronavirus outbreak has had ‒ and will continue to have ‒ an adverse effect on the results of operations of those companies operating in the hospitality and tourism industry." The article warns that as more information emerges about the disease, the industry will continue to be impacted in everyday decisions and operations. The article also states, "a company's management should be considering the possible effects on future results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition," along with many other important operating items. A business owner needs to be concerned with the "going concern" and making sure that they can keep their financials stable enough to continue business. Businesses also need to worry about the effect of the closure on their long-lived assets and being able to continually comply with loan and mortgage covenants. While many businesses are relying on the ability to work from home, the hospitality industry needs to make sure they are taking a look at internal controls over financial reporting as well. Finally, businesses need to be thinking about the future and subsequent event disclosures.
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    (2 of 2) We are in very uncertain times right now with the Covid-19 crisis. PKF is making sure businesses are looking at the bigger picture and considering their businesses as a whole, while also taking into consideration what a business may need to do to preserve operation for the future. Unfortunately, the hospitality industry has been devastated because of the effects that the virus has had on the economy and many businesses have had to close their doors. Other businesses have gotten very creative in the way they are functioning, and if businesses can continue to adapt and introduce new ideas, they may be able to settle their accounts and make it through this terrible time.
rhoff019

IBM Security BrandVoice: Why Managing Windows PCs Like Mobile Devices Is A Smart Long-T... - 1 views

  • videoconferencing tool Zoom has seen its daily usage rise by more than 300% from before the pandemic. And on March 18, Microsoft announced that its collaboration tool Teams added 12 million daily users just that week, bringing the total to 44 million.
  • Within a full cloud, operations are streamlined among all teams — support, professional services and security — leading to less redundancy of tasks and greater overall efficiency
  • Cloud computing, which has been touted for its flexibility, reliability and security, has emerged as one of the few saving graces for businesses during this pandemic.
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  • they're referring to a hybrid public-private model they've adopted to balance their concerns about security breaches with their desire to reap the benefits of running some enterprises through a public cloud vendor.
  • This transition to remote work on such a massive scale would not have been possible in the server-led infrastructure of 15 to 20 years ago.
  • Multiple providers can deliver different levels of services, leading to differing outcomes within cloud and on-premises operations.
  • Gartner Inc. predicted that through 2020, 95% of cloud security failures will be the customer's fault
  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2017 to 2018, only 29% of American workers could work from home.
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    Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a massive surge to online conferencing. This conferencing would not be possible without the cloud. Moving forward this could be the way most work is done as some employers would prefer to have their employees work from home.
ealmi001

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidelines for Point-of-Sale Systems | Gilbarco Veeder-Root - 0 views

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    According to the article Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidelines for Point-of-Sale Systems, essential businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, gas stations and convenience stores must take new safety precautions for every aspect of their operation - especially high contact touchpoints like POS (point-of-sale) systems and PIN pads. They have taken into consideration how important it has become the use of POS during Covid-19 pandemic. They are following rigorous guidelines to avoid the spread of the virus while working with touchscreen devices. For example, they are suggesting to avoiding contact because is the best way to keep everyone safe. If available, encourage consumers to use contactless payment like tap-to-pay cards or Apple Pay.
lavendersheshe

Hubb releases virtual event technology | Vancouver Business Journal - 0 views

  • Vancouver-based Hubb has partnered with Evia Events to support the events industry in pivoting to virtual events solutions to minimize the impact to attendees and sponsors affected by recent event cancellations
    • lavendersheshe
       
      Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic event companies have been forced to cancel events. Event technology steps in to provide solutions for virtual events to still bring people together.
  • Evia can also help produce and distribute content for organizers who don’t have those capabilities in-house. Hubb’s attendee facing web-based tools include an attendee schedule builder, where attendees can build their schedule ahead of the event, save favorites and easily find and view content, including videos and presentations.
    • lavendersheshe
       
      This technology allows event planners to produce events and giving them access to tools required to put content together for attendees. Attendees will also have access this content and tools that will help them navigate through the virtual event easily
  • Hubb Meetings lets attendees book 1×1 meetings with other attendees, product experts or sponsors — these meetings can happen onsite or virtually using an online collaboration tool.
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    Amid the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) software companies like Hubb and many more are coming up with solutions for bringing people together virtually. These softwares can help in reducing the impact on the event industry and help businesses conduct events when needed.
uhey77

Airbnb apologizes to hosts, dedicates $250M to coronavirus-related cancelations | Phocu... - 0 views

  • Following the World Health Organization’s declaration of a pandemic on March 11, Airbnb instated a policy wherein guests would receive a full refund - regardless of host consent - on reservations with check-in dates between March 14 and April 14.
  • we couldn’t have guests and hosts feel pressured to put themselves into unsafe situations and create an additional public health hazard.
  • To that end, Chesky says Airbnb will pay $250 million to hosts to help cover the cost of coronavirus-related cancelations.
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  • Airbnb is also creating a $10 million Superhost Relief Fund, designed to assist Superhosts who need help paying their rent or mortgages, as well as long-tenured Experiences hosts.
  • Also expected in April is a way for guests to send financial support to hosts they’ve previously stayed with,
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    Reservations for stays and Airbnb Experiences made on or before March 14, 2020, with a check-in date between March 14, 2020 and May 31, 2020, are covered by the policy and may be canceled before check-in. Guests who cancel will have a variety of cancellation and refund options, and hosts can cancel without charge or impact to their Superhost status. Airbnb will either refund, or issue travel credit that includes, all service fees for covered cancellations. In order to cancel under the policy, you will be required to attest to the facts of and/or provide supporting documentation for your extenuating circumstance.
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.
  • hing about U
  • 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.
akallison93

Cleaning robots are powering an automation revolution in hospitality - The Washington Post - 0 views

  • While Vi-YO-Let, the product of a partnership with Denmark-based UVD Robots, might play cute tunes and light up as she moves, she has a serious job: disinfecting the air and surfaces around her. And she does so remarkably well: Her array of UV lights, which look like a bundle of lightsabers, kill more than 99 percent of viruses and bacteria, including the coronavirus.
  • More and more guests are requesting the robo-cleaning package
  • But as the pandemic rages into its second year, major brands are increasingly turning to the world of high-tech disinfection to strengthen their cleaning protocols
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  • It’s a trend that’s slowly transforming housekeeping — and accelerating the pace of automation in hospitality.
  • Until recently, only health-care workers would frequently interact with disinfecting bots, which cost upward of $125,000 each. It’s a steep investment, but if it boosts travelers’ confidence, it’s worth it,
  • The appeal to the hospitality sector of virus-slaying UV light is obvious. Hospitals have found Xenex’s patented machines kill “22 times more pathogens” when compared with a room cleaned to CDC standards alone, Miller said.
  • certain hospitality jobs, those where face-to-face customer service is a key part of the experience, were less vulnerable.
  • Today, travelers might stumble on UV bots anywhere from five-star hotels and convention centers to train stations and cruise ships.
  • Verified Market Research that projects the market for UV disinfecting bots will grow to more than $5.5 billion by 2027.
  • Some robot makers refer to these kinds of bots as “cobots,” a portmanteau of “collaboration” and “robots,” because they’re intended to work alongside people rather than replace them.
  • a report that predicted more than 60 percent of jobs in hospitality-dominated cities like Las Vegas could be automatable by 2035
  • Take the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. The iconic hotel, famous for hosting the annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony, boasts in one promotional video that its Xenex robot staff “zaps every inch before your arrival,” leaving you a “pathogen-free sanctuary” where you’ll “rest assured you’re sleeping in the safest room possible.”
  • the pandemic is likely to accelerate the automation of jobs in sectors like hospitality.
  • “If they can develop driverless cars, if they can develop the whole variety of different things I saw there, certainly the jobs in our industry are going to change.”
  • Unite Here negotiates “extensive technology language” into its labor contracts. This helps ensure that workers can retrain for new skills, transition to other roles or at least receive severance pay if their jobs are automated out of existence.
  • Even as new technologies create new roles, some types of jobs may go away for good.
  • For now, even a state-of-the-art robot sometimes requires the delicate human touch.
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    This article explains how robotics in hospitality is becoming far more common because of Covid-19. They go into detail about how, right now, all robotics require the assistance of humans. But they also go into how that can change in the next few years. The better technology gets, the less need there is for human support.
tcale003

Party, event planners lose business over coronavirus pandemic - 0 views

  • Natasha Miller expected her San Francisco event planning company to organize more than 600 events this year, basking in the glory of previous corporate parties planned for corporations such as Google and Yelp.
  • As more cases of coronavirus are confirmed globally, Entire Productions feels the crimp caused by the outbreak as her clients are “pulling the plug” on contracts.
  • four to six more weeks of cancellations.
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  • organizers are canceling or postponing events throughout the country because of the outbreak of COVID-19.
  • which has 10 full-time employees, suffered a loss of more than $15,000 in the past month alone.
  • Smaller-scale event planners also feel a high level of uncertainty.
  • “None of this is going to allow us to make up for the lost revenue and growth,” she said. 
  • “My prediction is that my business will make 50% less of what it expected to do, if not less.”
  • 'No Income at all for this month'
  • The event planning business generates $325 billion of direct spending in the USA and helps support more than 5.9 million jobs with $249 billion of labor income, according to an Oxford Economics and Events Industry Council study in 2018. 
    • tcale003
       
      An event company in San Francisco was planning over 600 events this year. As the Covid-19 pandemic has spread globally, many clients have canceled or postponed their events. Organizers are predicting that their businesses will make 50% less than what is expected if not less.
  • organizers are canceling or postponing events throughout the country because of the outbreak of COVID-19.
  • “My prediction is that my business will make 50% less of what it expected to do, if not less.”
  • which has 10 full-time employees, suffered a loss of more than $15,000 in the past month alone.
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    With Covid-19 crippling businesses everywhere, event planning companies are no exception. With gatherings more than 10 people, being postponed or cancelled, most events and concerts have been cancelled. With contracts, deposits paid for, and purchased tickets, event planners are struggling to stay afloat.
rhoff019

Pandemic relief fraud suspect, owner of Berlin restaurant, has disappeared - News - tel... - 0 views

  • The owner of a Berlin restaurant charged in April with fraudulently seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars in forgivable loans designed for businesses struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic has apparently cut off his GPS monitoring device and disappeared, federal authorities say.
  • Staveley, of Andover, and another man are accused of claiming they needed to pay employees at businesses affected by the virus crisis, when in reality their businesses, including On the Trax, 263 West St., Berlin, were not operating before the pandemic began and had no employees on the payroll.
  • They were the first people in the U.S. to be charged with making phony applications for loans
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  • sought nearly $440,000 in loans claiming that he needed to pay dozens of employees at three restaurants he owned
  • two of the restaurants weren’t open before the pandemic began, and he didn’t have any connection to the third
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    A so called restaurant owner applied for $440,000 in forgivable loans to keep employees paid through the Paycheck Protection Program. The man claimed to own 3 restaurants, but 2 of the restaurants were not open before the coronavirus pandemic and he had no connection to the third. The "owner" disappeared after receiving the $440,000.
lavendersheshe

A revenue leaders response & best practice in a crisis | By Limin Cheng - Hospitality Net - 0 views

  • By the simple routine of running daily pick-up reports, monitoring booking pace and reviewing the forecast, the discipline of these reports equips us with information to understand the severity of what is happening.
    • lavendersheshe
       
      even though things are going bad during the times of this outbreak and its effect on sales. It is still significant to follow up on reports and monitor performance to learn the impact of such a crisis.
  • Understanding the macro-perspective may be cold comfort in the face of lost revenue, but it provides a realistic picture of performance and could be useful in dealing with anxious comments from far-away head offices.
    • lavendersheshe
       
      During times of a crisis, it is a great comfort to learn what other businesses in the same geographical area similar to your hospitality business did during that time and how they came out of the crisis and possibly find inspiration on what you could do better as an organization.
  • it's important to divert your sales or distribution efforts to other sources of revenue.
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  • If we respond to a cancellation request with patience, compassion, and anticipation that they will return, your guest is likely to return when they can arrange their next trip. If we respond in a petty way to reject refunds or charge cancellation fees, you might get the money but you would have lost the customer forever and left a bitter taste in their mouth.
    • lavendersheshe
       
      It is important to treat the customers right during the bad times as much as the good times. A customer trusts your business more if there treated with compassion and integrity during a challenge and they will most likely come back.
  • As a revenue leader, this is the time to show the rest of the hotel team that we are more than statistics, increased prices and overbooking levels. It's a time to use data to paint realistic expectations, whilst strategizing for the turnaround when it comes.
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    The coronavirus has become a crisis all over the world. This crisis has negatively impacted the hospitality industry in areas such as the Asia Pacific. This article is a detailed code of conduct of the most healthy ways a revenue leader can positively respond and impact the business during the times of a sharp decline in sales.
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.
uhey77

Expedia will refund hotel guests during COVID-19 outbreak regardless of existing bookin... - 0 views

  • thousands of cancellations from guests due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
  • Many travelers physically cannot or should not take their trips
  • Expedia Group created the Global Cancelation Waiver Program - a mechanism that will see every property in its portfolio automatically enrolled so that a guest's cancellation and refund can be issued if they wish to cancel a booking.
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  • global force majeure circumstances, we intend to enroll all partners with outstanding non-refundable prepaid bookings made prior to March 19th for stays between March 20 and April 30, 2020 into the Global Cancellation Waiver Program."
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    Expedia Group is an American online travel shopping company for consumer and small business travel. Its websites, which are primarily travel fare aggregators and travel metasearch engines, include CarRentals.com, Expedia.com, HomeAway, Hotels.com.This decision is very understandable and kind for all the travelers.
nicolasdepinto

Amid the Spread of Coronavirus, the Wedding Industry Faces Uncertainty - 0 views

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    The article discuses how as many cities have banned large gatherings to slow down the spread of Covid-19, many couples that were set to marry in the months of March, April, and May, have now been forced to either cancel or postpone their weddings. Many couples may lose their deposits and may have to settle for weekday wedding when rescheduling, as it will prove challenging to find dates that will work for all vendors (venue, florists, caterers, entertainment, insurance), specially for summer and winter dates of 2020 as the more weddings become rescheduled. However, for planners and vendors business revenue will be greatly reduced for the coming months, putting business-owners under pressure to come up with money to pay their staff and keep their business alive until the crisis passes.
chelasccr

To Combat the Threat of Coronavirus, The Westin Houston Medical Center Deploys Robots t... - 0 views

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    Westin Houston Medical Center is using a robot to be able to make sure the rooms are clean and being done effectively. The use of the robot is helping the cleaning process a lot quicker and it is also catching bacteria or dust that my have been left behind.
jalipman

Sun, Sand and Cyber: Does the Hospitality Industry Need to Invest in Cybersecurity Now?... - 0 views

  • To ensure businesses are in the best possible position to compete during and long after the Coronavirus pandemic is over, both customers and employees need to be educated on the security measures on offer to feel comforted in this brave new business climate. 
  • For businesses to feel empowered against today’s many challenges, a consistent approach to risk management is absolutely crucial. A CISO with the authority to carry out real change and impart strong governance across the business would be hugely valuable.
    • jalipman
       
      An entity to regulate and update cyber security in order to keep all information safe would be very helpful. But it could be argued that an organization that has access to all systems could pose a larger risk to cyber security than it would negate.
  • These burdens come into sharper focus when you consider the digital environment in which hotels are operating. Individual hotels are often connected to the organization’s national or international network, meaning only one hotel has to be breached before the entire company is at risk of hemorrhaging huge volumes of its data.
    • jalipman
       
      This is a good example of why every hotel needs to be constantly updating and on alert for cyber attacks because if one hotel server is compromised the entire national system is at risk.
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  • Most crucially, a cybersecurity strategy must include a solid plan for Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery in order to prepare for any worst-case scenarios. In the era of COVID-19, incidents of the worst kind are fast emerging and businesses deserve a fighting chance to succeed.
  • The root of this cyber crisis lies in the way hotels are hampered by disparate legacy systems and out-of-date software where breaches are rife for the taking, particularly on hotels’ Point of Sale (POS) systems and other external vendors. Adding to this, hotels often outsource their customer IT connectivity but unfortunately forget to consistently monitor and audit suppliers’ security measures. 
  • Today, the systems used for various functions in a hotel’s back and front operations are manned by employees who are not yet well-equipped to pick up on and counter large-scale cyber-attacks until it’s too late.
    • jalipman
       
      Simply put, hotels are not focusing enough on these attacks and their security systems are made primarily to identify and ongoing attack rather than preemptively stop them.
  • Mobile phones, tables and laptops connected to open networks become a hunting ground for hackers to harvest banking details through card payments. 
    • jalipman
       
      Not only is personal information stored but guests use these open networks for many different things allow hackers a direct link to the guests devices as well.
  • Worth billions of pounds, the hospitality industry is a perfect victim for cyber-criminals. Its make-up of luxury resorts and hotels alongside huge volumes of high net-worth individuals has fast become prey for hacker
  • While financial services and the public sector have been forced to endure an endless stream of cybercrime, the hospitality industry has also become a prime contender for hackers in the wake of its rich data-base. 
    • jalipman
       
      The constant influx of new information makes hospitality company databases prime targets for hackers.
  • No matter the size of the business, inefficient cyber support diverts crucial time from business activities and relationships with customers.
    • jalipman
       
      Not allocating for proper cybersecurity not only puts you at risk but takes away from time you spend on business when you are dealing with potential or ongoing threats that would have been better addressed by a proper cyber security system.
  • With global business fighting relentlessly to survive against the chaotic threat of the Coronavirus, all industries are exposed to criminal cyber-threats, and so the security of highly sensitive data must be handled appropriately.
    • jalipman
       
      In unprecedented times like we are currently going through things like cybersecurity will be put on the back burner in order to deal with issues at hand but this can create environments for cyber attacks.
  • British Airways and Marriott International are two major hospitality companies to be victims of high-profile breaches in recent memory. They serve as a stark reminder of the heavy costs faced when the safety of customers’ data is compromised. 
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