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This article makes me see in a way how biometrics is actually a better idea than keycard systems or just old fashioned keys. Only the person who booked the room will be able to open it because you never know who is in possession of they card key or the key. With biometrics, you can either tell the guest to tap 2 or 3 fingers or a whold hand. I think that is respecting their fingerprinting privacy, It could be dangerous in away if anyone wants to fake finger prints but that is why a system should be set up in which the guest chooses what finger they want to use. I think its a better idea. Working in a hotel I see alot of key cards being lost and its a hassle just to get them to show their ID or they might be in the room but not registered. If they loose the key and the room number is on the envelope it is easy access for whomever found the keycard. ith Keys, they are always loosing keys. The safe keys in our hotel is always getting lost. I think its better to use biometrics for unique access only

According to a recent Google whitepaper, the number of mobile users researching travel via their mobile devices is expected to grow 51% in 2012. The case is equally compelling for mobile booking in APAC, with more than 15% of travellers projected to book travel products and service by 2013. This article was very interesting it discussed the up coming technologies that are effecting travelers. Mostly in airports and business travelers. They discuss a technology called NFC technology which is near field communication. with this technology in our phones we will be able to pay for lunch, tickets, and everything else just by swiping our phones at the registar. They discuss in the article something that we discussed in a group, whether it is good to be an early investor our wait and rid fit out and make sure that it is a good investment. As for mobile technology in travel they definitely said that the early adopters are reaping the benefits and seeing a major cash inflow from investing. So in this situation it would have been a better idea to adopt early, because now that it is so popular it is more expensive to get the technology up on running.

We love technology but we don't always know how to use it or even want to spend the time figuring it out. Thats why Sam Grobart is set out to take the mystery from some common questions that are being asked about todays technology problems.100 questions were asked and 25 of them were answered on his Gadegetwise blog.

Highpointe freed its sales team to trade leads and close deals using a centralized, cloud-based mobile-optimized sales system accessible to all their properties. Software Strengthens Strategic Advantage of Diverse Operations Highpointe operates properties in diverse markets in Florida, Louisiana, and Alabama. Its Pensacola properties cater to leisure guests while its airport and in-town hotels serve mostly business travelers. Four New Orleans locations focus on corporate travelers and citywide conventions. "Highpointe Hotels uses the hotel SalesPro solution from hotel SystemsPro to strengthen its strategic advantage of operating multiple properties and flags in busy markets," says Kathie Jacobs, vice president of sales and marketing for Highpointe's Louisiana properties. "Our team processes sales leads, checks room and space availability, and client history for every account and property on one system. This gives us an advantage in combining rooms for larger groups and managing leads across multiple markets." View a demonstration here to learn more about hotel SalesPro's features and benefits.

Courtesy Patricia Martin Retired Marine Cpl. Nathan Kemnitz during a TSA screening at the airport in Sacramento, Calif. A wounded Purple Heart Marine's humiliating experience at a security checkpoint in California has left supporters and an assemblyman outraged. The extra scrutiny faced by Marine Cpl.

I have an awful lot of respect for the military. In this situation, I am thankful that TSA was following protocol; however, I wish they had a little different of a procedure. They could have taken him into a screening room instead of publicly embarrassing the Marine. I don't quite understand how we can embarrass him one minute, while he is on his way to being honored for his service. They also mention in the article a wounded vet that had to remove his prosthetic legs. Again, please take him into a private room to do so. The pain and embarrassment the soldier went through to have that kind of an injury and to deal with it on a daily basis is more than enough. He or she shouldn't have to face those challenges in public as well.

Sabre and American Express has teamed up for a new service "to provide a more personal travel experience" to their clients. Now American Express Global Business Traveler clients who book through TripCase, Sabre's mobile app, are allowed to access real-time data. Clients can receive flight updates and live synching of itinerary from Amex to their TripCase app. Cardmember's also receive information through the app about card benefits and deals, one example the article gave was airport lounge access and free Wi-Fi access. Amex has gone as far as making sure cardmember's are automatically updated whether they book their business trips online or over the phone, making it easier for last minute changes to be accommodated.

This is a great article highlighting the cons of of cloud-based PMS. In India, the infrastructure is not developed enough for hotels to rely on a cloud-based PMS. While the hotel industry is slowly adopting things such as mobile check-in, there is great hesitation to adopt the cloud-based PMS. The Internet in India is not reliable therefore it would not be efficient for hotels to send all their data to the cloud. In the event of an outage, the hotels would not be able to operate. There are also many concerns over data security; Indian hotels are worried about transferring secure information to an "unknown" place. Yet, individualized properties are looking forward to centralizing PMS and perhaps embracing cloud-based PMS in the near future. Only time will tell how long it will take the Indian hotel industry to become more technology oriented. 

This article is about the changes in Australia hotel industry. Tourism Accommodation Australia release the research report. The report shows the technology innovation and future trend of Australia.

This article states that when people walk into hotels, they want them to feel safe at all times so hotels should have metal detectors, X-ray machines, like the airport is not desirable. talk turns to security, most people think of hotel surveillance cameras. The truth is that because technology is moving so fast in the smart-lock sector, more data is actually captured from the locks on guest rooms. The article tells us that they want hotels to become more safe for the guests and anybody that walks into the hotel so having weapons on property is what they do not want.

Eventcore is seeking to implement new technologies for event registration. The company is interested in doing fingerprint and face recognition as an entry to an event, instead of a normally accepted ticket. The company spoke about growing security concerns in the event industry and how there needs to be more effort to safeguard attendees information. Biometric entry seeks to keep customer information safe while ensuring speedy entry into events.

This article talks about something similar that was discussed in our security and emerging technology module video. In the video it is discussed that hotels want to avoid having visible lines of security so guests do not feel threatened. In this article, it states that Disney Land and Walt Disney World have been budgeting more money for safety. But now Disney is trying to focus on how to make security more effecient, for example, they have recently changed their security checkpoints location in order to make it flow better for guests. Now checkpoints have even gone further away from Magic Kingdom and starting infront of the Ticket Center that is miles away from the park entrance. I guess this is creating a sense of safety for the guests as well as faster lines. Disney is even going so far as creating a PreCheck line like TSA for annual passholders that would create less security lines.

Phones essentially, and unfortunately, are going to be around for peoples time at hotels. People usually go away to get away from real life, but unfortunately everybody likes to be on their phones still. The first four examples of this article highlight how phones are important with recent technology updates. Your new phone can now serve as a phone key, concierge, and do so much more with an app. Robots and other technologies are being implemented to replace human interactions.

This article was a great read. For the most part I have either witnessed some of these advancements or heard about them in some form or fashion. The trend that intrigued me the most, of course, was #9 - Tech Enabled Meeting Spaces. This is ALWAYS a demand for my clients. Will they have wifi, will they have a polycom, adapters for their laptops, etc. Some clients, especially tech groups, that I have want their own entire network created and work hand in hand with our IT department to configure all that needs configuration. I think these trends are great, and positive, trends that if done correctly can meet the guests' expectations and as a result increase GSR (Guest Satisfaction Rates).

Nowadays, there is an abundance in advanced in-room features making their way into the world's most modern hotel rooms. Some of those inventions, integrated recently in some hotels in the U.S., are explained below. Sheraton Imperial Hotel Raleigh-Durham Airport at Research Triangle Park, in North Carolina, offer its guests a better hotel experience through a TV with fast reboot time. This TV provides a top-notch television content and delivery, and has the latest high-resolution options and features. Due to its level of delivery that guests are accustomed to have in their own homes, it is expected for guests to feel more comfortable and homey during their stay. Hotel rooms in Loews Hotel 1000 in Downtown Seattle are equipped with heat-detecting sensors, which scans the room for body heat so that housekeepers don't accidentally enter the room. This high-end technology with an infrared signal scans the room to detect body heat and notes 'do not disturb' when occupied. It is particularly useful when guests forget to leave a sign when entering the rooms at night. Seems like the world's most advanced hotels are getting very creative with their in-room technology. Another example for that is the beds of Four Seasons Hotels which are customizable to guests' preferences, designed to support better sleep. Recently, numerous Aloft Hotels and Element Hotels across the United States feature their own robot butlers. With help of Botir, items can be easily delivered to the guests rooms within minutes. The purpose of using robotic assistants is to send a robot to deliver shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste or so by the front desk. This way, the human hotel staff can serve customers personally when necessary. In my view, in the customer-driven hospitality industry, the use of in-room technology can make guests feel more comfortable and feel "at home". These new technologies have been helping the hospitality industry grow in innovative and tech-enhanced ways to deliv

In 2017 JetBlue announced that they will be the first airline to partner up with US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to come up with a biometric technology that will use facial recognition to check in their customers and allow them to board the airplane, instead of using cell phone applications or paper boarding passes. The way it will work is that your image will be sent to CBP where it will be matched with your passport or visa. At the same time the technology will verify your flight details and let you know when you're okay to board the flight.This will be the first time biometric facial recognition is cleared through CBP.

I was just reading this today! Great article and fascinating technology.

I am a frequent flyer with Jet Blue, and love everything their airline. This futuristic step will not only enhance security, increase boarding speeds, but also help the environment with paperless boarding. I think there will always be passengers who want to be offered the traditional boarding pass, and those who do not want their picture taken. However, the more airlines that come to use this system, the quicker it could become airports new normal. Thanks for posting!

This article is about innovative technology within the hospitality industry. It highlights the industry's top 10 advancements in technology and explains how these advancements have transformed the hospitality industry for the better. The article also mentions peer to peer networks, such as the company Airbnb, and how these companies are affecting the industry's approach to travelers.

The idea of using an app to be able to order room service or make reservations I think is great. It helps guest who might be hard of hearing or just not able to communicate properly get what they need. It also allows for there to be less mistakes because it all digital an in the palm of our hands. It even allows you to set up pick up for airport or book additional excursions through the hotel. That would also help the hotel make extra profit. I think it is an overall exceptional idea for them to use the app.

This is a great article. With this app it makes traveling so easy, and the functionalities of the app enable the guests to make changes and select amenities in real time.

Hotel guests are now more interested in connectivity than they used to. With this technology age guests would like to have access "to all things digital that can enhance their experience." Hotels now are spending more time and resources on network technology as they do for other services. For hotels to gain competitive advantage they need to build rooms where everything is on a network.

This brings up a topic that we discussed in one of the earlier weeks in class. Being PCI compliant is a very critical role in guest satisfaction. It makes the guest feel secure and confident that their information is safe and not being shared through other channels.

Another topic that is mention, previously discussed in class, is how paper menus will be replaced and guests will now have access to order via touch screen devices. This does not eliminate servers, but increases efficiency of staff, and increases turnover of tables.