Skip to main content

Home/ Hospitality Technology/ Group items tagged caribbean

Rss Feed Group items tagged

anonymous

Royal Caribbean Expands Distribution Agreement with Sabre Travel Network - MarketWatch - 0 views

  • SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Jan 16, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has signed a multi-year, distribution agreement with Sabre Travel Network, making all of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises' fares and schedules available in the Sabre global distribution system (GDS). Under the new agreement, Sabre and Royal Caribbean have expanded their relationship to include travel agents in Mexico, who will now be able to make bookings on Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises through the Sabre Red Workspace.
  • Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has signed a multi-year, distribution agreement with Sabre Travel Network, making all of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises' fares and schedules available in the Sabre global distribution system (GDS). Under the new agreement, Sabre and Royal Caribbean have expanded their relationship to include travel agents in Mexico
  • Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has signed a multi-year, distribution agreement with Sabre Travel Network, making all of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises' fares and schedules available in the Sabre global distribution system (GDS). Under the new agreement, Sabre and Royal Caribbean have expanded their relationship to include travel agents in Mexico
  •  
    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.
anonymous

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and O3b Networks Expand Business Partnership to Provide Gu... - 1 views

  • Royal Caribbean was the first to enlist O3b's new maritime offering O3bMaritime aboard, Allure of the Seas' sister ship, Oasis of the Seas when they signed a contract last summer. Now guests and crew aboard Allure of the Seas will be able to enjoy lightning fast download speeds and performance that is anticipated to also be four times more responsive than existing and planned GEO satellite systems. O3bMaritime will be the only satellite system capable of enabling cruise line guests and crew broadband services on par with onshore telecommunication standards.
  • Royal Caribbean was the first to enlist O3b's new maritime offering O3bMaritime aboard, Allure of the Seas' sister ship, Oasis of the Seas when they signed a contract last summer. Now guests and crew aboard Allure of the Seas will be able to enjoy lightning fast download speeds and performance that is anticipated to also be four times more responsive than existing and planned GEO satellite systems. O3bMaritime will be the only satellite system capable of enabling cruise line guests and crew broadband services on par with onshore telecommunication standards.
  • O3b Networks has signed a second historic, multi-year deal with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to provide high-speed satellite-delivered broadband service
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • "The partnership between O3b Networks and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. continues to expand, and the real winners are the guests and crew aboard the most innovative ships at sea. The alliance is based on a shared mission built on the belief that the Internet should always be within reach - on land and at sea."
  •  
    Royal Caribbean and O3b Networks have again signed a multi-year contract. O3b will once again be providing "high-speed satellite-delivered broadband service" to the Allure of the Seas. The system used is O3bMaritime and Royal Caribbean was one of the first cruise lines to use this system. This system will be on their two largest ships the Oasis and the Allure based in the Caribbean. It is also the only system that is on par with telecommunication standards on land. Soon O3b will deliver more bandwidth on these two ships than on all other cruise ships in the Caribbean. I personally feel internet access really lacks on many of the cruise lines right now and feel Royal Caribbean is taking a step in the right direction with O3b. My family and I like to cruise a lot and have received very spotty internet access around the globe. In today's world many people still have to check up on work while on vacation or keep in contact with family, it only makes sense for cruise lines to start working on faster internet comparable to on land. I read various cruise line message boards and this is a common complaint about slow internet access or virtually none. In the current economy where all the various lines are in competition against one another, this gives Royal Caribbean a leg up in the competition. Additionally, my understanding the only region where satellite internet is unavailable is off the coast of Japan due to government regulations. This system makes sense to have available one day in more regions.
  •  
    I for one am very happy to hear this news. I too have experienced the snail-paced internet "access" on cruise ships. With the high cost per minute and slow speeds, cruisers can't help but feel that they wasted their money. This definitely gives Royal Caribbean an advantage over Carnival, NCL and other large cruise lines. By implementing O3b networks on their two largest and most popular ships, they will reach their target consumer and help spread the word.
yoyohad

Caribbean hotels see 18.6% increase in net operating income - Travel Weekly - 1 views

  • The 2014 edition of PKF’s Caribbean Trends in the Hotel Industry reported that last year marked the third in a row that the region’s hotels saw double-digit percentage growth in net operating income, and it was the highest annual growth in operating profits since 2008.
  • Rooms rates accounted for 56.8% of total revenue, the largest source of revenue for the properties in the sample. Food and beverage sales accounted for 28.8% of total revenue, and retail and recreational outlets another 12.7%.
  • “Caribbean hotels have unique operating challenges that result in relatively higher expenses,” said Scott Smith, member of the Appraisal Institute and a vice president in PKF’s Atlanta office.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • lthough operating profits jumped 18.6% in 2013, the higher costs of goods, services and utilities in the Caribbean relative to the U.S. resulted in lower relative profit margins, according to the report.In 2013, Caribbean resorts registered a 16.3% profit margin, compared with a 21.4% margin for comparable U.S. resorts.
  •  
    I believe that the increase in Caribbean hotel's net operating income indicates that more travelers are now traveling to these destinations compare to few years ago. Coming back from the economical downtime, the hospitality is now seeing increases of revenue after the depression since 2008.Caribbean is an unique place for travel, and often required air/ sea transit for travelers all over the world. Thus also encouraged the purchase decision for airline and cruise services. And by adopting technology to being green, the hotel is able to reduce the utility cost. And we are seeing more new hotels under construction in the Caribbean region.
  •  
    Properties throughout the Caribbean have offered amazing deals for quite some time, but during the economic downturn, a Caribbean vacation was either unfeasible or seemed like an unnecessary extravagance for the average consumer. Despite incentives to visit, the $4/gallon fuel cost has hit us all in the wallet. This is reflected in an enormous increase in airfare and makes having a rental car that much more difficult. I wish the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry all the best, but I don't think we're going to see a full recovery for the next few years.
CHARLENE ESCOE BARNETT

Caribbean Tourism Organisation News - OneCaribbean.org - 3 views

  • With more than 6 million listings worldwide, the platform launched last Thursday its “Live and Work Anywhere” program, an ongoing initiative to continue working with governments and DMOs to create a one-stop-shop for remote workers, and encourage them to try new locations to work, while helping to revive tourism and provide economic support to communities after years of travel restrictions.
  • Airbnb and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) have partnered to promote the Caribbean as a viable destination to live and work anywhere, through the launch of their “Work from the Caribbean” campaign.
  • Digital Nomads
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • The steady recovery of Caribbean tourism has been driven by innovation and a willingness to seize opportunities, like the rise of digital nomads and development of long stay programmes to diversify the visitor experience in the region
  • This partnership is one of the many initiatives in the CTO’s ongoing programme to help its members rebuild tourism and shine a light on digital nomad programmes in their destinations.
  • Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe.
  • The CTO’s vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year-round, warm weather destination, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism
  •  
    This article speaks about the CTO and Airbnb joining forces to embrace the growing demand for Digital Nomads to work and travel, with the "Work from the Caribbean" campaign, a possible win for all involved. With Airbnb, it is a solution to embrace the flexibility of its clientele and the CTO, an opportunity to increase revenue in the Caribbean destination, diversifying the way they do business while offering the sun, sand, and sea. This disruptive innovation will undoubtedly change immigration policies in accepting longer than previously allowed visitor stays and could see reduced nightly rates and discounts. The flexibility of working remotely is an opportunity to increase the 'tourism dollar' in off-peak months, additionally bringing possible investment in real estate for the Caribbean. With the application of research through technology, both entities can devise innovative ways to market to this ever-changing industry.
Yookyung Kim

Royal Caribbean Guests Cruising in Style with Enhanced Technology Solutions from CA - 0 views

  • "Our investment in technology has increased dramatically. Thanks to CA Technologies Business Service Innovation approach, we have transitioned our focus from maintaining IT systems to delivering new, innovative guest services with speed and agility."
  • "CA Technologies has enabled us to transform our IT organization and address the high expectations guests have as a result of the trend towards consumerization of IT,"
  •  
    Guests on 35 Royal Caribbean Cruise ships will now have an enhanced technology experience thanks to integrated and automated IT management solutions from CA Technologies. The goal of the new solutions is to give Royal Caribbean a competitive advantage through enhanced services for its guests. Now that Royal Caribbean can manage an increasingly complex IT environment with as few resources as possible, they may seek out new technologies to improve their guests' experience. The cruise ship line is using a variety of solutions from CA, including application performance management, infrastructure management, automation and project and portfolio management. They play a vital role in helping Royal Caribbean Cruise management in an efficient and effective manner.
Caroline Hardenbergh

Behind the hype Caribbean Week in New York means some serious business   - NY... - 0 views

  • when the Caribbean Tourism Organization gets underway tomorrow, delegates, diplomats, tourism trade representatives and others will also be getting down to some serious business. Thursday’s Investment Power Forum on the Caribbean, honoring internationally-renown Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and featuring the chief executive of Branson’s Caribbean-based Branson Center of Entrepreneurship, an economic development initiative, is a perfect example of the key networking events tailored for decision makers in the tourism, travel and investment fields.
  •  
    The Caribbean Tourism Organization presented this event to communicate investment opportunities in the Caribbean. The choice of New York as a venue was a very strategic choice as this is an international investors mecca to the West. Forums featured private equity firms, renewable energy firms, and assorted tourism representatives from many of the island nations throughout the Caribbean. "If you are a private equity investor, investment banker, financier, real estate developer, hotel chain executive, lawyers, architect or entrepreneur, looking to grow your money and do business in an emerging market that is on the up and up, then this is a can't miss event," said Felicia Persaud, convener of Invest Caribbean Now and CEO of Hard Beat." Also offered is a Trade Show and Educational Seminar for Travel Agents, and government representatives were available to provide in-depth information for journalists and tourism professionals. This event is the perfect type of forum of destination based tourism agencies to market their locations not only for further investment and development, but to showcase a variety of features and benefits. As an aspiring meeting professional, such a seminar is the perfect example of showing a prospective client that while brochures, marketing advertising, and other forms of media can tell a lot about a place, nothing beats having some of the actual people, food, music, clothing, sounds and smells that can all be recreated at full-scale events to provide the perception of a full sensory experience. This experience will create a desire to go and be a part of that destination unmatched by any other form of marketing.
cpaez007

New technology coming to cruise ships in the next few years | Miami Herald - 2 views

  • Wristbands, which open doors, come for an additional price but are free for children.
  • The app will also have facial recognition to allow crew to identify passengers. Other features include way-finding navigation — like Google Maps for ships, — the ability to make purchases, request services, book excursions and plan daily activities in-app. The MSC for Me app will also offer suggestions based on guest preferences.
  • The Miami-based cruise line announced earlier this month a new Cruise Norwegian app that will allow passengers to check in ahead of their vacation, book excursions, make dinner and show reservations, and purchase drink packages or other amenities. Unlike the Carnival or Royal Caribbean versions, the app doesn’t change the physical embarkation process, but it does offer the option to go paperless with the documentation needed to go aboard.
  • ...11 more annotations...
  • Like Norwegian, it will rely heavily on an app component, that, like Carnival, will also be available on interactive screens around the ship, in addition to mobile devices and stateroom TVs. And, like Royal, MSC will have a smart watch with geo-location that is also connected to the app.
  • In January, Carnival revealed the result of an 18-month project aimed at making the cruise experience more intuitive. Instead of largely relying on a smart phone, the company chose to build a “medallion.” The quarter-sized, two-ounce disc contains passenger information, incorporates geo-location services and is personalized with each cruiser’s name and sail date. It can be carried in pockets or worn on wristbands or pendants for an additional cost.The medallion interacts with the whole of the ship, which will be retrofitted with thousands of sensors and interactive screens, and miles of cable.
  • In the short-term, those innovations will looks like this: Guests will check-in through facial recognition technology — not check-in counters, thus eliminating lines. On board, passengers will be able to sign up for excursions, order drinks and make dinner reservations from a new Royal Caribbean app that also will enable crew to find passengers based on facial recognition. The app will partner with Royal’s WOW Bands, similar to Disney’s MagicBands, to open stateroom doors. And, thanks to RFID tags on luggage, guests will also be able to track the progress of their bags to their rooms. As with Carnival, the more passengers interact with the technology, the better equipped the app will be to offer meaningful recommendations.
  • For example, as guests approach their stateroom doors, the door senses the medallion and unlocks it for them. A digital photo wall senses a passenger’s approach — thanks to the medallion — and adjusts to show the cruiser his or her vacation pictures. After a guest requests a drink, either on an interactive screen, a smart phone or other device, crew can find that passenger wherever he or she is on the vessel because of the geo-location in the medallion.The operating system behind the medallion is Ocean Compass, an online vacation profile that passengers create before sailing, where they input their preferences; during the trip, they can add information via onboard screens and personal devices. Crew can also access passenger profiles in Ocean Compass, allowing them to offer relevant suggestions and address passengers by name.
  • Beyond that, Royal Caribbean plans to add virtual reality and augmented reality into the passenger experience. These concepts might transform cabin interiors with images of a starry night or a peaceful sunset displayed on screens on the walls, ceiling and floors. It could also transform dining by introducing virtual reality glasses that can transform the venue into a new landscape based on the cuisine passengers are eating.
  • But with the new technology will likely come privacy concerns. Much of the software cruise lines are introducing also involves capturing passenger information and using it to curate suggestions about what to do.
  • It’s already happening. In 2014, Starwood Hotels announced plans to start using smart phones as hotel keys, with the help of an app and Bluetooth connection. Hilton this year discussed plans to build a “Connected Room” in 2018, which will allow guests to control features of the room through an app, including lighting, entertainment and temperature.
  • It elevates the experience for everyone, not just the highest paying passengers, and not just on its best and newest units. I think it will become the norm...eventually the cruise industry and, not just the cruise industry, but other places, other tourism [entities].
  • The technology aims to ease irritations: the long lines to embark or disembark, crowded bars, the impersonal feeling of a mass congregation of people.
  • Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and MSC Cruises — have all come out with tech that promises to make cruising a less cumbersome experience. Most of it incorporates facial recognition and geo-location.
  • In the next five years, the new normal in cruising is going to be a better-connected voyage that will largely do away with lines and waiting — some of the factors that deter travelers from cruising to begin with.
  •  
    The article revolves around new technological concepts that the main cruise lines are adding to the cruising experience. While they have heavily focused on the ships hardware, they want to implement new software that will make the experience more enjoyable and simpler for guests to enjoy. Carnival, would like to implement a "medallion" called the Ocean Compass, that is crossover between the Disney Magic Band, and the band seen at the Universal Volcano Bay water park. It fits the Disney aspect, because it holds information,can open doors, and links guest pictures to the technology. It is similar to Universal, because it informs guests of when to attend something, so that they do not have to wait in a line. Royal Caribbean, likes the band idea that Disney presented, and wants to make bands of their own, that have similar functions that the Ocean Compass from Carnival has. In addition, Royal Caribbean wants to expose their guests to Virtual Reality. They hope to create an immersive experience for their guests, from the comfort of their rooms. Norwegian and MSC are mostly developing smart phone applications, that allow guests to check-in, book excursions, and open rooms. It is obvious that Disney developed a great idea with combining a "magical" band and phone application. The concept is so successful, that other players want to utilize the same formula. Let us see how well it works in the cruising industry.
anonymous

Royal Caribbean is rolling out a digital transformation and looking for top tech talent... - 0 views

  • It includes a mobile app that uses AI to act as a digital assistant, wayfinding to help passengers navigate around a ship's many pathways, VR and AR experiences in dining and arcade games, skipping check-in lines due to facial recognition technology in port, and using a wearable device or smartphone to automatically unlock cabin doors for the cabin's occupant.
  • big investment into the tech staff to support its digital transformation.
  • "I'm a big believer that you don't just wholly outsource your innovation to another company.
  • ...16 more annotations...
  • finding talent within our company and using those leaders to help build their teams as well as augment with really key strategic partners where necessary."
  • ship design and beyond
  • The facial recognition feature will probably begin with QR codes and evolve to facial recognition,
  • mobile app
  • allows passengers to see their cruise schedule and what's available on board on a day-to-day basis
  • allow you to register in the app, check in via the app, upload your selfie to be able to use our facial recognition boarding, book shore excursions, dining, et cetera, and then we'll continue to add capabilities. We have x-ray vision [VR] and digital games built in,
  • even if we build a great app, that every aspect of the technology works flawlessly
  • The digital component is referred to as Excalibur within the company, in order to emphasis the power and importance of the technology,
  • technology is simply moving so quickly, that nobody can afford to do the perfect app
  • won't be able to continue to upgrade and that will affect all technology advances. So we've shifted to a non-proprietary approach
  • improving the technology of its ships is because it's essential to stay afloat.
  • required to stay competitive in the world we live in.
  • Data analytics
  • difficulty has been in making intelligent use of that data
  • climate control to lighting and opening and closing the curtains.
  • Technology is such an important driver today,
  •  
    In 2017, Royal Caribbean announced they were making a huge investment in technology that will make the cruisers' experience easier, more seamless and a lot more fun. They are developing a new app that will first include a cruise schedule and on-board activities. This app will eventually grow and include registration, excursion bookings and facial recognition plus games built in. Royal Caribbean believes to stay competitive you need to stay on top of technology and include it wherever you can. As of this article, the app was available on 2 of their ships and will hopefully be added to their entire fleet (including all 6 of their brands) within the next few years. The company believes in creating this technology from within the company and outsourcing as little as possible.
smaka004

Do Robots Have a Real Future in the Hospitality Industry? - Skift - 0 views

  • Starwood’s Aloft Hotels announced earlier this month the introduction of a robot “Boltr” to aid check-ins and deliver items to guest rooms. Royal Caribbean followed suit with the announcement of robot bartenders on its newest ship Quantum of the Seas.
  •  
    While is may seem like the future promised to us on shows like "The Jetsons" may have never really arrived, we might be one step closer to seeing the gadgets and gizmos of the cartoon world become a reality in the hospitality industry. Starwood's Aloft Hotels, an upscale, modern hotel line that appeals to Millennials, recently introduced Boltr - a check-in and delivery robot. This machine was created by Savioke - a Silicon-Valley design firm. Like other startups, Savioke aims to minimize unnecessary work and increase efficiency. There is no reason an employee needs to be paid to walk back and forth to deliver items when a robot can do the job. Royal Caribbean has also introduced its own robot, specifically for bartending, in its new luxury cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas.  Hotel staff unions see robots as a potential threat to their member-employees. Nonetheless, robots replacing employees is not just unique to the hospitality industry. 
  •  
    Very much like the computerized bartender we've already studied, when does automation become too much? We are a "high touch" industry that relies heavily on our guest relationships. The human wait staff can make the guest feel welcome and spoiled (isn't that why we go on cruises in the first place?), the robot cannot. Let the machine prepare the perfect drink, then let the bartender add a smile and place it in the hands of the guest. It'll keep them coming back for more.
angelamenoher

Vanished at Sea: Baffling Cruise Ship Missing Persons Cases - ABC News - 0 views

  •  
    In class you mentioned the high surveillance and passenger monitoring on cruise ships including the alerts of children going into non parental rooms. I found this intriguing because there are always a slew of people in the media that had the misfortune of going missing while on a cruise. In the last two years 41 people have gone missing and this does not include the Costa Concordia capsizing numbers. While the camera's might be rolling and the identification cards can track if passengers left the boat or stayed on I still wonder what the cruise lines do to cover up crimes. In Hospitality Law we learned that wherever the next docking country is that is where the crime that occurred on the ship will be investigated by. Most of these Caribbean Islands do not want to deal with missing persons or rape that occurred on a cruise ship so the cases get swept away. So despite the fact that cameras are supposedly on for safety here is an article with some interesting cases of missing people from cruise lines. I think a better technology would be to have the RFID enabled wristbands worn by all cruise ship passengers so that they can be located at anytime. This should be mandatory but disguise the tracking part by selling the fact that the wristband allows the passengers to make purchases with it.  Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas has this but it is voluntary and mostly requested by families who need to keep tabs on their children. They have only made 1000 wristbands and the article is accessible here : http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/view/7415/1
Carolina Villa

Hotel industry looks forward to a new telecoms era - Sandals CEO says 'Greater service ... - 0 views

  • Adam Stewart, CEO of the award-winning Sandals Resorts International, today gave top marks to LIME, the Caribbean division of Cable & Wireless Communications.
  • "The hospitality industry expects and deserves the best in communication services - our guests look forward to communicating back home to share their experiences and demand speed, reliability and stability," said Mr. Stewart.
  • Other businesses in the Caribbean that have dealt with LIME immediately congratulated The Bahamas on the choice of company.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • I expect to see LIME do great things for BTC and especially for the hospitality industry in The Bahamas and believe they have the right track record for the job."
  • Executive Vice President of the Bahamas Hotel Association Frank Comito said the hotel industry welcomed improvements in telecommunications. "Affordable, reliable internet and phone service is essential to our industry’s competitiveness, and our ability to generate business and service our customers," said Comito.
  • "On the business side, it underpins our financial transactions and our communications with buyers and suppliers. Our customers, whether they are travelling on business or pleasure, expect to stay connected at a reasonable price. It’s no longer an option, it's required to be competitive," he added. BTC is one of the last government-owned telecom monopolies in the world.
  •  
    The CEO of the award-winning Sandals Resorts International gave top marks to LIME, the Caribbean division of Cable & Wireless Communications. He remarks the importance of having the best in communication services in the hospitality industry. The executive Vice President of the Bahamas Hotel Association also welcomed the hotel industry improvements in telecommunications.
dstro007

How Cruise Lines are Greening their Game - Green Me Locally - 0 views

  • cruise vacations
  • to be one of the most popular forms of tourism
  • There are over 230 cruise ships in operation worldwide, many of which can carry up to 3,000 passengers and crewmembers.
  • ...10 more annotations...
  • international market for cruises in 2010 included about 18.3 million tourists
  • Caribbean region is the most popular in destination, with 41.02%
  • Cruise lines can have a great influence on destinations, however there are environmental impacts to know about, including bilge water, waste, and air pollution.
  • Trends in the cruise industry are changing for the better in terms of environmental awareness and sustainability.
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Holland America
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Norwegian Cruise Lines
  • Costa Cruise Lines
  • they should all go beyond the minimum and establish an even better standard to follow
  •  
    In today's society, going green is become more and more important. Especially in the hospitality industry, companies are looking for ways to save a dollar and be more energy efficient. Same thing goes for cruise lines. With so many tourists traveling by ship every year, it is important for these cruise corporations to follow regulations and set their own standards for upholding the law. So far the leader of the pack, Royal Caribbean, has qualified for certifications. They have their staff trained in the company's Environmental Management System. Holland America, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Costa are also following suit by implementing their own green initiatives. 
esant151

4 futuristic ideas Royal Caribbean has for cruise ships | Royal Caribbean Blog - 2 views

  •  
    In this article, there are examples of what is going to arise in the upcoming years with Royal Caribbean newest vessels. They have an astronomical event for tasting. In this event the backgrounds will shatter and manifest into something else.
Mikaela Vourtsis

Royal Caribbean and the Enviornment - 0 views

  •  
    Twenty years ago marked the beginning of a new period in Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited (RCCL) and helping the environment. They proposed a Save the Waves program, which allows guests to choose when towels and linens are ready to be washed saving numerous amounts of water and energy as well as reducing, reusing, and recycling. Today, their green initiative goes even further, and as the arictle discusses RCCL is implementing a plan to improve their waste, power, and most importantly, their future. Protecting and conserving the environment is a priority this company is willing to stand for. They constantly plan their efforts to maintain environmental protection and to continue to be environmentally responsible.
anonymous

Safety and Security in the Tourism Industry - A Regional Perspective on Tourism Security - 1 views

  •  
    Safety and security is crucial when it comes to the tourism industry. Traveling in the Caribbean has increased from 1980 to 2004, from 6.9 million in sales to 21.8 million. I am sure now that it's 2012 this amount has tripled. Tourism is worldwide and a very competitive industry. The consumer has to spend a good amount of money just to be able to afford traveling by cruise, or airplane to a good hotel (Possibly a Travel Package) just to be able to stay in the Caribbean some more so than others. So at this point in time the consumer is also sensitive to the tourism product since it is perceived as subjective and experimental. Tourism, therefore; becomes highly aware to these perceptions of any possible danger in traveling to the Caribbean and security in your stay there. Since 9/11/01 this became highly evident that the safety of your consumers is extremely important into providing excellent service in the traveling industry.
  •  
    Tourism security is something that all travelers are worried about. People coming from all over the world to see a new place are excited to explore their new surroundings. Safety and security are key to providing quality in tourism. The success or failure of any tourism destination strictly depends on being able to provide a safe and secure environment for tourist. We all have some concerns about our safety when it comes to booking our next trip. This is highly understood with all the massive attacks thats going on around us. For instance New York city is one of the most busiest in America it also know for the tragic 9/11 incident that took the lives of thousands of innocent people. New York recently had an explosion that injured 29 people in Manhattan just last year September. With incidents like this happening it effects airport business many passengers are not content flying into NYC. The inclination of tourist from different parts of the world fell sharply after 9/11 according to World Tourism Operation international tourist arrivals slumped by 1.3 percent in 2001
laura kaczkowski

Green and Eco-Friendly Hotel Amenities - 0 views

  • Mayakoba, Riviera Maya
  • uses no motorized vehicles throughout the entire property. Instead, guests can ride electric golf carts, bicycles, or electric boats on more than nine miles of canals.
  • Palmer House Hilton in Chicago
  • ...18 more annotations...
  • rooftop garden last summer to provide fresh herbs and vegetables to the hotel’s Lockwood restaurant.
  • “barefoot beekeeping” system, which is a chemical-free, low-impact, sustainable and natural approach to producing honey.
  • the greenhouses El Dorado Royale Resort in Rivera Maya, Mexico hope to produce 211,699 pounds of fresh produce this year
  • can tour the 100,000-square-foot growing space
  • plans his menu around greenhouse ingredient
  • oga Ranch in Napa Valley
  • the sheep make ideal groundskeepers because they are only 24 inches tall at full size, so they can’t reach tree branches or trellised grapes.
  • 2010, the resort has been collecting its compostable food products for the Upper Valley Disposal and Recycling Program, which then processes and shares the rich compost with area vineyards, farms, and resorts
  • Habana Outpost, where diners can ride a bicycle that powers the eatery’s blender
  • If they hop on the hotel’s exercise bike and generate up 100 watt hours of energy, they’ll earn a free meal
  • and is part of the hotel’s larger commitment to eco-friendliness, which includes a CO2-neutral building, solar panels, and groundwater-based heating and cooling systems.
  • their manure helps fertilize the soil,
  • At the Treehotel in Sweden, rooms are constructed without harming the forest, plus they have eco outdoor wood floors and use green hydroelectric power.
  • restaurant lights are powered by wind and solar energy; the staff provide glass flasks instead of bottled water;
  • The Hawaii Island Retreat on the Big Island’s north coast produces its own electricity through solar cells in photovoltaic panels on the roof of the property’s energy building.
  • Lake Nicaragua's Jicaro Island Ecolodge is operated by 2010 World Savers Award winner Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality
  • All of the wood used for construction or furniture came from trees downed by Hurricane Felix, which hit Nicaragua in 2007, and most of the wastewater is recycled to irrigate the trees and plants.
  • guests are given oxo-biodegradable bottles to use during their stay;
  •  
    In the article, "Green and Eco-Friendly Hotel Amenities" it talks about how many different hotels are doing their part and keeping the planet green. The first place that the article talks about is the Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, it uses no motorized vehicles instead the guests can use electric golf carts or electric boats to ride around on the nine miles of canal. "Each resort also has an onsite biologist to lead educational boat tours through the lagoons." At the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago they built a rooftop garden to provide fresh vegetables and herbs for the hotel's restaurant, they are also considering making space to put several beehives, this will lead to a natural approach of producing honey. One of the most interesting and easy ways to stay green was at the Calistoga Ranch in Napa Valley; they have sheep that eat the grass replacing all lawnmowers and on top on that, their manure helps fertilize the soil. It's a win, win solution! In New York they have a restaurant called Habana Outpost and you really have to work for your food, literally. At this restaurant you have ride a bike that powers the eatery blender and if they generate up to 100 watts of energy, they will earn a free meal, such an amazing and creative idea! This "is part of the hotel's larger commitment to eco-friendliness, which includes a CO2-neutral building, solar panels, and groundwater-based heating and cooling systems." At Jicaro Island lodge in Nicaragua, they used all of they wood from trees that were knocked down in Hurricane Felix and they also use a good majority of their wastewater that is recycled to irrigate the trees and plants. Before reading this article, I never knew that so many hotels were doing their part at staying green and I'm surprised by all the new and unique ways that they have come up with, it gives me hope for the future!
Gyujin Chae

UK's leading cruise lines to be pulled from GDS Amadeus - Travolution.co.uk - 0 views

  •  
    This article is about GDS and cruise industry. What this article talks about is that UK's cruise market leader P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises, will end its distribution through Amadeus, which is one of the largest GDSs in the world, in November 2011. The reason behind this is because these cruise lines figured out that almost 95 percent of its cruises are sold via its own website so they think GDS is no longer necessary for them. However, other major cruise lines such as Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and Norweigian Cruises will still continue to feature on the GDS. According to a spokesman of Amadeus, the company keeps investing in distribution solutions, easier and more secure cruise booking application for cruise lines. This article shows how cruise distribution in the UK is shifting. This change would probably affect not only cruise lines but other sectors such as hotels, airlines, etc. Yet, it is still uncertain if the impact of the change on cruise industry worldwide will be significant. Still, most of cruise lines including the three major cruise operators which have large market share in the cruise industry use GDS; as well as, it is doubtful if cruisers are willing to go on a same cruise ship over and over. Cruisers look for various cruise options while booking online so they will be more likely to visit GDS-based website where they can search for various cruise ships throughout the world; rather than to visit website where there are much less cruise options. Everything will be clear after we see if the UK's cruise operator is successful.
Charlie Barrett

- Royal Caribbean Launches New Online Portal for Meetings, Incentives - Successful Meet... - 2 views

    • Charlie Barrett
       
      The new technology is a great help to meeting planers when tring to sell the meeting space on the cruise line. With inventory, availability, and the ability to present proposals the cruise liner has created a very attractive site for meeting planners. Being the only cruise line to offer dedicated meeting areas, the target market expands from leisure to include business giving the cruise line a much larger client base.
kellym64

Making Waves: Cruise Technology and Digitization for Post-Pandemic Passenger Experience - 0 views

  • Digital check-ins and boarding passes that rely on biometric technology, which are already being used across most major airlines, have now become the norm for cruise ships. Royal Caribbean's seamless check-in is one example of the touchless boarding experience, wherein passengers can simply take a selfie and scan their passports. A similar move has been made by Carnival Corp, who implemented infrared cameras to screen passengers prior to boarding, which helps the ship maintain safety protocols.
    • kellym64
       
      Some of the bigger cruise lines have already implemented these changes and will stick to it to decrease wait times and less contact to avoid any germs spreading.
  • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has also become a popular adaptation for cruise lines to provide passengers with a more seamless way to board, move about and pay for items on the ship.
  • Wearable devices such as Princess Cruise’s Ocean Medallions, Royal Caribbean’s WOW Bands, or Viking Cruise’s intelligent TraceSafe devices, that come equipped with RFID technology, can act as a room key, enabling passengers to automatically open up doors and pay for drinks, services, games and other amenities. Wearable devices enable mobile identification, which also allows passengers to easily embark and disembark the ship. With just a scan of the wristband, crew members can access a passenger’s necessary information, to maintain faster boarding processes while also keeping travelers and crew members safe and accounted for.
    • kellym64
       
      I have personally used the wirleess key and it is 100 times better than a room key. I can wear the key in the water and I don't have to remember where I placed a room key or remember to take it with me before leaving the cabin.
Sasha Bravo

The Future of the Hotel Industry and Social Media - 0 views

  • Unlike many modern industries, most of what a hotel does needs to happen offline. It's hard to deliver room service or make beds with a click. But hotels are experimenting with plenty of other ways to improve service and connect with customers using social media.
  • Here are six ways that social media could make that impact on the hotel industry.
  • A concierge with a Twitter feed could be a powerful thing. Instead of making a single stop at the concierge desk to collect brochures, guests could ask questions before they get to the hotel, from their rooms, or while they're out exploring.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • f mobile geolocation features alert a hotel that you are in the building, it creates the opportunity for them to pitch relevant services. Perhaps when you arrive, for instance, management will encourage you to come down to the bar and enjoy a complimentary cocktail.
  • Interacting with customers using Facebook and Twitter can improve customer service. The idea of personalized customer service was also possible with a telephone number. But it's vastly easier with social media.
  • This strategy has successfully recovered previously dissatisfied customers. It also gives Marriott the ability to solve problems for customers as they arise.
  • About two years ago, Wolf asked Marriott's online network what they wanted from their social media interaction with the hotel brands. "I figured the last thing they wanted were deals, that they just wanted to engage," Wolf says. "And they said, no, they wanted deals.”
  • Fairmont and Omni Hotels & Resorts are two examples of chains that tweet or Facebook last-minute special offers in hopes of unloading their unbooked inventory.
  • Social media can make it easier for both large brands and small independent hotels to tell their stories. In the case of large brands, hotels have the opportunity to highlight individual properties. Potential Hilton guests, for instance, can check out videos of each Caribbean hotel on YouTube.
  • Smaller companies can use social media to reach their customers without a national advertising budget. Many hotels use Twitter, for instance, to communicate promotions and remind customers what they're about.
  •  
    this article is very interesting, going over the future of hospitality and social media. It goes over 6 major changes they believe are affecting hospitality directly. The one that i found interesting is the use of twitter as a concierge as well as a method to improve costumer service. I never thought about the ability to use this technology as a concierge with the ability to have access to hotel services!
1 - 20 of 41 Next › Last »
Showing 20 items per page