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This article covers an Indonesian study performed to study factors that influence online bookings of consumers. The main factors considered in the study were the perceived usability of the website and the ease of use. The study found that perceived usability influenced the decisions of the consumer, while the actual ease of use did not.

Cruise industry must work together to address safety & sanitation measures re:Covid-19. Travel advisors will be key to selling cruises to passengers. Industry is creating an education program for travel agents/advisors hoping that they will be able to effectively instill confidence in wary travelers.

With the impact that COVID-19 has had on the travel and hospitality industry, companies have had to turn to digital innovations to improve customer experience and regain trust. Innovations such as digital temperature checkpoints, connected room technologies, and digital labor can increase safety and allow hotels to operate during a crisis in a way that still provides the upmost customer experience. Those who capitalize on these innovations in a timely manner, and who manage the impact of COVID- 19 compassionately, may increase both their customer confidence and their value as an organization.

Interesting article! This robot Rosie, was created by a student while working as a housekeeper at a hotel. He saw that majority of accidents reported by housekeeping staff were injuries sustained from vacuuming. Later they found that Rosie was much more capable at performing other duties than housekeeping. Due her data storage capabilities she became useful in tracking environmental data, temperature, humidity and WIFI signal strength. No doubt this type of green technology has had a tremendous impact on the overall guest experience and increase in revenue.

With proper management, the perception of AI/robotics as a block to personal touch can change to a perception of convenience and luxury. The key is to use the right mix of technology and person-to-person interaction giving guests the option to choose how and when they want to interact. Both should help to enhance, not only operational efficiency but, build stronger guest connections before, during, and after their visit.

In past discussions we discussed how the hospitality industry is moving forward with advanced technology in property and restaurants. The article discusses how important it is to have a smooth transition of those services but also striking a good balance of high-tech and face to face that can ensure and build confidence with guest and provide long-term loyalty.

It is very important for hotels to provide excellent security. It makes the customers feel safe and enhance their confidence and safety.Security officers patrolling the hotel's grounds can look out for suspicious activity.Security officers can prevent hotels from incurring property damage, particularly if officers are patrolling the hotel's grounds. They can also assist in incidents involving guests damaging their rooms.

This article discussed research done on the integration of AR into shopping experiences and highlights the discrepancies between company and customer perceptions. While companies seem to continue to be hesitant to invest in AR technology, consumers are certainly chomping at the bit to try it out. In the survey done for this article it would appear that AR technology is incredibly helpful for virtual try on especially during the pandemic as in store shopping has slowed down and even when in stores consumers would be hesitant to try on clothes or makeup that had been touched by someone else. The results showed that this virtual try on experience was especially helpful for lesser known brands as the ease of trying on virtually meant people often tried brands beyond those they would usually purchase. For hotels this could mean greater interest even without a large brand backing so AR technology could be important for smaller independent hotels. For hotels AR technology could not only help set them apart from other hotels but also could increase consumer confidence during booking as it takes a little bit more out of the mystery of booking a hotel room. Giving guests the ability to "walk" the hotel and visualize where they fit in could definitely increase bookings.

This article talked about Sabre Hospitality Solution which is the user-friendly e-marketing tool. The Sabre Hospitality Solution will push your internet marketing program to a higher level of performance through the following five essential elements. First, Sabre Hospitality Solutions developed a proprietary Content Management Tool (CMT) based on the needs of the clients. Second, Sabre Hospitality Solutions provides a full e-commerce solution that enables you to build and manage an E-store that generates significant incremental revenue. Third, behavioral targeting engine of Sabre Hospitality Solutions serves potential guests content based on how they are navigating through the Website; and profiles their keyword search that has led them to the Website. Fourth, flash map solution integrates standard interactive components for any set of floor plans. Fifth, Sabre Hospitality Solutions' Interactive Proposal Service (IPS) is a proprietary system that allows a property to respond to RFP's in a highly customized fashion.

Sabre Hospitality Solutions has designed applications and products to push the e-marketing program to a higher level. It offers a wide range of e-marketing tools. Sabre Hospitality Solutions developed a proprietary CMT based on the needs of the clients. This friendly empowering the clients and is widely used in multiple hospitality websites. It also provides a full e-commerce solution that enables you to build and manage and e-store that generates significant incremental revenue. In addition, the behavioral targeting engine serves potential guests content and the flash map solution integrates standard interactive components for any set of floor plans. Finally, it is a interactive proposal service. This unique online presentation of your proposal will ensure your product stands apart form other competitors.

The PCI Security Standards Council published the PCI Mobile Payment Acceptance Security Guidelines for Merchants and End-Users on February 19, 2013. "The PCI Security Standards Council's mission is to enhance payment account data security by driving education and awareness of the PCI Security Standards. The organization was founded by American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB International, MasterCard Worldwide, and Visa Inc." The guidelines educates merchants on risks that they must be aware of in order to protect their customers' data when they are using mobile devices for payments, such as smart phones and tablets. As more merchants turn to handheld devices for payment options, they must consider new security risks. With these new guidelines and procedures, merchants will learn what is needed to isolate and prevent card data from exposure to the public. 

Nowadays, people are traveling with more valuables than they used to years ago. As a result, "hotel security measures are now paramount for hoteliers, and selecting the right type of locking system for the property can be a minefield for owners". Mechanical keys and poorly maintained electronic door locks do not offer guests a sense of security. Modern RFiD card systems are becoming the popular technological choice for hoteliers. Biometric locks, which read a fingerprint or face, are reliable and cost-effective, as well. However, they are more of an ideal security solution for offices, back-of-house, or wine stores. Not only are the RFID locks harder to hack, they are cost-effective as well. The lack of physical contact between the card and the lock makes open channels for card insertion unnecessary. The cards do not have a magnetic strip or contain microchips. The card itself only has encrypted non-personal information associated with it. In addition, since there is no contact between the card and lock, "there is no requirement for read head cleaning or replacement of read heads due to wear". As a result, the amount of faulty cards is minimized and guest satisfaction increases.

As this article mentioned, more and more people pay attention on the issue of hotel security because of the development of modern technology. People began to worry about their safety. For the locking system, we use RFID card systems to ensure the safety. Even though it is lost, we can deactivate it at soon. It also reduce the burden of employees in Front Desk. At the same time, we should observe surrounding environment and learn to protect ourselves. In my opinion, the updating of this locking system is a very good idea to save cost and more efficiently.

This article answers questions that summarize the change in hotel security. The article explains why hotels have taken a new route in locks for the guests, stating that the needs of a secure stay has grown with the changes in the value of goods that each customer brings.  The article concludes with a brief description of how hotel security will evolve over the next 5-10 years.  overall i think this is a good article that explains some of the questions that many people have.

As this article mentioned, more and more travel agents use GDS to reserve hotel rooms. Finding from the research, it clearly demonstrated the importance of GDS for travel agents and more agents chose it as the searching tool. At the same time, for the hoteliers, it is also an opportunity to make use of GDS to influence travel agents. In addition, promotional message assist to increase sales. In my opinion, I think travel agents and GDS are not competitors, they can make up each other's disadvantages and cooperate with each other.

As this article mentioned, Priceline Partner Network cooperated with Grandparents.com,Inc. to reach a business which can provide the latest information on this website. Travel customers can access to book hotels, rental car, airline tickets, air & hotel vacation packages. They try their best to provide best service and products. It also present the specific introduction about Priceline Partner Network, Priceline Group, Grandparents.com, Inc. in my opinion, this agreement can bring the visitors a new trip to search the hotels and other information. It can show various information which can be selected for customers and provide superior saving compared with other deals.

Some advanced accounting systems are necessary for hotels and restaurants to achieve productivity operation. More and more properties have installed those kinds of systems providing inclusive accounting maintenance and support. On the other hand, a plenty of software companies are delivering different kinds of accounting software to the market to meet this common demand. Any competent accounting software must have three abilities supporting daily operation, one of which is the ability of storge, process any data covering any dataduring actual. In addition, the analysis of operation and output of accounting or financial reports is also necessary. Last one is the ability to provide business or operation suggestions automatically, which can assist managers make presice decision with moew confidence.

With the great advances in technology, accounting no longer needs to be a complicated process. In the past, it was necessary to hire bookkeepers and/or accountants for many of the internal office functions. However, today this is no longer necessary, greatly reducing internal accounting costs. Determining a process that works best for you and your operation(s) is key. Some of our clients have no internal office help at all. For others, they have their managers enter the invoices that fall under their control directly into the system.Other clients choose to have an "administrative assistant". Some systems they prepare:Monthly financial statements,Monthly bank reconciliations,Monthly meals & sales tax returns,IRS Annual Tip Report,Annual breakeven analyses, which will help the corporate a lot. So, regardless of whether you want to keep your accounting internal or on the web, determining a process that works best for you (now and in the long run) is the key. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars on complicated accounting systems that then require a bookkeeper or accountant to run. Furthermore, these systems require someone to set them up and to design the financial statements, another cost involved. Keep it simple and get timely and meaningful reports - you can have both.

This article is introducing the operational & accounting systems in Highpointe. This system is a blend of several systems and procedures which comprise one of the most valuable components in the entire organization, and one that its investors have come to trust and even admire for its thoroughness and accuracy. Specifically, it does all accounting in-house, including payroll. And the financial status of any property will be pinpointed at any time via real-time analysis. Investors can review financial statements 24-hours a day, seven days a week, from anywhere in the world via website. Highpointe takes the concept of in-house accounting a step further by assigning each accountant full financial responsibility for a certain number of properties, rather than the traditional method. This practice not only saves money, but again keeps accountants fully in the financial loop. What is more, every hotel manager in the Highpointe group is responsible for meeting financial goals and objectives. Finally, every hotel is audited yearly. By maintaining a clear, concise and accurate account of the financial state of each property, investors can be confident they can bank on numbers.

This article describes a software that has such kind of functions. It provides some solutions to the hoteliers. The solution contains to provide data from one source in one place and to capture automatically and manage key financial information. Also, It can help to close the books quickly and increase revenue and cut costs. Some systems would be involved in that. The solutions include, Infor infinium FMS, Infor SunSystems, Infor CPM Business Editon and Infor workbrain. The hotels often need to focus on business issues and make a profit. From this software, the management can make best practices and the manager can deliver financial results with confidence.

Many of the concerns that a hotelier might have regarding the upgrade of the physical hardware at the base of their information technology system, their cable network, to fiber optic wiring have been addressed in recent years. Fiber has been around since the 70s, and the cable is stronger and more flexible than copper alternatives. In order to determine whether or not a fiber upgrade is right for a specific property, one should first consider the technological needs of the hotel and be sure that the increased bandwidth and speed are really needed. The hotelier should also consider when the switch will be most cost effective and time efficient. This usually coincides with a hotel remodel. Finally, while the cost /foot of fiber installation has become comparable with that of copper over the years, one should educate himself regarding the terminology and mechanics of a fiber network before shopping installation quotes. A solid understanding of interoperability and terminal needs will keep the costs at a minimum while limiting the need to reinstall cable in the future.

Facebook is becoming more and more popular around the world and it is becoming a social media requirement for companies to utilize for their customers. Grand Millennium Kuula Lumpur realized this and became the first hotel in Malaysia to use Facebook as a booking engine, allowing its 30,000+ followers to book hotel accommodations comfortably and in a secure environment with a special fans only rate. Friends of the hotel's Facebook page feel confident when booking through this mechanism because the page links directly to the hotel's real-time reservations system, allowing customers to check availability and book rooms instantly. This is all done without ever leaving the Facebook page. Sabre Hospitality Solutions understands the growth of social media and is helping hotels engage guests through this new technology by providing the most comprehensive social media optimization solution available. They are helping hotels build loyalty, tap into new market segments, build buzz and grow their business through online communities. This is a very important and relevant marketing tool for Malaysia because their total number of Facebook users at the end of 2011 grew to over 12 million.

INNCOM is the global hospitality-industry leader in advanced energy-management and Integrated Room Automation Systems (IRAS) for hotels and resorts. Furthermore, INNCOM is considered to be a pioneer in wireless environment installation with extensive experience in networking guestroom equipment and 25 years of tradition. INNCOM invented a Deep Mesh Network which uses advanced radio frequency technology to provide better control and monitoring over a hotel's HVAC, lighting and other equipment with the goals of reducing energy consumption and simultaneously improving the guest experience. In case of the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, it had upgraded its guestroom temperature control system to a networked energy management system utilizing the Deep Mesh Network (DMN) architecture from INNCOM, and since the 1,310-room property converted to this robust wireless environment (nearly eight months ago), energy consumption has dropped by 21 percent without requiring the 40-year-old facility to undergo an extensive or costly installation effort. After all, energy conservation is not just a question of saving money, but saving something that is home to us all: the earth.

The article, iPad POS Use Rising Among Restaurants, reflects the evolution and implementation of both hardware and POS software within the restaurant industry. The iPad is revolutionizing POS systems, helping to increase the efficiency for the restaurants. According to Chris Wishart, restaurateur of the Trio Restaurant & Bar, "You don't have to worry about servers coming back into the kitchen 10 or 15 times a night asking questions". This allows for the quicker and more efficient placing of orders that contribute to higher customer satisfaction, which is to an extent difficult to measure. As well, Wishart comments about the hardware cost an estimated $3,000, in comparison to the typical upfront POS system costs of $12,000 to $20,000. Including, the use of the cloud base technology has eliminated the need for store software upkeep. The iPad is a versatile hardware that has allowed POS software companies to benefit mutually along with restaurants.

This article introduces using ipad as a POS in restaurants. Customers liking ipad, this is a big advantage of using ipad to take the order. What's more, ipad can improve the efficiency for the restaurant and decrease the workload of servers. "You don't have to worry about servers coming back into the kitchen 10 or 15 times a night asking questions, and the recipes for all the bar drinks are there, too," And ipad POS can bring the benefit for the cost of the restaurants. In addition, it also has the reliability to assure users.

It is a revolution that tablet brings to restaurant industry. Taking orders, reservation, planning and inventory, all things are possible with iOS platform devices. Both restaurants and guests like new tablet POS because it improve experience and time efficient. Both servers and restaurant owners like it because it is cheaper to set up comparing with traditional POS.