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marble_bird

Recognizing-events_4.0.pdf - 1 views

shared by marble_bird on 22 Jul 20 - No Cached
  • The purpose of this research is to explore and define the digital maturity of events using the Industry 4.0 model (I4.0) to create a definition for Events 4.0 (E4.0) and to place various relevant technologies on a scale of digital maturity.
  • These surveys and the thorough literature review that preceded them allowed us to map the digital technologies used in events to levels of a digital maturity model.
  • This study has responded to calls from the academic literature to provide a greater understanding of the digital maturity of events and how events engage with digital technology.
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  • We found that engagement with technology at events and delegate knowledge satisfactorily coexists for and across a number of different experiential levels. However, relative to I4.0, event research and the events industry appear to be digitally immature.
  • Events are in the midst of rapid social and technological change. With a growing variety of technological means, the industry is fast-paced and increasingly delivered to a discerning consumer market while finding ways to connect with consumers through technology
  • Digital technology is the thread of the fabric of organisations (Li et al., 2018). It is an increasingly important part of how they engage with their customers.
  • Moreover, engagement with events as fans, spectators, delegates or organisers can be augmented with digital technology by improving access and sociability capabilities, refining the personalisation of events, and thereby creating enhanced experiences.
  • As we advance into what many in business and academia consider to be a fourth industrial revolution, the capacity to control and exchange data electronically has extended our ability to create, edit, maintain, transmit and retrieve information.
  • I4.0 can be described as the digitisation and automation of the manufacturing environment. It also creates digital value chains to enable the communication between products, their environment and business partners. Digital applications have impacted the tourism sector too giving rise to ‘Tourism 4.0’
  • The events industry is an ideal environment to benefit from the implementation of a widespread digitised approach with numerous organisations empowering managers and improving the overall event experience with the integration of extensive ICT practices and systems.
  • With the more widespread adoption of digitalization in event delivery and as the supply chains of all events become intertwined with technology, we can learn how the digital maturity of events in the 21st century is shaping event management and event control.
  • The team set out to answer the following research questions: RQ1. Can digital maturity in events be defined? If so, RQ2. How should the levels of digital maturity of events be classified with regard to the digital maturity of the events industry and the development of event management theory?
  • Successful events are no longer measured by simply achieving a respectable attendance, a great deal more engagement is manifest through digital technologies
  • Successful events require organisers to create something that is considered by those who attend as a valuable and memorable experience (Pizam, 2010; Tung, 2011). Creating memorable event experiences can be described as being dependent on a number of factors including creating regular attendee engagement, providing appropriate activities, relevant subject matter, topical and contemporary focus and targeted to a sizable receptive audience.
  • technological factors being one of the most important areas of demand for companies along with the implementation of I4.0. SMEs (Small to medium enterprises) are [lagging] behind in developing strategies to implement new solutions.
  • The development of digital maturity in events can be compared to smart tourism, which Gretzel et al. (2015) expressed as a logical progression from traditional activities. Smart tourism is characterised by an ability to transform large amounts of data into enhanced tourist experiences and increased destination competitiveness thanks to the interconnection of the different stakeholders through latest ICT advancements
  • As the components of I4.0 become more prevalent in the events industry, much value can be obtained from understanding how businesses are adopting new levels of digital engagement in order to engage their audiences
  • it is prudent to suggest that the survival, and future success of events can depend upon digital maturity and transformation
  • owever, dealing with digital maturity requires careful attention as Neuhofer (2016) urges caution advising that applied technology solutions have proven to have the ability to create or destruct the value of the experience.
  • I4.0 therefore acknowledges the impact of connected computers with the key constituents being cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things, cloud computing and cognitive computing
  • highlighted that the use of communication networks globally has risen dramatically and become ubiquitous due to the rise of smartphone ownership. This has been fuelled by social media, apps and faster broadband speeds to create a networked society
  • By combining the Internet of Things data and big data (extremely large data sets that may be analysed computationally to reveal patterns, trends and associations, especially relating to human behaviour and interactions), event managers are able to create a competitive advantage.
  • As event companies develop new and innovative ways to connect, the events themselves are absorbing aspects of I4.0 at every stage of the process; pushing the boundaries of event experiences far beyond the physical world
  • They are used to promote events before, during and after delivery and are used to gather data and inform decision-making. Generating responses from an event can be achieved using a number of methods and through both qualitative and quantitative data.
  • With the advent of big data and analytics, new sources of valuable data are available to guide decision-making processes in a more informed manner. Businesses were once looking at historical data, but advances in database technology and system processes have led to near real-time data collection and analytics
  • Failure to adopt aspects of digital technology does not necessarily suggest a poor experience or the end for those businesses less digitally mature; not every event business relies on this kind of data support to survive. Instead, this research provides an opportunity to better understand where event businesses do engage and more importantly, how communication between non-digital and fully integrated individuals/businesses can be improved.
  • Digital maturity and transformation today differs from previous periods as it not only provides the change in the main business processes but also reveals the concepts of smart and connected products through service-driven business models
  • Our analysis begins with an attempt to uncover the potential challenges, on-going developments and various strategies that will provide the events industry and academics with a forward-facing approach to the growth of technology within events. By including industry professionals and academics, the research contributes to bridging the gap between practise and academia.
  • Because the research and empirical data collection includes industry perspectives, we believe this research will provide value to event managers, marketers and practitioners around the world who wish to understand more about the digital maturity of events.
  • After conducting the social media analysis (1), it became evident that the discussions appeared to be around topics that utilise digital technology rather than the technology itself. Furthermore, and probably a reflection on the value of the group, a lot of the data included questions about understanding the topics rather than providing usable information to our research.
  • We did not have detailed information about the precise characteristics of the individuals who contributed to the dataset of posts. However, to an extent, their roles listed in LinkedIn were informative. These included events consultants, social media managers, marketing professionals, EventTech managers, CEOs at tech companies and events students.
  • Although this response rate of 52 academics may be considered low, this did allow for the creation of the initial insights into the E4.0 concept and crucially it provides a starting point to better understand the levels of the developing digital maturity model.
  • The most referenced themes were social media, marketing, apps, GDPR and mobile. The top 14 themes are shown in Figure 1 below.
  • The results of the thematic analysis reveal the most pertinent events and technology topics in this group in the time period specified. The most common topics were social media and marketing. Marketing appeared alongside other topics as a verb, a noun and an adjective. This certainly influenced its prominence.
  • This statement reinforces the knowledge and general use of social media during events. Mobile and event apps were recognised as presenting opportunities to enhance events and were considered to be a permanent part of events.
  • Carefully managed and fully integrated data and digital systems including social media, apps and CRM create digital value chains to enable the communication between events, their environment, and business partners.
  • Event organisers invest heavily on social media engagement and expect a great deal in return through social media retweets, tagging and sharing of images. However, it is just as important to understand if delegates consider technology at events that important.
  • Our expert respondents were asked if they considered the events industry to be at the cutting edge of technology. Responses were largely supportive of the suggestion that it is. 64% agree, 22% neither agree nor disagree and 14% disagree.
  • Online registration/digital booking was very familiar with 65% ‘extremely familiar’ with the technology.
  • The survey also collected a selection of qualitative data as respondents were asked to if there were any specific examples of connected/digital technology considered to be essential to the delivery of an event that had not been discussed in the survey. Significantly, 23% answered no to this question.
  • With regard to the digital maturity of the events industry affecting the development of event management theory, the literature review indicates that academics are making contributions to theory and a broad understanding of digital technology exists.
  • industry appears not to be digitally mature. Also, our findings suggest that relative to I4.0 not all events are digitally mature. Therefore, the ‘digital immaturity’ of the events industry may be having some effect on event management theory
  • It became evident from the survey that many respondents suggested they were not familiar with technology that they would all have experienced.
  • The results from the survey suggest that widespread academic understanding of technology at events is extensive. Some digital technology is considered routine, while other comprehensively used technology appears to be unfamiliar to the end user.
  • The growing digital maturity levels form the foundation for E4.0 and will contribute to what Gerbert (2015) described as greater efficiencies and changing traditional relationships among suppliers, producers, and customers.
  • Therefore, satisfaction from the event comes down to providing delegates with the right communication levels they need to complete their individual objectives. This can range from the most basic social engagement to the gathering or observation of big data. Events are evidently a melting pot of experiences and goals and not all of them demand the highest levels of technology to complete.
  • Artificial intelligence has the ability to provide events with endless systems that sense, learn and decide throughout the delivery process though many gaps exist.
  • The data also indicates that there is good knowledge across all types of digital technology. This is reassuring for the development of education as the events industry embraces digitalisation
  • However, as more value is placed on the use of digital technology and events mature through greater access to technology, we see the emergence of an E4.0 era.
  • Thus, this model anticipates that events will grow in their digital maturity to level E3 and E4. Thus, digital technologies may become sufficiently embedded so that data related to one element of an event will be used to inform other elements of an event in real time
  • Online registration and wearable technologies such as delegate smart badges are superficial digital experiences and only considered as a process rather than as a fully perceived digital experience.
  • Our findings indicate that digital communications have enabled a shift in the content of events, marketing and the use of social media as a communication tool before, during and after the event.
  • On the limitations of our research, one might argue that engagement with technology, or indeed lack of it, does not provide evidence of the immaturity of digital technology in events. However, the digital maturity model that we propose is principally informed by the literature on digital technology and events.
  • This research has provided a revealing perspective on the use of digital technology in events. It has built on theory that has been previously developed in this and similar subjects of research, such as business and tourism. From this, the research can claim a number of contributions. It (i) provides an empirical investigation into how event businesses and individuals engage with digitally technology at events, and (ii) it provides a definition of E4.0 and other preceding levels that contribute to digital maturity.
  • Our research has shown that event delegates are aware of the ability to communicate in a reciprocal process with technology rather than through a linear/top down process. This in itself is evidence of E4.0. Furthermore, this research highlights how industry is continually striving to optimise the delegate/event relationship through apps and other technology. The industry’s on-going mission to create deeply flexible communication opportunities is eliminating the possibility of gaps in the communication process in order to optimise delegate engagement at events.
  • A broader discussion on potential issues such as IT & data security, skill-sets, expensive production costs and outages; these are significant problems within internet and cloud-based technology. Furthermore, the emerging topic of E4.0 itself requires both conceptual and empirical development.
  • This research has shown that there remains a great deal to discover about the use of technology at events and many opportunities exist for further research from academics and practitioners working together to provide mutual benefits for both industry and education.
  • marble_bird on 22 Jul 20
     
    This article covers a study performed to determine the digital maturity of events. The research conducted reveals that the majority of industry professionals are aware of technology in events. The study ultimately finds that events have a low digital maturity, but high potential for advancement. The article also addresses the limitations of the study performs and agrees that additional research should be performed to determine the relevance of technology in the events industry while acknowledging that digital engagement is not necessary or conducive to every type of event.
  • hankunli on 24 Jul 20
     
    This article has discovered the fact that the event industry was digitally immature. It also introduced a new concept which is called E4.0 into the academic literature. The article is meaningful since it has filled a gap in the literature relating to events and digital maturity and responded to some of the calls for research. The authors were also planning to make further research on E4.0, events, and digital maturity. They have mentioned that the studies on E4.0 itself were also requiring deeper research.
delaneyverger

Thinking Outside the Vendor RFP Process in Hospitality Digital Marketing | By Jason Price - 0 views

www.hospitalitynet.org/...4067389.html

vendor rfp process request for proposal hospitality hotel business tech technology i.t. i.t. investment

shared by delaneyverger on 21 Sep 16 - No Cached
  • Some believe the vendor RFP process allows a hotel company to pick the most qualified service/product provider through an unbiased decision process. Perhaps this is the case for commoditized supplies or services (housekeeping supplies, linens, laundry, etc.) where the RFP process allows for comparing the proverbial "apples to apples."
  • At a typical hotel, who is equipped with the latest best practices in digital technology and marketing to sufficiently and adequately prepare a vendor RFP? Very few hotel companies have the bandwidth and depth of knowledge to adequately identify the digital needs of the property. Nor can they convey the property's needs and wants in the digital space and where it needs to be in 6, 12, 24 and 36 months from now. Lastly, who at the property can afford to devote considerable time to research and prepare a vendor RFP that asks the right questions, conveys the right objectives and provides a solid framework for evaluating and comparing one digital technology and marketing firm to the next?
  • On the hotel side, the typical vendor RFP process easily takes 50+ hours from beginning to end. On the digital technology and marketing vendor side, time to review, respond, and present takes upwards of 25-40 hours. Typically, three vendors compete and with all parties combined the entire RFP process will cost upwards of $15,000-$20,000. Beyond the cost, this process consumes the time and energy of multiple people and departments on an average of every two years for the hotel company.
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  • The traditional vendor RFP process is not suited for evaluating and choosing a digital technology and marketing partner who will be entrusted to guide the hotel in maximizing revenues from the most important distribution and marketing channel in hospitality: the direct online channel (i.e. the property website). Such an RFP process is typically riddled with contradictions and self-selecting biases, and also represents an antiquated method unsuitable for a fast-paced digital world
  • The traditional vendor RFP process cannot provide answers to crucial questions concerning familiarity with industry's best practices, strategic approach to digital marketing technology and marketing, digital technology innovativeness, quality and depth of direct online channel consulting services, etc
  • Common observations on the RFP experience: It serves as a tool to fulfill administrative requirements or to simply "shop around" when in fact the digital marketing/technology firm has already been privately selected. On paper, every digital technology and marketing firm can present itself at its best and can creatively diminish any weaknesses or embellish any strength. The hotel does not know what questions to ask to get to the heart of what the hotel needs. Digital marketing and technology firms can easily make promises and fall short on delivery and meeting expectations. Over-promising and under-delivering has become modus operandi for a number of players in the industry. Properties can get carried away and request proprietary information like methodologies, access to code, and design work as part of the vendor RFP.
  • Some hotel companies never follow up and leave the evaluated vendors in limbo. Oftentimes hotel companies do not give the digital marketing firm adequate time for proposal development, which demands further use of resources or the delay of other key projects. When management changes, the hotel company is more likely to go into a vendor RFP without evaluating the results and contributions of their current vendor, which can disrupt existing relationships and potentially impede the successes to date. Given the arduous process of the vendor RFP process, there could be a sense of entitlement on both sides that could result in a mutually caustic relationship from the onset.
  • Digital agencies may propose lower costs to win the contract and introduce additional fees later only leading to resentment and regret. Hotels will often push needs beyond the original scope in the vendor RFP and use the proposal as leverage to get more services without paying. Not all digital agencies are the same but as mentioned, any agency can demonstrate on paper its superiority to solve any problem and deliver any service. Behind the scenes an agency can outsource and end up costing the hotel twice what is originally proposed in additional fees.
  • Not all digital agencies are the same but as mentioned, any agency can demonstrate on paper its superiority to solve any problem and deliver any service. Behind the scenes an agency can outsource and end up costing the hotel twice what is originally proposed in additional fees.
  • delaneyverger on 21 Sep 16
     
    This article discusses how the traditional vendor RFP (Request for Proposal) model is no longer the ideal way to integrate the right technology marketing that a hotel needs. The traditional vendor RFP model is time-consuming and expensive, and with the way that technology is constantly expanding and changing, hotels need to stay up-to-date with technology more and more frequently, which can mean this process is wasting time and money on an ever-increasing scale. Furthermore, it is not always an accurate indicator of the kinds of technology a hotel might need, especially what a hotel might need in the future, and it is difficult to determine who would best be capable of knowing what the property will need or what exactly to ask for in an RFP. The article talks about three alternatives to the traditional model: the Scorecard model, the Digital Marketing Partner Interview model, and the Trusted Partner model. With the Scorecard model, hotels have a checklist of things they need and can check off each point from each potential vendor. With the Digital Marketing Partner Interview model, which is similar to the traditional vendor RFP process, except that the interview focused on finding a Digital Marketing Partner that aligns with the hotel's management philosophy, values, and culture in order to find the right partnership. With the Trusted Partner model, the hotel works with one particular company with whom they share common goals and objectives, and they work together to solve problems and adapt new technology as the hotel's technological needs are manifested over time.
tjcamino

15 Benefits of Having Digital Menu Boards in Your Restaurant - 0 views

www.voolsyscreen.com/...ital-menu-boards-in-restaurant

benefits Restaurant Customer Digital Menu

shared by tjcamino on 01 Feb 20 - No Cached
  • While the core focus of a restaurant might be to serve delicious food, what missed out is the paper menus and restaurant chalkboard on which restaurant invest lot of time and mon.
  • 1. Digital Menu Display Makes Communication Easier
  • It gives you better control over what you want to highlight on your menu which indirectly influences the choices of order of a customer.
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  • use videos or animations that catches more attention and also makes the communication much easier
  • grab user’s attention with videos and animations
  • pdate can be made in a matter of seconds and whenever you want to.
  • 3. Sound Investment Saving Money
  • convenience with an added benefit of cost savings. Since you don’t have to print new menus or promotional material regularly
  • 4. Digital Display Create a More Memorable Experience
  • The right mix of graphics and videos can keep customers entertained
  • enhance the overall customer experience.
  • 5. Better Visibility of Menu
  • 2. Save Time by Easy to update Digital Display
  • ye pleasing than the regular paper
  • 6. 24/7 Support
  • Many restaurants have started opting for 24/7 menus which create an impression on passersby too
  • 7. Boost Sale up to 21-23%
  • said to have boost up sales by 21-23%
  • You can change menu items, prices, and promote specials without having to invest anything more to have your menus changed
  • 8. Promote and Upsell Your New Items
  • sell and promote your newly introduced items on the menu.
  • 13. Reduce Wait Time
  • Moreover a restaurant can use several other things like display fun facts or display promotional material to distract the waiting customers and get them less frustrated.
  • 14. Meet Health Care Regulations
  • display calorie counts next to each menu item.
  • tjcamino on 01 Feb 20
     
    Week 4 Article Summary 15 Benefits of Having Digital Menu Boards in Your Restaurant. This article discusses the positive ways in having a digital menus and explains the benefit it has on the restaurant. The focus of the restaurant should be more on the quality of food being served. Even though there are a lot of restaurant that give you an experience like no other but if the food is not top quality it will be hard to bring customers back. Having this type of digital menus could enhance the guest experience while helping the restaurant increase revenues. Here are ten of the top fifteen positives reasons of having a digital menu boards. 1) Digital menu displays will make communication easier. This starts form the customer directly to the kitchen. It will also allow the establishment to display videos and animations that will catch the eyes of the customers and could highlight specific menu items. 2) Saves time by easy updates on display. The software will allow the restaurant to update the menu very easy. You could add and take away dishes without having to print all new menus. It will also allow you 86 items that are sold out at any time during the shift. 3) Sound Investment of saving money. With the system allowing you to change menus, it will save money because you won't have to pay to print new menus every time you want revise it. 4) Digital displays create a more memorable experience. With having a digital screen, it will allow the customer to stay entertained by having a right mix of graphic videos and allowing them to keep them occupied during down times. 5) Better Visibility of menu. The display on the tablet will allow the guest to see a nice HD screen with colors that will make it easy to see and read. 6) 24/7 support. No matter what time of day, there will be support for mangers to trouble shoot any issues that might be happing at time. 7) Boost sales up to 21-23%. It has been said that having an emenu will increase revenues by allowing the establ
sbarr011

6 reasons why digital marketing is essential for restaurants - Different Perspective - 0 views

dppad.com/aurants-need-digital-marketing

#emarketing #restaurantemarketing #digitalmarketing ##hoteltechnology

shared by sbarr011 on 22 Jul 18 - No Cached
  • It’s time to take advantage of the immediacy, huge reach and visual appeal of digital media. Watch your audience grow, your reservation rates soar, and the positive reviews flood in when you invest in digital marketing for your restaurant.
  • By claiming your business listing on Yelp and Google and establishing a Facebook Page for your restaurant, you can monitor reviews and publicly (or privately) respond to customer complaints and queries.
  • Does your restaurant regularly offer promotions? Do you often have featured menu specials? Use your digital marketing to spread the word! Your website and social media are great avenues to promote them, which will help to build your audience and encourage repeat business.
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  • There’s nothing more frustrating than out of date information online. Use digital marketing to give your customers the information they need: use your website, business listings and social media channels to share your location, opening hours, menu and contact details.
  • Use your social media platforms to share delicious, enticing visuals and fresh, interesting content — try sharing recipes, behind the scenes photos, and limited-time menu items.
  • More than half of social media users in the U.S. agree that social media is the best way for consumers to communicate with companies [2].
  • Digital marketing helps you to share your story with your customers online. Before you begin, make sure you have developed your restaurant’s brand identity.
  • good digital marketing strategy for restaurants should include a website, email marketing and social media.
  • Digital marketing is the promotion of products and services using any kind of digital medium.
  • 75% of smartphone users access restaurant information on the go [1], so having an online presence is essential for your business. The decision of where to eat is most influenced by location, price, and the number of good reviews. So where do you start with promoting your restaurant? Digital marketing may be the answer
  • sbarr011 on 22 Jul 18
     
    E-Marketing/ digital marketing help businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry grow and succeed. This article focuses on the importance of e-marketing/digital marketing for the restaurant industry. The article mentions that over 70% of smartphone users access restaurant information on their phone, therefore promoting the restaurant online through a website, social media or e-mail marketing can help drive business. The first way digital marketing can help restaurants would be to develop the brand's story and identity. Secondly, having the restaurant be active and engaging on social media will help build customer loyalty and interaction. Another advantage to digital marketing is sharing menu items, pictures of the restaurants and showing guests having fun online develops visual content and can entice and attract customers. Another point made in the article was to keep the restaurant information such as hours, promotions and restaurant contact info up to date. Incorrect information can lead to customer frustration and loss of business and profit. Another benefit of e-marketing is the ability to offer incentives to the customers and bring them in the door. It is especially important to reward loyal customers. Another benefit listed is to review and interact with customers on platforms such as Yelp and Facebook. All in all, digital marketing is beneficial for business growth not only restaurants, but any business in the hospitality and tourism sector.
shineal

Hospitality Digital Technology: Challenges, Priorities and Buzzwords | - 4 views

hoteltechnologynews.com/...enges-priorities-and-buzzwords

hospitality technology

shared by shineal on 19 Jan 21 - No Cached
  • With the explosion of the “digital way of life”, the customer journey has become increasingly complex, forcing hoteliers overhaul not only their corporate and marketing strategies, but also their technology stack in order to engage, acquire, service and retain these digitally-enabled travel consumers across multiple digital touch points and across all digital channels and devices.
  • Today’s hospitality is being transformed into a 100% digital technology-enabled industry powered by online, mobile, cloud, IoT, AI and blockchain tools and applications.
  • there are two categories of guest-facing digital technology:
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  • Today, the vast majority of hoteliers are primarily focused on and investing in Guest Services Technology, while underinvesting in Guest Engagement, Acquisition and Retention Technology.
  • Guest Services Technology
  • Guest Engagement, Acquisition and Retention Technology
  • cloud hosting and CDN (Content Delivery Network) provides far better server response times and faster download speeds.
  • In other words, hoteliers’ technology focus and investments end where the OTA focus and investment begin.
  • With nearly 59% of online travelers now visiting the hotel website from mobile devices,
  • a mobile-first website design is a must.
  • Mobile-first responsive website with
  • Today’s hoteliers must create and manage a robust digital presence and engage, acquire, service and retain travel consumers in this increasingly mobile-first world.
  • Quite often different teams at the property use different sets of data in their day-to-day operations, creating a total “data integrity mess,” which directly affects the property’s guest acquisition and retention efforts.
  • They must understand and invest in digital technology and marketing that enables the best possible user experience, provides the best customer service, increases efficiencies and boosts revenues.
  • From a technology perspective, the challenge to hoteliers is to create a hotel and room environment that at least matches but preferably exceeds their guests’ home environment. In other words, hotel and room technology, amenities, and features should be the same or better than what guests already enjoy at home. These include:
  • The future of this technology is the Smart Guestroom which will be completely personalized to guest preferences and loyalty member profile.
  • “Imagine a world where the room knows you, and you know your room.”
  • Hoteliers are overwhelmed by the amount of technology, data, and digital marketing silos and the need to work with multitude of vendors in their guest acquisition and services efforts.
  • Each team has its own technology tools, databases, and vendors which are not in communication with the other teams.
  • These are the major impediments to the industry becoming a digital technology-driven and technology-savvy industry:
  • Reluctance to invest in digital technology:
  • Antiquated accounting in hospitality:
  • The technology and data fragmentation in hospitality
  • Unlike hoteliers, the OTAs are focused exclusively and investing only in Guest Engagement, Acquisition and Retention Technology since they do not have to worry about on-property technology and guest experiences.
  • Recently, an independent hotel introduced room service delivery robots, which would have been great if the rest of the hotel tech stack were in order, and if it weren’t for the 6-year old property website, and absence of any CRM technology.
  • Hotels should first focus on the fundamentals of the technology stack before implementing more advanced things.
  • The U.S. hospitality industry is a $155 billion industry. This provides endless opportunities for smart technology vendors to thrive and service the industry with state-of-the-art solutions.
  • The industry needs fewer, as opposed to more, technology vendors servicing the industry.
  • The industry has a “vendor deficit disorder” in the sense of being overwhelmed by the number of tech vendors and solutions out there.
  • Hoteliers need to monitor, proactively inquire about and familiarize themselves with the Next Generation Technologies that are already making their way into hospitality, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Voice Assistants, Chat Bots, Robotics, and Blockchain.
  • Over the next 3-5 years we will witness wider adoption and implementation of the following next gen technologies:
  • Hoteliers must wake up to the fact that by being primarily focused on and investing in Guest Services Technology, while underinvesting in Guest Engagement, Acquisition and Retention Technology, they are allowing the OTAs more visibility to engage, acquire and retain the online travel consumer.
  • Unlike hoteliers, the OTAs are focused exclusively and investing only in Guest Engagement, Acquisition and Retention Technology.
  • Digital technology is making its way into every aspect of the industry: hotel operations, guest services and communications, revenue management, distribution, CRM and marketing.
  • Today’s hotelier must understand, know and use digital tech solutions in their everyday environment, and be able to assess, evaluate, recommend and acquire technology solutions to improve guest satisfaction, operational efficiencies and productivity, customer service and revenue.
  • Website Technology: The property or hotel brand website has become the gravitational center of all hotelier’s efforts to engage, acquire and retain the customer. Any marketing efforts of the hotel today lead the potential customers to the hotel website. Today’s website technology includes cloud-based Content Management System (CMS), comprehensive merchandising suites, reservation abandonment tools, personalization pricing and content, technical SEO, cloud hosting, and robust analytics suite
  • The goal here is very clear: bridge the guest data and technology silos in hospitality and create an end-to-end solution, empowering hotels to acquire new guests, engage current guests, and retain past guests by combining digital marketing, website, and CRM data into one cohesive marketing and personalization platform.
  • The “digital way of life” adopted by today’s tech-savvy travel consumer is forcing the hospitality industry to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies and become a 100% digital technology-enabled industry.
  • nashalsiddiqi on 31 Aug 21
     
    The article covers a great deal of the technology products in all of the hotel aspects. it also focuses on the fact that hotels are investing a lot in offering technological tangible services to the clients where must shift its focus a bit and invest more in the guest engagement technology to close the gap between them and OTAs.
  • rosedelice on 19 Jan 22
     
    Hospitality is being transformed into a 100% digital technology-enabled industry; however, it is very challenging to maintain. Employees are overwhelmed by the amount of technology they need to lear to do their job efficiently
  • shineal on 20 Jan 23
     
    This article focuses on the fact that technology is now being used in almost every aspect of the hotel industry. This is because hoteliers are beginning to understand that guests are expecting to enjoy the same level of technology used in the comfort of their homes when they are at hotels. Therefore, hotels that are more technologically advanced are more empowered to satisfy guests' technological needs, but the information collected by the hotels' systems also enables the hotels to acquire new guests, engage current guests and retain past guests; as such, there are benefits to both the hotels and guests when the level of technology offered is updated.
mmoutsatsos

Digital Transformation in the Hospitality Industry | Boston Hospitality Review - 0 views

www.bu.edu/...on-in-the-hospitality-industry

hospitality software technology

shared by mmoutsatsos on 31 Jan 22 - No Cached
  • We are now experiencing the fourth industrial revolution, a period marked by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, the Internet of Things, and fifth-generation wireless technology.
  • The recent Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this digital transformation resulting in a widening technology-mediated customer experience.
  • Service robots are “system-based autonomous and adaptable interfaces that interact, communicate, and deliver service to an organization’s customer” (Wirtz et al., 2018, p. 109).
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  • The core interactive and communicative features differentiate service robots from other self-service machines, which result in unprecedented human-technology interactions in the hospitality industry.
  • he service production process, disinfection robots, which emit UV light to kill viruses and bacteria, were announced to be used in airports and hotels worldwide to ensure a safe and clean environment (Greg, 2020).
  • The robots drive around autonomously in high-touch public areas and select rooms at the hotel, removing all airborne viruses and bacteria. As an extension of the hotel’s “SmartStaySafety” operation, the use of UVD robots not only provides a safe environment but also assures guests that they are being protected. 
  • In
  • the service delivery process, service robots assist frontline staff in a sequence of service encounters. For instance, the robot concierges assist employees with guest greetings upon arrival, transporting luggage, guiding guests, and delivering room service.
  • service robots can effectively respond and interact with guests, even in multiple languages. 
  • While robots make significant contributions to operational efficiency, they also raise concerns.
  • Service robots are still novel in hospitality. Their ability to cope with unexpected, dynamic conditions remains to be fully explored.
  • If guests do not follow the pre-set route, service robots may fail to respond, which can lead to a service failure.
  • AI-powered online chatbots are also employed to provide swift answers to customers via live chats.
  • provide customers with immediate responses 24 hours a day, significantly improving customer engagement.
  • customers believed VR simulations would be the best tool for hospitality operators to create a compelling customer experience.
  • VR can make a huge difference in a customer’s booking stage.
  • Through the digitally accommodated environment, customers can have a much clearer sense of what they are expecting, thus attracting more prospective customers.
  • VR application is the virtual tour video,
  • This not only offers customers a chance to experience prior to booking, but also allows the hospitality business to benefit from the “try before you buy” marketing strategy. 
  • Unlike VR, which puts customers in a completely virtual environment, augmented reality (AR) is about enhancing the physical environment and the experience of exploring one’s surroundings in real-time.
  • The current applications of AR in hospitality are largely for entertainment and practical purposes.
  • One example is the Best Western Hotel Group’s experiment with AR and Disney stars.
  • Another application of AR is indoor navigation
  • Internet of Things (IoT) refers to “an ever-growing network of connected devices which communicate with a central server as well as with each other” (Car et al., 2019, p. 163).
  • IoT provides integrated services, such as automated door locks, light switches, electric blinds, and voice-assistant devices, which are connected on a network.
  • These allow customers to control or monitor their devices from a central server, such as a mobile phone or a tablet. 
  • For example, customers can use their mobile phones for self-check-in and check-out.
  • Rooms also become “smart” with the help of IoT, which is also called the “connected room” at Hilton hotels.
  • Customers can also use voice-controlled assistants, for example, the Amazon Alexa, to control those in-room features, and order food or drinks, which can be delivered by autonomous delivery robots.
  • In addition, devices, such as luggage carts with GPS function and sensors in the parking lot, can help customers to locate their luggage and cars. Thus, IoT helps improve service processes and makes customer experiences smoother.
  • It obtains real-time data through continuous tracking from various devices, as well as a collection of customer information that was previously unavailable, such as preferences, routines, and habits (Marek & Woźniczka, 2017).
  • there are several emerging issues that hospitality practitioners must take into consideration when embracing digital technologies, which include security, privacy, costs, and human touch in hospitality. 
  • IoT with locational information can send real-time personalized recommendations to customers based on their stored preferences.
  • IoT can collect customers’ preferences for in-room features, and the data can then be used to customize the room settings for their next stay.
  • Security is a fundamental issue in digital transformation in any industry, including hospitality.
  • Also, t
  • he broad connection of various devices brings vulnerability to digital networks.
  • Thus,
  • hospitality managers must prepare for security implications of digital transformation, which can be accomplished by adopting high-security technologies to reduce software vulnerabilities, building resources to mitigate risk of cyber-attacks, and training employees on cyber-attack prevention.
  • Privacy is another important factor as highly personalized services rely on storing and tracking customer preferences and behavior through digital technologies.
  • a transparent, strict, and clear privacy policy clarifying what data can be collected and shared, and who can own the data, is necessary.
  • Another challenge is associated with the high costs of employing these digital technologies.
  • For small businesses, using digital technologies in their daily operations may require significant upfront investments.
  • it is becoming critical for hospitality businesses to consider what digital technologies would most benefit their business.
  • for small hospitality businesses, they need to prioritize what works best for them when adopting digital technologies.
  • the paradox between digital convenience and in-person experience.
  • hospitality, particularly in fine dining restaurants, customer-staff interaction is highly valued by customers.
  • it is important for hospitality businesses to strike a balance between digital convenience and in-person experiences
  • Key considerations include judging what services cannot be replaced by digital tools, preservation of the choice for customers to decide between digital or human services to maximize customer experience, and incorporation of interactive digital features in the process.
  • mmoutsatsos on 31 Jan 22
     
    This article talks about the current applications of 3 innovative technologies and how they are used in the hospitality industry.
smgarcia

Digital Transformation Doesn't Just Increase Revenue, It Can Impact Employee Productivi... - 0 views

www.forbes.com/...e-impact-employee-productivity

technology business information productivity

shared by smgarcia on 29 Sep 19 - No Cached
  • Lack of proper technology tools can hinder productivity and kill morale.
  • 53% of surveyed employees said they would be more empowered to better manage workflow if they were provided with the needed tools
  • 42% said these tools would not only speed up boring tasks but also result in better worker morale
  • ...14 more annotations...
  • 38% believe a focus on worker empowerment via IT would allow the company itself to change faster.
  • 76% added that having the digital tools they need at work makes them more productive and more than half, 53%, said it makes them more successful.
  • 31% of the employees said their company has a wait-and-see approach to new technology
  • investment in new technology can lead to higher revenues in the long run
  • 37% of higher-level employees and 47% of white-collar employees said their bosses understand their technological needs.
  • not only are most professionals happier and more productive when their employers provide the technology they need, they also feel more connected to colleagues and their companies.
  • Half of the survey group said they would find it easier to collaborate with coworkers if their employers’ digital transformation efforts focused more on employee empowerment.
  • Separate research also notes that companies that are digital laggards don’t perform as well as those that embrace digital transformation
  • Technologists at Harvard Business School wrote, “organizations that scored in the top quartile of our digital transformation index obtained much better gross margins, earnings, and net income than organizations in the bottom digital quartile. Other financial and operating indicators showed similar disparities.”
  • people tend to assume only the youngest workers place a high value on having the technology they need at work. But research reveals that these digital natives are not alone.
  • 68% of the 18 to 34 age group said having the digital tools they need at work makes them more productive. That’s a significant share. But it’s even higher – at 80% – for the 35 to 54 age group. And a whopping 83% of workers age 55 and older agreed.
  • financial considerations shouldn’t be the sole focus of digital transformation.
  • Mapping out a digital transformation plan should include a critical assessment of which digital tools employees need to efficiently get the job done.
  • experience is the centerpiece of everything businesses do.
  • smgarcia on 29 Sep 19
     
    ROI is not the only consideration for a business when updating technology and software; employee productivity is also a factor. Employees that feel that they have the tools to do their jobs are more likely to be productive during the work day. By increasing employee productivity and happiness, ROI already increases beyond the benefits of having better, quicker technology and software.
anonymous

7 Advantages of Digital Marketing in Hospitality Industry - Wikhotel - 0 views

blog.wikhotel360.com/keting-in-hospitality-industry

shared by anonymous on 08 Nov 18 - No Cached
  • Of all the sectors in the economy, none is affected by digital trends as much as the hospitality industry.
  • Most of the customers in this industry are social travelers and tourists, who spend a lot of hours online researching on places to visit, hotels to book, and restaurants to dine in.
  • digital marketing has become the most viable way of getting to potential customers, establishing a brand, and developing a group of loyal customers.
  • ...14 more annotations...
  • creating content such as photos, videos, articles, and social media posts that do not boldly promote the business but generates an interest in it.
  • good for customer retention as it engages customers and keeps them in the loop about your services.
  • search engine optimization, is a marketing strategy that aims at improving your rankings on search engine results pages.
  • if a potential client searches for “affordable hotels in town A”, chances are he/she will click on some of the results appearing in the first results page
  • Currently, customers often look up online opinions, ratings, and reviews of your business before making a purchase.
  • Paid searches involve making payments to search engines such as Google, so that your site’s results may appear first whenever someone searches for a certain keyword.
  • Search Engine Advertising also requires a lot of technical input. First, you need to identify the right key search words used by potential customers, such as “best spas in town B”. Secondly, getting advertising space on search engines involves a bidding war.
  • social media is the go-to platform for most internet users
  • Averagely, internet users spend 30% of their online time on social networking sites. It is, therefore, a great place for advertising your service
  • The social media marketing strategy will, therefore, aim at reaching users of all social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, and LinkedIn
  • SEA (Search engine advertising), on the other hand, enables you to achieve this almost instantly.
  • A good e-reputation marketing strategy is multi-disciplinary that often requires input from digital marketing and public image consultants.
  • Good user experience is determined by several factors. For starters, your web design and layout should be captivating, and easy to use. At the same time, the platform should work well on computers as well as mobile devices and tablets. All these are tasks that are handled by digital marketing agencies.
  • The key issue in this strategy is to get the content right. It needs to be engaging and captivating so as to draw an audience
  • linanzhang on 08 Nov 18
     
    E-marketing is also known as Internet marketing, web marketing, online marketing or digital marketing. As we know, digital marketing gots lots of advantages. The first one is content marketing. The issue in this strategy is The key issue in this to get the content right. This strategy needs to be engaging and captivating so as to draw an audience. The second strategy is SEO (search engine optimization). This strategy aims to improve the rankings of the company. The third strategy is the SEA. (Search engine advertising) This can achieve this almost instantly. The fourth one is expanding your social media presence. The social media marketing strategy will aim users for social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. The fifth one is email marketing. Email marketing requires creativity. The sixth one is e-reputation. A good e-reputation marketing strategy is multi-disciplinary that often requires input from digital marketing and public image consultants. The last one is user experience. Good user experience is determined by several factors.
  • ...3 more comments...
  • alexaperez14 on 01 Oct 19
     
    This article talks about the different marketing strategies that have been the most effective to businesses in the hospitality sector. While digital marketing is the future of marketing strategies, it has become the most popular in the hospitality industry. Many customers go to the web to discover things such as places to stay, places to eat, and other recreational services. With a great digital marketing strategy, whether it be through social media, search engine advertising, search engine optimization, or proximity marketing, you can build up a loyal client base for your business.
  • gabybilk on 13 Nov 19
     
    Technology has a huge impact in the hospitality industry, especially over the years that social media and research engines have become such a big part of our every day lives. Digital marketing has become one of the most reliable ways to promote and establish brands. One of the most effective method is content marketing which involves sharing or posting photos, videos, and articles on social media to promote the business. SEO is another strategy which involves having the marketing team use key words for the businesses main page to help the business pop up on the main page of search engines. Search engine advertisment is used to promote the business through search engines like google, for example. Being one of the business in the top of the first page makes it more likely for your business to receive recognition.Sociall media marketing and internet presence is the key to e-marketing.
  • edagt001 on 27 Mar 20
     
    This article talks about the ways digital marketing can help the hospitality industry use to improve in the long term.
  • Taj Buckley on 02 Apr 20
     
    In all sectors of economy the hospitality industry is affected the most by digital trends. Content marketing should be a big focus for hospitality like the photos, videos and articles you post about your business. SEO or search engine optimization should be used to improve rankings on search engine results page. Expand your social media presence but post 3-4 times a day with content that is relatable to the current trends going on.
  • anonymous on 24 Apr 20
     
    This article goes over how in todays world technology is how everyone one is communicating and because of this digital marketing is the way in. They go over seven reasons why its so beneficial to utilize.
Lu Zhang

E-Commerce News: E-Commerce: Headless Commerce Lets the Product Sell Itself - 0 views

www.ecommercetimes.com/...76957.html

digital goods ecommerce innovation

shared by Lu Zhang on 31 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Achieving success with digital e-commerce requires a new way of doing things and new level of commerce functionality. The living nature of digital content -- the fact that the product itself and thus the customer can always remain connected to the producer, retailer, publisher or distributor -- enables a powerful new paradigm for a rich, ongoing customer relationship.
  • With digital content, the sale is not over when the transaction is complete. The customer's entitlements live on and must be managed: upgrades sold or authorized, subscriptions terminated or renewed, device or user assignments changed. This management of the digital relationship between seller and customer is not only necessary; it also opens doors to continued revenue and enhanced customer satisfaction.
  • Lu Zhang on 31 Jan 13
     
    This article discuss about the new approach selling digital products. By this approach the seller will rapidly maximize revenue and earn high customers satisfaction. The digital products, such as software and game, are different from the physical goods e-commerce for the intangible trait. Therefore, the seller don't need to use the traditional sales approach, such as item-based. Instead, in order to increase the revenue and build perpetual relationship with customers, the seller can sell the digital products by various ways or steps, for instance, one article of a e-book at a time, the right to make copies of a game, and time-based rentals of a magazine. When visitors are looking for their products, instead of recommend a specific product, seller should provide a set of related products according to options that visitors choose. This sales approach might need a new technology to manage the website and a platform that support flexible operation. Overall, digital goods seller can take advantage of the special traits of digital content and change the sales way develop loyalty and maximize the revenue.
Michaela Gave

Digital Gifting Is Trending in the Hospitality Industry - 0 views

www.hospitalityupgrade.com/...n-the-Hospitality-Industry.asp

gifting trending hospitality industry

shared by Michaela Gave on 29 Aug 13 - No Cached
  • Mercator further projects the 2013 holiday volume of digital gifting will exceed $1 billion
  • Some related consumer m-commerce facts include: 59 percent are interested in using mobile as a form of payment 50 percent of U.S. consumers shop with mobile devices 61 percent are interested in checking balances 59 percent are interested in organizing and tracking gift cards and loyalty via mobile 76 percent want an alternative to carrying everything in their wallets 12 percent of mobile U.S. subscribers who receive a text message (SMS) advertisement  tend to respond quickly; practitioners claim that offers sent via SMS convert 10 times to 20 times higher than either email or direct mail deals.
  • Michaela Gave on 29 Aug 13
     
    Summary: The variety of gifting options has grown from a simple plastic gift card to virtual cards delivered by email, text, debit/credit cards and more. The prediction for 2013 will exceed a billion dollars of digital gifting for the holiday season and continue to grow. Digital gift cards have made giving easy due to the convenience of redemption. Paper coupons have proven to be successful to draw in consumer activity, but the digital revolution in virtual gifting is expected to explode as people are so connected to their mobile devices. Even with the convenience and growing popularity of digital gifting comes barriers and security issues. Such issues include personal banking security and privacy. Some small to midsize businesses may not be able to participate in digital gifting due to cost barriers or lack of technology. Due to electronic process, paper receipts will be obsolete. Computers aren't perfect so how does one resolve dollar discrepancies. One benefit of virtual giving is the bar codes/QR codes. Companies are able to collect and retain additional information of givers and receivers by scanning the bar code/QR Code. Often people are reluctant to provide contact information, but in this case they aren't being asked, they have no choice. This is a benefit to the companies because they can make other promotional offers to engage and possibly retain both parties, thereby increasing sales. There are a variety of methods of virtual gifting and redemption. One example is Giftly. Giftly adds the value of the gift to the recipient's credit or debit card which can be used anywhere. This is super convenient for many people and they are able to choose whatever they wish rather than receive a gift chosen for them. This is certainly the digital age version of sending a check via mail to a loved one. Other corporate examples that have impacted the transition from plastic gift cards to virtual gifting are Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Applebee's and Starbu
augu010

Digital Menu Boards: Don't Buy Into the Hype - 0 views

blog.vomelacompanies.com/...-boards-dont-buy-into-the-hype

technology hospitality hotel software business tech

shared by augu010 on 27 Jan 20 - No Cached
  • It's undeniable—digital menu boards are very convenient. You can display different menu items based on the time of day or day of the week, you can alter prices or remove menu items, and you can do all of this without bringing a ladder into the process.
  • It's much easier to add detailed nutritional information for every item you serve to a digital menu board than having your standard board reprinted.
  • A digital menu board can showcase different parts of your menu in new and tantalizing ways You can easily upsell menu items by displaying attractive photos of the item, perhaps enticing your customers to make purchases they weren't planning to make through the power of suggestion.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • Implementing a digital menu board can be an enormous expense. The more elaborate they get, the more expensive they become. You'll have to purchase the hardware, the software, and the infrastructure required to implement the signage.
  • A high-quality printed menu board is generally executed better than the best of the digital menu boards. It's crisper, clearer, and the colors are richer than their digital counterparts.
  •  Should your digital menu board go down, it’s DOWN. There’s no backup, so your customers are left staring at a blank screen.
  • Sure, your digital menu board might be cheaper in the long run, but it might be at the expense of the appearance of your food
  • While traditional printed menu boards require very little by way of maintenance, a digital menu board will need continuous maintenance.
  • Printed boards are significantly less expensive to implement, and they're much easier to install, too.
  • augu010 on 27 Jan 20
     
    This article share some pros and cons about utilizing a digital menu. It describes the convinces involved in using this device and also how cost for repairs and maintenance can be disheartening. All in all, digital menu's are becoming the new trend in this world but this shouldn't eliminate the need for waiters/waitresses.
lkastwood

Technologies Being Used In The Event Planning Industry - 2 views

sonburst.com/s-used-event-planning-industry

technology business hospitality software event planner digital administration mobile engagement tech

shared by lkastwood on 09 Oct 17 - No Cached
  • With the advent of technology, the event planning and management has seen enormous shifts over the past two decades. As technology continues to automate monotonous time-consuming work and connect the world like never before, many event planners are scrambling to keep up by incorporating the latest and greatest technology into their events.
  • Digital administration is now key when planning a new meeting. For large events, it’s not enough to just sell a ticket online, print them an agenda, and check IDs at the door.
  • Without a tool like this, it would require constantly manually inputting and changing spreadsheets which have no contact with the outside world.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • Events and their breakouts are built in advance. All details are added including guidelines for which attendees can register or which session, audiovisual equipment needed in the space, rehearsal times, BEOs, and etc.
  • If you are not utilizing the smart phone every attendee has in their pocket at your event, you are missing out on a great opportunity and even neglecting attendee expectations.
  • They want to see their unique schedule, read event descriptions, find session locations on a map, and engage with other attendees.
  • lkastwood on 09 Oct 17
     
    Technology has taken event planning to the next level. Within the past five years digital administration and mobile engagement are considered to be the two primary causes for change in the events industry. In an article written for Sonburst Communication it states "Digital administration is now key when planning a new meeting. For large events, it's not enough to just sell a ticket online, print them an agenda, and check IDs at the door". Attendees now fall into different categories that may require different forms of check-ins for example someone on the VIP list may receive a gift bag and private cocktail party or someone with special dietary needs once checked in the system notifies the catering term of their confirmed arrival. Digital administration has made it easier for event planners to manage these different kinds of request quickly and on a digital platform. The digital platform is generally tailored for each event before the event. Everything in pre-loaded to the system for example, registration, BEO, event time line, seating chart and set-up and break-down. "If you are not utilizing the smart phone every attendee has in their pocket at your event, you are missing out on a great opportunity and even neglecting attendee expectations." Today's generation is expecting to have the event information available to them at their finger tip. Mobile engagement allows event planners to give them just that weather through email, website, or event app. This also allows event planners to notify guests of any last-minute changes. For example, a change in event time line. Everyone is going digital and most people send more than half the time while at an event on their phones so why not make this information available to them.
Ligia Elizondo

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Earns #1 Spot on L2's Digital IQ Index: Hotels Rep... - 0 views

www.execdigital.com/...digital-iq-index-hotels-report

technology

shared by Ligia Elizondo on 24 Mar 12 - No Cached
  • Four Seasons has fostered an environment of innovation and excellence in digital engagement that resonates with our guests at every touch point."
  • The L2 ranking measures the digital competency of 52 hotel brands via 350 data points across four dimensions: Site, Digital Marketing, Social Media, and Mobile.
  • Innovating with Emerging Platforms
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • L2 is a think tank for digital innovation that helps prestige brands navigate the digital marketing landscape through events, research and advisory services. The L2 Digital IQ Index® is the largest and most robust study of its kind.
  • Ligia Elizondo on 24 Mar 12
     
    Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts brand has been recognized by L2 Think Tan's Digital IQ Index: Hotels for the use of plenty digital platforms. By analyzing the needs and wants of guest and potential customers Four Seasons decided to invest in technology obtaining great results. "We are thrilled to be recognized by L2 for our commitment to transforming our guest experience through digital and social media platforms," said Susan Helstab, executive vice president, marketing, Four Seasons. Four Seasons saw the great influence technology has in the way we conduct business and communicate therefore the brand applied the newest technology to create a competitive advantage among its competitive set. "The L2 study reflects just how meaningful this is to the guest experience, and solidifies the importance of Four Seasons continual advancement in the digital realm." Some of the recent innovations Four Season applied to the properties are the new website FourSeasons.com that includes real-time search and videos. It also includes maps, Facebook, and blogs among others. Creating a powerful and global social presence in YouTube, Facebook and Twitter that gives them more publicity, Innovating with Emerging Platforms and Mobile Access "The brand has seen 110% growth year over year of business booked through iPhones and 200% increase via iPads." Four Seasons is attracting more groups, leisure and commercial demand thanks to its technology.
dominiquewalker

6 Key Benefits of Restaurant Menu Digitization - Outsource2india - 0 views

www.outsource2india.com/...menu-digitization-benefits.asp

hospitality technology restaurant

shared by dominiquewalker on 07 Oct 19 - No Cached
  • There are many benefits to digitizing menus for restaurants.
  • Digital menus can be updated frequently in creative and fun ways.
  • relying on digital menus instead of print can reduce the cost incurred in printing takeout regularly.
  • ...18 more annotations...
  • Digital menus can include high resolution photos of the food served.
  • Digital menus also increase accuracy in ordering.
  • make the menu accessible on all devices - from PCs to tablets and mobile phones,
  • They can include additional nutritional information, details on gluten free ordering, diabetic recommendations and markers, and other information that may not make it into a paper menu.
  • A digital menu can upsell or recommend paired dishes automatically, resulting in higher sales and better customer satisfaction.
  • easier to produce menus in multiple languages when they are digital,
  • Having a digitized menu can give a restaurant the competitive edge it requires to grow a business and build a loyal following.
  • digitized menus can be updated quickly with ease, a majority of patrons can instantly view the updated menu and order latest food offerings, leading to an increase in business.
  • Ways in Which Menu Digitization Can Benefit Restaurant
  • Visual Formatting
  • Increased Order Accuracy
  • Easier to Update
  • They can be updated to include new deals, combos, offers, or tweaks in pricing that could be delayed in print because of the cost or other factors
  • Provide Additional Information
  • Digital menus are not restricted by space or margins.
  • Upsell Menu Items Automatically
  • Multiple Languages
  • catering to a larger number of potential customers than if they were only printed in one language.
  • snesbeth on 07 Oct 19
     
    Since we spent time discussing both the positives and negatives of utilizing an electronic restaurant menu, this article primarily focuses on six positive things about utilizing electronic menus. One positive thing I did not even consider is that it allows for people that speak different languages to communicate what they want better since they would have a menu that is in their native language. It also makes updating the menus much easier on the restaurant owners because everything is online which makes adding and deleting items much easier overall.
  • dskomorowsky on 10 Oct 19
     
    This was light, I wonder why they never mentioned Chain Wide deployment as a key benefit? Imaging instantly changing all branch menus (adding/removing/editing) instantly across hundreds or thousands of stores...that is powerful.
  • dominiquewalker on 02 Feb 20
     
    A very straight forward article highlighting various benefits of the eMenu. Namely the: Visual Formatting (Pics easily added). Increased Order Accuracy. Easier to Update (edited in practically real time). Additional Information (ie. nutritional information etc. can be easily inserted as opposed to a traditional menu) Upsell Items Automatically (ie. recommend paired dishes automatically). Mutiple Languages ( save cost, while increasing the number of potential customers).
vriverol

Hoteliers: Prioritize Digital Identity Verification in 2023 | Hospitality Technology - 0 views

hospitalitytech.com/tal-identity-verification-2023

shared by vriverol on 12 Feb 23 - No Cached
  • In a digital age where travelers crave instant, one-tap experiences, no hotel can afford to isolate itself - and digital identity verification is a crucial cog in the mobile check-in experience.
  • Digital ID technology validates that an ID is authentic, further mitigating fraudulent activity and deterring bad actors. In addition to scanning their ID and providing biometric data, guests must take a photo of themselves which must fit specific criteria - including visible facial features and clarity of the image - which is then cross-verified for authenticity.
  • Digital identity verification eliminates the friction of another touchpoint in the guest journey, allowing travelers to bypass the front desk, check-in, and access their room key with a few taps on their device.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • With the added encryption and authentication of digital ID verification, hotels can protect guests from malicious attempts at identity theft and ensure their own defense is in place to shield them from fraud.
  • Hotels have a legal obligation to keep paperwork of their guests on file. However, gathering details and scanning the ID of each guest is not only time-intensive, but also creates room for error. By integrating digital identity verification into the mobile check-in process, hoteliers can ease multiple pain points across their operations: first, by removing the need for front desk staff to check each guests’ ID against their profile; second, by automating what is a legal requirement.  
  • Mobile check-in and digital identity verification should perform the heavy lifting on mundane operational tasks - such as scanning IDs and handing out key cards - freeing up staff time to focus on other elements of the guest experience.  
  • vriverol on 12 Feb 23
     
    This article touches on the advantages of using biometric digital identity verification in hotels. Guests that have traveled a long way are going to be exhausted and irritated if they need to stand in a long check in line. Using digital identification can not only help speed up the check in process, but also make it more secure. Front desk workers will not have to worry about mixing up documents or mishandling the guest's sensitive information, and will also be freed up to focus on other tasks. This can also help the hotels avoid chargebacks or fraud, as they can prove the guest was there and the added encryption will help stop identity theft.
anonymous

Beyond Digital equips airport hotel with flight information | Bdaily Business News Network - 2 views

bdaily.co.uk/...-hotel-with-flight-information

shared by anonymous on 15 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Kashif Rabbani, general manager of the Hampton by Hilton Luton Airport Hotel, said:  “The information provided by the screen is vital for our guests, most of whom are utilising LutonAirport flights. “It provides live flight information, which is particularly important if flights are delayed for any reason allowing the guest to remain in the comfort of the hotel while still receiving the most up to date details of their flight.
  • Kashif Rabbani, general manager of the Hampton by Hilton Luton Airport Hotel, said:  “The information provided by the screen is vital for our guests, most of whom are utilising LutonAirport flights. “It provides live flight information, which is particularly important if flights are delayed for any reason allowing the guest to remain in the comfort of the hotel while still receiving the most up to date details of their flight.
  • anonymous on 15 Jan 13
     
    A digital solutions named Beyond Digital Solutions based in the United Kingdom provided a technology for an airport hotel to enable guests to check their flight status. The technology is being used at the Hampton by Hilton near the Luton Airport just north of London. The hotel "installed a digital screen in its reception area to provide live flight arrival and departure details." This system also allows guests of the hotel to check-in for flights and print boarding passes. The company Beyond Digital Solutions has provided other hospitality technology for the industry such as digital signing that helps to provide information for guests regarding the local area or activity schedules.  I personally believe this is a smart idea for an airport hotel. Having the ability to check a flight status before you leave the hotel can help guests decide if they need to leave or wait if their flight is delayed. When traveling abroad not all the time do I have access to an internet device or my smartphone, so I feel this would be convenient. If my flight is delayed for a longer period of time, I could have the ability to stay at the hotel longer if I did not want to wait at the airport for an extended period of time. Even when traveling in the United States not all the time do I think to check my flight status ahead of time. If I saw this screen I would have the option to check my flight status because it is right there in front of me. I hope to see a system like this added to more airport hotels in the future. I see this as a huge benefit to airport hotels. 
dulvanesei

Francis Volpe on COVID-19's impact on the digital marketing industry - 0 views

www.bangkokpost.com/...the-digital-marketing-industry

marketing industry technology hospitality Software business solution

shared by dulvanesei on 02 Apr 21 - No Cached
  • Digital marketing is an industry that exists within the prism of the digital world.
  • digital marketing became essential.
  • It exists as a lifeline between the isolated customer and the stranded retailer, connecting the supply and demand chain. 
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • The business was booming, but the reason for it was so unprecedented that most agencies were overwhelmed by the demand.
  • Our lives now exist in a very large part online, for this reason alone, the digital world is one that every business should create a space within.
  • dulvanesei on 02 Apr 21
     
    This article is about an experienced digital marketer and who's also the co-founder of the New York-based digital marketing agency, Francis Volpe, and he talks about how although so many businesses and industries especially the Hospitality Industry have been harshly impacted by Covid-19 Pandemic, there are some positives coming out of it. Since Covid-19 digital marketing has become very essential for businesses to stay open and survive for the year.
anonymous

Digital Disruption Is Shaking Up the Travel Industry: Here's How to Stay Ahead | Master... - 0 views

www.mastercardservices.com/...-industry-heres-how-stay-ahead

disruption travel industry services data

shared by anonymous on 01 Nov 21 - No Cached
  • Digital disruption has streamlined her entire journey — and this frictionless, convenient experience will likely encourage her to make a return stay.
  • According to the International Air Transport Association, today's travelers expect digital technology to provide them with more personal control over their travel experiences
  • By leveraging data-driven insights and analytics to gain a better understanding of past guest behavior, and employing new digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, beacons, chatbots and the Internet of Things (IoT), you can deliver on travelers' expectations for guest-centricity and personalization
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Disruption comes in many sizes. It can make a huge splash, like self-driving cars, or it can make ripples in the form of chatbot service agents and robotic room service delivery. But all new ideas should have the common goal of making travelers' lives easier and their experiences more enjoyable in order to ultimately drive loyalty and spend
  • anonymous on 01 Nov 21
     
    The article breakdowns how digital disruptions has ignited innovation especially in the travel space. Data is showing how travelers expect digital technology to help with enhancing their travel experiences. Using digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) you can deliver on these travelers expectations in technology.
rderonville

Cuseum Takes Museums Into the 21st Century - The Heights - 0 views

bcheights.com/...-museums-enter-the-digital-age

museum software technology digital cuseum

shared by rderonville on 13 May 17 - No Cached
  • As a visitor approaches a piece of art, content about the piece in front of them pops up on his or her phone, bringing the work to life. This location component also allows users to share their favorite pieces on social media, or even comment on an interactive discussion board with other users.
  • Ciecko’s newest product is the digital membership card he has made available for museums in order to make the membership process easier and more convenient.
  • The tool helps museums fill memberships in a more efficient manner, as the entire process is completed digitally, popping up on users’ phones as they walk through the door.
  • rderonville on 13 May 17
     
    Brendan Ciecko is the founder of the Cuseum software. This software was created because Ciecko identified a problem with the technology that museums have or lack thereof. "I was working with a number of museums and was constantly hearing of the frustrations when it came to providing a certain level of experience to visitors on site" (Ciecko). The technology or procedures used in the museum were generally outdated. Now with this new software, guests can download the app on their phone and are able to navigate through different tools and options that the particular museum has for them. The guests will be able to select tours through exhibits that are available at the museum once they walk in. The article also mentions the new product that Ciecko has invented, digital membership, which makes the membership process for the museum more convenient. This makes the process of any application type service in the museum digital. It not only makes all of these processes faster but it also saves paper. In my opinion, I think this a great app. I currently work at a museum and I believe that creating an app that enhances customer experience right when they walk in is worth investing in. It provides guests with highlighted tours and exhibits that are available. Though people at the museum can simply tell the guests where to go and give information about the exhibit, they can easily find it on the app to locate what they are mostly interested in. The app also works as a great marketing tool for museums. It allows visitors to share their favorite items or exhibits on their social media sites and allows them to participate on interactive discussion boards. I think this will help promote specific exhibits, especially if there are tags on the post like #AviationExhbitit or #GizmoCity. Those "tags" are exhibits that I have in my current workplace. With adding a guest's location to the app, it prompts the guests to sign up for a membership. The guest will no longer have to go
aquin206

6 Technology Trends Redefining the Hospitality Industry - 2 views

www.entrepreneur.com/...423654

technology hospitality

shared by aquin206 on 10 Jan 23 - No Cached
  • Travelers now prefer self-service over waiting to be served
  • online planning and booking
  • ontactless check-in and
  • ...22 more annotations...
  • Incorporating technology into day-to-day operations is essential to minimize human error, maximize service efficiency and improve the guest experience.
    • aquin206
      aquin206 on 10 Jan 23
       
      Companies must evolve in the world of technology in order to meet customer demands. In effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, travelers now prefer self-service such as contactless check in. The incorporation of this technology, minimizes huma error and maximizes efficiency.
  • Companies must move quickly to meet evolving demands or risk missing the boat.
  • 24/7 digital concierge.
  • Gamification of travel planning
    • aquin206
      aquin206 on 10 Jan 23
       
      By using game like templates in their websites, travel companies are able to capitalize on human motivation. When customers able to get rewards, brand awareness, customer loyalty, and revenue are improved
  • As people contemplate their next getaway, hospitality companies can leverage gamification — using game design elements in non-game contexts — to turn travel planning from a chore into a guilty pleasure.
  • companies can capitalize on human motivation.
  • Beyond novelty, using gamification for online advertising is proven to boost data driving, customer loyalty, brand awareness, user-generated content, online engagement and revenue.
  • Virtual reality tours
    • aquin206
      aquin206 on 10 Jan 23
       
      Virtual reality tours help travelers to enjoy their future destination before they arrive. They also help with brand experience as they create mental imagery and presence.
  • Through the use of VR (virtual reality), companies can now give first-person digital tours of their space to future guests.
  • VR increases the elaboration of mental imagery and presence, leading to better brand experience,
  • Going contactless
    • aquin206
      aquin206 on 10 Jan 23
       
      Contactless check in, mobile keys, and digital payments all increased by 66 percent due to the pandemic. This however, is here to stay as this decreases staff dependency.
  • The adoption of contactless technology like self-check-in, in-room technology, mobile keys and digital payments, increased by 66 percent during the pandemic
  • many hospitality companies transitioned to contactless check-in/out to reduce staff dependency.
  • Chatbot as a digital concierge
    • aquin206
      aquin206 on 10 Jan 23
       
      Chatbot is a simple way to meet guest demands 24/7. With FAQ, guests can get an answer to their question in a matter of seconds at any time of the day without needing to leave their room.
  • Hoteliers are scrambling to meet 24/7 guest demands. With fewer staff, chatbots are shifting from luxury to necessity.
  • This means a 24/7 ability to engage users, answer their questions and fulfill their requests.
  • IoT for room control and customization
    • aquin206
      aquin206 on 10 Jan 23
       
      IoT allows guests to have a home away from home by personalizing their rooms by changing the color of the lights, temperature, etc.
  • Location-based services
    • aquin206
      aquin206 on 10 Jan 23
       
      With location based services, travelers are able to find activities and amenities wherever they are staying. This can offer more intuitive local recommendations without needing staff assistance.
  • IoT technology allows guests to personalize room settings like room temperature and lighting.
  • By seeing a guest's location via their smartphone, hospitality companies can offer more intuitive local recommendations. Without needing staff assistance, guests can instantly access local information, such as the nearest grocery store or the best pub in town.
  • Hospitality tech revolution predictions
  • he hospitality industry cannot expect a return to normal.
  • aquin206 on 10 Jan 23
     
    This article focuses on six trends that are redefining the hospitality industry. These trends are; gamification of travel planning, virtual reality tours, going contactless, chatbot as digital concierge, IoT for room control, and location-based services. Companies must evolve in the world of technology in order to meet customer demands. In effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, travelers now prefer self-service such as contactless check in. The incorporation of this technology, minimizes huma error and maximizes efficiency. Gamification of travel planning: By using game like templates in their websites, travel companies are able to capitalize on human motivation. When customers able to get rewards, brand awareness, customer loyalty, and revenue are improved. Virtual Reality Tours: Virtual reality tours help travelers to enjoy their future destination before they arrive. They also help with brand experience as they create mental imagery and presence. Going Contactless: Contactless check in, mobile keys, and digital payments all increased by 66 percent due to the pandemic. This however, is here to stay as this decreases staff dependency. Chatbot as a Digital Concierge: Chatbot is a simple way to meet guest demands 24/7. With FAQ, guests can get an answer to their question in a matter of seconds at any time of the day without needing to leave their room. IoT for Room Control and Customization: IoT allows guests to have a home away from home by personalizing their rooms by changing the color of the lights, temperature, etc. Location-Based Services: With location based services, travelers are able to find activities and amenities wherever they are staying. This can offer more intuitive local recommendations without needing staff assistance.
  • shineal on 14 Jan 23
     
    Hello Alejandra. I really enjoyed reading this article, thank you for sharing! Although I am a germaphobe, and number three (Going contactless) appealed to me on a certain level, the points that stood out to me the most were; number two (Virtual reality tours) and number four (Chatbot as a digital concierge). I am one of the individuals who check reviews of places before I make a reservation but taking the virtual reality tour would give me more assurance of the property because individuals have different expectations and standards so what may be appropriate for them, may not be for me. The Chatbot as a digital concierge is quite convenient for both guests and hotels, hence it will ensure a more comfortable and relaxing stay.
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