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carine_elie

How Much Should You Spend on Cybersecurity in 2022? by Lynn Goodendorf Spring 2022 - 0 views

  • Many hospitality companies are struggling with the question of how much to spend on cybersecurity especially in the context of revenue losses related to the pandemic.  The challenge is that the risk of cyberattacks is rapidly escalating.  There are several drivers of this alarming trend.  First, ransomware is growing in severity both in the scope and the scale of attacks as well as the amount of the ransom demand. Next is the increase in remote work during the global pandemic and the rush to facilitate at home working. And finally, small companies are increasingly targeted because they are “easy” victims and typically more vulnerable. As you might expect, the cost of cybercrime increased more than 50% from 2019 through 2020. According to a report by McAfee¹, the global cost is estimated to be more than $1 trillion and monetary losses are estimated at $945 billion.  Examples of hidden or intangible costs that are difficult to measure include system downtime, reduced efficiency, brand damage and loss of trust.  Expenses that are direct and easier to measure are consultant services, legal fees and cyber risk insurance premiums. Below is a chart published in the McAfee report that illustrates this trend.
  • Ransomware - a Denial of Service/Operations and often includes a data breach Business Email Compromise (BEC) - often involves Funds Transfer Fraud Computer Data Breach - theft of personal data such as cardholder data, social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, passport numbers and details, etc.   What is the best way to go about budgeting for cyber security risk?  As a starting point, be sure that you have a qualified information security professional managing your program of work. Regardless of the amount you spend, a knowledgeable and experienced cybersecurity professional can make well informed judgments about priorities in expenditures.   There are three well established strategies that can work together in combination.   Each strategy has advantages and drawbacks and it is not recommended to rely on a single approach. Below is a description of each way to go forward.
  • STRATEGY A:  Key Ratios of Spend
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  • STRATEGY B:  Gap assessment
  • STRATEGY C:  Focus on Compliance
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    The writer of this article is Hospitality Upgrade. It includes the expanding worries of the hotel sector.  The key ratio of spend, gap analysis, and a focus on compliance are the top three main strategies being used by the hotel sector. In addition, the other measures are made by businesses to aid in preventing such breaches and the financial repercussions that result from them.
jordanskj

10 Ways to Reduce Cybersecurity Risk for Your Organization | UpGuard - 0 views

  • ‍Cybersecurity breaches have been on the rise, and it's expected that by 2023, they'll have grown to 15.4 million
  • Make sure all your sensitive data is encrypted
  • Saving your data in normal-text format only makes it easy for hackers to access
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  • Some data encryption software even lets you know when other people try to alter or tamper with the information
  • You should also conduct regular backups for your important information
  • statistics show that over 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent globally
  • a hacker may send an email impersonating leaders in the organization asking for personal details
  • make sure you use a patch management system to automatically manage all updates and uphold information security
  • over 80% of organizational data breaches result from weak passwords
  • Chances are that your cyber security is highly dependent on third-party vendors, which is why you can’t afford to ignore vendor risk management
  • Conduct a security assessment and determine whether your critical infrastructure is safe from security breaches.
  • have your IT security teams analyze all server logs frequently and conduct cybersecurity framework audits to make sure their integrity is intact.
  • you should defend your networks from cyber attacks by installing firewalls
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    In this article, the author discusses many different ways to help a business reduce their risk for cyber attacks. The article touches on a statistic about cybersecurity, stating "During the first half of 2021 alone, over 118 million people were impacted by data breaches". There is quick talk about how the policies that a business implements is the make or break of the cybersecurity for your business. For example, one of the main tips to reduce cyber attacks in your business is to make sure your data is encrypted. "Saving your data in normal-text format only makes it easy for hackers to access. Data encryption, on the other hand, limits data access to parties that have the encryption key". Another tip to prevent cyberattacks highlighted in the article is to keep all your employees educated and informed about malicious emails. Conducting regular employee trainings about the dangers of these types of emails could save your business. These types of emails are known to send links that could hack the system, as well as pretend to be higher-up employees in the company asking for personal data or financial information. The article is extremely educational to every business, as well as just the everyday consumer. Keeping your confidential information as confidential as physically possible is very much doable, as long as you make sure you follow these 10 simple tips.
sherylehlers

IRIS Launches New F&B Solutions to Personalise the Digital Ordering Experience and Leve... - 0 views

  • According to the findings of the 2022 report by Oracle and Skift, “Hospitality in 2025: Automated, Intelligent…and More Personal” the majority of hoteliers (81%) expect to see a strong shift in the service model. In reality this means an increase in guest demand for operators to adopt mobile-first technology that offers choice and convenience.
  • Now operators have the option to build and manage their own digital wine lists which can also be used with the IRIS Flat Menu layout, removing the need for a physical menu.
  • Guests will also be able to see how much has been paid by each person in the Order History, making it easy to split amongst large groups.
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  • ”These features focus specifically on improving staff efficiencies and personalising the guest experience. Whether that's reducing the need for physical staff presence, providing guests with clear answers to common questions, or making it easier to manage bills and payments, our goal is to provide F&B ordering solutions that satisfy the guest’s needs and add value to their stay.
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    The enhancements of ordering food & beverage by this improved app will help to reduce the need for staff and provide a more personalized experience for guests. It offers the ability to manage new revenue streams for example wine sells can be sold as a glass that were not a previous option unless ordered with a staff member. There are endless possibilities of using this app with other hotel departments as well.
sherylehlers

Hospitality Marketing: The Complete Guide in 2023 [Updated] - 0 views

  • Hospitality marketing is the process of promoting your hospitality business with the intent of drawing in more customers
  • Hotels, motels, restaurants, resorts, and theme parks need customer loyalty and social proof to be successful. In addition, with the drop in market size between 2019-2022, you’ll need to work even harder to be profitable in the hospitality industry. Therefore hospitality marketing is vital.
  • hatbots can be used to add an extra layer of interaction between you and your customers, helping them to make a booking or reservation and answering their questions
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  • Augmented reality
  • User-generated content is content created by online users that they then share and can take the form of endorsements, comments, forums, blog entries, social publishing, etc.
  • voice activation among the younger generation of Web users represents a significant opportunity for the hospitality industry.
  • influencer marketing, a digital take on traditional word-of-mouth advertising, assists hotels in building their brands and attracting direct bookings.
  • One way to get strong returns and a steady stream of repeat customers is to collect analytics from online customer testimonials on review websites. This will give you a lot of information about your customers’ preferences, ideas for how to improve your business, and signs of future sales.
  • Personalized marketing allows businesses to send tailored content to their target clients by utilizing automated technologies and data collection
  • computer technology, alters a person’s perception of their immediate surroundings.
  • Hospitality companies in the travel industry can use video marketing to interact with their target market by posting videos on Facebook Live, Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, Reddit, and YouTube.
  • Content marketing aims to draw in customers by providing them with useful, almost always free, resources to provide them with value and sway their decision-making in your favor.
  • Remarketing, a powerful marketing strategy, includes targeting potential customers who have previously visited your website or expressed interest in your services.
  • Video marketing has evolved into an important component of many advertising campaigns
  • you can showcase many incredible experiences through video.
  • Marriott was able to demonstrate what guests could expect from their hotel stays while also highlighting the distinctive aspects of its brand personality
  • content doesn’t have to be text-based to be effective. As such, podcasts have grown in popularity in recent years, particularly among consumers who do not have the time to watch a video or read an article.
  • hospitality marketing is a very challenging thing to get right, and it can be time-consuming
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    Hospitality Marketing is a vital part of promoting your hotel, restaurant, theme park, resort, etc. To continue to gain more customers or keep the ones you currently have you will need to consider implementing some of these marketing strategies. There are six hospitality marketing strategies outlined in this article so look and see which one is right for your business. They include experiential marketing, personalization marketing, influencer marketing, video marketing, content marketing, and remarketing.
mmdmd99999

Man vs machine: examining the three themes of service robotics in tourism and hospitali... - 0 views

  • There is a growing need in the tourism and hospitality literature to harmonise service robots and artificial intelligence’s
  • Service robotics and related tourism and hospitality research follow three basic themes: deployment, acceptance and ethical considerations.
  • robot guide at a museum, a bag-drop robot at an airport and a robot chef at a restaurant
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  • potential to add $13 trillion to the global economic output by 2030.
  • Crowne Plaza deploys a robotic butler to deliver food and drinks to hotel guests
  • Royal Caribbean Cruises introduced robotic bartenders that mix two drinks per minute from an endless list of cocktail combinations
  • identify four intelligence types: mechanical, analytical, intuitive and empathetic.
  • Service robots are currently perceived as at a disadvantage regarding executing emotionally complex tasks. Consequently, a well-trained human workforce still performs such tasks better
  • point out that service robots should not look too human, because if they do, people will expect them to act like real humans
  • Henn na Hotel in Japan, which is mainly staffed by robots. At the front desk, polyglot robots greet the guests and help them check in or out. A robot stores the guests’ luggage in their rooms, for which they do not need a key, since the hotel uses a face recognition system
  • Of these projected at-risk jobs, it is estimated that automation will put approximately 30% of service and sales workers’ jobs at risk. This risk is projected to triple from 10% in 2027 to 30% in 2037
  • jobs across all industries are at risk.
  • the use of service robots and AI will be competed away in reasonably efficient markets and lead to an overall increase in consumer welfare. Increases in productivity, wealth and income due to AI and robotics should also stimulate the creation of new jobs
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    indepth study on robotics in hospitality, will guests trust robots, will robots replace people, job loss
joshli2022

The Digital Menu and the Restaurant Industry - 0 views

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    This Article is about the ditial menu and the restaurant that benefits to have the ditigtal menu, which reduced workforce for the company and cheaper to have one compare the phsical menu. At the same time the restaurant could enhance their efficiency. The types of the digital menu are tablets, AR, interactive tables, are common opitions to the restaurant in order to upgrade their menu. In general, the the dital menu could help different type and levels of restaurants to enhancing their technological innovation in order to improve their services.
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    The digital menu seems having a lot of benefits for the restaurants. This menu is practical during the COVID-19 pandemic, when in person interactions are forced to be kept at minimal. However, I would expect more in person interactions at an upscale restaurant because I am paying more.
jbrit055

PMS and POS Integration for Smoother Sales & Happier Guests * WebRezPro - 0 views

  • Integration of core hotel systems is key to streamlining daily operations and enhancing the guest experience.
  • Thanks to cloud technology, system integration is easier, faster and more effective than ever, empowering hotels to automate processes for improved efficiency, better customer service, and a deeper understanding of guests.
  • a simple automated interface between the PMS and POS system saves hoteliers time and improves billing accuracy to enhance the guest experience and prevent lost revenue.
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  • Your PMS is the center of control for your property’s front-desk and back-office operations
  • Basically, your PMS takes care of everything to do with selling rooms.
  • The POS system helps manage sales outside of room sales
  • A PMS + POS integration streamlines the process of charging restaurant sales and other ancillary charges to a guest’s room via an automated interface, eliminating billing inaccuracies due to manual error, and giving staff more time to focus on guest service.
  • When PMS and POS systems are not integrated, restaurant charges and other add-on products and services charged to a guest’s room must be communicated to the front desk and added to the folio manually.
  • hoteliers can help to ensure a pleasant and quick check-out experience.
  • Automating the process of posting incidental charges to guest folios through PMS + POS integration ensures billing accuracy, saves hotel staff time, reduces customer complaints, and prevents lost revenue by ensuring charges are never missed.
  • Susceptible to human error due to shift changes, unclear communication, typos, or misplaced tickets, this manual process is prone to billing discrepancies that can result in dissatisfied guests and lost revenue.
  • In fact, a PMS + POS integration improves the guest experience throughout the stay.
  • seamless and personalized experience that guests expect from today’s hotels
  • supports the shift to contactless service, reducing physical touchpoints at POS stations during a guest’s stay
  • Make it effortless for your guests to spend, and they will probably spend more!
  • PMS + POS integration benefits both your business and your guests.
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    Understanding what each hotel system works for and the departments they connect or overlap with can benefit from integrating such systems to make smoother operations. By integrating PMS and POS in a hotel, it can be easier for the guests to check in, etc., but it's also easier for staff to manage and track all guest information this way too.
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    This type of integration is not new to the hospitality industry. Many hotels link their PMS system at the front desk to the POS system at the outlets. This integration is very efficient and convenient because guests can just simply charge their spending at the outlets to their folio, also known as "charge to the room."
jbrit055

Augmented and Virtual Reality in HoReCa - 0 views

  • Recent statistics prove that AR and VR are here to stay
  • under the conditions of isolation extended reality technologies seem like a light at the end of the tunnel
  • AR serves as a tool to enhance the physical environment (for instance, the hotel and its rooms), or reproduce the experience of exploring the location.
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  • Augmented reality helps the hotel staff simplify the booking process by allowing the customer to experience an augmented model of the room.
  • they can be provided with the needed information in a contactless manner at any convenient tim
  • Virtual Reality cannot replace the feels of a real vacation but it can provide a clear understanding of what you should expect.
  • A valuable point for implementing VR is the emotional experience it brings to customers.
  • The joy of the VR experience is doubled by the opportunity to explore the travel destination before they purchase the tickets.
  • 360 video
  • Disabled people have more possibilities to discover new locations than ever before.
  • VR technology allows customers to search for destinations, compare hotels and other accommodations, and finally book rooms using a virtual reality headset.
  • ustomers explore virtual hotel rooms, experience local sights, and book a room effortlessly instead of basic scrolling and clicking on a website.
  • hotels are looking for ways to stand out and surprise their guests
  • Many hotels use virtual reality hotel tours as an opportunity to showcase their hotel rooms via interactive elements.
  • With the help of a smartphone camera, users can see additional information on hotel comfort as well as local benefits.
  • VR journeys can also provide a priceless opportunity to explore the world for people who are unable to travel.
  • VR headsets
  • They are small, wireless transmitters that work through Bluetooth to send signals to other smart devices nearby.
  • In a nutshell, they connect and pass on information to customers when they are in specific locations.
  • a virtual key to guests
  • help guests navigate
  • AR interactivity gives restaurants and other businesses the possibility to deliver digital experiences in a personal way, without risking the health of their customers or employees.
  • AR Food Menu with 3D View
  • AR-menu is not only an entertaining element for clients but also provides them with details like portion size, nutrition information, ingredients, allergens, and the number of people the dish can be served to.
  • AR-filters for social media that show immersive virtual experiences with the restaurant’s dishes.
  • Virtual renderings allow customers to see what their custom orders will look like without coming into the business in person
  • experience marketing
  • to make customers experience the product from the moment they enter the front door.
  • you can provide your customers with an AR experience while they are waiting for their order which makes the waiting time more entertaining
  • For restaurants, it not only helps people get more new customers but also allows restaurants to train their employees
  • Virtual Reality is an appropriate solution for decreasing the cost and improving the speed and productiveness of workers’ education.
  • Virtual Reality technology is promising not only for employees training but also for franchise development and marketing, analytical opportunities, and accelerated employee hiring.
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    This article explained the benefits of AR, VR, and AI in the hospitality and tourism industry in order to enhance guest experiences and create smoother work operations. The implementation of this technology seems to be happening more due to the pandemic and hospitality companies are learning the best ways to use them to match the new needs of guests.
ryanbonifas

The Rise In Preference For Hosting Virtual Events Is - 1 views

  • The Rise In Preference For Hosting Virtual Events Is Contributing To The Growth Of The Event Management Software Market
  • the increasing preference for hosting virtual events is significantly contributing to the growth of the event management software market.
  • Zoom had the most respondents, accounting for 50.3%, followed by Microsoft Teams with 12% usage and Facebook Live with 9.4%. This rise in the usage of virtual platforms for hosting events is contributing to the growth of the event management software market.
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  • The global event management software market share is expected to grow from $5.78 billion in 2021 to $6.56 billion in 2022
  • Artificial intelligence is the ability of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do tasks that are usually done by humans because they require human intelligence and discernment. It is mostly used in event management due to its ease and affordability.
  • North America was the largest region in the event management software market in 2021.
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    Event Management Software is ever evolving as is the way promoters and companies look to make events, conferences and conventions more profitable and case a wider net of attendees. As those additional revenue streams present themselves, event management software companies are continually streamlining the event process of sponsorships, speakers, maps, virtual meetings, touchless check-ins and much more.
apere870

Independent hotels and resorts are discovering opportunity in a balanced approach - hot... - 1 views

  • The industry is beginning to embrace the digital mindset and many properties have implemented the low-touch and highly efficient innovations many guests have become accustomed to.
    • apere870
       
      This article explains how the Covid 19 pandemic pushed independent hotels and resorts to implement more technology in order to satisfy customer expectations. Some examples are hotel apps, online check-ins, and even requesting housekeeping through your phone. It also describes the importance of a good balance between technology and the high-touch luxury experience that guests still search for, doormen and bellmen are still a very crucial part of guest experiences.
claudecole

AI in the hospitality industry: Benefits, applications, and use cases - 1 views

  • Science-fiction once claimed that humans would one day live together with robots who would make our lives easier.
  • In recent years, AI is becoming increasingly vital in the hospitality industry owing to its capacity to do traditionally human tasks at any time of day. This might save hoteliers a lot of money, minimize human mistakes, and allow them to provide better service.
  • Customer service is especially important in the travel sector, as hotels often live or die depending on how they treat their clients. The options for improving this element using AI are nearly limitless, ranging from improved personalization to targeted recommendations.
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  • The introduction of AI has drastically altered hotel operations. The tremendous number of jobs that front-desk employees are expected to handle demonstrates how different the situation would be without artificial intelligence.
  • A phone system with AI can intelligently route calls. Basic queries can be answered by chatbots on the internet. Remote check-in systems that are AI-connected can allow customers to check into their rooms using a smartphone app without ever having to stop at the front desk
  • To use the data you have on your hotel’s behalf, you must first sort, organize, cleanse, parse, and transform it into something that humans can understand. To put it another way, you must find a means to delete inaccurate or duplicated data, arrange it so that it makes sense, and then present it in a human-readable style, such as charts and graphs.
  • AI, on the other hand, enables personalization on a far deeper level, affecting the very core of the guest experience. It also helps you save time, money, and effort by enhancing efficiency.
  • For example, an AI chatbot linked to your Facebook Messenger can answer queries from visitors and collect basic information to save in your database. This information can then be utilized to tailor future interactions with the guest. You might design special offerings that cater to their specific needs, such as child-friendly accommodations, all-inclusive stays, or experiences that include a hotel room as well as tickets to nearby events or shows.
  • AI may assist you in ensuring that you get it right while also increasing efficiency and accuracy. You won’t have to look very hard to find proof of this. You almost certainly employ both a property management system (PMS) and a point of sale (POS) system. Both of these use AI to assist you to handle bookings, offering add-ons, and adding them to customers’ bills, among other things.
  • Artificial intelligence embedded in the software you use every day, such as your PMS and POS, allows for greater efficiency, a stronger relationship with your visitors, and, ultimately, greater hotel success.
  • Hilton Hotels’ First Robot Concierge, Meet Connie.
  • AI chatbots, for example, have been popular on social media platforms to allow customers to ask questions and receive near-instant responses, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hotels benefit from this because it allows them to achieve response speeds that are nearly difficult to achieve through human-to-human interaction.
  • Predict passenger flow using predictive analytics and machine learning to avoid airport overcrowding.Based on the current operational state, as well as prior data and patterns, machine learning can be used to assess the probability of delayed departures.By studying typical baggage mishandling and breaking points, conditions, and settings, developers can leverage machine learning skills construct a virtual assistant to proactively track baggage.
  • AI and machine learning can be used to incorporate real-time feedback into workflows. This can help assess whether or not a guest is happy with their room.
  • RPA is capable of automating dull and repetitive operations. AI is capable of detecting demand patterns, forecasting corresponding prices, and even calculating human resource requirements.
  • Hospitality businesses can use AI and machine learning to determine which aspects of their loyalty program appeal to clients and which are deal breakers. By examining emotional activity, sentiment analysis (which uses Natural Language Processing) can help organizations comprehend positive, negative, and neutral viewpoints.
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    This article details the increasing and already abundant role that AI technologies are playing in the day-to-day operations of hospitality companies. It goes into depth about how these advancements are using analytical data to provide a better guest experience while also taking information from outside sources to focus on aspects of the operation that need improvement or things that are being well received. The process of AI implementation has also allowed for the customization of guest experience allowing guests to be catered to 24/7 offering insights and calculated suggestions.
carine_elie

Service Robots and AI: What impact on the future of Hospitality - 0 views

  • Humans and robots working together The question might sound futuristic, yet the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly revolutionizing the business-as-usual model of the hospitality industry. It has the potential to disrupt the customer experience as we know it, and could provide powerful tools to help humans in their decision-making processes, which will impact the industry’s entire workforce. The challenge is to ensure that companies integrate AI and frontline service robots in a fair and equitable way. For that, we need to consider several dimensions such as: The ethical considerations linked to the use of robots in a service delivery context (replacement, responsibility, trust/safety, privacy/data protection, autonomy, and human cues). The customer experience (customer-robot interaction). The optimization of robots’ usage by employees (employee-robot interaction/co-creation with a robot).
  • How AI can improve customer experience By allowing robots to perform repetitive human tasks, AI is redesigning the customer experience. But to what extent? The question remains an open one. However, robots can now provide support to employees or even replace them in some cases. Robots are increasingly being created with specific features that allow them to perform some of the essential tasks of the industry. For example, service robots can perform some of the functions of a waiter, a barista, or the housekeeping team.
  • How the Hospitality sector can take advantage of futuristic opportunities Robots have come a long way since then, and the robotization of the industry is accelerating rapidly as technology and connectivity improves. The use of AI in the field of robotics has also opened up enormous opportunities for the hospitality sector, with a growing range of uses that can improve customer experience, brand awareness and customer loyalty.
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  • Getting service robots and customers to co-exist In addition, a key question still needs to be addressed: How will customers adapt to this trend? Do they expect or want their service to be provided by robots? Or, do they still want to be welcomed by smiling humans? The question doesn’t seem to be settled yet. For some guests to accept the implementation of AI enabled service robots more easily, the robots must be able to show empathy and be able to interact, which remains a major technological challenge. At the same time, a whole new generation of travelers is growing increasingly accustomed to a humanless service experience. The future might bring a combination of both.
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    This article is enjoyable to read. It offers a distinct viewpoint on how teamwork and ai technologies are beneficial to the hotel sector. Additionally, it provides good insight into the key lessons learned regarding the development and significance of artificial intelligence in the hospitality and tourism industries.
kjeewan

Biometric Identification in Hotels and Casinos - 0 views

  • Biometric applications are particularly useful at the places where a lot of customers, members or visitors enters or exits a facility, or require identification or verification.
  • A hotel guard may not force guests to prove their identity, but what when there is a no guard and just a fingerprint scanner, where you need to put your finger to open the door?
  • Since hospitality employees are not expected to be too rigid, this part can be shouldered on biometric technology. Customer issues at hospitality outfits may sometimes be ego-driven, but showing ego to a machine is of no use and customers understand that.
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  • A biometric powered check-in can give guest the experience they want and deserve. Registering their biometrics (for example, fingerprints) and enabling access to the room in the hotel management software will give them frictionless access to their room and concentrate on the next thing they want to do.
  • They can also be provided with access to assigned hotel facility in the package like pool or casino, which are also secured with a biometric access method like fingerprint recognition. The underlying system also keeps record of guest’s whereabouts and generate reports when needs, e.g. at the time of billing, checkout or audit.
  • Managing preferences of returning guests beforehand give them an idyllic experience and more business to the hotel in long run. This can be efficiently achieved with a hotel management system equipped with biometric ability. Preferences of a guest can be associated with their biometric identifiers, which are instantly fetched when they scan their biometrics in future check-ins and hotel staff can surprise them every time they visit.
  • On the other hand, hotel room access based on guest biometrics provides an integrated solution that is connected with the hotel management systems. Since there is no need to card, keys or any other form of possession, there is no fear of losing them or getting them stolen. Biometrically logged entry exit presents strong proof that only guest entered the room and no one else.
  • Biometrically secured entry / exit to a service / facility area will require guests or members to scan their fingerprint or face to enter the facility and will log the time spent in the facility area.
  • It also prevents any outsiders from using hotel facilities such as pool or casino that are reserved only for guests.
  • At the time of billing, a guest may insist on not availing a service that has actually been availed and forgotten. Biometric based entry and exit records present authentic proof of services availed.
  • biometrics is not just about customer convenience or security, it can be deployed for in-house applications like employee attendance, time tracking and to improve payroll efficiency. Keeping track of employee in and out timings brings in payroll transparency and managers can make sure that employees are being paid for the hours worked and not for breaks. It also curbs time theft and timesheet manipulation within an organization. Time theft and timesheet manipulation is a disastrous activity, in which an employee misinterprets amount of time she has put to complete an assignment or a project. When done on purpose, the time is spent in personal or other activities unrelated to the work and logged in payroll system, putting burden on company funds. A biometric based clock-in and out system can eliminate the possibility of timesheet fraud as employees have to be present to clock in or out time, they ask someone else to do it for them.
  • The biometric guest ID and preference tracking system facilitates keyless entry for guest rooms, eliminating the need for cards or keys. It facilitates automated check in fingerprints kiosks, whereby guests can check in with a simple touch of their finger. Billing becomes dramatically easy and reliable and customers can be reliably charged with biometrically authenticated logs of their entry and exit to facility area.
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    I decided to do further research on Biometrics software in hospitality because we use it at the Four Seasons where I work in the Residences department. Biometrics is a technology that scans your fingerprint and grants you access to areas designated by management. This is useful in residences and hotels because as an owner or guests, only you will have access to your apartment or room. The article mentioned how as technology evolves, there is a debate as to whether guests will want to give their fingerprint. Too much security could be seen as a nuisance but too little security puts guests at risk. Having a Biometrics system in place at a hotel ensures that only hotel guests are patrolling the property or floors with rooms. Another interesting aspect is using Biometrics to remember returning guest preferences such as floor height, food choices, allergies, etc. This system could be put into place at check-in so that right away the front desk knows the guest is returning and can be made aware of their past preferences. Benefits of Biometrics mentioned in the article is not having to deal with room key cards, added security on property, seamless check-ins as well as even paying for items on property. A guest might not even need to take their credit card around because they can just use their fingerprint to pay at the pool, gift shop, etc. Behind the scenes, Biometrics is important as well. A hotel can use Biometrics to track employee attendance, clocking out for meals and to ensure only employees are accessing closed off areas of the property.
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    Biometrics can be used by companies for employees to clock in and clock out to ensure timesheet accuracy. It can be used by companies as a security measure so that guests are where they are permitted to be. It can be used for easy check in and billing and payment verification if there are issues. Biometrics can also be used as a way to collect guest information for example their preferences.
sydneywolfson

The Impact of AI on the Hospitality Industry | by Willa Zhou | Towards Data Science - 0 views

  • Countless hospitality industry leaders are increasingly leveraging the use of one specific tool in their hotels to increase personalization and exceed customer expectations: artificial intelligence or more commonly known as AI.
  • More and more hotels, especially large global hotel chains such as Marriott International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and Caesars Entertainment, have started implementing the use of AI in their hotels in the form of chatbot messaging, AI powered customer service, and data analytics in hopes of redefining the current industry standards on a personalized guest experience.
  • Marriott International, for example, has multiple chatbots including Marriott Rewards chatbots which are available on various platforms such as Facebook Messenger, Slack, WeChat, and Google Assistant (Bethesda
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  • By allowing guests to communicate in their native languages, chatbots seamlessly remove the language barrier with guests from all over the world
  • ilton introduced the world’s first AI powered hotel concierge robot named Connie, after its founder Conrad Hilton,
  • Connie was developed in collaboration with IBM with three main goals in mind: to decrease wait time in line, provide added efficiency in hotel operations, and surprise guests with an innovative and completely unique too
  • Connie is able to inform guests on hotel features, local attractions, and dining recommendations just like any front desk agent, concierge, or hotel phone operator would
  • Besides customer service improvements through chatbots and concierge robots, AI has also impacted the hospitality industry with the use of data analytics.
  • AI demonstrates a real promise in increasing convenience, enhancing personalization, as well as raising satisfaction and loyalty for hotel guests
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    This article talks about AI in hotels. For example, the article mentioned the use of chat boxes for Marriot International. Another example is Connie, the first AI powered hotel concierge robot at the Hitlon. It is a unique tool and can help decrease wait time and provide added efficiency in hotel operations.
vivduru

The blessing and curse of proximity marketing | Marketing Dive - 1 views

  • Over the last few years, retailers have increasingly seen consumers migrate away from brick-and-mortar retail stores in favor of convenient digital outlets.
  • Proximity marketing is a way to appeal to these fundamental consumer desires without sacrificing a focus on the in-store experience. 
  • This type of technology has potentially widespread applications for retailers and marketers working in partnership with each other and sharing data — for example, in airports or shopping malls where a specific marketer may not have a relationship with a particular consumer, but can provide a platform where other retailers can integrate their apps and reach out to that consumer.
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  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has brought several enforcement actions against both online and offline companies for failing to comply with their posted privacy policies, failing to adequately safeguard data, failing to honor consumer opt-out promises and for a general lack of transparency.
  • Today's consumers engage in a shorter purchasing process, but the essential principles that underlie business-to-consumer marketing have not changed — consumers still make emotional buying decisions, they still want to comparison shop t
    • ngerv001
       
      Proximity marketing provides a means to place targeted messages in the hands of consumers, literally. It's the next best thing to actually walking up and putting a product in a customer's hands yourself. Customers might walk right by a sign and ignore it or scroll right past an ad in a social feed but a notification can't be overlooked quite so easily. Sending messages directly to nearby mobile users' phones increases engagement dramatically. Beacons drive promotions that are relevant to what clients are looking for, in real time, in places where it is easy for them to make a purchase.
  • According to recent studies, including a report by Retail Touchpoints, nearly half of retailers in the U.S. la
  • Whether you are a fashion retailer or a chain drugstore, proximity marketing should be on your radar
  • unched proximity marketing programs going into 2016, and the number has only skyrocketed this year. 
  • Department stores such as Macy’s, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, as well as major fashion retailers such as Urban Outfitters and American Eagle, are already using beacons to target consumers based on their physical location
  • t a basic level, beacons emit radio signals to connect with nearby consumers’ mobile devices, working in conjunction with a retailer-specific app in order to push certain notifications to consumers when they are in proximity to the beacon — for example, a special offer for a product in the aisle in which they are browsing.
  • From marketers’ perspective, navigating these requirements poses a unique dilemma: how can they create content compelling enough to convince the consumer to stay committed through the opt-in process to share their data?
  • These reports and guidelines highlight the need for consumers to be informed of any data or tracking that they may not expect — for example, interaction with a broad-spectrum beacon that reaches beyond the confines of an affirmatively-downloaded retailer app.
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    This article helped me gain a better undestanding of proximity marketing and beacons. Beacons emit radio signals to connect with nearby consumers' mobile devices. This article discusses some of the pros and cons to proximity marketing in order to best engage consumers. Proximity marketing is a fairly new concept that is beginning to skyrocket.
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    I found the information about the legal requirements very interesting. If a notification pops up on my phone to ask if I would like to share information, like location, I almost never do.
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    Modern society is an era of big data. There are indeed many benefits to using proximity marketing. But pay attention to avoid excessive spam, so as not to cause customer dislike.
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    This article talks about the benefits of proximity marketing and why it is the new wave in which companies should get engaged and begin finding ways to utilize this kind of marketing amongst their consumers. The collected data is priceless information for a company to gather about its ideal customers and how to engage them. However, the downsides the article brings up are the legalities around opt-in and the opportunity to allow consumers to opt-out with ease, and the pressures to get the marketing continuously. That is a compliance issue that companies should stay clear and consider. Also, it the importance to build security features to care for this data and information being shared online.
nsola015

New report shows an increasingly robotic future for airports - 0 views

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    The use of robots is predicted to become more common in the airport operations environment in the near future. Several airports are already testing advanced technology to improve guest experience by providing customers with security, entertainment, information, cleanliness, and advice. During the transition period, humans will continue to play an integral role, but some functions will likely eventually become fully automated. Robots can lower operational costs and improve efficiency. Even though there are barriers to implementation, including development costs and digital adaptation, several companies are investing in airport robotics. It is expected that consumers will need to adapt to this changing environment, which is intended to improve the overall air travel experience in an increasingly demanding aviation industry.
alo328

Electronic Waste Is Becoming a Global Environmental Problem | Time - 1 views

  • s a tech-hungry nation flush with cash gets ready to upgrade to the next generation of lightning-fast 5G devices, there is a surprising environmental cost to be reckoned with: a fresh mountain of obsolete gadgets. About 6 million lb
  • Workers with hammers hack at the bulkiest devices, while others remove dangerous components like lithium-ion batteries
  • That cycle of consumption has made electronics waste the world’s fastest-growing s
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  • “In our society, we always have to have the new, best product,” said Aaron Blum, the co-founder and chief operating officer of ERI, on a tour of the facility
  • Even when e-waste rules exist, it’s left up to consumers to handle their old devices prop
  • But less than a quarter of all U.S. electronic waste is recycled, according to a United Nations estimate. The rest is incinerated or ends up in landfills
  • Environmental concerns aside, compacting flammable lithium-ion batteries with paper recycling can be dangerous; recycling centers have reported an uptick in fires
  • 5G promises faster speeds and other benefits. But experts say it will also result in a dramatic increase in e-waste, as millions of smartphones, modems and other gadgets incompatible with 5G networks are made obsolete
  • ly. But recycling them can be a
  • We don’t necessarily have the measures to make sure people aren’t throwing it away,” Walters said.
  • Even so, some companies are increasing their recycling efforts on their own, whether for the economic benefit or the public relations boost (mining fresh materials has financial, environmental and human costs of its own). For instance, Apple in 2018 introduced Daisy, a smartphone-recycling robot that can take apart 200 iPhones every hour, and says it diverted 48,000 metric tons of electronic waste from landfills that year
  • Our products today don’t last as long as they used to, and it’s a strategy by manufacturers to force us in
  • o shorter and shorter upgrade cycles,” said Kyle Wiens, the founder of iFixit
  • Some environmental groups say multibillion-dollar companies like Apple and Samsung should pick up the cost of recycling the devices they sell. Lawmakers in parts of Europe and Canada and in some U.S. states have passed so-called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, which require manufacturers to establish and fund systems to recycle or collect obsolete products
  • One solution is to make electronics last as long as they once did. At ERI’s facility, Shegerian showed TIME dozens of televisions from the 1970s and 1980s that stopped working only recently
  • About 6 million lb. of discarded electronics are already processed monthly at recycling giant ERI’s Fresno plant.
  • Americans spent $71 billion on telephone and communication equipment in 2017, nearly five times what they spent in 2010 even when adjusted for inflation, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. (Apple alone sold 60 million iPhones domestically last year, according to Counterpoint Research.)
  • That stream is expected to turn into a torrent as the world upgrades to 5G, the next big step in wireless technology.
  • Part of the problem is regulatory. Only 19 states have laws banning electronics from the regular trash. In states without such rules, like Nevada, electronics often end up in garbage and recycling bins, said Jeremy Walters, a community-relations manager for waste collector Republic Services
  • Our products today don’t last as long as they used to, and it’s a strategy by manufacturers to force us into shorter and shorter upgrade cycles,”
  •  
    Advancement in technology every day has led to the dumping of electronic gadgets no longer wanted to the environment. Heaps of unwanted electronic waste, hazardous containing substances like lithium-ion batteries, are dumped into the ground with all their toxicology. As the world upgrades to 5G, it will end in a rapid surge in e-waste. According to John Shegerian thinks people are yet to see the magnitude of the transition to 5G, it is tremendous than changing from analog to digital (Samuels & Calif, 2019). However, it comes with many advantages; its outcome is a drastic rise in electronic waste. The ERI recycles less than a quarter of the United States' e-waste according to the estimate made by the United Nations, and the other dumped in landfills. This waste contains harmful metals such as beryllium and mercury, that have adverse environmental dangers. Among the 50 states in the United States, only 19 States have imposed a law to bun electronics from regular trash (Samuels & Calif, 2019); the rest of the states, like Nevada they are incorporated in recycling and trash bins, according to Jeremy Walters's manager for waste collection. The consumers are left to handle their e-waste even though there are e-waste rules. Multibillion companies should the responsibility and cater for the cost of recycling for the products they are manufacturing. Companies like Apple and Samsung, nonetheless the United States is repelling modifications to the prevailing laws, according to Scott Cassel Product Stewardship Institute found. However, some companies are improving through increasing their recycling efforts. For instance, Daisy, a recycling robot introduced by Apple, can collect more than 200 iPhones for recycling every hour. But this is not enough since e-waste generated annually globally is more than we can imagine, which almost 50 tons (Samuels & Calif, 2019). In a nutshell, technology can bring many benefits to society. Still, it can also harm both the environment and the p
  •  
    the article explores the dangers of elctronic waste and give suggestions on how to better monitor this issue and resolve.
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    This article explains how the rapid advancement of technology has impulsed an increase in the use of technology, however has resulted in a rise in ewaste percentage. This happens because companies have opted for creating products that do not last for long periods of time, since they want to sell future products.
mmdmd99999

Disadvantages of Cloud Computing - Cloud Academy Blog - 0 views

    • darielmolano
       
      Despite its benefits, cloud computing has its disadvantages. An outage could happen as well as downtime. Now, there are ways to minimize the effects of downtime and outage such as multi-region deployments
  • Cloud computing has benefited many enterprises by reducing costs and enabling a focus on one’s core business competence
  • here can be disadvantages to cloud computing, especially in smaller operations.
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  • key disadvantages and share tips and best practices that your teams can employ to address them.
  • Since cloud computing systems are internet-based, service outages are always an unfortunate possibility and can occur for any reason.
  • Best practices for minimizing planned downtime in a cloud environment
  • storing data and important files on external service providers always opens up risks.
  • Their dependence on remote cloud-based infrastructure meant taking on the risks of outsourcing everything.
  • Best practices for minimizing security and privacy risks
  • Best practices to help you reduce cloud attacks
  • Even the best teams suffer severe attacks and security breaches from time to time.
  • Since the cloud infrastructure is entirely owned, managed, and monitored by the service provider, it transfers minimal control over to the customer.
  • Best practices for maintaining control and flexibility
  • asy switching between cloud services is a service that hasn’t yet completely evolved, and organizations may find it difficult to migrate their services from one vendor to another.
  • Best practices to decrease dependency
  • Pay-as-you-go cloud services can provide more flexibility and lower hardware costs, but the overall price tag could end up being higher than you expected.
  • Best practices to reduce costs
  • the suitability of cloud computing for your specific use case should be assessed in a risk-based evaluation.
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    Cloud computing has its disadvantages like outage and downtime
  •  
    This article speaks on some disadvantages of Cloud computing all while providing ways to tackle these threats. For example, other than the main and common disadvantages it also touches on is the switching between cloud services. This can be seen due to the lack of growth within the cloud system. Eventually the gaps between servers can cause risk of security and loss of information.
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    cloud computing disadvantages: downtime, security and privacy, vulnerability to attack, limited control and flexibility, vendor lock-in, cost concerns
bbalthaser

Philips PDS helping hotels reduce e-waste with software update - Recycling Today - 0 views

  • Latest figures show a record-breaking 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste in 2019, up 21 percent since 2014.
  • Part of Philips PDS’ ongoing commitment to improving its own and its customers’ green credentials, its MediaSuite Android-powered TVs – found in hotels and hospitals around the world – now get better with age, with regular updates bringing a consistent, high-performing experience, regardless of when the TV was purchased.
  • From reimagining packaging through to extending product lifetimes, sustainability is a key requirement for our customers and a clear deliverable achieved with these updates.”
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  • “With MediaSuite and our Extended Lifetime guarantee, hotel TVs get better with age, ensuring greater return on investment and the ultimate, uncompromised TV viewing experience for every guest in every room.”
  • We don’t believe in limiting the latest and greatest features to the newest Philips models. We want our customers to be able to offer the best experience at all times, not just when their TVs are due for replacement. We hope our strategy brings some welcome relief to the industry, both today and into the future,” Verhaeghe says.
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    Phillips a manufacturer of TVs and other electronics made efforts to reduce its carbon footprint in terms of e-waste by extending the lifetime of its current products used in hospitality. They did this by creating software updates that would upgrade the TVs without having to replace them with newer models that have all the bells and whistles that guests expect to have in newer Smart TVs. Since 2019 "53.6 million metric tons of e-waste" have been calculated up 21 percent since 2014. Laptops and TVs are among the highest number of items being discarded. Phillips like many companies has committed to making green initiatives and one of these ways was with currently used TVs in the industry. Rather than replace them with a newer model they can update with simple software which allows them to last longer. Sustainability has been at the forefront of customers' minds and Phillips made its own commitment to sustainability in the industry. It is great to see tech giants making efforts to be sustainable. I know we hear about "green initiatives" but we often don't see them. This is something tangible and has a huge impact not only on the tech side but for hospitality providers. Instead of needing the greatest and latest they can save money and keep using currently purchased tech and just upgrade it. I find this very appealing especially for smaller HSP that may not have budget replacement every so often. I also find this good for consumers because it can also be done at home. These updates are available for all Phillips tv users, not just HSP. So this goes a long way to benefit the environment. And many more ideas can come from this simple idea.
mandalysha

How Hotels Can Drive Increased Revenue and Loyalty By Offering a Reciprocal Value Excha... - 1 views

  • As privacy concerns related to data capture reach a fever pitch, consumer data – perhaps better described as the critical currency which powers personalization – is becoming a protected commodity.
  • Over time, privacy and personal data protection concerns began competing with consumer desire for a data-driven, personalized experience.
  • Industries like hospitality, which rely on retrieving traveler information to curate more relevant messaging, offers, experiences, and loyalty rewards, must adjust their approach.
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  • Data is valuable, and it’s due time for hotel operators to establish a two-way value exchange that incentives guests to readily share their information to unlock a heightened experience.
  • hotels cannot offer a great guest experience without prioritizing data protection and transparency; one tier of service (personalization) cannot come at the expense of another (privacy and consent)
  • If hotels elevate their efforts to meet guests’ expectations for customized offers and experiences, and treat personalization as a strategic priority, they will see immediate benefits that deliver long-term results.
  • 80% of consumers are willing to share personal data to earn loyalty program benefits. 70% of consumers are willing to share their data to receive special discounts and offers. 71% of consumers will shop more often with brands or retailers that personalize their communications.
  • Next-generation technology sets the stage for this dynamic by allowing hospitality brands to offer their guests data control and value in a seamless, scalable fashion.
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    With privacy being a concern in the hospitality industry, hotels are incentivizing a customer sharing information with a heightened personalized experience. Customers are willing to share personal data to earn loyalty program benefits, receive special discounts and offers, and will shop more often with those brands that personalize their communications.
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    Even though we are aware that generally, individuals are more inclined to do things when there are benefits to them, this new exchange of data for access to certain benefits has now placed that transaction at the forefront of my mind. This is because schemes are not being applied to secretly obtain customers' personal data, but rather the customers are willing to share them. This exchange is beneficial to guests since they earn travelers' consent, unlock richer experiences, better service, and high long-term loyalty. In my opinion, this is a fair trade. Thanks for sharing this article on "How Hotels Can Drive Increased Revenue and Loyalty By Offering a Reciprocal Value Exchange with Guests."
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