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more than 70 percent of the respondents indicated that they would be increasing their IT investment in the coming year

Most organizations realize that in order to grow their companies and revenues they need to invest in technology and systems that will create operational efficiencies, improve the customer’s experience, and help generate sales.

Fewer than 10 percent of the companies surveyed reported that that they would be reducing their IT spend.

In Denmark there is a strong focus on the development of facilities management, which couldn’t happen without close contact and cooperation with the international community from which we learn and to which environment we bring and test our ideas.”

pointed out that FM professionals were experts for the influence of the building environment on people and defined FM as “a way of integrating people, planet and profit with technology as a linchpin.” “The days are over where facility management was associated only with a caretaker’s job,” he said. FM required leadership, which also meant focusing on educational programmes and attracting more women into the profession

The facility manager is not a building engineer anymore.

Fast forward to today and there is no shortage of next-generation PMS solution providers promising to empower hoteliers with the ability to drive ever-increasing levels of efficiency and effectiveness.

Focus on building the guest database.

Focus on technology integration.

New research finds that investments companies make in information technology increase profitability more than investments in advertising or R&D do.

CEOs often struggle with some critical choices as they allocate their companies’ discretionary dollars among various categories of investments.

One key takeaway from our research: All other things being equal, executives should accord higher priority to IT projects that have the potential for revenue growth over those that focus mainly on cost savings.

hotels and leisure sector has become the third-largest lending market for NatWest and RBS under the Funding for Lending Scheme

Andrew Taylor, head of leisure for commercial banking at NatWest and RBS, said: “I’m delighted at how successful we have been in helping clients in the hotels and leisure sector access cost-effective funds – we are committed to working with businesses of all sizes.

In many ways ecommerce is more competitive than hospitality – with more focus on price and less flexibility to differentiate your offering with an exceptional guest experience.

Focus on the landing pages

ensure your hotel description pages are very compelling.

Hotels, conference centers and other meeting venues are increasing group business with new technology, and it isn’t just a hotel app. To invest in the property’s overall capital, hoteliers are creating cool technology tools that market venues, increase group business and enhance the guest experience. Technology is just another way hotels are winning group business and marketing a hotel or conference center. What are some of these new hot tools for leisure and business travelers?

Investment in Hotel Technology Pays Off with Increased Group Revenue Tuesday, July 10, 2012 by Sarah Vining Hotels, conference centers and other meeting venues are increasing group business with new technology, and it isn’t just a hotel app. To invest in the property’s overall capital, hoteliers are creating cool technology tools that market venues, increase group business and enhance the guest experience. Technology is just another way hotels are winning group business and marketing a hotel or conference center. What are some of these new hot tools for leisure and business travelers? Virtual concierge service on guest room TVs At Hyatt Hotels with in-room HD TVs by Roomlinx Inc., guests are able make service requests, check email/weather, use the Business Center, print documents, and receive customized messages from meeting planners. Service requests like housekeeping and in-room dining are instantly sent through the system, improving the venue’s departmental efficiency. All of these virtual functions are hoped to appeal to new markets and drive group business. More efficient billing In the article, “Insert IACC blog post title URL” we learn that in 2012, meeting and group planners are prioritizing finance as very important during in their planning process (which made the top 10 list for the first time). Hotels making large investments in revenue management systems are taking advantage of new features that automate and process data to improve efficiency and increase revenue for properties. Virtual business centers Socialization through technology and food and beverage outlets is increasing revenue for TRYP by Wyndham in the NYC Times Square South property. Google TVs and access to Google Chrome laptops near the Gastro Bar in the hotel’s lobby offers guests an opportunity to enjoy a dining experience with the comfort of complimentary technology use. On-staff IT team When planners were surveyed, reliability was listed as a top concern of IT services in the white paper “What Do Planners and Trainers Really Want in Their Meeting Service?” All IACC-certified conference centers are required to have an on-site IT team to ensure technology functions properly. Now, the need for a knowledgeable IT team that really understands technology and can cater to individuals and group business is spreading to other hotel markets.   These impressive technology tools improve the guest experience and lead to a quick return on investment, especially in F&B. As we move beyond the discussion of required hotel Wi-Fi services, there will be a focus on technology amenities that provide the same comforts of home or the office. To increase group business, hoteliers are comfortable with this investment knowing there’s a return on investment with generated buzz/venue marketing and satisfied guests. Want to learn about other ways hotels are using technology to build relationships? Check out Enhancing Your Social Networking Site with a Social Concierge! to maximize social media and connect with guests, attendees and planners!

According to a recent report published by the Green Hotels Association, "Companies with proactive environmental strategies have a 4 percent higher return on investment, 9 percent higher sales growth and 17 percent higher operating income growth than companies with poor environmental track records."

According to a recent report published by the Green Hotels Association, "Companies with proactive environmental strategies have a 4 percent higher return on investment, 9 percent higher sales growth and 17 percent higher operating income growth than companies with poor environmental track records.

According to a recent report published by the Green Hotels Association, "Companies with proactive environmental strategies have a 4 percent higher return on investment, 9 percent higher sales growth and 17 percent higher operating income growth than companies with poor environmental track records.

Venture capitalists are finally starting to recognize the opportunity to invest in tools and platforms that allow hotels to capture new levels of hotel operations efficiency and revenue growth.

penetration of cloud-based technologies in the segment remains incredibly low

hotels that invest in technology drive higher revenue, better guest reviews, and a higher star-rating.

It started out as just a way to get a name across and functionality of most services was very low.

which made life easier for customers and allowed hospitality centres to be independently known and successful.

a list of the basic e-commerce strategies that will help to get the best from the Internet world.

Site download speed is one of the most important ranking factors in organic search.

We forget that the human brain can only consume limited information.

In 2020 mobile will likely be the dominant source of traffic in the majority of countries around the world.

While mobile is now crucial for traffic, it is also growing in importance for conversions and sales.

In 2020 and beyond the focus will shift towards conversational and even transactional applications for voice technology.

Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., the leading provider of hospitality software for business intelligence and enterprise financial accounting, announced 4 hotel companies representing 17 properties selected its financial solutions to manage by the numbers for greater profitability. Aptech’s solutions are 100% hotel specific. All of its clients are companies that own or manage hotels. Click here for more on Aptech’s products and services.

Perhaps even more impressive than its energy and water savings is the hotel’s recycling and composting accomplishments. In 2008 the hotel recycled 85 tons of materials; in 2009 that number grew to 137 tons. Last year 116 tons was recycled. In late June of last year, a food waste decomposition machine was installed in the loading dock area. The leased machine uses heat, and bacteria treated wood chips to accelerate the decomposition process. Over the remainder of 2010, 110 tons of food waste was composted. “We need to generate at least a few hundred pounds a day to make it [financially] worthwhile,” Martin says of the machine. The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place recycles the following: office paper, newspaper, glass, metal cans, plastic containers, glass, construction waste, cardboard (four to six tons per month), used bulbs, batteries and ballasts, electronics and pallets. Recycling containers are placed throughout the hotel in public areas and guestrooms include a plastic bag for guests to insert recyclables.

“Our focus is to do a lot of the little things that add up to one big green initiative.”

reduced its electricity consumption by 12.7 percent from 2009 to 2010 and its water consumption by 24.4 percent.

Expedia reports that 65% of hotel bookings within this last 24-hour window are via mobile, and 15% for flight bookings. Vegas is a particularly striking example of this last-minute mobile booking trend, with 32% of all bookings coming in via mobile,

does this mean that traditional travel companies and online travel companies should

rush into launching a mobile app?

It is essential that a PMS have functionality that supports a guest-centric focus.

A PMS with a robust, easy-to-use guest history or CRM (customer relationship management) system database at its heart enables operators to deliver personalized attention that results in revenue and guest loyalty. 

 To intelligently optimize rates and maximize revenue, a property must have a PMS with an effective, integrated revenue management (RM) system.

company is focusing mobile efforts on the hotel experience over search and booking to counter challenges from sites such as Expedia and booking.com.

Connecting the guest journey through mobile

mobile can be used for much more than just a medium for transaction.

Emergency preparedness should be a major part of the hospitality managers’ duties; they must work side by side with other tourism organizations to be prepared well to assist and save the lives of the tourist before, during and after the catastrophic events, and should adopt an updated effective emergency plan.

Safety and security are classified as the most important factors in the hospitality industry. Pizam et al., (1997) argued that safety and security are the most important factors to the tourist, and the first in mind when planning to travel.

The effective usage of safety surveillance such as closed circuit television (CCTV), electric emergency generators, body guards, fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, emergency lights will maintain the security procedures adopted by the hotels to ensure their guests' safety, and updated emergency plans to confirm the emergency preparedness and effective planning to overcome the potential risks.

The Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) has joined a partnership with Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) and The OpenTravel Alliance, to advance distribution technology in the hospitality industry.

a community of interest to advance electronic distribution in the hospitality industry. While the missions of the three associations are different, they all share the goal of improving the traveler experience from the searching and booking process through to the conclusion of the trip.

In addition to uniting around distribution, HEDNA and HTNG will further their collaboration, including promoting each other's events and partnering on other future activities.