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This article discusses the difference of internet speeds in hotel rooms. Many hotels that offer free wifi have some of the slowest internet speeds available. Usually the internet bandwith is about 1 to 2 mbps per room. Since the connection speed is so slow the free wifi is basically useless to the guest. Some hotels are offering guests a tiered wifi plan at an additional price that has more bandwith and faster speed. So then the advertised free wifi isn't really free anymore. The article lists the different internet speeds from various hotels found by speedtest.net

Subsidizing a product to get a long-term use commitment from a consumer base is nothing new; it existed before high tech hardware was made affordable by software or service agreements. Think about the razors you buy, assuming of course that you're not a fully bearded male. The initial cost of the razor isn't all that expensive, but replacing the razors for a month costs upwards of twice the razor itself. And if you've shopped for a printer lately, you know the same strategy applies here. The printer itself isn't the greatest expense over the life of the asset; the ink, which is required and usually specific to the device itself, is where you will spend the most money. The most well known form of subsidization, or at least most glaring, comes from the coupling of cell phones and cell service providers. An iPhone, for example, costs a lot more than most people actually pay for it. The new iPhone 5, the basic version with 16GB will run you $649. Not to mention the cost of new adapters, chargers, cases, etc. However, if you commit to (or renew) a two-year service contract with AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint, the phone itself costs $199. How does this work? The same way the printers and printer ink work. The service providers (i.e. AT&T) subsidize the majority of the cost of the phone in order to lock customers into a contract that ends up costing much more in usage and data charges over the life of the contract. The idea is to make the cost of entry relatively cheap. Then, the cost the company loses at the initial purchase is recouped through purchases, or service charges, over the long term. Unscrupulous? Not really, although some would say so after receiving their phone bill. But that has more to do with not being aware of the stipulations of the contract you sign to get the cheaper phone at the outset. Although I personally find it annoying, I try to look at as something akin to amortizing the asset, and remember that, at least for me, a monthly fee

Hotels.com recently conducted a hotel amenities survey where they asked potential travelers insight as to what amenities mean the most to them when booking a hotel room. An overwhelming response for free wi-fi in their hotel rooms indicated how important this perk is to travelers. "35 percent reported it is the simple amenity they want to see more in hotels, with 31 percent wishing it would become a standard in all hotels in 2012." Other interesting aspects of the article were that guests also stated their favorite modern in-room amenity was the use of iPads for guest services, local information and personal use. There is a bit of irony in the fact that widespread use of these devices in hotels amongst business travelers may contribute to poor free and paid wi-fi networks. What would be interesting to me is what quality of wi-fi do these respondents expect for free wi-fi services, as as we discussed in another article the quality of these wi-fi networks even at a paid level are not performing to the standard of the average business traveler. Often times in a scenario where something is free, you can expect to get what you pay for.

Zippin is a provider of check out free technology that partnered up with Fujitsu to work with the Koyo Group to create the first checkout free store in Japan. This store opened as a test to see if this concept will be successful. The Koyo ultimate goal is to create check out free convenience stores in the hospital. So they can run 24 hour markets without relying on staff members to operate. The way it works it that customers have to register on an app and can use multi biometric authentication technology that links their palm vein and facial recognition. After registration they do not need their phones they can just swipe their palms.

With increased competition, Walmart is now offering a similar program to that of Amazon. Now Walmart shoppers are able to utilize free 2 day shipping with a purchase of over $35 (a decrease from that of $50 before). By decreasing the price Walmart will now enable more of its shoppers to take advantage. Marc Lore, president and CEO of Walmart US eCommerce said "in today's world of eCommerce, two day free shipping is table stakes. It no longer makes sense to charge for it." Amazon made just shy of $513 million in the first quarter of 2016 (Wired.com). I'm sure this is one way in which Walmart aims to get a piece of that pie in 2017.

In a global market that is very unpredictable hotels are being very creative when trying to attract customers. The big trends hotels seem to be using to attract these guest is with alcohol or technology. Free,free,free booze from the bar with a flare of mixology to acquire the attention of the guest to spend more at those sources. In room amenities is all about the iPad. The iPad is connecting the guest with emails,room temperature,ebooks and many more cool things. The Hotelier is using every tool they can to bring guest to their locations.

" " H°eats pads-for-delivery by Lava Gel Technologies is a water-activated, flame-free, self-heating pad that is placed between two food pans, disposable foil or stainless steel. This product provides safe, reliable, flame free heat for up to two hours and integrates seamlessly with existing equipment and supplies and does not require accessories or special equipment to buy.

This article shows us top 3 free even management softwares. Before choosing your software, keep these 3 things in mind: size of the event, marketing and promotion needs and deployment options.

This article mainly talks about a new free software called Globa.li for small hotels. For the smaller establishments, they can not only get a sustainable rate, but also it is hard to manage the relationship with their customers. Globa.li can help these kind of hotels to have a good situation when they compare with big corporates for online bookings. This software can manager the rates, availability and bookings online, even from smart phones. It even can book online for properties.

FBI issues warning to people traveling abroad that free Wi-Fi systems can pose a threat. Malware and other attacks on hotel wi-fi has become a bigger and bigger threat for hotel internet users.  This artical introduced 9  tips to use wi-fi safely.  1. Update Before Leaving 2. Block Pop-Ups  3. Handle Free Wi-Fi With Caution 4. Read Hotel Wi-Fi Directions 5. VPN Tunneling Secures Free Wi-Fi  6. Download Software Updates Directly From Vendors 7. Beware Wired Hotel Connections 8. Consider Using A "Burner" Laptop  9. Don't Be Afraid To Hibernate  All these tips indicate that to use internet safely, we should be alter to potential risks, be wise and have a good habit when access internet. 

Virgin Voyages which is the new adults only cruise line from Richard Branson is one of the most sustainable cruises in the industry. Sustainability is the core of Virgin Voyages values. Virgin Voyages actively seeks out partners that are green and sustainability friendly as well like Intelligentsia Coffee and Emerald Brand. Intelligentsia Coffee will be served complimentary on Scarlet Lady which is Virgin Voyages first ship. Intelligentsia uses a direct trade model which means that they purchase directly from the growers from coffee producing regions. Emerald Brand produces tree free and plastic free products such as bath and facial tissue, straws, bottles etc. Virgin Voyages will no have any single use items on their ships. In addition guest will be have filtered and sparkling water complimentary on board from Natura filtered water filing stations.

Technology in the Fast Food Industry, McDonald's Big Mac ATM is free, short-term and Customers friendly. This new method of dispensing food to the public is convenient and it help improve guest experiences versus in store production

HotelTravel.com provides the inside track for the best value online hotel deals. Its brand statement - Real People | Real Service | Real Choice - is the keystone of the company's customer centric business culture and its core value. It is part of MakeMyTrip Limited and is celebrating reaching 50,000 Facebook fans with a sweepstakes for free nights at Phuket beach hotels. HotelTravel.com, partnered with Thavorn Beach VIllage and Spa and Kata Beach Resort and Spa, will be giving away free nights to three separate sweepstake winners. Runner ups will receive vouchers redeemable on HotelTravel.com.

This article highlights the safety precautions customers should take when using free (or close to free) hotel provided WiFi. Each piece of advice details the appropriate safety measure and details why based on information provided by IT and networking experts.

Ipads changing our life is absolute. In fact, if there is no ipad, something electronic products can also bring revolution in hotel Wi-Fi networks. To tell the truth, free hotel Wi-Fi is too slow.....last year, I had a internship in Holiday Inn Central Plaza Beijing. There had two kinds of Wi-Fi networks. Free network was cover the whole hotel but the speed was slow. The other that must be paid was faster. Some people had video session prefered the faster one. In addtion, hotels should upload their Wi-Fi networks. It can be an attraction of the hotels.

For a hotel the WiFi system is really important because guests prefer the hotel with WiFi system. The guests even willing to pay a small premium to stay at a WiFi equipped lodgings. As the rise of smart phones and ultra-lightweight laptops case the bandwidth problems. I think the hotel can deal with this problems by create various account levels for guests, stuff and visitors. The hotel can allow the visitors to use free WiFi and provide high level account to overnight guests.

I personally prefer to use WIFI in my own room when I visit a hotel because I have more privacy. Some hotels they may offer free/complimentary WIFI in the public area, for example, the lobby, the lounge, etc. At the same time, to limit the overuse of public WIFI, the WIFI in the guests' room are charged by different time period and the length of using the WIFI. It seems to be not fair to those business people who require internet all day long. However, it lowers the expense of the WIFI service and improves the guests' satisfaction of the internet service.

This article describes that Magnuson Hotels will give free PMS to hotels that convert to Magnuson`s franchise conversion brand. It will have no costs and offer 24/7 support and connects. It will also provide mobile and remote access reports and can support by over 400 interfaces. 

Freeman AVT, a provider of integrated event marketing services, has created a fully customizable app that is available for free to any planner who uses Freeman's other services. The app is functional with the ability to add or remove session topis, speakers, multimedia material and includes technical support. This is a great benefit to any meeting planner who does not have the budget to pay a separate company to develop an app for a one-time event. It also allows planners earlier access to their attendees so they can increase revenues and attendance through marketing products within the app.

Freeman AVT, a provider of integrated event marketing services, has created a fully customizable app that is available for free to any planner who uses Freeman's other services. The app is functional with the ability to add or remove session topis, speakers, multimedia material and includes technical support. This is a great benefit to any meeting planner who does not have the budget to pay a separate company to develop an app for a one-time event. It also allows planners earlier access to their attendees so they can increase revenues and attendance through marketing products within the app.

The Hotel Industry and its vendors are acknowledging and taking a keen revenue advantage, because their customers are supporting a green environment focus. This green economic revolution has impacted the $90 billion dollar Hotel industry. The article describes a hotel in Austin Texas profoundly in regards to their property having the "largest solar system in the continental U.S.". The hotel goes as far as creating their motto, which gear guest towards a green environment focus; their motto states "Environmental consciousness in action." The hotel grows its own food and vegetables, in which they serve the guest with, and they also give some of their produce to local food banks. The hotel guest often brag about how well they slept in the night, this might be caused by the toxic free chemical environment they are in. The lodging have refrained from using chemical pesticides 20 years ago, which may have added to the result of guest sleeping well; stated the general manager. The Ritz-Carlton program "Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment program" was originally for the children that were staying on the Kapalua in Hawaii. The children enjoyed it so much, and their parents became very inquisitive; that the program emerged into the entire property focus. This program gives guest the opportunity to have involvement with the native forest; native nature walk and the hotel also harvest a native garden. This is almost the same idea as the hotel located in Austin Texas. There are many valid reasons for the reason why the Hotel Industry should be green conscious. The Green Hotels Association states that "Companies with proactive environmental strategies will make 4 percent higher investment, 9 higher sales growth and 17 percent higher operating income growth than companies with poor environmental practices.". If I was a general manager, this would be one of my main concerns and focus. Going green is cost effective, but the ending

nowadays, more and more hotels attending to join the green army. one of the most important reason is this kind of hotel will have a better market. because of the education level of the guests, their invironmental awareness become stongly. so the guests want to do more to make a contribution the the environment protection. on the other hand, the customers all knows that even the price of the green hotel is higher, but it is more health and safe. it will make them feel better and have a good experience in the hotel. as we know, a good experience is the final goal of hotel. so, the green hotel must have a bright future.

The green economic revolution is impacting the $90 billion U.S. hotel industry. There is an opportunity to increase revenue and market share by "going green". Habitat Suites in Austin, Texas is a leader in this area. The hotel's motto is "Environmental consciousness in action." Habitat Suites has an environment that is free of chemicals, has the largest hotel solar system, and uses their own organic fruit and vegetable garden for food in the hotel. Due to this environmental consciousness, the customers are reacting positively. Commenting on how great they slept, due to the ecologically fresh rooms. Many hotel chains are jumping on the green revolution bandwagon. At the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua in Hawaii, they started an environment program that was originally designed to provide fun for kids. But after positive feedback from the children, this has grown from just learning about local marine life to educational nature walks. These walks go through Maui's native forests and a garden that grows native foods and has community engagement in order to preserve their island's culture and environment. The food that is grown in the native garden is used in the hotel to provide guests with a healthy dining experience. Because of this, it has increased guests' reason to eat at the hotel and is 15 percent of the hotel guests' revenue stream. This environmentally friendly program increases the possibility of repeat business and attract new travelers who search for these types of experiences. A report published by the Green Hotels Association states, "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." Even non-hotel-industry entrepreneurs are realizing business opportunities in the green vacation industry. Patricia Griffin, president of the Green Hotel Association, started the associatio

This article features 11 new tech features that cruise ships have implemented.Technology is transforming these floating hotels into smart cities. From remote check-in, wearable technology, to geo-locating your children aboard. These tech gadgets are helping cruisers enjoy their time aboard as stress free as possible. As stated by the author "Once on board, it didn't take too long to figure out how the MSC for Me app, public interactive screens, cabin TV and wearable bracelet, available for the first time on Meraviglia, all worked together to streamline and enhance life on board."

I agree. I think this technology will be very beneficial for not just guests but also for the cruise lines. This helps collect data and help personalize the guest experience. This will have guests coming back time and time again. This also provides an incredible guest experience since they won't have to wait in long stressful lines. I think this technology is very beneficial for both the guests and employees.

Cruise ships have really stepped up their game when it comes to technology. I wrote a paper last semester about Princess Cruise Line's latest technology, the OceanMedallion. This little wearable device allows guests to unlock a whole new level of different features such as room key, tracking system, and a bunch of different amenities. It will be interesting to see what other cruise lines come up with to compete with this.

It talks about the 4 mistake hotel owners make when it comes to the management of their properties and PMS