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tredunbar

Cybersecurity Best Practices for Restaurants | QSR magazine - 0 views

www.qsrmagazine.com/...ity-best-practices-restaurants

security cyber attack

shared by tredunbar on 02 Nov 20 - No Cached
  • In the case of a restaurant, a cyber attack would likely be seeking;Employee details stored by the restaurantCustomer bank details obtained by the restaurantThe restaurant’s business bank account details
  • A restaurant’s POS system could see hundreds of different bank account details every day
  • Internal software used by restaurant staff is likely to contain sensitive information such as employee details (on an HR system), as well as accounting information for the restaurant
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • Restaurant owners and/or accountants who use online banking facilities must be aware of the possibility of this being targeted
  • Shoulder-surfing is a very real security concern, and hackers have been known to place recording devices in computer rooms, enabling them to physically see passwords being entered
  • Restaurants that use a website on which customers can order food need to consider its security. If cybercriminals manage to hack into the site, they will be able to obtain customers’ personal information such as addresses and bank details
  • Create a human firewall by educating your staff
  • Use reputable, recommended providers and suppliers
  • Keep computers away from the front of house
  • Carry out background checks on employees
  • Introduce unique identification numbers for staff
  • tredunbar on 02 Nov 20
     
    The focus of this article is to point out why restaurants are targets for cyber attacks, what information hackers are looking to obtain and to identify what steps can be taken to protect consumer information. Hackers target a restaurant's POS system for the large amount of bank data it may record as well as any online banking occuring in the restaurant. The personal information from employees as well as any app or website utilized by guests, is prone to cyber attacks. The most important solutions rely on conducting background checks on employees and making sure that they are trained on what to look for. Restaurants can also put practices in place that involve using unique employee numbers, keeping computers out of guests' view, and using vendors with a stellar reputation.
nbakir

Dolce Hotels and Resorts Launches Technology-Enabled Hybrid Meeting Initiative to Boost... - 0 views

hoteltechnologynews.com/...ve-to-boost-group-sales-demand

hospitality technology

shared by nbakir on 04 Nov 20 - No Cached
  • nbakir on 04 Nov 20
     
    The technologies being launched by "Dolce Holes and Resorts" to enhance their market and general sales. In the piece, the author commences by explaining the stakeholders of the mentioned facilities are hoping to use the available innovation to initiate effective meetings. Unlike the previous period, it is evident in the reading how the overall process targets business travelers willing to attend various occasions. To efficiently implement the stated strategy, the writer described how there is a need to initiate "a hybrid meeting concept" that targets individuals from multiple regions, including Spain, Germany, Greece, Denmark, and Belgium. As depicted by the stated personality, this particular approach involves the inclusion of both virtual and conventional conferences that coincide with the current expectations. Besides, we can see from the reading how integrating the mentioned technology will improve certain occurrences, including events, conferences, incentives, and meetings. While reading the article, I think there are many essential concepts portrayed by the author to help human beings stay safe, particularly during the pandemic. First, introducing hybrid meetings amid the Coronavirus epidemic will allow potential clients to attend conferences using virtual means. Based on available information, this particular situation will ensure that all the dynamic personalities are healthy and safe. Incorporating such a platform will enhance the whereabouts of the organizational stakeholders since it supports touch-less and low-contact features.
Lymaris Collazo

REPORT: STATE OF HOTEL INDUSTRY SIX MONTHS INTO COVID PANDEMIC | AHLA - 0 views

www.ahla.com/...stry-six-months-covid-pandemic

industry hotel pandemic research Technology hospitality travel economy

shared by Lymaris Collazo on 27 Sep 20 - No Cached
  • The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today released an analysis on the economic and human struggle  of the hotel industry six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, with millions of employees still furloughed or laid off and travel demand lagging far behind normal levels.  
  • Key findings of the report include: Four out of 10 hotel employees are still not working. Almost two-thirds (65%) of hotels remain at or below 50 percent occupancy, which is below the threshold at which most hotels can break even and pay debt. Consumer travel remains at all-time low, with only 33 percent of Americans reporting they have traveled overnight for leisure or vacation since March and just 38 percent saying they are likely to travel by the end of the year. Urban hotels are suffering the most and facing collapse with cripplingly low occupancies of 38 percent, significantly below the national average. COVID-19 has left hotels in major cities across the country struggling to stay in business, resulting in massive job loss and dramatically reducing state and local tax revenue for 2020 and beyond.
  • “While hotels have seen an uptick in demand during the summer compared to where we were in April, occupancy rates are nowhere near where they were a year ago. Thousands of hotels can’t afford to pay their mortgages and are facing the possibility of foreclosure and closing their doors permanently,” said Rogers.
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  • As a result of the sharp and sustained drop in travel demand, industry leaders say hotels are now facing the harsh reality of deciding whether to close their doors permanently.
  • Lymaris Collazo on 27 Sep 20
     
    In this article you will find a analysis released by The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) which states the crisis of the hotel industry during this past 6 months and how sales have been declining and the results of this in the Amercian economy.
yvenisem

Electronic Waste: A Growing Concern in Today's Environment - 0 views

www.hindawi.com/...474230

shared by yvenisem on 28 Sep 20 - No Cached
  • Over the past two decades, the global market of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) continues to grow exponentially, while the lifespan of those products becomes shorter and shorter. Therefore, business as well as waste management officials are facing a new challenge, and e-Waste or waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is receiving considerable amount of attention from policy makers.
    • yvenisem
      yvenisem on 28 Sep 20
       
      From this we see technology market is progressing to grow however the lifespan of these items lessesns. In turn, this creates a problem for those that work in the waste managemnent sector and calls for politics to get involved.
  • e-Waste has raised concerns because many components in these products are toxic and do not biodegrade easily if at all.
    • yvenisem
      yvenisem on 28 Sep 20
       
      Besides contributing to landfills e-waste can also contain many toxic chemicals. I know that mercury and other harmful chemicals can are common in electronics.
  • Most developing countries lack the waste removal infrastructure and technical capacities necessary to ensure the safe disposal of hazardous waste. And e-Waste has been linked to a variety of health problems in these countries, including cancer, neurological and respiratory disorders, and birth defects
    • yvenisem
      yvenisem on 28 Sep 20
       
      One of the biggest issues is that developing countries do not have the resources or infastructure to properly dispose of e-waste. I know that economics play a huge roll in this issue as 3rd world countries are often used as dumping places for 1st world waste, and these problems are not being addressed because of sytematic limitations. The health concerns are also staggering, they include: cancer, birth defects etc...
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • However, even with these regulations, all hazardous materials that are used in newly manufactured products cannot be fully controlled, and management of e-Waste within the supply chain cannot be fully addressed.
    • yvenisem
      yvenisem on 28 Sep 20
       
      From this we can see that even with additional policies enacted they are simply not enough to address the e-waste issue. In my opinion with a issue this severe more drastic measures should be taken considering the options that have been exacterbated.
  • For e-Waste management systems, some of the most successful examples can be found in countries such as Switzerland and the Netherlands [16 D. Sinha-Khetriwal, P. Kraeuchi, and R. Widmer, “Producer responsibility for e-waste management: key issues for consideration—learning from the Swiss experience,” Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 90, no. 1, pp. 153–165, 2009. View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar See in References ]. Experience of the Swiss e-Waste management system is shown as an example in this paper. Generally, the Swiss e-Waste management system can be viewed as an ERP-based system, where each stakeholder has their own clear definition of role and responsibilities as shown in Table 4.
    • yvenisem
      yvenisem on 28 Sep 20
       
      Here we see that more sucessful applications have been implemented in Nordic countries. The author goes into further detail about the techniques used by these countries.
  • yvenisem on 28 Sep 20
     
    The main point of this scientific report was to demonstrate how e-waste is becoming an issue and why the current structures in place today are simply not enough to overcome this issue. The author goes into detail the common issues with e-waste: hazardous materials being disposed of incorrectly, the side effects e-waste has on human and environmental life, how current infrastructures in 3rd world countries are not able to keep up with the waste load, why certain policies aren't enough and how new techniques such as the ones being applied in Nordic countries may be the answer to the issue. Ultimately the author makes the argument for why it is an issue, how the issue is growing, and presents alternatives on how to better tackle the e-waste issue.
jackyreis

The Role of Green Technology in the Sustainability of Hotels Essay - Free Argumentative... - 2 views

lagas.org/n-the-sustainability-of-hotels

shared by jackyreis on 15 Jun 20 - No Cached
  • Throughout the life of hotels— from building construction, operation, maintenance and evolution—the environmental issue is the wasteful consumption of vast amount of resources such as water and energy and accumulation of air, soil and water pollution in a built environment. The unique service function and operations of hotel result to a stronger ecological impact when compared to other buildings used for commercial purposes. (Bohdanowicz, Simanic & Martinac, 2004)
  • It is imperative for hotels to construct buildings, design their facilities, operate, and refurbish structures in a way that causes the least possible harm to the environment. (Straus & Gale, 2006)
  • Protection of the environment through eco-friendly practices by hotels involves a radical change in operations and a long-term impact, which makes this a sustainability-driven strategy
  • ...41 more annotations...
  • The growing concern over sustainability in the business sector led to developments in innovative environment friendly processes and tools collectively called green technology
  • Green technology enables the eco-friendly practices of business firms.
  • The concept of sustainability emerged in the field of natural sciences in recognition of the scarcity of natural resources and the need to rationalize usage to secure sufficient resources for future generations (Kirk, 1995).
  • The concern of sustainability is ensuring the continuation of the well-being of people and protection of the environment from wasteful use or destructive activities.
  • The implementation of sustainability plans involves innovative methods and tools accessible to hotels and responsive to the multi-dimensional issues including impact of operations on the environment experienced by hotels. Green technology understood as eco-friendly tools and processes or environment friendly products support the successful implementation of sustainability plans in the hospitality industry.
  • 1.      Minimized pollution and rational energy and water consumption. 2.      Respect for culture and tradition. 3.      Community involvement in the hospitality economy. 4.     Consideration of quality instead of quantity in terms of the visitors to tourist destinations. 5.      Economic benefits redound to the community. (Robertson, 2007)
  • In relation to environmental sustainability, there are also considerations for inclusion into the sustainability plan of hotels to ensure that they meet environmental compliance (Butler, 2008)
  • However, even if sustainability planning is a tedious task, the expected outcomes are long-term and compelling because this determines the continuity or viability of hotels, firms whose future survival depends on sustainability (Butler, 2008).
  • 1.      Scale and distribution of operations in a given area. 2.      Hotel demand and means of alleviating the negative effects. 3.      Protection of key assets historic buildings, townscape or coastline. 4.     Contribution to other related areas such as economic development and cultural preservation. (Sharma, 2004)
  • Since the sustainability of hotels spans multidimensional aspects, the contribution of hotels to other areas such as employment or job creation also supports its sustainability.
  • Green technology received recognition as an aspect of human society and therefore part of sustainability. In a sustainability panel of representatives from the hospitality industry, sustainability as a strategy meant addressing today’s needs without adversely affecting tomorrow’s needs (Knowles, 2008).
  • Examples of product enhancement are energy saving appliances and fixtures such as fluorescent instead of incandescent lights or intelligent air conditioning systems that regulate room temperature depending on the presence of its occupant
  • The extent of reduction of waste varies since this could range from minimal to significant decrease in the volume of waste generated, capacity of landfills, and transportation needs. By benefiting the environment, economic benefits also accrue. (Billatos & Basaly, 1997)
  • dopting waste management processes and tools accrues financial, economic, and environmental benefits for hotels.
  • Key to these activities is the ability to harness the full functional value of materials and product components at the least possible additional processing cost for recovery and reuse. (Billatos & Basaly, 1997)
  • First is design of recycling or the cost-effective manner of recovering and reusing materials. The design provides support during the disposal stage to ensure low added cost for recovery. Second is design for disassembly encompassing the methods enabling the minimization of cost in segregating reusable materials. This leads to savings that accumulate when design interventions are made during the stages of material selection and assembly that already separates reusable materials
  • Third is toxics management comprised of the activities of controlling and eliminating toxic materials that are innate components of products such as cadmium or lead. Excessive levels of these toxic materials are hazards to health and the environment. (Billatos & Basaly, 1997)
  • Environmental benefits include reduced accumulation of waste and lesser risk of soil, water and air contamination of toxic production. (Billatos & Basaly, 1997)
  • Pollution prevention involves the elimination of processes in manufacturing that cause pollution. This requires change by redesigning the production process in a manner that prevents the accumulation of harmful by-products or the redesign of the finished products so there would be no use for processes that result in hazardous by-products. The prevention of pollution in production design exacts capital investments but the cost of redesign is deemed less when compared to the cumulative cost of controlling pollution, which would likely increase with new regulations imposing more active methods of pollution control. (Billatos & Basaly, 1997)
  • Green technology as a process and a collection of tools addresses four objectives, which are a) waste reduction, b) materials management, c) pollution prevention, and d) product enhancement (Billatos & Basaly, 1997). There are processes and tools specifically targeting any one, some or all of these objectives so that the appropriate choice depends on the priority of hotels.
  • The technological development of product enhancement innovations is escalating and promise greater functions for business establishments. (Billatos & Basaly, 1997)
  • Utilizing product enhancement technologies influence the sustainability of hotels in terms of savings on operating cost, lesser pollution and waste in the built environment, and value creation for environmental conscious customers (Yaw, 2005).
  • Overall, green technology supports the sustainability of hotels by decreasing a wide range of economic and non-economic costs to support the financial viability of hotels in the long-term and conserving the natural environment on which the hospitality industry depends for the continuity of business. By adopting green technology, hotels gain processes and tools it can use to secure its sustainability.
  • A range of energy saving technologies is available to the hotel industry. These technologies could make hotels green buildings by targeting various areas for energy saving.
  • One is electric heating pumps as alternatives to conventional electric boilers or condensing/non-condensing boilers requiring gas to run. The use of this green technology by a hotel in Hong Kong with a rooftop swimming pool showed a reduction in energy consumption by 26.5-32.5 MWh and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 12,000 kg. When computed over a ten-year period, using this technology would save the hotel HK$226,400 in energy cost savings. The hotel can earn back the cost of adopting this technology in two years. (Chan & Lam, 2003)
  • Building designs able to harness alternative sources of energy comprise green technologies that support the sustainability of hotels. Solar panels continue to gain function in energy saving for hotels (“Building in a green edge,” 2008) although the payback period is longer than expected, the energy saving potential extends to the long-term. The use of building designs that harness natural light such as skylight atriums that do not use artificial lighting during the day are also green alternatives for hotels (Kirby, 2009).
  • Another direction of green technology for the kitchen is the reuse of exhaust heat from the kitchen by harnessing the heat from the exhaust or condensing hot air to produce steam for use in cooking. This is a means of recycling energy. However, this involves the integration of the design in the structure of the kitchen or the building itself, which means greater investment. (Higgins, 2008) Nevertheless, further innovations in this technology could enhance practical value for hotels.
  • In other areas of hotels such as rooms and bathrooms, e-sensor systems and LED lights comprise green technology options. E-sensor systems apply to different systems such as lighting and air conditioning. The e-sensors have the capability to change automatically the lighting or air conditioning settings depending on the area of the room where there are people or temperature changes in the room. LED lights offer greater energy savings than fluorescent lights so this represents the third generation in lighting technology. (Kirby, 2008) Systems thinking in energy management comprise a promising green technology in saving on energy costs (Sobieski, 2008).These technologies are widely available and accessible to different hotels. The energy saving is experienced in the short term and the payback period is shorted. The problem with this is hotel guests tampering with the system leading to added cost for repairs. This means that awareness and information dissemination are important for the effectiveness of these technologies.
  • Another green technology for rooms is the biodegradable key cards. These have the same life span as the conventional key cards except that these are biodegradable or recyclable. (Gale, 2009) These require little cost with high environmental impact.
  • This involves the placement of water treatment plants that recycle water used in baths for flushing in toilets. (Edwards, 2004) These comprise viable and accessible water conservation practices that would contribute savings on the cost of water to rationalize the consumption of water as a scarce resource.
  • One is the conscious involvement of hotels in the protection of the environment since the nature of the business of the hospitality industry and the closely connected industries such as tourism heavily rely on the soundness of the natural and socio-cultural environment for business
  • The other is the investment in environment protection in a manner that secures economic and financial as well as a range of non-monetary benefits for hotels in the long-term (Vermillion, 2008).
  • Energy consumption is also a benchmark of the eco-friendliness of hotels
  • The water conserving technologies provide the process and tools for hotels to achieve this benchmark.
  • Waste and pollution management are also benchmarks of the ecological involvement of hotels.
  • Green technology takes the role as an enabling process and tool for hotels to become sustainable.
  • With hotels competing to maintain its customer base and pull customers to shift to the hotel’s services, green technology could become an enabler for hotels to become competitive.
  • Investing in green technology enables hotels to significantly cutback on operating cost. This enables hotels a wider profitability margin and room to offer promotional prices to attract more customers (Jones, 2002).
  • Green technology has taken a central role in the sustainability of hotels. The concept of sustainability of hotels involves the aspects of environmental protection and business viability.
  • The use of green technology also contributes to the viability of business firms in terms of financial standing and non-financial competencies in the long-term. Going green attracts the niche market of environment enthusiasts that contribute to sales. Using the range of green technologies available would also result in savings from operating costs in the long-term, which increases the profit of hotels and gives them flexibility to invest in marketing activities.
  • It is a sound strategy for hotels to consider green technology as a process and a collection of tools in support of sustainability goals.
nbakir

The Best Employee Management Software for Small Businesses - TechnologyAdvice - 0 views

technologyadvice.com/...employee-management-software

hospitality

shared by nbakir on 25 Nov 20 - No Cached
  • nbakir on 25 Nov 20
     
    This article outlines the main elements of HR. It presents HR as a functional task in a firm which focuses on employee matters and processes, thereby aggregating the lifecycle of each employee. This includes hiring, benefits, performance, communication, training, rewards and others (Scott, 2020). Based on this, the writer defines the essence of HR and also goes on to show that HR requires an appropriate software which meets the core duties and goals of HR as a functional business unit. On the basis of this, the author deduces the most important elements of an HRIS or HR software. This starts with the need for the software to be Workable. This means it has to track data and information and must be able to store, protect and disseminate information when and how it is needed. The main strength identified by 15Five include the ability to gather and compile data weekly, provide a system of feedback through surveys, generate quarterly reviews and track and analyze responses of employees. Other standards include the ability of the HR system to connect members of the team through various well-integrated communication tools like chats among others. Then in terms of training, there should be the right tools that can be used to learn and undertake activities. This has to be flexible and give employees the chance to gain new knowledge and also demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge. For bonus, there should be an information system that can be easily programmed to meet the needs of the industry. In the hospitality industry, there is the need to be dynamic and an appropriate HRIS should identify the needs at different times and make changes. In conclusion, the take home point of the article is that an HRIS must meet the core HR data collection and information generation needs. In the 21st Century, the system might need specialized functionalities covering training and developing, remuneration calculation and other functions. However, it seems there is the need for a strong i
blevi022

This German town replicated itself in VR to keep its tourism alive - 0 views

thenextweb.com/...n-vr-to-keep-its-tourism-alive

shared by blevi022 on 15 Jun 20 - No Cached
  • Tourists may soon be able to explore the picturesque cross-timbered houses and historic churches of Herrenberg via virtual reality (VR), thanks to a digital twin developed with the High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS). TNW online events
  • There are now plans to develop the emerging area of virtual tourism for the town, which has a population of around 31,000.
  • “We have a very beautiful city center so tourists can explore it in a digital way with VR glasses before they come to Herrenberg, which is an interesting benefit for the future,” Reith said.
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  • Dembski told Cities Today the use of digital twins by cities is “only at the beginning” but is progressing quickly, especially in Asia.
  • But there are many aspects that are deeply human and cannot be reproduced in digital copies, such as culture, interpersonal relationships, joy, and happiness. A digital twin is a tool, not a solution.”
  • blevi022 on 15 Jun 20
     
    This article discusses how the German Town of Herrenberg created a virtual version of itself that will allow to down develop virtual tourism. The reason I view this as a story about Green computer technology is virtual tourism is a very Green environmentally friendly version of tourism. It allows tourist to explore a place with much less environmental footprint. A virtual tourist can explore a town without flying or driving which reduces air pollution. I don't think virtual tourism would replace actual tourism but can allow for the creation of new tourism without the same environmental impact of actual tourism.
cjdearmas

Why Your Property Management System Should Do More Than Manage Your Property | By Nico... - 0 views

www.hospitalitynet.org/...4094750.html

shared by cjdearmas on 18 Sep 19 - No Cached
  • While there are many systems that play a critical role in the strategic optimization of a hotel's operational structure, the PMS represents the technological heartbeat of any property.
  • ortunately, a mobile PMS allows for real-time communication with housekeeping and instant room status updates, leading to an 80% reduction of calls made to the front office, and a 20% increase in housekeeping productivity.
  • A mobile PMS is essential for hoteliers to thrive in this new, guest-centric environment.
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  • the PMS acts as a centralized hub of vital information relating to revenue, guest engagement, staff efficiencies, and reporting.
  • a cloud-based PMS which offers easy integration through an open API will allow a hotel to grow, stay ahead of market trends, and connect to best-of-breed solutions 一 without the expensive and time-consuming upgrade costs of legacy systems.
  • A PMS should be able to optimize profits with built-in capabilities that include detailed reporting and financials for better business decisions, centralized guest stay data to tailor guest experiences, revenue management to maximize ADR and RevPAR,
  • afigu115 on 18 Sep 19
     
    This article explains the importance of what a property management system should do. It is said that the PMS is the core of any hospitality company. The PMS gathers information about revenue, guests, staff, and any reporting necessary. Although the PMS is known to manage your company, it should also help with customer service and generate more revenue. I's important that todays PMS systems are available to all on their mobile devices, making it easier for guests. The PMS is also something that needs to be used for both front and back of the house functions, this includes house keeping and human resources. Lastly, this system should be compatible to all other forms of technology. I believe the PMS serves many functions to help ensure a company succeeds.
  • edagt001 on 03 Oct 19
     
    The article is about PMS acts as a centralized hub of vital information relating to revenue, guest engagement, staff efficiencies, and reporting.
  • cjdearmas on 14 Jun 20
     
    Managing a successful hotel is not easy 一 Hoteliers are tasked with enhancing the guest experience, empowering their staff, and increasing their property's bottom line. It Should Be Mobile-First Modern travelers are going mobile, and mobility is «flattening» the hospitality marketplace. A mobile-first PMS can streamline various touchpoints in the guest journey, such as reducing long lines to the front desk. It Should Play Well With Others No technological platform is an island, and hotels cannot be run on a single siloed technological solution. It Should Optimize Revenue Traditionally, the role of the PMS was to help hoteliers manage their hotel's operational structure. However, today's PMS can do so much more than that.
cjdearmas

Travel agents still play vital role for business travelers - 0 views

www.usatoday.com/...43299

shared by cjdearmas on 14 Jun 20 - No Cached
  • cjdearmas on 14 Jun 20
     
    The Internet is flooded with websites that let travelers serve as their own tour agents. But many travelers say they'd instead have anyone information them via the process, especially when they're on work journeys that take up a lot of time and energy. Now at least one tour reserving web site is acknowledging the need for more of a human touch. CheapAir.com remaining month announced a new carrier that assigns each patron to an in-house journey adviser to assist with reservations, itinerary changes, journey mishaps and more.
laurenperdomo

E-waste: The Gobal Cost of Discarded Electronics - The Atlantic - 2 views

www.theatlantic.com/...502019

shared by laurenperdomo on 12 Jun 20 - No Cached
  • One possible alternative is to require producers of electronics to offer buy-back or return systems for old equipment.
  • Another option is recommitting to repairing smartphones and computers.
  • Consumers certainly have a role to play in the increase of e-waste—they’re buying the goods, after all. But manufacturers have given people fewer and fewer viable ways to keep older electronics functioning effectively. In the process, profits from device sales are way up, along with the satisfaction of these companies’ shareholders.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Resale is another option.
  • Manufacturers have a role to play here, too: for example, by assisting in the creation of e-waste recycling centers in developing countries rather than using them as dumping sites.
  • laurenperdomo on 12 Jun 20
     
    Electronic waste is a global ecological issue. It raises concern about air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, information security, and even human exploitation. This article talks about electronics being made to be thrown away. This affects consumers and the environment in a negative way. The shortened lifespans of electronic devices, encouraged or designed by manufacturers, have pushed consumers to interpret working electronics as insufficient or unusable.
jackyreis

Hotel Technology Is Highly Important Now | .TR - 0 views

www.tourism-review.com/y-save-your-business-news11504

shared by jackyreis on 13 Jul 20 - No Cached
  • COVID-19 FORCES BUSINESSES TO INVEST IN HOTEL TECHNOLOGY
  • A health crisis that quickly turned into an economic crisis, COVID-19 has a particularly strong impact on tourism and the hotel industry. After the pandemic, hotels will need to find new techniques to limit their losses and make up for lost profits. Innovative hotel technology and investments in customer relations may be of great help.
  • Normally, 98% of visitors leave a hotel site without making a reservation
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  • Booking Options Remains Available
  • Offering flexible terms and conditions in their booking engine or the possibility of cancelling their stay by leaving a deposit will reassure the traveler and ensure the hotel's cash flow.
  • Thanks to a price comparison widget on the hotel's website (vs. the price on OTAs), the visitor will be able to see live that he or she will get a better deal by booking on the hotel's official website.
  • Live Chat
  • Chat hotel technology is a good communication channel on websites.
  • Although there are robotic chats, having a human on the other side of the screen becomes almost essential right now as visitors are looking for real contact.
  • A live chat will make the booking process more fluid and personalized.
  • During this rather special period, it will also be an effective means of reassuring customers about the hygiene measures and precautions put in place when business resumes.
  • Social Networks
  • During this period of crisis, social networks are useful to show that the hotel's teams are ready for the resumption of activity by showing, for example, the "backstage". It could also be a good idea to show that life is resuming post-confinement, by presenting local mini-guide highlighting activities in the surrounding area.
  • Means of Payment
  • Offering flexible means of payment allows an optimization of the entire purchasing process: combining two means of payment (gift card and credit card), PayPal... The more numerous and flexible they are, the less likely visitors will abandon their shopping basket.
  • Setting up a Call Center
  • Setting up a call center makes it possible to delegate incoming calls and maximize reservations by putting customer relations at the forefront. The DNA of the hotel business is the "service", and today's travelers are looking for quality support from the moment they make a reservation.
  • Emails, Emails
  • Emailing is an excellent way to keep in touch with the traveler, as long as it is not abused.
  • Emailing is a good way to communicate about a destination by offering packages or gift boxes including accommodation and activities. For example, a city hotel can offer a package of "3 nights stay and 3 visits to the historical monuments of the city".
  • During confinement, it is essential to build customer loyalty and to advise customers in order to maintain a bond
  • When business resumes, it will be necessary to prioritize customer relations. Hotel technology will be the tools that will enable the offer to be personalized and make a difference to over-solicited travelers. The season will be short this summer for hoteliers, who will have to redouble their efforts to attract travelers.
hankunli

Why Hospitality Leaders Should Reevaluate Their Information Security Policies to Regain... - 0 views

hoteltechnologynews.com/...icies-to-regain-consumer-trust

technology hospitality security

shared by hankunli on 21 Mar 20 - No Cached
  •  Nearly one in three (31%) hospitality companies said they do not have a policy in place for storing and disposing of confidential information on end-of-life electronic devices, and 19% don’t have a policy for storing or disposing of confidential paper documents.
  • With nearly a quarter (23%) of consumers reporting they would take their business elsewhere following a data breach, hotels
  • More than two in five (41%) hospitality businesses say they believe it’s likely their organization will experience a data breach in the next five years, and 44% believe the source of that breach will be human error or accidental loss by an employee or insider.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • More than half of Americans (60%) believe that their personal data and information is less safe and secure than it was 10 years ago, which may be why nearly all (93%) hotel owners feel like they need to do more to show employees and consumers how they are protecting personal information.
  • Taj Buckley on 21 Mar 20
     
    Almost a third of hospitality companies have reported that they do not have a policy in place for storing and disposing of confidential information. In that same group another 19% reported that they don't have policy for storing or disposing of confidential paper documents. This is a alarming because most hospitality companies have to store consumer information. Nearly 23% of consumers reported they would take their business elsewhere following a data breach which should be a walk up call in the industry to improve their current security. What is even more alarming 41% of hospitality businesses say they believe that their organization will experience some form of data breach in the next five years.
  • hankunli on 16 Jul 20
     
    The security of data in the hospitality industry is now more and more important. Although some hotel owners may not keeping it in mind as an important issue, a large percentage of hotel guests feel concerned about it. This discrepancy should be a wake-up call for hoteliers. Organizations can do three things to minimize risk: update security policies, train employees better, and regaining customer trust. Current statistics provided evidence that these three aspects are all important and can be improved.
marble_bird

Hotel_ITSec.pdf - 0 views

shared by marble_bird on 15 Jul 20 - No Cached
  • During the past decade, information technology (IT) has significantly changed the way the hotel industry controls and manages operations. While many technologies have been utilized, some newer technologies have emerged in the literature and in practice, and many of them impact the hotel’s security.
  • Among the results, this study identified a gap between hoteliers’ understanding of IT budget adequacy and the adequacy of installed IT security systems.
  • Advancements in technology are increasing at a remarkable rate. As technology becomes more important, organizations that do not keep up with these advancements could lose business opportunities to other competitors that do
  • ...53 more annotations...
  • The four leading technologies which have showed a high adoption rate from the industry and have received attention from academia are: self-service, wireless, green, and security technologies. The advantages of these technologies for hoteliers include enhanced customer services and operational efficiency (Doyle, 2007), decreased guest wait times, more efficient methods to settle bills (Singh & Kasavana, 2005), reduction of energy costs (Meeroff & Scarlatos, 2007), and protection of sensitive customer data and credit card numbers
  • In addition, exploring the influential factors of security system usage will provide greater depth of knowledge with respect to why some hotels have adopted more security systems than others.
  • there is still a lack of understanding of the nature of risk associated with inadequate IT security, especially among operators of hotels that do not have their own IT departments.
  • Self-service technologies are commonly defined as devices or applications which permit users to produce a service independent from the direct involvement of the service provider (Meuter, Ostrom, Roundtree, & Bitner, 2000). The use of self-service technologies in the hotel industry has grown considerably, especially in the areas of self check-in, in-room check-out, and foodservice kiosks
  • IT systems refer to general support systems such as mainframe computer, mid-range computer, and local area network.
  • Some of the most significant wireless technology applications involve the use of mobile handheld devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDA), tablet PCs, and cellular phones, or RFID (radio frequency identification). RFID utilizes computer chips and antennas, allowing the chips to wirelessly communicate with a receiver.
  • While the major usage of RFID in the hotel industry was for inventory control purposes, it also has the potential to be utilized in ways that can provide more conveniences for the guests.
  • Other possible uses include placing RFID tags on items of high value as a means of theft prevention or integrating tags into guest loyalty cards for easy identification
  • IT investment that lowers environmental impact and IT that manages the environmental impact of other systems are commonly referred to as “green technology”
  • Many hoteliers might think becoming more environmentally friendly will cost more for their hotels. However, it has been demonstrated that “going green” is not only the right thing to do for the environment but also provides tangible bottom-line benefits for hotels by reducing consumption of energy and water, as well as other related costs.
  • Some of the risk factors involved include reliability, security, and privacy issues
  • A hotel with more technologies being utilized will install more security systems than those with fewer technologies.
  • Many of these attacks involve attempts by thieves to gain access to customer credit card data, and these attempts constitute a major portion of the risk inherent in IT security
  • if a system is breached and the merchant is not PCI compliant, the merchant then is responsible for all costs associated with improperly used credit card information taken from that system (Kress, 2008). These losses could bankrupt a business if the security breach goes undetected for even a short time.
  • IT security systems are those measures taken to protect the confidentiality and integrity of proprietary data.
  • two main paradigms of adoption are believed to occur: bottom-up adoption and top-down adoption.
  • Thus, it is reasonable to assume that organizational factors (e.g., financial factor, human resource) will influence the implementation stage of security systems at a hotel.
  • A hotel with sufficient IT budget will install more security systems than those with insufficient IT budget.
  • That is, if a hotel does not have its own IT department, it will have a negative influence on successfully installing or maintaining necessary security systems.
  • A hotel with its own IT department will install more security systems than those without.
  • Overall, the state of IT spending on security continues undiminished because managed security services are required for almost every application (Communications News, 2007).
  • risk associated with a breach of IT systems security (e.g., network break-ins) is very high. Consequently, no sector of the business community is exempt from attacks on their IT systems, with an attack being defined as a technique used to exploit a system’s vulnerabilities.
  • Given the importance of security and privacy at a luxury hotel, this study expects luxury properties to have installed more security systems than other segments
  • Most hotel employees use their property management systems for hotel operations and should be able to check their e-mails.
  • To justify the low response rate, previous studies which have compared response rates of mail and e-mail for surveys were reviewed.
  • the large majority of respondent properties do not have their own IT departments. Second, the people making IT decisions generally do not have IT backgrounds or training. Third, the large majority of respondent properties have little more than firewalls or antivirus software to protect their proprietary data, and these systems alone are not adequate to meet PCI standards, as they do not take steps to encrypt and protect cardholder data, maintain a vulnerability management program, implement strong access control measures, regularly monitor and test their networks, and maintain an information security policy as required by the Security Standards Council.
  • The respondents were asked to select from a total of fourteen securities related systems
  • The profile of the respondents revealed that they were experienced hoteliers with more than ten years experience in the industry
  • Fifty-three percent of the respondents reported that they were with chain hotels that would be considered mid-range properties with an average of 175 rooms (median of 107). Over 80% of the respondents reported working in operations, while fewer than 4% reported working in either IT or engineering (Table 1).
  • Nearly 70% of the respondents’ properties did not have their own IT department (69.2% did not have, and 30.8% had their own IT departments, n = 234, missing data = 10).
  • Fifty-three percent of them (n = 244) thought the most important goal for hotel technology would be enhancing the customer’s experience.
  • second identified goal was utilizing technology to help generate revenue (41%)
  • differentiate properties from their competition (20%), to lower expenses (16%), and to increase security (6%).
  • Internet kiosks in the lobby represented the most frequently used self-service technology (36.5%, n = 244), followed by kiosks for airline check-in/board pass
  • With respect to security systems currently in use, antivirus security systems represented the most frequently used security system (92.2%), followed by hardware firewalls, software firewalls, physical security, and encrypted login security systems.
  • intrusion detection was the most frequently identified system (15.6%), followed by vulnerability assessment scanning (13.5%), Internet scanning (13.1%), antivirus (11.5%), digital ID server (11.5%), and nonreusable passwords (9.8%; Table 2).
  • Thus, the hypothesis was supported that there was a linear relationship between the three factors and the adequacy of security systems.
  • The positive standardized coefficient (β) of .389 indicates that there was a statistically significant (p < .001) linear relationship between IT usage (the number of wireless, self-service, and green technologies a hotel was using) and the adequacy of security systems
  • The study revealed certain things of interest, the most significant of which is the need for greater emphasis on IT security among hoteliers.
  • only about 30% of all respondents reported having their own IT departments. Since budget hotel properties are extremely unlikely to have an IT department, it is highly likely that the very large majority of IT decisions throughout the industry are being made by hotel operators for whom IT is not their primary area of concern.
  • Furthermore, the focus of hoteliers for future IT implementations is enhancing the guest experience (53%) and generating revenue (41%). Very few respondents (6%) identified increasing security as a 5-year IT goal.
  • While almost all respondents use information systems as part of their jobs, very few are trained in the development, maintenance, and secure use of these systems.
  • no correlation was found between the respondents’ perceived adequacy of their IT budgets and the adequacy of installed security systems, as adequacy of IT budget did not appear as a significant term in the regression analysis.
  • Nearly 10% of respondents do not have so much as anti-virus protection for their systems, and nearly half do not even take simple physical precautions to protect their IT systems.
  • we note that no correlation exists between the respondents’ perceived adequacy of their IT budgets and the number of installed IT security systems, as the number of installed systems was not a significant factor in the regression analysis.
  • The sample obtained in this study represented the targeted sample: over 80% of the respondents were working in hotel operations. Furthermore, the purpose of this study was to explore hotel operators’ insight of technology usage, IT budget, and security measures rather than to confirm existing theories or to generalize the results.
  • it is reasonable to conclude that the respondents did not have an adequate understanding of the nature of the IT security hazards facing them for the average property does not have installed systems adequate to meet PCI standards, yet they reported having adequate budgets.
  • In order to adequately protect proprietary data, one must have an understanding of network security, which is an understanding apart from software functionality.
  • Properties with their own IT departments, however, reported that they had a higher number of installed IS security systems than did those properties without their own IT departments.
  • roperties without their own IT departments, in particular, have a less adequate understanding of their IT security needs than may be necessary.
  • This study found hoteliers’ lack of attention to security provision, training in IT, and PCI compliance can place hoteliers at great risk. For example, the cost of a single incident at a noncompliant property could result in the loss of the entire business.
  • It will be useful to examine the reasons why luxury properties are more likely to employ adequate security measures to determine whether this greater use is attributable to better understanding of security issues or some other factor.
  • The study was limited by the nature of online surveys; the response rate was quite low. Future studies could test the proposed research model via paper-based mail surveys to increase a response rate.
  • marble_bird on 15 Jul 20
     
    This article covers a study performed on various hotels to determine management's level of IT knowledge and security implementations in relation to the hotel's IT security budget. The article discusses four types of technology impacting the hotel industry and how management responses to trending technology can affect a business, particularly in terms of a data breach and overall security. The study finds that an alarming percentage of hotel managers are not adequately informed on the risks and procedures of IT management and security, and many do not have proper IT security measures in place despite having an appropriate budget.
kelseybarton

Why ecommerce should inspire your hospitality customer experience - Insights - 3 views

insights.ehotelier.com/...ospitality-customer-experience

ecommerce hospitality

shared by kelseybarton on 11 Sep 20 - No Cached
  • In hospitality, guest experience is everything.
  • while ecommerce and hospitality are somewhat removed from each other, their delivery of customer experience is two sides of the same coin.
  • AI chatbots like BotXO can resolve a staggering number of complex customer service issues. Complaints, order queries, product information, and more can all be resolved without a customer support team member ever needing to get involved.
  • ...10 more annotations...
  • A web-based chatbot can provide prospective guests with up-to-date booking information, advice on local amenities, estimated prices, and so on.
  • Content is the lifeblood of ecommerce businesses
  • A strong content marketing strategy transforms your hotel website into a go-to hub for guests to help them research, prepare, and plan their trip. Consequently, you provide an expansive customer experience that caters to all your guests’ needs in a single space.
  • A frequent criticism that holidaymakers have about booking hotels online is that the booking system itself is confusing. Too many options, contradictory choices, an arduous process make for such a taxing experience that the traveler needs another holiday to get over it.
  • The best ecommerce websites are those that provide a streamlined checkout with a simple, linear process and as few choices as possible. Keep your booking process as bare as possible.
  • Social media is a core component of strong customer experience. It’s rapid, conversational, and works on platforms where your guests are active most, communicating to your target audience with speed and personality.
  • building a personal rapport between the brand and the customer.
  • social media serves as a crucial stepping stone towards offline customer experience. The interactions you have with your customers online serve as an incentive to book with you, and form another facet of your brand personality.
  • Social media is customer service, digitized.
  • Customer experience is many different things to industries. But inspiration can be found everywhere if you look, and ecommerce is no different.
  • kelseybarton on 11 Sep 20
     
    (Part 1 of 2) This eInsights article reminds us how important exceeding guest expectations can be in making a guest's stay memorable. Both hospitality and ecommerce need to be able to deliver exceptional guests service, and we are in a society now where that is very much possible. The article goes into detail about how automated service can improve a guest's experience. It suggests that AI play more of an active role in the industry, as AI has created things such as chatbots that can resolve problems and provide efficient service. eInsights continued the discussion by expressing that, "Content is the lifeblood of ecommerce businesses." Content is something that, if utilized properly, can strengthen customer-brand relationships. Tools such as blogs or hotel websites can be used to communicate unique information to guests and then guests can use the tools to create their entire trip seamlessly. It is much better for hotels to keep their websites and navigation channels simple. Guests expects a quick experience and "a streamlined checkout with a simple, linear process and as few choices as possible." Guests are already overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of their daily lives, so they do not want vacation planning to be complicated as well.
  • kelseybarton on 11 Sep 20
     
    (Part 2 of 2) The final point that the articled discussed was about the importance of social media and how it can make for an even better guest stay. We are in a world where we can learn all about a guest's needs or preferences and can communicate with them before they ever step through the lobby doors. Being in the hospitality industry, we get to take this one step further and actually have the human element as part of the scenario as well. Online social interactions are "a valuable touchpoint between you and your customers, one that delivers a breadth of benefits for customer experience." When we utilize these properly, we can make an enhanced, enjoyable guest experience. Ecommerce and the hospitality industry work hand-in-hand to create a unique, memorable guest experience each and every stay.
robfitzpatrick

Hotelogix announces contactless capability for guests, compliance with COVID-19 guideli... - 0 views

www.traveldailynews.com/...covid-19-guidelines-for-hotels

shared by robfitzpatrick on 15 Sep 20 - No Cached
  • Hotelogix, a leading Enterprise-Grade Cloud Hotel PMS provider releases an API stack, enabling complete contactless check-in and check-out experience for hotels
  • various other guest-facing capabilities
  • works ‘on mobile’, without a mobile app
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • contactless platform in compliance to COVID-19 guidelines, which eliminates the human touch in the entire course of the guest stay at the hotel.
  • collecting feedbacks, selling upgrades, in-room ordering,
  • o perform all check-in related activities from the ease of their own device without having to interact face to face with any hotel staff.
  • digitizing other areas of interaction between the guest and the hotel.”
  • seamless end to end integrated experience with contactless modules
  • pace of recovery
  • how fast hotels can implement technology to adapt to the new normal."
  • robfitzpatrick on 15 Sep 20
     
    The article talks about Hotelogix, a cloud-based hotel PMS, teaming up with Xperium's new technology that enables complete contactless check-in and check-outs. This new technology allows guests to perform all the normal check-in activities right on their cell phone, without the need to download a specific app. It digitizes the paperwork so the guests can electronically review the reservation and sign off on the registration card. They can also select their room right from their phone. This new technology complies with the COVID-19 guidelines and will be key in the industry's recovery. The new technology doesn't just end with the check-in process. It offers various capabilities such as collecting guest feedback and preferences, up-selling rooms, ordering room service, and can even take credit card payments. With the pandemic and the need for contactless services, this will help push cloud-based PMS to the forefront. The speed in which hotels adopt these new types of technologies will be crucial to their recovery in the new normal.
shoss003

Speedy Check-In Lets Hotel Guests Bypass Front Desk - 1 views

www.nytimes.com/...-guests-bypass-front-desk.html

shared by shoss003 on 29 Aug 13 - No Cached
  • The hospitality industry is moving toward more automated check-in systems
  • “Customers are used to A.T.M.’s at the bank instead of tellers, checking in for airplane flights online, and they are now looking for that same efficiency when they arrive at a hotel,” Mr. Craig said. “No one wants to wait in line for the front desk anymore.”
  • an upset customer posting to Twitter, Facebook or TripAdvisor can easily share bad impressions with a wide group of people.
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • automated check-in was also a plus for hoteliers who wanted to assign additional duties to the front desk staff. “When a guest checks in late at night and the same employee can make sure the check-in goes smoothly and also sell them something to eat,” he said, “the hotel has saved money on staffing, increased its revenue and increased customer satisfaction.”
  • The different check-in methods are meant to provide options for guests, not to supplant any,
  • “Leisure guests here for shopping, dining and culture may want the opportunity to talk with our front desk associates to get some quick recommendations, versus a person here on business who may prefer to check in though the Web or self-check-in kiosk,
  • welcoming, like coming to a friend’s house
  • remove the physical barriers between the guests and the staff
  • hides the technology but uses it to prepare for and personalize each check-in.
  • orientation takes place at the same time as check-in
  • “There’s a lot of preplanning, technology and communications going on behind the scenes, but humans are the most important part of hospitality, so we keep the technology parts hidden
  • Ashlee Livingston on 29 Aug 13
     
    This article is giving the reader a look into the new check in procedures being implemented by hotels across the world. This "speedy check-in" allows for guests to by pass the traditional front desk check in and instead opt for check in via kiosks located in the lobby or even checking in before arrival. The automatic check in trend began as a way to relieve guests from having to wait in long lines when arriving at their hotel to check in . The option for speaking with front desk associates is still there but would rather serve as more of concierge, with suggestions on restaurants and questions regarding any leisure activities within the city or hotel itself. Some hotels are also taking the approach of personal greeters who approach the guest upon arrival, making the check in process more like a welcoming into a friends home. Overall I love the idea of being able to bypass hotel lines, especially during holidays when lines tend to get quite long or when arriving to a hotel fairly late in the night. Being able to arrive and head straight to the room allows for smoother check-ins and more efficient use of front desk associates. The personal greeters also provide more of an at home feeling. Guests can feel like they are personally being cared for as opposed to just being another occupied room. 
  • shoss003 on 02 Sep 14
     
    As we move into a technology focused society hotel needs to follow the trend of what travelers want and how to streamline using technology. This article describes how hotels are implimating kiosk in their lobbies to offer their guest a quick and easy way to check-in without having to make the line at the front desk. The hotels goal is to leave the "hotel embassador" and/or front desk for guests that have special requests or questions about their stay. They reference a hotel in Boston that has taken the electronic checkin a step further. They email the guests prior to arriving at the hotel two codes. The first code is to be used at the front door to enter the hotel, and the second code to enter into their hotel room keypad. They interviewed President and General Manager of NCR Corporation's travel business about these types of services. He stated that they offer travelers the same speed and quick services as ATM machines at banks or kiosks at the airport for quick checkin. He went on to say that they expect that type of service when traveling. Mr. Craig even touched on how a travelers feedback is even more important due to social media. One bad review can affect the hotel instantly after they tweet, post, etc. In the article they also interviewed Glenn Haussman, editor of the online trade magazine Hotel Interactive. He stated that with the use of the kiosk and express check-in the front desk staff can offer a more personal experience by doing other tasks. For example they mentioned a late check guest might want a snack or something to relax after a tough flight. By the staff not needing to check them in can go get the guest a coffee, or something to eat; this making the experience feeling more personal. The article states the Hyatt chain has implemented their kiosk in almost all their properties in major cities. They still offer a more traditional check-in as well. They went on to say some chains are using greeters with ipads to check guests in as they ente
Xueling Wang

protel to launch world's first PMS for the iPad - 4 views

www.hotelmarketing.com/..._worlds_first_pms_for_the_ipad

hotel software PMS

shared by Xueling Wang on 28 Sep 12 - No Cached
  • Hotels can use iPads as "floating front desks", offering guests mobile services like check-in or check-out. iPads could even be employed as support work stations to reduce demand peaks.
  • Hotels can use iPads as "floating front desks", offering guests mobile services like check-in or check-out. iPads could even be employed as support work stations to reduce demand peaks.
  • Benefits for the user: Additional hardware and installations in the hotel are unnecessary as the sole requirement is an Internet browser.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Data security is also taken care of by protel. With its extended range of functionalities and based on the latest technology, this easily scalable cloud application is the perfect solution for all hotels who value flexibility, reliability and security.
  • With protel Voyager protel presented a mobile app for hotel guests.
  • Gaby Belardo on 28 Sep 12
     
    The article reveals how tablet devices offer many advantages to hotels, because many business processes become more and more independent of location. Allowing your employees to work more effective is the main objective for the hospitality and tourism business. A few examples: Hotels can use iPads as "floating front desks", offering guests mobile services like check-in or check-out. iPads could even be employed as support work stations to reduce demand peaks. The ability to having a floating front desk and being able to accomodate guest is beneficial." The app offers access to guest relevant functions of the property management system like booking services. It also offers access to location based services, advertising local events and facilities, and to the hotel's social networking sites" Having the application to allow guest to have 24 hour service is a convenience comparable to none.
  • sining on 17 Jan 13
     
             This article introduce us a new hotel software technology, the iPad property management system. Nowadays the table devices offer many advantages to hotel. Ipad is a good example for the table device use in hospitality industry. A German company design a PMS on iPad for hotel, its name is protel Air. Use this device, hotel can provide the mobile service like check-in and check-out to support the employee's job. Protel Air is a full-service solution and a true "Software-as-a-Service" application, that is hosted in a secure data centre environment. The only requirement of this device is the Internet; it can update and maintain the date through Internet. It also protects the data by its security system. They also design an application called protel Voyager for guests. It offers access to location based services, advertising local events and facilities, and to the hotel's social networking sites. The protel Voyager will encourage guests to report positive feedback.          I think to use new technology to help the operation of hotel is a good idea. Even it will cost some money to purchase the equipment and training the employee. It will save time for the employee especially in the peak season. My only concern is the app for guests. Guests may not use to this kind of new technology. They prefer the human service more. But it is worth to try.  
  • Xueling Wang on 14 Feb 13
     
    German protel hotelsoftware presented the world's first property management system for the iPad. The tablet devices give hotel a lot of benefits.  It helps the hotel reduce demand peaks, and offer guests more convenience. Protel doesn't need the support of additional hardware and installation. it can run in the internet browser. One of Protel's product is Protel Voyager, which is designed as a web app, the customers do not need to install this app, because it can runs in the mobile browser. It offers access to guest relevant unctions of the property management system like booking services. It also offers access to location based services, advertising local events and facilities, and to the hotel's social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook or You Tube.  
kfern174

Social Media & the Hospitality Industry - 0 views

smallbusiness.chron.com/ospitality-industry-37599.html

shared by kfern174 on 22 Feb 21 - No Cached
    • kfern174
      kfern174 on 22 Feb 21
       
      Social media has changed how businesses interact with consumers and it has become almost essential for companies to use social media to remain competitive with other companies. There are advantages for this including "humanizing" companies and almost tricking the customer into perceiving the interaction as friendship rather than a company wanting to just sell you something. This is evident with certain companies like Wendy's or other fast food engaging in banter on twitter or sharing memes. Companies also use promotions on their social media and offer discounts and reward their customers by linking or tagging the businesses on their account. And as more people share their life, they are more likely to write free reviews on their accounts either to help their friends or because they feel an inflated sense of importance. Customer service can also sometimes be conducted on socials which provides a personal touch and it behooves them to "set it right" because it is public, garnering trust from current or prospective customers.
shanegmark

The Right to Privacy in Tourism | Tourism Watch - Information Service Tourism and Devel... - 0 views

www.tourism-watch.de/...right-privacy-tourism

privacy tourism

shared by shanegmark on 22 Feb 21 - No Cached
  • We have a right to be left alone. The state must not know everything about us. It must not penetrate our private affairs. The right to privacy is a human right. It can be interpreted differently in different countries.
  • no-fly-registers of people who are denied to board an aircraft. The data of air passengers are accumulated and retained, including even their food preferences. When entering a country, fingerprints may be taken or the iris may be scanned. There are data bases for visa information. We have security cameras at airports, railway stations and public places.
  • We are talking about the effects of globalisation here. Travelling has become very cheap. This has changed tourism, and it has changed the situation of the locals. The global village has become a reality not only online, but also offline. Surely this affects the right to privacy. Let’s keep talking about the Berlin staircase: Some tourist might find it so attractive that he takes a video of it, maybe even capturing someone who actually lives in the house and does not like to see strangers there. Afterwards the video goes viral. Offline becomes online. And the side effect: The video might have contributed to data profiles that make it easy to draw conclusions about the people concerned.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • First of all, each one of us has to respect the laws of the country where we stay. This includes the laws concerning privacy. In Germany, for example, there is the right to control what happens to your image as an aspect of criminal law.
  • shanegmark on 22 Feb 21
     
    This is an interesting article that is written by a Data Privacy Lawyer. He outlines the complexity of data privacy in travel given that there are so many different interpretations of what it means in different countries. He also highlights that when privacy might be violated by another individual, there is almost no recourse.
hankunli

Software Helping to Set Hotel Room Rates Put to the Test During the Pandemic – Skift - 0 views

skift.com/...o-the-test-during-the-pandemic

technology hospitality software

shared by hankunli on 30 Jul 20 - No Cached
  • hankunli on 30 Jul 20
     
    The special situation has put revenue management to a test. Some of the users did not feel significant help, but others have insisted that the software was helpful. Related to the changes to hotels in the pandemic, their competitive set may also change and they should reconsider the prices. To adjust the prices, better use of the software in hand is recommended. It also requires human and software to analyze the signals together. On the vendors' side, they also need to tune up their software. Some of them made their software to concern more on recent data, and some of them made it able to turn down the autopilot of the software to suit different needs. Some hotels keep investing in technology innovation despite the tight budget, even pressed ahead during the worst time. Staffing adjustments and layoffs also made them more preferring to use software and external consultants. But during this special time, smaller properties may succeed more by using new technologies. In sum, despite the huge decrease in revenue, hotels are trying to grab the maximum money they can gain.
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