Skip to main content

Home/ Hospitality Technology/ Group items tagged tour.

Rss Feed Group items tagged

lclar060

Hospitality/Tourism emerging software - 2 views

https://www.glion.edu/blog/2017-hospitality-industry-trends-technology-customer-experience/ Undoubtedly, the world we now live in will continue to evolve with emerging technology and software. In ...

technology hospitality hotel software tech business travel solution

started by lclar060 on 15 Jan 20 no follow-up yet
knare002

Importance of accounting system in tourism industry | Hotels and VAcation Rentals - 0 views

  • However, the basic foundation of all operations in the tourism industry is held strong because of the perfect accounting
  • If you observe some of the best hotels in different places of the world you will find that for any hotel to run successfully it must be supported nicely by its accounting services.
  • The accounting services in Dubai have become extremely popular and now even the hotels located outside Dubai want to hire it.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • In this industry to win the customers satisfaction the tour has to be cleverly planned so that the customers get everything they want and that too, in their budget.
  •  
    This article defines the importance of accounting in the hospitality industry. The industry is growing at a rapid rate and is becoming the largest service provider in the world. A business's operation is important in this industry, which is all done through the accuracy of perfect accounting.
  •  
    This article basically talked about why accounting is important to the hospitality and tourism industry. As we all know, the industry is on a rise and constantly growing. With that being said, it is important that companies have an accounting system in place. This can help with making predictions that can in turn benefit the company on decision making and implementing new ideas and strategies for the success of the business.
  •  
    The article suggest that accounting is essential for the success of the operations of the hospitality industry. The accounting outlines the budget for what services to be rendered and how many guest are needed to increase revenue. The article highlights the advancement and efficiency or the accounting system used in Dubai. Dubai has become a popular destination for travelers.
lclar060

Hospitality/ Tourism software improvements to come. - 0 views

  •  
    Undoubtedly, the world we now live in will continue to evolve with emerging technology and software. In fact, businesses will incorporate more user-friendly features like speech recognition tables at restaurants and virtual tours of rooms. The hospitality market will be more competitive in the future with advancements in technology but also more personalized for customer experiences.
Ted Rood

Maestro Launches the New Face of Hotel Operations; Mobilizes Staff with Xpress iPad Che... - 1 views

  • Maestro iPad Xpress Check-In app
  • Xpress Check-In app lets properties use iPads and other tablet devices for personalized mobile check-in and check-out services
  • enables staff to perform all the system check-in and -out functions of a wired front desk terminal anywhere a wireless signal is available.
  • ...17 more annotations...
  • supercharge guest service and optimize revenue and productivity
  • Credit card paymen
  • group conference check-in
  • encode magstripe and RFID room keys from the iPad
  • NORTHWIND is recognized in the hospitality industry for its standard-setting Diamond Plus Service and robust integrated Maestro resort hotel software technology
  • Xpress Check-In is ideal for processing large groups quickly and conveniently to keep the lobby operating smoothly.
  • Entire tour groups may also be registered, their credit cards processed, and keys encoded
  • Curbside or lobby wireless check-in and check-out
  • unique services that drive revenue and increase productivity;
  • Maestro PMS, the industry's most robust and flexible resort software and boutique hotel software solution empowering leading full-service hotels,
  • and distributed while still on their bus for greater convenience.
  • With the portability, large screen and long battery life of the iPad, it is suited very well for the round-the-clock hotel industry. The Maestro Xpress iPad solution
  • Personalized upsell and room-change capability with real-time availability access
  • Remote
  • and room blocking
  • Xpress Check-In registers entire groups from meeting rooms and conference spaces Maestro
  • We worked with IJWS to create our iPad Xpress Check-In app that integrates with Maestro PMS to register guests in the lobby or curbside for the ultimate in personalized service and upsell capabilit
  •  
    This article discuss how both new software and hardware is being utilized in the hospitality industry to expedite the process of guests checking in and out of hotels. The article is about NORTHWIND, a company well known for having developed "Maestro" a property management software suite that enables hotels, resorts, and multi-property organizations to manage their facilities. Specifically the article mentions how NORTHWIND is introducing "Xpress Check-In" an tablet specific software that will increase the speed and ease with which guests are able to enter and exit the hotel. This goes to show how the company is keeping abreast with the recent and growing trend of portable tablet/touch screen hardware devices. This software and hardware combination enables desk agents to operate away from their desk allowing for more intimate and personalized service with guests. I think the most unique and amazing feature of this system is that it will allow hotel agents to check in and process large groups such as conference attendees quickly and efficiently. The "Maestro Xpress Check-In" system can not only check guests in, but also encode their room key card, as well as process credit card transactions and capture their signature. All of these things can be completed even before conference attendees disembark from the bus and enter the hotel. I believe that hotels who choose to invest and employ technologies like this will distinguish themselves from other establishments because their service will be much better and smoother, both for guests and the hotel. These unique services will also be key in driving revenue and increasing productivity. NORTHWIND is well recognized in the hospitality industry for providing real-time technology solutions that help users control and manage their business effectively.
  •  
    Maestro, a company specializing in property management and hotel software is launching a new face in property management productivity by introducing the Maestro Ipad Xpress App. With the popularity of tablet computers such as IPads and android platform tablets rising, Northwind has decided to launch a system through Maestro to make the check-in and check-out process in a hotel as simple and efficient as possible. Northwind ultimately hopes that the Xpress check-in app will not only be more efficient for guests but also optimize revenue and productivity in the hotel. The new app allows guests to complete the check-in and check-out process anywhere a wireless signal is available. Lets say for example, a large group of employees are attending an out of state conference and when they arrive at the hotel, there are over fifty of them that have to go through the check-in process. With the Xpress check-in app, these individuals could check in on their way to the hotel and by the time they get there they will save time and effort by not having to wait in line and go through the entire check in process one by one. For this reason the Maestro Xpress Check-In App is perfect for handling large groups of people arriving at the same time. The Xpress app creates a more personalized service for the customer making the entire check-in and check-out process much more convenient for the guest and productive for the hotel. 
vsain011

Importance OF GDS for Travel Agents and Tour Operators - 0 views

shared by vsain011 on 16 Sep 20 - No Cached
  •  
    This article describes GDS' are important in the hospitality/ travel and tourism industry today. It helps travel companies and agents have access the travel data that can help their customers find the best rates.
jwilc019

The best guest-facing technology to install at your hotel - SiteMinder - 1 views

  • and ease of use when it comes to the technology within their room. For international travellers, this holds especially true.
  • five types of in-room technology your guests will love:
  • 1. High-speed wifi for your hotel guests
  • ...12 more annotations...
  • Guests expect speeds to be on par with what they use at home.
  • It’s also important to make sure wifi is free. Charging a fee for internet is often a big factor in travellers choosing one hotel over another. 2. Hubs of technology to boost your room experience
  • 3. Netflix and YouTube for guest entertainment
  • . Smart technologies for guest comfort and luxury
  • Smart thermostats
  • smart lighting
  • changing the position of the bed, or opening and closing blinds.
  • Mobile door keys
  • Texting services for hotel concierge and services
  • By 2021 the number of people using messaging apps to communicate will reach 2.5 billion.
  • At no point do they have to leave their room or wait on hold during a call.
  • expect virtual reality (VR) to continue its rise with further progress. Guests will be eager to get a feel for potential destinations before they go, to further enhance their decision making.
  •  
    This article addresses a few essential guest facing technologies that hotels need to be competitive in the modern marketplace. Hotels must provide free hi-speed Wi-Fi and tech hubs/charging stations both in rooms and throughout the property. Guests are seeking more streaming options because this is how the view content at home. Guests feel "high-class" when staying in Smart Rooms and perceive more value, which can justify higher rack rates. Guests appreciate the ability to text a concierge or order services via text. These all speak to the increased level of comfort that people feel in using technology and the need to provide guests with the means to maintain their tech comfort while travelling.
robfitzpatrick

5 Signs Your Hotel Should Invest in Technology - Hospitality Tech News - 0 views

  • Integrated booking systems, social media, smartphones, metasearch, property management systems, artificial intelligence, and advances in smart appliances
  • smoother processes that make their lives easier and provide improved guest experiences
  • using technology to look and book their next trip, including hotels.
  • ...14 more annotations...
  • In 2018 digital travel sales
  • reach $694.41 billion
  • hotel technologies remain the new frontier for hoteliers who want to reach and attract more travelers to their properties.
  • most of their marketing budget on online activities
  • Direct bookings remain more profitable for the hotel industry
  • Other than metasearch and mobile sites, make sure you have a well-designed website and an efficient booking engine
  • digital foundation as very important in the coming years for ensuring personalized guest experiences
  • personalization of experiences
  • to enhance guest satisfaction by providing a seamless experience.
  • closely monitor the guest cycle by collecting data on specific guest preferences, locations, and behaviors, which helps in providing personalized services to the guests in the future.
  • The hotel technologies ensure enhanced guest experiences, increased employee productivity, and improved operating efficiency.
  • room status updates, queuing rush rooms, and maintenance tasks.
  • leisure travelers reading an average of 6-7 reviews before booking
  • investing in an online reputation management tool is crucial for every hospitality business.
  •  
    The article highlights the hospitality industry's issues by not adopting and investing in new technologies and the solutions to those problems. In 2018 digital travel sales worldwide reached $694 billion, indicating that having an online presence is a must to reach and attract more travelers. Hotels have increased spending on marketing techniques with metasearch and online travel review sites to increase online visibility. A majority of marketing budget spending now goes into online activities. The goal is to drive more direct bookings, and these techniques, along with mobile sites, are effective distribution channels. In addition to this, hotels are investing in reputation management tools to maintain a positive online reputation. Over 95% of travelers read reviews before booking reservations, so having a positive presence is crucial. Technology is also driving the personalization of the guest experience. Investments into services like mobile check-in/check-out, keyless entry, smart climate and lighting control, location-based digital guided tours, and in-room tablets enhance guest satisfaction and provide a more seamless experience. With the emergence of the pandemic, this technology is getting pushed to the forefront of investments as must-haves to comply with new regulations and gain consumer confidence in coming back. This technology also collects data on your guest's preferences and behaviors, which will lead to better personalized services on their future stays. In addition to enhancing the guest experience, it also enhances your hotel operations. Investing in technologies increases employee productivity and improves operating efficiency.
vsain011

Importance OF GDS for Travel Agents and Tour Operators - 1 views

    • vsain011
       
      This article explains a GDS and how it travel agents can connect with customers.
  • The GDSs enable the travel agents to make their travel services available to consumers globally where they might not otherwise be able to achieve efficient worldwide market penetration through direct marketing efforts.
    • vsain011
       
      The GDS helps reach people from all over the world and reach markets you couldn't have before.
  • Travel agents can get global platform for their business with strong market penetration
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Global distribution system is the base to  enter into corporate clients across the world
  • Due to its real-time  status update capability managers can view rates change and  can easily alter price points or make special offers. Agents can view all the changes instantly and will be able to suggest the new updates and offers to clients without any interruption to make the deal..
atutt002

Why Klook is using offline events to target Southeast Asia's mobile-first travelers | P... - 0 views

  • large-scale, in-person festivals to attract Southeast Asian travelers to its digital brand
  • more than 150,000 people stopped in for education, entertainment and, most importantly, to purchase Klook products
  • one-third of the attendees bought one of its tours, activities or experiences.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • There is also tremendous noise in today’s digital marketplace, and it is down to brands to distinguish themselves from the competition
  • photo zones with backdrops of popular destinations in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Europe, Australia and the United States
  • provides discounts for guests that purchase products while at the events and shares offers
  •  
    This article showcases a platform that not only provides online registration but also many different ways for event attendees to interact with each other over the course of the event.
LU DENG

Green Technology: Green Technology for Hotels - 1 views

  • In the light of the recent Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, savvy hoteliers are accordingly adopting the latest green gadgets and waste reduction techniques to stay ahead of the game. 
  • Hotel architecture has also undergone something of a transformation and many new green hotel developments are being designed to fit in with the local landscape. Energy reducing technology applied at the build stage can often make significant energy savings by the use of green roofing and building materials and energy reducing technology.
  • bio fuel heating
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • recycled water
  • ozone
  • in the form of card key switches for electricity and air conditioning, linen cards for re-using towels and sheets and motion sensors for electricity in public areas
  • over recent years are installing energy efficient fixtures and fittings for bathroom taps, shower heads and sanitary ware.
  • Of course green measures don’t have to cost the earth.
  • Further cost effective measures can be applied when it comes to guest activities
  • So even if you’re operating on a much smaller scale than the big chains, it’s worth adopting a green technology policy to suit your budget.
  •  
    In this article it discussed the main green technologies used for hotel chains and independent hotel owners. In a bid to reduce carbon emissions ahead of possible future legislation, many hotels are adopting strategies to comply with stringent energy guidelines. Large hotel chais are making sure they go extra miles to ensure their green credentials are noticed. Green consultants and architects are employed and eco-friendly strategy for sustainable technologies are rolled out at the entire hotel groups.  Hotel architecture transform to more new green hotel developments which more fit in  with the local landscape as well as energy reducing technology apply for the roofing and building materials. Bio fuel heating replace for diesel and recycled water being used to irrigate hotel grounds. Some hotels are using ozone instead of chlorine in the pools. Other green energy management systems has become increasingly common. Green gadgets are proving a cost effective choice and can also reduce the impact of heavy guest usage on resources.Many Chins are minimizing waste by avoiding over-paced products and asking to deliver minimal wrapping.  Further cost effective measures can be applied to guest activities. They promote local restaurants and attractions within walking distance or only a short care journey away. Bicycles are offered for guests or endorse local tour firms which save on multiple car journeys.  Eco-friendly measures and green technology as part of hotel's general philosophy are well accepted. It also helps to ensure future goodwill and increase occupancy rates. It worth adopting a green technology policy to suit a hotel budget.
  •  
    Through the article, I found that more and more companies and customers concern about green technology and it has became a heated issue for hotel chains and independent hotel owners. Then why do we need green technology in hotel industry? The answers varies: the general one could be that we need a green world and we should reduce the burden of our environment; for customers, I think we should try to protect the place that provides us beautiful view and nice mood and to make it more comfortable to live in; for hoteliers, building and operating hotels means more saving on energy, more profit,and higher reputation. Even through we have different points of view, we can work on the same theme. Then the problem came in: how to build and operate a green hotel. The author of this article gave me some ideas and I am sure green technology can be everywhere. For instance, large hotel chains can employ green consultants and architect and even launch test sites where they can assess the effectiveness of their green strategy. Professional architects can customize their design to fit the local landscape. From the beginning we can have the green roofing and building materials which can benefit us a lot later. The facilities and operation system can be energy saving by focusing on every detail such as the recycled water and bio fuel heating.  Besides in room technology can be green too. Hoteliers can also try to plan some actives that are environmental friendly for their guests.  Green technology can be applied to every step of building and operating hotels.It is meaningful for hoteliers to focus on the green theme. 
cleon087

19 Event Trends You Need to Know for 2020 | Social Tables - 0 views

  • Planners should adjust budgets to a
  • nticipate higher rates, and book event space as early as possible.
  • This year’s mantra is “book now!” The longer you wait, the more you’ll pay. Or even worse, you won’t find a viable space for your event.
  • ...52 more annotations...
  • Planners will try to book events further in advance. This leaves hotels and venues in a pickle: Taking early bookings could mean missing out on higher-value events later.To avoid missing out on revenue, hotels and venues need to segment business intelligently. That way, you can avoid the pitfalls of traditional lead-scoring biases that hurt RFP management.
  • In 2020, brands will invest in events as a marketing channel. In fact, in a recent event marketing survey, 52% of respondents said that event marketing drove more business value than other marketing channels. (Only 8% said it drove less business.)
  • Planners should create ample private meeting spaces and “collision spaces.” Some events do this by providing fewer chairs than attendees. With fewer empty seats, they’re encouraging movement and interaction.
  • Large, minimalist spaces with easily accessible bars are the perfect recipe for a networking event. Venues like this can use the networking angle to promote event space to corporate clients.
  • These attendees blend the worlds of business and leisure. It’s given rise to a new, multi-generational segment that drives destination decisions. (See: our Hotel Market Segmentation Guide for more on this.)
  • Attendees want more control over the event agenda. In fact, 96% of the Social Tables audience believe events are expected to be more personalized than ever.
  • 16. Sustainability will be center stage at events.
  • For proposals, try showcasing multiple event-specific variations. This adds value for the planner by helping them better meet their event objectives, while adding value for the hotel or venue as an upselling technique.
  • According to Billboard, there over 800 annual music festivals in the U.S. alone, and they attract 32 million attendees in total. 14 million of those attendees are (surprise, surprise) millennials.
  • At smaller levels, adding performances to the agenda can go a long way in engaging attendees. However, for larger events, creating a festival-like atmosphere requires access to a variety of spaces that are exclusive to one group.
  • A bigger focus on wellness could revolutionize F&B — replacing beef with the proverbial Brussels sprout.
  • While you don’t need to offer 11 choices for every hour, you can empower attendees to mold the event to meet their individual needs.
  • Sustainability initiatives are your chance to make a positive impact while painting your brand in an equally positive light.
  • Meetings are growing and evolving rapidly, and each is an experiment in applying new methods to find a perfect formula.
  • Industry Performance TrendsAttendee Experience TrendsMeeting Destination TrendsEvent Technology TrendsMeeting Design Trends
  • Demand will continue to outpace supply
  • be dynamic, you have to be flexible, and–above all–you have to be in tune with attendee desires.
    • cleon087
       
      This takes a special person and not everyone can so this.
  • Meetings are growing and evolving rapidly, and each is an experiment in applying new methods to find a perfect formula.
  • predicts 5-10% growth in demand. At the same time, the development pipeline is slowing.
  • It’s also the spontaneous conversations that come with serendipitous networking.
    • cleon087
       
      It's important to be connected because that is what sets you apart.
  • nticipate higher rates, and book event space as early as possible.
    • cleon087
       
      Rates constantly vary and it is important to be up to date and book ahead of time.
  • At the same time, face-to-face time takes a hit — making it a more treasured commodity in our modern world.
  • redict it’ll grow about 2.41% in North America. CWT expects an even higher hike of 3.7%.
  • Planners should create ample private meeting spaces and “collision spaces.” Some events do this by providing fewer chairs than attendees. With fewer empty seats, they’re encouraging movement and interaction.
    • cleon087
       
      I like this idea because it makes people talk to each other and not be seating all the time.
  • Why? Well, take the speed of your current 4G LTE smartphone internet and multiply it by 1,000. (Think: putting the Millenium Falcon into hyperdrive.)
  • For events — especially large-scale events — sustainable initiatives are now the expectation.
  • Fast, reliable WiFi will soon become the norm, opening up new engagement opportunities and nontraditional venues for events.
  • “I think many hoteliers will be unhappy with the significant investments they are making now into cabling that will become obsolete just as soon as 5G launches.”
  • Apps present an opportunity for personalization and engagement at each stage of the event lifecycle.
  • Hotels and venues are developing sophisticated apps that enhance the in-venue experience. Whether it’s Wembley Stadium’s virtual tour guide or Marriott’s sophisticated in-app chatbot functionality, branded apps are adding value in multiple ways:
  • everage lobbies, rooftops, and other communal areas for networking events.
    • cleon087
       
      Depending on the type of the event, is what makes you decide what to highlight about the space or not.
  • Because today, 86% of consumers expect companies to act on social and environmental issues — and they’re more than ready to vote with their dollars.
  • 0% of event planners reported that their jobs require more experience creation than just 2-5 years ago
  • Content:
  • Destination
  • Technology:
  • 90% of respondents stated that event security should still be a top priority for the industry.
  • That could mean avoiding coastal destinations during hurricane season or avoiding certain areas of the city to ensure safety outside of event hours.
  • . Event diagramming software can help in this regard by allowing venues and planners to collaborate on a single source of truth
  • Security is a significant value add and a key selling point in initial communications.
  • you’re providing any personnel, such as security, custodians, and administrators.
    • cleon087
       
      It is also important to put this in your contracts and to initially discuss it as well.
  • ess furniture, fewer seats, smaller portions, less irrelevant decor… you get the picture. A
  • reate a step-by-step safety checklist for execution during on-site setup, and another safety checklist for the day of the event.
  • Less is more when it comes to the material.
  • It’s a movement that stands in direct opposition to the gaudy ballrooms of old
  • Have evacuation plan
  • c, open floor plans that make minimalism a possibility.
  • lassic combinations of whites and greys
  • ewer seats means more mingling.
  • lutter-free to promote a clean, open feel that keeps the focus on content.
  • Hotels, however, may find themselves scrambling to reinvent their event spaces. It could be time to rethink these spaces — along with lobbies and other communal spaces that set the aesthetic tone for the hotel at large
  • Larger chains should look to boutique hotels, which create visual identities that are often more closely aligned with the appeal that nontraditional venues offer.
  •  
    The article talks about major trends in tourism events, ranging from green initiatives through F&B to the 2nd largest reason people go to events is networking opportunities and providing quiet areas where people can network in is a good idea. More events are being planned so it is necessary to book event venues early.
  • ...1 more comment...
  •  
    According to the article, in 2020 event planners will have to be more alert and ready. The need for events and meetings is growing rapidly. Due to this, planners need to be more alert and ready to book group event spaces. It would be wise to increase rates to guarantee a profit out of it. Apart from this, planners would need to book months in advance to guarantee a good spot and a decent rate. Planners now need to be open to networking and face-to-face meetings to be able to get good rates, meet more clients, and find good venues to use. A new trend occurring is how people now want their trips or days to be planned out to every detail. Event planners need to be aware to book accordingly and create am agenda for their clients.
  •  
    Like everything nowadays is evolving, also the meetings are evolving in order to stay trendy and appealing for consumers. Meetings are growing exponentially YOY at a rate of between 5-10% according to the prestigious CWT meetings and events company for 2020 (without counting coronavirus). The reality is that the meetings industry also needs to evolve in order to stay in business with the new trends, clientele and times. This list provides 19 trends that every event planner needs to consider to make their event a success, including but not limited to the new demographics in the world (millenials).
  •  
    This article is about 19 event trends that event planners should be informed about. People are expecting different things from events that in the past years where not expected. Trends have changed, for example, it is a trend now to have minimalistic events instead of gaudy ones. Now people also expect creativity out of the event and to have a unique event. People also care about security of the event and fast WI-fi. All these trends are important to know and will continue changing with the years.
irinadolgopolova

Where do OTAs Stand in the Covid-19 Era? - 0 views

  • airlines have decreased capacities, withdrawn from routes, issued free cancellations and refunds to travelers, enacted flexible amendment policies to accommodate itinerary changes. However, these initiatives have also had negative impact on airlines’ operations and the balance sheets.
  • Historically, OTAs would offer alternate destinations or flight options to its travelers in times of crisis – hoping to still put a sale on its books. This time around, it is different. With several travel advisories, quarantine measures, and lockdowns in effect, people are least likely to spend their disposable incomes on travel just as yet.
  • Trip.com also guided towards a 45-50% year-over-year decrease in company-wide net revenues for the first quarter of 2020.
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • The sudden spike in cancellations and limited interest in future travels is surely putting OTAs through an uncomfortable patch.
  • Considering the weak booking period that is to follow, the group has decided to reduce its cost base, curtailing projects, reduce marketing, overheads and discretionary spend, freeze new hiring, deferring salary increases and waiving off management bonuses.
  • With all the components now hurting, OTAs also have the unique position to revive growth in the industry.
  • In-Airport Initiatives: OTAs such as Indonesia’s Traveloka handed over face masks to travelers visiting the affected countries (until border lockdowns were announced). Several also shared best airport and in-flight hygiene practices with their customer base.
  • Operating calls come with attached overheads, and despite the scale of cancelations most OTAs are absorbing this as part of their customer service initiatives. OTAs, however (and obviously) are prioritizing their assistance based on travel dates.
  • a number of OTAs have rolled out self-service tools, including chatbots, to mitigate the pressure from call center operations and offer instant resolution to travelers’ needs. These (semi-) automated modules are found across OTA websites and apps, which allows travelers to either opt for OTA credit for future bookings or instant refunds (subject to the airline policy).
  • The goodwill earned based on their actions during the ongoing crisis will likely pay off when the world bounces back and returns to traveling.
  • Trip.com recently launched Travel Revival V Plan in China, the ground zero for Covid-19. Through the initiative, the OTA group aims to bring together hotels, tours, flights and attractions; and contribute over RMB 1 billion to boost measures for travel industry recovery.
  •  
    As the entire travel industry, OTAs suffere a lot because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article are described not only financial losses of the OTAs, but also the steps that they are going to take towards the safety of the travelers, and the possible future conditions for the OTAs operations.
robfitzpatrick

Technology Used in Hospitality & Tourism | Small Business - Chron.com - 2 views

  • Because many tourism businesses are large and dispersed, they use computer systems to stay connected. Computer systems allow communication between branches and locations which makes it easier to streamline reservations and cross-company policies.
  • Many travelers take some form of mobile communication device with them on the road, whether it is a tablet computer or a mobile phone. To keep customers advised of changes many tourism and hospitality businesses use mobile communication; they send delay notices, offer deals and sponsor location-based advertising. Depending on the type of business the communication might happen through emails, text messaging or GPS
  • Booking engines to allow easy access by consumers and travel professionals; the systems enable individuals to make reservations and compare prices
  • ...17 more annotations...
  • In the hospitality and tourism business, effective use of Internet technologies can improve revenue. Websites, blogs, online advertising, social media, online ordering and information repositories all help convince customers to choose a location or business.
  • Travel websites that allow travelers to find the best deals, self-guided tour audio apps and real-time updates on flight times and arrivals are now standard travel tools
  • Research
  • Booking:
  • Travel updates:
  • updated flight information via text or automated calls.
  • Loyalty points:
  • Boarding passes:
  • Airbnb connect travelers directly with homeowners
  • Peer-to-peer systems
  • interactive maps:
  • an app
  • provides expert commentary
  • travel agents use apps
  • who may need to reschedule a missed flight or book a new hotel.
  • Camera-based technology can recognize a customer's face as they enter your hotel,
    • robfitzpatrick
       
      This can also be a bit concerning in terms of privacy violation. It is interesting to see how this develops and if this will actually be implemented in a hospitality setting.
  • A Roomba in your room?
    • robfitzpatrick
       
      This is an interesting idea. While it doesn't eliminate a need for a house keeper it could help decrease the time it takes to clean a room, thereby allowing a house keeper to clean more rooms and you would need less house keepers.
  •  
    This article talks about the important role that the internet plays when it comes to communication within the tourism and travel industry. The internet is the main means by which many tourism business communicate. Travel agencies are able to communicate with hotel and book reservations and offer feedback to their clients. Travel agencies use computer technologies to stay connected to hotels, airlines and other tourism industries which makes it easy to streamline reservations. Mobile communications help to keep customers up to date when they are on the road. Tourism business are using mobile communication more to send text message especially for flight delay or flight change.
  • ...2 more comments...
  •  
    internet, reservations systems, computer systems and communication in hospitality industry.
  •  
    Technology is rapidly evolving and for many establishments the future will be a faceless front desk. Technology allow continuous communication and streamlines the guest experience from reservation to checkout. Computerized front desk technology enables the agents to perform check in duties ranging form room availability and reservation, to inventory, pricing and guest data capture. Front desk technology provides the agents with real time information to facilitate efficiency and minimize wait time.Benefits of using technology includes improve in customer service, efficient internal operations and control over financial data. Some hotels are now using smartphone room entry to check in their rooms.Today's traveler carries numerous electronic devices and reliable, wireless internet connectivity ranks at the top of the list for customers needs.
  •  
    This article discusses how technology such as the internet, Reservation systems, computer systems and mobile communication are being used in hospitality & tourism. Internet is the first system the article discusses and how important it is for a business. It is a tool many consumers use in order to make a decision so it is important to have the business website user friendly and attractive. The next technology is reservation systems and how it facilitates and reduces the cost of a business by reducing call volume. Here it talks about reservations on traveling sites like Expedia but I also thought about reservations for a dinner at a restaurant that is a technology that is being used as well. Computer systems are an important way of communicating between branches and locations. This is very important with how many businesses are being more global. Last technology this article talks about is Mobile communication and how they use it to send notices or even to advertise like when a user is on an app.
  •  
    The article highlights some of the major ways technology is used in the hospitality industry and how this technology has become standard. Researching on third party booking sites, booking, receiving travel updates, digital boarding passes, and loyalty apps are some of the most common technology uses we find in the industry. What is most interesting in the advent of new camera based technology to be used in facial recognition of repeat customers. I think this poises some serious concerns with privacy violations and it would be interesting to see how customers would react to firms using this technology.
biancafavilli

ECommerce in Hospitality and Tourism Industry - 1 views

  • New technologies are providing different channels for marketing and management that improve the capabilities of society. And computers are providing faster and more reliable processing with lower cost continually.
  • In Hospitality and Tourism industry, hardware, software, information management, and telecommunications systems have allowed for the processing and information flow amongst organizations. The way in which tourism organizations take advantage of IT tools may determine their future success in the marketplace [4]. We consider the importance of the trend of Information Technology by implementing an effective IT system for advertising, distribution, encouragement and co-ordination of the industry. It is important that Hotel Industry take the lead of the emerging technologies to improve management abilities and develop business plans focusing on the most efficient income of delivering value added products to clients.
  • B2C transactions involve business-to-customer interactions.
  • ...27 more annotations...
  • B2B transactions involve business-to-business.
  • B2E transactions involve a business and its employees.
  • C2C transactions involve two or more consumers (customer-to-customer).
  • The industry can make profits to many countries and pull foreign currencies into the country.
  • The travel distribution system is currently facing many changes as online agencies such as Priceline, Travelocity, Expedia, etc. have introduced a way to access travel suppliers directly via the worldwide web. In general, Global Distribution Systems have not shown much of an effort toward targeting on-line customers. As an alternative, Customer Relation Systems have remained trustworthy to their travel agency distributors.
  • The Internet is not the full solution to success in the Hospitality and Tourism industry. However, the Internet is the “overall business answer” across industries
  • The success of the Hospitality and Tourism industry will depend upon the abilities to identify and answer quickly to current and potential customer needs
  • Starwood Hotel Group was standing ahead of other Hotels to offer a online “virtual tours” of its properties. This feature provides a site visit to potential guests without having to travel to each property. And now, many well-known hotels are also providing this promotion feature for stand top of the roles to attract potential customers.
  • Google presented the vision of Internet marketing is likely to grow by 2015. Some of them are worth to be informed and aware about.
  • 50% of ad campaigns will include video ads bought on a cost-per-view basis 50% of ads will be bought using this real-time bidding technology to tailor experiences for different viewers Smartphones / mobile phone will be the number one screen for digital brands to engage users There will be at least 5 metrics that advertisers will regard as more important than the “click” 75% of web ads will be “social” in nature such as facebook. Therefore, Ads will be shared, discussed, subscribed to and recommended Multimedia formats enable great creativity and interaction – these will grow from 6% of display ad impressions to 50%, especially for brand building campaigns Digital display advertising is going to grow to a $50 billion industry This forecast shows that competition to attract potential customers via worldwide web will be more and more drastic.
  • World Tourism Organization (WTO) estimates that over 1.5 billion tourists would take international journeys in the year 2020.
  • Another e-Commerce model such as Auction style-pricing models are becoming customer preference, where the customer are able to control the price of the products and services to be consumed.
  • Airlines have a stronger straight link to customers as they compete directly against travel agents [23]. Furthermore, they could have stronger control over the customers due in part to the e-ticketing. In this respect, online technology has replaced the travel agency by adding value via fare shoppers, promotions, and personalized recommendations
  • Customers are almost guaranteed that they will obtain the best price by negotiating via an online agent such as Priceline. But a shortcoming to all of this is that the customer will not understand all of the normal benefits of air tickets as they are sacrificed via online auction purchases. For example, in many cases the travel ticket does not permit any changes or accrual of or without significant penalty charges.
  • Online companies have more of a chance at success in Hong Kong due to the dense population, strong education systems, high credit card and cell phone usage. This leaves room for the future development of the next Priceline or Travelocity in Asia which could pose a major threat to hospitality & tourism organizations. Based on the high volume cell phone usage in Hong Kong, Mobile commerce should be a new trend on next stage. [29]
  • As low cost computer real-time data, fast speed internet access, voice and video communications become a reality, travel agencies may no longer be needed. On the other hand, the Internet challenge can also mean chance. Hotel owners and operators who understand and master e-commerce or m-commerce challenges will be able to jump ahead of online threats from large players such as Priceline. Otherwise, many will find themselves out of business.
  • Information Technology tools have allowed travel intermediaries to expand their role in the industry by presenting opportunities to venture into other markets on a geographical level.
  • Not only should hoteliers focus on the business traveler, but they should also consider whether there are other types of potential target customers as we may find that both young and older generations were sitting in the Internet shops utilizing online services during their vacation as well.
  • Organizations have to invest in the expertise and equipment (Hardware, Software) for building a strong IT base at first.
  • Internet security has been a major issue surrounding the Internet community.
  • Governments are currently addressing Internet based global commerce by considering rules of conduct, guiding principles, laws and taxation. [*30]
  • Today, hotels are distributing their product via more and more channels. How they keep control of availability and price, maintain a consistent level of customer service, in addition to keep their distribution partners up to date at the same time has becomes a complicated and expensive process.
  • The core transactions of our business involve intimate face-to-face interactions, which have certain limitations in regard to the use of e-commerce in the hospitality industry compared with other enterprises
  • It is important to take a look at how Internet technology will affect the future of the tourism industry. Most IT tools are being utilized
  • The hospitality & tourism internet future suggests a universal system where property management systems will eliminate the need for expensive on-site computer hardware/software.
  • Future success for hospitality & tourism companies depends upon their abilities to identify a target market and the strategic opportunities available for survival and growth.
  • It is crucial for hospitality & tourism organizations to stay on top of the roles of the major online players that are posing a serious threat to the industry such as Travelocity, Priceline, Expedia, Yahoo, etc. Their role in the future of hospitality & tourism marketing is crucial to the survival of Hoteliers.
  •  
    This article highlights the different aspects that e-commerce brings to society. It highlights the many ways that e-commerce has affected the Hospitality Industry and the things that can be done about it, and it also highlights the economical and political impact that e-commerce might have on the future of our society (especially the hospitality industry).
tredunbar

How Hotels can use Beacons to Improve Experiences | Beaconstac - 0 views

  • For an application, location is one of the most powerful triggers of action
  • technologies available have suffered from three significant limitations: accuracy, granularity and power consumption.This is where beacons come into picture
  • ibeacon, one of the most ‘disruptive’ technologies of 2014, is already making waves across various industry verticals for all the revenue opportunities and enhanced customer experience it offers businesses
  • ...22 more annotations...
  • beacon’s micro-location capabilities to deliver specifically targeted personalized messages, alerts and more on mobile devices
  • iBeacons implements a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) profile for micro-location, which opens up new possibilities for hotels and resorts using geo-fencing
  • Hotel apps in combination with beacons can take away many of the hotel formalities and make aspects such as room service, contact with staff, and in-room entertainment more interactive. The app is thus, more than just a tool, it is a personal concierge in itself
  • Check-in
  • Passbook integration, the reservation details would pop up on the phone screen when the guest crosses the geo-fence threshold of a defined iBeacon location
  • Finding the room and indoor navigation
  • Using beacons, you can define targeted ‘micro-locations’ to trigger an alert, an offer, or a special discount for a beverage to a guest who is already at the ba
  • These can also be used to build an interactive tour of a hotel or a resort, where users’ attention is directed to specific exhibits as they walk freely within the building. This feature enables indoor navigation similar to GPS
  • Using beacons you can provide guests with virtual maps and turn-by-turn directions to their favorite destinations inside the premises of your hotel
  • Keyless entry into rooms
  • iBeacon picks up the guest’s phone when in close proximity and unlocks the room door, giving the guest a keyless entry to his room
  • In-room controls
  • Room service
  • Offers, Loyalty programs
  • One can enable a mobile user to navigate and interact with specific regions geo-fenced using beacons. These devices can be used to determine the position of a guest in a large hotel, and direct him to his room
  • iBeacons, you will be able to customize promotions to specific locations in the hotel premises and send them right to a user’s smartphone
  • Check-out
  • Upgrade and upsell
  • Analytics
  • Gain customer insights
  • measure dwell times, measuring how much time visitors spend at different locations of the hotel, or which areas are most popular, when guests walk around the property
  • Staff Productivity
  •  
    This article serves to showcase how beacons can serve as effective tools for hotels. The beacons deploy micro-location capabilities that allow for targeted personalized messaging. Utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy and a property's geo-fencing, beacons can transform the check-in and out processes, room and indoor navigation, keyless room entry and in-room controls, room service, loyalty offers, upgrades and analytics. The beacon technology can also used with staff to maximize productivity and evaluate where resources are able to be saved.
jessielee214

7 Things Every Hotel Management Professional Should Know | Cvent Blog - 0 views

  • To achieve that balance, a hospitality professional must understand this most important audience, beginning with two fundamental objectives:
  • Create an excellent event: This includes making registration easy, managing the event properly, and creating a unique experience. Remember, attendees are spending valuable time and money to participate – make it memorable so they want to come back the next time.
  • Achieve the company’s business goal: Perhaps the point of the event is to train employees, or network around emerging trends. Maybe it’s a regional get-together designed to rally the sales troops for the next quarter.
  • ...66 more annotations...
  • Complex Events
  • by Oxford Economics, around 1.5 billion people participate in business events every year, across more than 180 countries. Global business events generate over $1 trillion in direct spending, and supported 10.3 million direct jobs globally.
  • 2. The value of events
  • To understand planners’ goals and expectations for the event they’re tasked with creating, let’s start with the basics. Events generally are categorized by size, purpose, and type — all of which are increasingly dependent on a technology footprint and a digital experience.
  • 3. What makes an event: size
  • Understanding the basic mechanics around an event can help clarify the planner’s approach, and improve communication.
  • "Simple" Events
  • Defined as small, repeatable meetings with “simple” requirements such as basic audio/visual facilities, these events are usually limited to 100 or fewer participants.
  • Midsize Events
  • Larger meetings rely on technology, and require a robust marketing effort to attract attendees. Planners handling these more complicated events want fully branded websites, advanced registration options, and the ability to send targeted emails to their various attendee segments.
  • Small Events
  • The number depends on the area, but as a general rule a small meeting is between 100 and 250 attendees.
  • Forty-three percent of planners in Cvent’s Planner Sourcing Report cited live music and entertainment as their top strategy for building memorable experiences.
  • Planners tasked with arranging large-scale events need an array of solutions that help manage cost and risk, optimize the experience, and measure business impact — including ROI. 
  • 4. What makes an event: point and purpose
  • One can only imagine the chaos of a meeting without a point or purpose!
  • For venue managers, understanding the purpose of an event is critical in helping planners design the right experience, from registration to conference space needs and room management.
  • For Profit
  • The key is in keeping costs as low as possible without sacrificing the experience.
  • Corporate
  • Planners arranging a corporate event will likely need help driving attendance to sessions, generating leads, and tracking ROI.
  • Membership Growth
  • Associations and consumer groups rely on member events to raise funds and recruit new members. So it makes sense that planners are acutely interested in driving attendance.
  • 5. What makes an event: the experience
  • The popularity of events is due to the quality of the experience — one that’s a good measure more than a speech and a presentation.
  • 1. Why events matter
  • Live Entertainment
  • A Quality Keynote Experience
  • There’s also an emerging desire for shorter sessions and more interaction with the expert — before and after the keynote. Perhaps most of all, keynote speakers must be able to use real-world examples to support their data.
  • Food and Beverage
  • The trends underscore a preference for locally-sourced and creative, exotic cuisine. Consider that more attendees have dietary restrictions, requiring hotels and caterers to be accommodating and flexible.
  • 6. What makes an event: technology that puts everything together
  • Innovations such as virtual reality grab the headlines, and for good reason: according to a Consumer Technology Association survey in 2017, 77% of U.S. consumers are interested in purchasing VR equipment.
  • Branded Websites
  • Websites that promote the brand to attendees also create anticipation for the coming event experience. More practically, these websites help ease registration, check-in, and more.
  • Room Block Management
  • Venue managers who expect planners to use spreadsheets to manage room blocks risk losing business.
  • Digital Check-in Desks
  • Digital signs, self-service check-in kiosks and on- demand badging are increasingly expected as part of a smooth and easy event registration experience.
  • Real-Time Surveys
  • Branded Mobile Event Apps
  • This technology can expand the influence of the event to at-home registrants, and is effective at showcasing event space to planners.
  • Data Dashboards
  • We all prefer our mobile devices, and that doesn't change during an event. Attendees want instant access to agendas, updates, and networking.
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Chatbots are popular with planners and hoteliers because they provide answers in real-time, and do so without much staff oversight.
  • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
  • RFID makes it easier for planners to collect data, such as surveys and session attendance.
  • 7. What makes an event: technology in the moment
  • Today, exceptional experiences also include a healthy amount of technology. From easing a time-consuming process, enhancing a stay or improving the level of interest or interaction with a topic, technology is at the forefront of helping planners create exceptional in-event experiences
  • To put it simply: if your guests are sitting idle and passively listening, then their energy and engagement is sure to decrease.” The great opportunity is to instill a sense of excitement and enthusiasm in your events through the connective power of technology.
  • Websites: It’s not just for registration. A good event website can drive engagement before, during, and after the event through interactive content, video and images.
  • Room Block Management: Helping every participant register quickly and efficiently gets the event off to a great start; it’s also a great way to offer upgrades and package offers to attendees
  • Virtual Reality (VR):
  • At-a-glance analytics provide quick insights that can help optimize events and offerings.
  • Augmented Reality (AR): Digital interaction is the name of the game, and that's exactly what AR does: Have attendees use their phones to transform your venue with visual effects.
  • Beacons: Few solutions are better at connecting events and mobile devices. Period. At events, Beacons improve communication, push updates, and promote targeted content — all through Bluetooth.  
  • Planner Expectations Around Technology
  • Technology has indelibly changed the hospitality industry. Professionals on both sides of the meetings and events ecosystem — planner and supplier — now expect technology to power their events and increase efficiency.
  • The Value of Technology
  • That finding reflects an emerging requirement for venue managers to stay abreast of the application of technology in order to provide a best-in-class experience for planners. Some of the significant benefits planners and hoteliers can expect to achieve include improved engagement, increased revenue, an improvement in managing costs, and greater ROI insights.
  • After the Event: What Attendees and Planners Want
  • Event attendees are also hotel guests. So, in addition to their expectations for a memorable event, they’re also looking for amenities and options during off-hours.
  • Doing that takes more than spa services and local tour packages. By keeping the connection alive, there’s an opportunity to build an ongoing relationship. This makes it easier for planners to return to your venue for the next event.
  • Put your hospitality management professional learnings into practice
  • With all that goes into an event – the sourcing, logistics, and managing of hundreds of issues – what most planners want is for attendees to walk away satisfied and rewarded for spending time at the event. Post-event special touches, from a relaxing spa treatment to a simple survey and “thank you,” send them on their way with an unforgettable final impression
  •  
    This article gives some ideas on how to successfully host an event. Events are important and valuable to the hospitality industry. An excellent event includes making registration easy, managing the event properly, and creating a unique experience. Events can be divided into "Simple" Events, Midsize Events, Small Events and Complex Events. The size of the event will affect the planning of the event. The main points and purpose of the event are also factors to consider when planning the event. Time should have a clear theme, while considering the company's profits. Finally, applying the current technology to the event to create an unforgettable experience for customers is also essential for a successful event.
  •  
    This article talks about the detail about a professional way to make a good event. It lists seven necessary points. Also, showing the point of view and example to make the reader easy to understand.
teallemejia

As vacations resume, here's why you might want to pay a travel advisor - 0 views

  • The pandemic ruined travel for travel advisors and their clients the last 15 months. However, people who didn’t book with an advisor had no advocate and were much worse off.
  • A survey from Sandals Resorts and the American Society of Travel Advisors found that 94% of customers will use them again and 44% of all travelers are more open to the idea post-Covid.
  • we were just refunding and refunding, and we were fighting for our clients
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • people forgot about the other side of the hospitality industry, from the flight attendant and travel advisor to the [hotel] housekeeper,” Griscavage said. “It impacted our industry in a really bad way.”
  • Using the internet cut out “the middleman” — i.e., the travel advisor, who was paid a commission by airlines, hotel chains and tour operators — so suppliers could offer seeming bargains at their own self-service sites or at online travel agencies. Problems arose, however, with unforeseen bumps in the road — natural disasters, political crises, industry strikes — and then travelers largely had to fend for themselves.
  • “The future is bright,” Kerby said. “If you didn’t understand the value of a travel advisor before, you certainly do now because you realize how thin the response mechanisms are for some [travel] suppliers.”
  •  
    This article talked about the importance of travel agents. Before the pandemic people often thought that travel agencies weren't necessary was a dying career, however since this past year they have really proven their worth and won't be going away any time soon. Travel agents were able to cancel trips and get their customers money refunded or switched gears and planned a different trip for the future. Using the internet to cut out the middleman and save money isn't always the best way to plan a trip and the pandemic proved this.
dnune013

Las Vegas travel agents have stayed busy during the pandemic, though the job has change... - 3 views

This article brings a very good point about the importance of travel agents for travelling during these present times of pandemic related closures and travel restrictions that are everchanging. It ...

teresastas

5 Reasons Why You Need A Travel Agent - More Than Ever - 0 views

  • The major search sites routinely leave out flights (lots of them) and even entire airlines. A lot of the flights they do show are ones you don’t want, starting with “basic economy” fares that hit you with tons of restrictions and fees, so the price you see isn’t the one you end up paying, along with connections way too short or way too long, ones that no responsible travel agent would let you book.
    • teresastas
       
      This is a very good point that is often overlooked. Southwest Airlines is one of those who do not publish their fairs on most of these OTA searches.
  • The reality is that while it was widely predicted that the internet was going to kill off travel agents when digital tools were placed at every traveler’s disposal, that just hasn’t happened, for several good reasons.
  • “They can find crazy deals”; “They will be your advocate”; “They’ll take care of the little things”; “They’re true experts” and “They don’t usually cost extra.”
    • teresastas
       
      I think that the general public believe that TA's cost extra to use. For the most part that isn't true...unless it's a cooperate travel.
  • ...15 more annotations...
  • Travel agents are a thing of the past - they primarily booked tickets and beds. Travel advisors have taken on a much more complex role - part psychologist, life coach, executive producer, concierge, fixer, dream maker, and ‘Blink Blink’ genie, with the multitude of services that they provide.
  • Anything that causes cancelled flights (or cruises, etc.) means hassles, but the people who get through this process the most smoothly and the ones who get rebooked first and get the few available seats out of Dodge are usually the ones who used a travel agent. It’s that simple. First off, you actually have someone to call, versus long lines at banks of airport phones masquerading as “help desks.” But good agencies are constantly monitoring their clients’ flights and they usually know about your problem before you do - and often have a resolution before you even call them.
    • teresastas
       
      They make a good point about having someone to call.
  • Expertise: No one knows everything about travel, no matter how deeply they are involved in the industry.
    • teresastas
       
      Reason #2: Expertise
  • Emergencies: This is the one most applicable to the average occasional travel.
    • teresastas
       
      Reason #2: Expertise
  • It is important to remember that these advantages are not just for luxury travelers. Good travel advisors do not just know what the best hotel is, they know what the best hotel is for you and your budget and can help you find the right fit.
  • Connections: Whether you are trying to book space at a coveted 8-villa safari lodge in Africa or get a room in a top Paris hotel during Fashion Week, most hoteliers keep emergency inventory and guess who gets it? The travel advisors they have known for years who book a lot of guests and send them a lot of business.
    • teresastas
       
      Reason #3: Connections
  • “Travel advisors provide our clients with access: access to people, places, and experiences that could never be replicated, much less imagined. A great travel advisor has invested time and relationships in creating their ‘black book’ of contacts and relationships, so that when their clients travel, they are treated as a VIPs, not just a credit card number.” In my experience, everyone likes being treated like a VIP.
    • teresastas
       
      I think this lends itself to who your travel agent is and what they are most experienced in. I couldn't agree that all travel agents are going to give their clients VIP experiences.
  • “Information overload, thousands of new hotels on the scene, all sorts of new cruise ships, passport and visa issues, weather, transit strikes, political unrest, natural disasters, travel insurance, travel providers going out of business, it’s never ending. How does one navigate all of this? To avoid the travel landmines that lay in front of you, you need to get a great travel advisor!
  • Extras: When you get more than you expected for the same price, that’s a great deal, and with travel advisors this happens all the time.
    • teresastas
       
      Reason #4: Extras
  • “The millennial generation specifically may have seen their parents use a travel advisor, but don’t feel like they need one - until they are deep in the spiral of research. By shifting gears to planning with an expert, they feel liberated from the immense pressure of choosing the ‘best’ resort - because we’re cutting through the noise of all the conflicting opinions they’re seeing online.
    • teresastas
       
      This is a great point. I know first hand that when booking an actual vacation it can be so much easier to have an expert weed out the options they know won't work for you.
  • Air: If you are trying to buy the cheapest round-trip economy ticket from New York to Dallas, even the best advisors probably can’t get it for less than you can buy it online, though you still have to deal with all the pitfalls of the online travel sites and you will lose the safety net advisors provide when things go wrong. But in a couple of other cases, buying your air through an agent can actually save you money, or miles, or both.
    • teresastas
       
      Reason 5: Air Fare You will usually be able to find the cheapest economy online but there are times when a travel agent might be able to save you fees on airlines.
  • It just doesn’t seem possible, but it is, real tickets, same airline, better seats, less money. I don’t know how they do it, and frankly I don’t care, but if you know who to call this happens all the time (if you are not a client of SmartFlyer booking your vacation or business trip, they will charge you a fee to do the legwork and find you great deals on premium and mileage tickets, but in almost every case I’ve seen, it still saves you money).
    • teresastas
       
      This is a great travel tip!
  • Better Trips! At the end of the day this is the bottom line, the big win you get with a good travel advisor. They know more than you do, they are better connected, they have access to benefits you can’t get yourself, and they can match and often beat any prices you find. They plan a better trip and then provide a safety net.
    • teresastas
       
      Reason number 6: Better Trips Your trip is better all around when you use a good travel advisor!
  • Travel advisors take the overwhelming amount of information out there and distill it into the key points that apply to you - the best hotel/destination/tour for your interests, your budget, and your time frame.
  • 5 Reasons Why You Need A Travel Agent - More Than Ever
    • teresastas
       
      We have been discussing a lot about the role of GDS's and OTA's it has become clear that the role of the traditional travel agent has evolved. The question of what is the role of a travel agent and why should we still use them has come up a lot and this article breaks down the answer giving 5 reasons why we still need travel agents. The reasons are listed as emergencies, expertise, connections, airfare and extras. All of these reason collectively make a better trip all around. After reading this it makes me want to book my next vacation through a travel agent!
dlevine4195

Normal 2.0: how a tech-first response is shaping the travel & hospitality sector | Hote... - 2 views

  • launch of the iPhone in 2007. While that’s not a hospitality-specific development, it changed everything about the way people want to travel.
  • billions of people could make restaurant reservations from their pockets. They could leave their room and have an interactive map through a new city, with the ability to keep in touch with their family and coordinate with friends.
  • it’s incredibly advantageous for hoteliers and travel professionals to keep abreast of the technological advancements that will set higher standards for the new hospitality normal.
  • ...11 more annotations...
  • , virtual ID verifications can be built into booking platforms, integrated apps can grant access to digital room keys and enhanced biometric technologies have the power to supplement (or eventually replace) the traditionally awful pre-flight screening process.
  • many travel and hospitality professionals are investing in VR-based marketing to spike interest in their offerings.
  • VR tours are being offered all around the world to spike interest in sights and tourist destinations, making people want to see the sights for themselves
  • VR marketing will soon emerge as the smartest strategy for connecting with consumers; high-budget commercial spend and other digital marketing tactics will be rendered obsolete when any prospective traveler could put on a headset and instantly be transported to the shore of a beach.
  • hoteliers and vacation destination economies invested in virtual reality offerings to extend their experiences beyond the travel restrictions, offering travelers a temporary at-home substitute.
  • It will diminish both consumer wait times and consumer-staff interactions, allowing professionals to reserve their time and focus for more complex guest and traveler needs.
  • investments into biotech need to be paired with cybersecurity and infrastructure that protects a guest’s identit
  • Today, guests and travelers understand quality in terms of fast response times, consistency across channels, and intuitive, self-directed use.
  • eople show a preference to manage smaller tasks on their own; a study by Zebra Global Hospitality showed 70% of guests preferred a smartphone check-in for efficiency and speed.
  • Airline safety once meant extensive processes at TSA, but consumers and professionals are quickly coming to trust the powers of biotechnology, changing the way we think about screening.
  • looking for that service in different ways—on their phones, at their fingertips, and behind the scenes.
« First ‹ Previous 101 - 120 of 129 Next ›
Showing 20 items per page