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damanigoode

Environmental Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry: Best Practices, Guest Partici... - 0 views

  • To learn about guest participation and satisfaction in sustainability programs for over 89 hotel brands, we draw from a broad survey of 120,000 customers in the J.D.Power database over a period of five years, 2006 through 2010.
  • Hotel operators are well aware of the potential ben-efits of sustainability, and many of them publicly promote resource conservation.
  • Guest satisfaction with hotels’ sustainability programs is seen as essential for their success
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  • Based on these surveys, the most effective and widely used environmentally sustainable best practice among resorts is towel and linen reuse programs.
  • Offering sustainable programs does increase guest satisfac-tion, but the effects are modest, as shown in Exhibit 7, which shows the statistical effects by segment and overall.
  • Although studies from the general sustainability and marketing literature suggest that consumers do value envi-ronmentally sustainable products (although with limits), we believe that the relationship between hotel’s environmental sustainability-related initiatives and customer satisfac-tion measures reported by hotel guests remains uncertain.
  • Although hotels’ sustainability efforts are essential for saving energy and resources, a key element of any green program is guests’ reaction and participation.
  • The traditional drivers of satisfaction (room, facilities, and food and beverage quality) still overwhelm the effects of green operations. That said, green programs do not diminish guest satisfaction, so hotels may consider their cost-benefit analysis, potential for improved employee relations, and reduced risk in addition to “green” satisfaction to determine whether these investments are beneficial.
  • The LEED certification system’s new v4 scorecard is specifically designed for the hospitality industry and is intended to create incentives for new lodging construc-tion that meets sustainability criteria.
  • It has also been found that water-saving notices in bathrooms that encourage custom-ers to regulate their water use are effective.
  •  
    This article shares results from an environmental sustainability study of 100 US resorts and a separate survey of 120,000 hotel guests. It discusses a variety of sustainability initiatives such as water and energy conservation, recycling and waste reduction, LEED construction, and guest engagement. While guest engagement was significant, indicating 75% of guests surveyed actually participated in sustainability initiatives during their stay, the effect on guest satisfaction is modest at best. At best, only 0.6% of guests selected specific properties based on environmental sustainability. Guest participation in sustainability efforts were highest at extended stay locations, followed by luxury and upscale properties, with economy properties placing last. The most effective and commonly used aspect of sustainability efforts was towel and linen reuse, showing up in 91% of the survey responses. Overall, while the traditional drivers of guest satisfaction remain consistent across brands and property types (room, facilities, food and beverage quality), sustainability programs do not lower guest satisfaction, but are increasingly becoming a standard expectation of both guests and employees, and have significant cost-savings potential when implemented and managed effectively.
lclar060

Social Commerce in Hospitality: Hotel Yearbook Digital 2020 Report - 0 views

  • In this scenario, hoteliers should try to develop an authentic storytelling on different channels (i.e. respecting channels’ characteristics) stimulating exogenous eWord of Mouth and attaching call to actions as the ones above; additionally they should monitor and eventually try to stimulate social media activities from guests (endogenous eWord of Mouth), where real and authentic experiences do came up in different social media (again respecting channels’ characteristics) with the aim of generating conversions. As Seth Godin said, it is time to get off the social media merry-go-round thus entrusting social media with a form of commerce that intercepts authenticity, and connects to the lifestyle of customers.  
    • lclar060
       
      Connecting lifestyle of target audience with the brand's image is ideal to drive revenue. In fact, social media is one of the most efficient platforms for this to take place because of its reach to a diverse set of population.
  • In fact, the concept of Social Commerce could be of help to better understand the evolution of digitally mediated social communication. Social Commerce can be understood as a subset of e-commerce; it is essentially about enhancing the online shopping experience with social media and facilitate social interaction and experience sharing.
    • lclar060
       
      Social E-Commerce should be one of the key driving tools for business development in today's hospitality industry. In fact, the term certainly signifies interaction with a vast majority of people.
  •  
    E-commerce has made tremendous strides for business transactions but merchants and marketers alike are advised to engage in Social E-commerce. Social commerce reinvigorates the standards of E-commerce and actively engages with buyers while making purchases.
cvera019

The Effects of social media networks in the hospitality industry - viewcontent.cgi - 0 views

  • With the growing trend towards social media marketing, it is now reflected as an item in some marketing budgets. These individuals in hospitality should always keep in mind the benefits of social media. With the advancement of technology, social media is and will be very much part of our daily lives. Online marketing can take place in several social media platforms, and that should be taken into consideration for the marketing strategy of a hotel. Each hotel is different and must be treated accordingly, so a blend of social media tools such as Twitter, Facebook , YouTube and Corporate Blogs should be used if necessary. Social Media Networks Contribution According to Burson-Marsteller Fortune Global 100 Social Media Study 2010, majority of global companies adopt a minimum of one source related to social media platform. To a certain extent, 79% of the top 100 companies in the Fortune Global 500 index are found to be applying at least one social media platforms (as shown in Figure 1): Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or Corporate Blogs (Burson-Marsteller, 2010).
drbucky

Exploring the promise of e-tablet restaurant menus - IJCHM-01-2013-0039 - 0 views

    • drbucky
       
      My main refute to this assertion is that some fine dining restaurants maintain very limited menus and their printed menus, sometimes very plain and direct, with no pictures or "sizzle" words, reflect the finer, more elegant style of the establishment. For that reason, some restaurants use no printed menu, at all.
  • Although there is evidence of the importance of restaurant menus and theirdevelopment from past research
    • drbucky
       
      This article compares the efficacy of printed menus to electronic (tablet) menus with no "ordering" capability. No additional published research appears to be available to compare the efficacy of emenus with ordering capabilities to traditional menu/ordering processing. This would make for interesting research, particularly across the different sectors of the industry.
  • It can be described as the map that encourages easy navigation between hunger andsatisfaction for customers
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    • drbucky
       
      I have heard the printed menu referred to as "the restaurant in print"
  • Its principle duty is to direct thepatron’s attention to those items that the operator desires to sell and is reflective of thedecisions concerning what to serve, how it should be served, and the prices to becharged for menu items.
    • drbucky
       
      While the "principle duty is to direct the patron's attention to those items that the operator desires to sell...", the printed menu, when used, must also reflect the atmosphere the operator decides to convey. For many concepts, the tablet menu would certainly enhance that element but I am not sure that this technology would do anything other than distract from the intended atmosphere.
  • Technology has provided restaurateurs with limitless opportunities to improve theirmenus.
    • drbucky
       
      One very positive facet of e-tablet menus: the ability to make changes to prices and images much more quickly than would the printed menus. However, when (not if) "glitches" occur, an establishment might be left without menus to provide the guests or printed menus with outdated information. In the end, it may be necessary to maintain up to date physical menus to have for backup at all times.
  • Put differently, e-tablet menus should be able to deliver richerinformation contexts in the service encounter than traditional paper-based menus.
    • drbucky
       
      I wonder if the use of etablets decreases the expectations that servers maintain this knowledge to provide excellent service. The dynamic between guest and server changes but I am not certain it would change for the better.
  • irst, nearly 50 percent of the sample were 50years or older. Although a relatively younger demographic may be examined later infuture research, the very fact such palpable differences prevailed with the so-calledlaggards of technology adoptions (older demographic) is significant in itself
    • drbucky
       
      Certainly, this is a very important detail. Baby Boomers and older Generation Xers involved in this study prefer this technology over traditional menus; these are generations usually not associated with embracing newer technology - while Millennials tend to embrace technology more readily.
  • the enhancement of guestexperience
    • drbucky
       
      Although I have significant concerns that this kind of technology could decrease the dynamic of the relationship between the live server and the guest, data in this study convinces me that there is a time and a place to use this technology to "enhance" the guest experience. I do not see this as a cost savings (rather, it may be more costly to use this technology) but as a revenue generator. The danger is in allowing serving staff members to get lazy and rely on the tablet rather than their own skills.
  • . However, at a fundamental level, menus play an important role inalleviating consumers’ perceived risk over the menu items they order in a restaurant.
Dongyun Oh

Red Robin CIO Drives Change Through IT Management - 0 views

  •  
    Statistically speaking, CIOs don't become CEOs. But it's not because they don't want it. Research shows that nearly half of CIOs aspire to become chief executive, but only four percent actually get there. Much more frequently, CEOs for the world's top companies - about half in fact - come up through C-level financial or operating roles (Vanson Bourne, 2012). Chris Laping, CIO of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (www.redrobin.com), strongly believes this is because technology executives are too often focused on engineering and IT solutions to embrace their most valuable leadership quality: the ability to manage change. Technology leaders, he believes, possess powerful project management skills that can and should be leveraged across the business for even the most non-IT initiatives, with the particular role of being agents for change. Laping's official role at Red Robin is indicative of that practice: he's the company's senior vice president of business transformation and CIO. In that role, he oversees the company's technology, learning and development, enterprise project management and operations services teams. In this exclusive interview with Hospitality Technology, Laping shares how the technology team has taken on a business transformation role at Red Robin, and describes his overall vision for IT leaders. But it's not something CIOs are handed; they have to drive it, says Laping. Driving this change, perhaps, will also help more CIOs chase down their chief-executive dreams. HT: Let's start with some definitions: "business transformation" and "change agents" are pretty heady buzzwords that get tossed around executive boardrooms. What does business transformation really mean? LAPING: If you look at a classic Wikipedia definition of business transformation, it talks about people, process and technology. So when you push change through people, you usually do that through training. If you want to change business performan
anonymous

The High Risk of a 'Wait and See' Approach - Big Think - 0 views

  • On the surface, taking a “wait and see” approach seems to make sense
  • In the past, when we were going through rapid change (not massive transformation like we’re seeing today), a company could use a “wait and see” approach because it was harder for competitors to develop and deploy new offerings quickly, and it was harder for established competitors to change the game or redefine completely
  • Anyone, at any time, can quickly become more relevant than you because the barriers to entry are low and the ability to scale is fast
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  • deciding to “wait and see”—can quickly put you on a path of increasing irrelevancy or a rapid demise.
  • you can see how detrimental a “wait and see” approach can be—how you’re actually missing major new opportunities for sales and growth
  • Blockbuster Video may have changed how we rent movies, but Netflix transformed it
  • This year, many forward-looking school districts across the country are moving away from textbooks and issuing tablets filled with ebooks to students
  • This is a game-changing move, and one that will save the school about $25,000 each year
  • The way you can design for mobile users, engage visitors, increase sales, track people, and improve your rankings with search engine optimization are changing so rapidly that if your site is two years old, it’s obsolet
  • In reality, a “wait and see” approach has much more risk than the action being avoided.
  • Today, new competitors can emerge rapidly, and they can even be from another part of the world. Geography is increasingly less of a hindrance
  • deciding to “wait and see”—can quickly put you on a path of increasing irrelevancy or a rapid demise.
  • We’re transforming all of these things plus more, and if you don’t initiate the transformation, someone else will.
  • To see the difference between mere change and game-changing transformation, consider these examples: Barnes & Noble may have changed bookselling by creating the super bookstore, but Amazon transformed how we buy books and so much more
  • Therefore, you have to evaluate what you’re saying “no” to in terms of potential lost opportunity, because what you could gain by saying “yes” will often outweigh the perceived risk and expense.
  • Because technology is increasing so fast and because we are in a period of rapid transformation are the exact reasons why you can no longer “wait and see” what will happen.
  •  
    This article discussed the importance of being ahead of the curve and why the 'wait and see' approach is not beneficial in most cases. If you 'wait and see' you can become irrelevant very quickly as there are many others out there, in many cases other parts of the world, making new inventions and discoveries daily. This article gave a great example where a school system implemented tables and the amount of money they saved was $25k/year. There are many benefits to staying ahead of the curve and as the article states "If you don't do it, someone else will".
  •  
    A "wait and see" approach has a higher risk than it being avoided. One of the cons is that it can pave the way to a company no longer being relevant. New opportunities for sales and growth may be missed if a company does not begin to evolve quickly.
smgarcia

Digital Transformation Doesn't Just Increase Revenue, It Can Impact Employee Productivi... - 0 views

  • Lack of proper technology tools can hinder productivity and kill morale.
  • 53% of surveyed employees said they would be more empowered to better manage workflow if they were provided with the needed tools
  • 42% said these tools would not only speed up boring tasks but also result in better worker morale
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  • 38% believe a focus on worker empowerment via IT would allow the company itself to change faster.
  • 76% added that having the digital tools they need at work makes them more productive and more than half, 53%, said it makes them more successful.
  • 31% of the employees said their company has a wait-and-see approach to new technology
  • investment in new technology can lead to higher revenues in the long run
  • 37% of higher-level employees and 47% of white-collar employees said their bosses understand their technological needs.
  • not only are most professionals happier and more productive when their employers provide the technology they need, they also feel more connected to colleagues and their companies.
  • Half of the survey group said they would find it easier to collaborate with coworkers if their employers’ digital transformation efforts focused more on employee empowerment.
  • Separate research also notes that companies that are digital laggards don’t perform as well as those that embrace digital transformation
  • Technologists at Harvard Business School wrote, “organizations that scored in the top quartile of our digital transformation index obtained much better gross margins, earnings, and net income than organizations in the bottom digital quartile. Other financial and operating indicators showed similar disparities.”
  • people tend to assume only the youngest workers place a high value on having the technology they need at work. But research reveals that these digital natives are not alone.
  • 68% of the 18 to 34 age group said having the digital tools they need at work makes them more productive. That’s a significant share. But it’s even higher – at 80% – for the 35 to 54 age group. And a whopping 83% of workers age 55 and older agreed.
  • financial considerations shouldn’t be the sole focus of digital transformation.
  • Mapping out a digital transformation plan should include a critical assessment of which digital tools employees need to efficiently get the job done.
  • experience is the centerpiece of everything businesses do.
  •  
    ROI is not the only consideration for a business when updating technology and software; employee productivity is also a factor. Employees that feel that they have the tools to do their jobs are more likely to be productive during the work day. By increasing employee productivity and happiness, ROI already increases beyond the benefits of having better, quicker technology and software.
Jessica Rodriguez

The High Risk of a 'Wait and See' Approach | Big Think - 1 views

  • seems less risky.
  • In reality, a “wait and see” approach has much more risk than the action being avoided
  • Today, new competitors can emerge rapidly, and they can even be from another part of the world.
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  • Geography is increasingly less of a hindrance.
  • eography is increasingly less of a hindranc
  • if you don’t initiate the transformation, someone else will.
  • transformation
  • transformed
  • transformed
  • transformed
  • transformed
  • For example, suppose someone suggests that your company have its
  • website redesigned. You may immediately shoot down the suggestion and say, “No. We’re not investing in that. We already have a website that works just fine.” It seems that the expense of creating the new website comes when you say “yes.” It’s less expensive to “wait and see.”
  • Because technology is increasing so fast and because we are in a period of rapid transformation are the exact reasons why you can no longer “wait and see” what will happen.
  • If you don’t do it, someone else will.
  •  
    This article summarizes the "wait and see" approach and explains why this approach is no longer effective in the business world today. Technology is far too advanced for competitors to not have the ability to hop onto new ideas as soon as possible. Waiting and seeing will put your business incredibly behind since guests will begin to use those companies who have been using the newer approaches first.
georgemacintyre

How Digital Transformation Can Reshape Guest Experience In The New Pandemic Era - 0 views

  • For half a decade, the travel and hospitality industry has been trying to incorporate technology to enhance the way it interacts with its customers. Perhaps, the pandemic has been the major catalyst to accelerate digital transformation initiatives in the hospitality industry
  • But what exactly is digital transformation? Digital transformation is the implementation of the latest digital technology into a company’s business operations, processes and people to improve and optimize the customer experience.
  • The modern, tech-savvy traveler is more informed, empowered and wants to feel valued. Now, there is a demand for a frictionless, intuitive, hyper-personalized experience at every touchpoint in their travel journey. And digital transformation technologies such as AI, robotics, big data, IoT, cloud, mobile and AR/VR underpin a successful personalized guest experience.
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  • The things that power this disruptive technology — smartphones, on-demand apps, social media — are powering the change in guest behaviors.
  • 1. Leverage customer data to increase subscriptions: 
  • 2. Implement an agile leadership mindset:
  • 3. Omnichannel experience:
  • Brands must observe and compare the existing guest experience with what they prefer. With insightful data in hand, decision-makers need to modernize products and offerings, deliver innovative solutions and implement agile models in their business culture and operations.
  •  
    The hospitality industry has needed to dive all in on technology for a while now. The pandemic kickstarted the industry to really go all in. Many of todays guests really want a very personalized experience. Hospitality companies are using technology to provide guests with a very unique experience personalized exactly for them. The use of new technology from some companies is just going to have to make other companies try and keep up with them. An arms race of technology is likely to happen in the industry.
kpony001

Air Canada Begins Using a New Way to Distribute Fares to Partners - Skift - 0 views

  • The shape of the future is unclear.For a glimpse at what may come, look to Air Canada, which this week processed its first transaction via a new platform called NDC Exchange.
  • For several years now, Air Canada has offered internet-based connections for online travel agencies and travel management companies to access its airfares. These worked outside of the incumbent three giants of travel distribution, Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport.
  • About 40 to 50 agencies access Air Canada’s application programming interfaces, or APIs, to process about a million tickets a year via direct connections that avoid the intermediaries.
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  • it enables the airline to have enhanced control over how the content appears on travel agency reservation systems to make sure they’re presenting their full-service products in the best way and not encouraging customers to shop by lowest price.
  • Air Canada
  • began using NDC Exchange, a platform that does the work on Air Canada’s behalf to transform data from its web services into a way that’s readable by sellers using any of the different versions of New Distribution Capability.
  • NDC Exchange was created by airfare filing clearinghouse ATPCO
  • and SITA,
  • the airline industry has heavy control of both organizations, which may help keep costs below what they would probably have to pay third-party distribution giants to do the same work.
  • Wallis said, “My wish would be to put all of my partners in the NDC Exchange, though it would take more than a year to get there.
  • If the vision is mostly fulfilled, the NDC Exchange could take on a life of its own. It could become more than a mere data transformation tool that acts as an integration layer during a presumably temporary spike in updates to the New Distribution Capability standard.
  • “There is a nominal cost to use it for airlines and a nominal cost to use it for the sellers, but if the costs stay low and the system has low latency, then the value would be worthwhile,”
  • The platform could become more valuable if it effectively enabled the cross-selling of ancillary services between airlines.
  • For this platform, SITA is taking on the role of providing the IT networking for messaging and data services to power the exchange, while ATPCO transforms the data.
  • The NDC Exchange runs on SITA’s cloud-based infrastructure and airlines use its 24/7 call-center support to handle any troubleshooting.
  • Amadeus’s Elena Avila, executive vice president, head of Americas, airlines, said, “Air Canada is a long-term partner that we’re thrilled to be working with both on the IT and the distribution side.
  • Amadeus Anytime Merchandising will equip Air Canada to address evolving industry initiatives, such as NDC.”
  • Sabre announced “a commitment to advance at an industry level” new technological and business practice methods with American Airlines and several key players in corporate travel
  • A Sabre spokesperson said in an interview, “Efforts like the one you highlighted [by ATPCO] are often focused only on offer creation, whereas Beyond NDC is focused on developing end-to-end solutions that let airlines retail, distribute and fulfill across the entire traveler journey.
  • Amadeus announced an NDC-X program that’s working with Qantas and American Airlines and with travel sellers like Flight Centre, Travix, American Express Global Business Travel, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, and BCD Travel.
  • The traditional masters of this task — Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport — could choose to plug into it. But they might have to accept commercial terms that would be less lucrative than past arrangements.
  • Verteil Technologies, an Indian IT provider, will use the NDC Exchange to aggregate the New Distribution Capability content and then enable Indian travel agencies to issue standalone New Distribution Capability tickets.
  • Australia- and New Zealand-based corporate travel technology company Serko is plugging into NDC Exchange.
  • Other vendors launching on NDC Exchange include Airlines Reporting Corp., Innfinity and Atriis.
  •  
    Air Canada's new platform, NDC Exchange, which works outside of the GDSes, allows the airline to manage the way its bookings appear on travel agency registration systems. The system was created by ATPCO (Airline Tariff Publishing Co.) and SITA, the latter of which transforms the data while the former provides the data services that make it have the ability to run,. Recently, several GDSes, such as Sabre, Amadeus, along with other entities like Verteil Technologies, Serko, and more, have also began to utilize their own NDC Exchange program.
sigomezsh

How restaurants are bringing tech to the table in 2021 | Restaurant Dive - 1 views

  • Sit-down restaurants have traditionally abstained from digital innovations and other kinds of consumer-facing technology out of fear that these changes could cheapen the diner’s experience and undercut their value proposition
  • One-hundred percent of foodservice operators reported in a December Panasonic survey that the pandemic has intensified their sense of urgency to adopt transformational technology, and respondents are implementing tech that prioritizes safety and self-service in response.
  • This prioritization seems to directly reflect diner sentiment, with 21% of consumers planning to dine inside a restaurant reporting that contactless payment options would factor into their restaurant choice. This is especially true for younger consumers: 29% of Gen Z diners said contactless payment solutions would influence where they eat compared to 24% of millennials and 18% of Gen X consumers. 
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  • Fifty percent of full-service restaurant operators said they have added digital menu access via QR codes since March 2020, according to NRA’s 2021 State of the Industry Report. But it hasn’t become a point of differentiation in the mind of the consumer — only 1 in 5 diners said the option of accessing a restaurant’s menu through their phone or a QR code would make them more likely to choose one restaurant over another in the next few months. 
  • "People were less inclined to look up drinks, cocktails and wine through the QR code, so more often than not we would drop the beverage menu with each guest [that featured] a QR code for the food menu, and if they wanted a [physical] food menu it was available upon request."
  • The functionality of an NFC tag or a QR code on a table brings so much digital transformation opportunity that maybe the aesthetic that used to be a primary concern is now a secondary concern."
  • among diners who plan to eat inside a dining room or fast food concept in the next few months, 64% say they would sit in the section that offers traditional table service
  • Allowing diners to order and pay at their tables without a waiter, however, could have a material impact on sales and diner satisfaction, he said, because it takes pressure off restaurant employees and diners when the dining room is very busy.
  • There was a stat we were able to generate that paying on your own device rather than waiting for a server to drop off the check actually saves 21 minutes of table time on average across our network… and that’s great for a restaurant because they have the ability to increase their revenue per hour per seat,
  • Digital integration at the table also primes diners to become more loyal customers and gives restaurants greater customer ownership in and outside of the restaurant
  • I can automatically redeem my offers and my coupons from a loyalty program. And from a digital transformation transformation perspective, I'm now a user within that restaurant's ecosystem," May said. "So that means online I can be provided offers that are tailored and personalized to what I had [during] the meal at the restaurant."
  • Some experts believe that air technology within restaurants could eventually become featured design elements as well.
  • According to NRA data, 85% of adults believe going out to a restaurant with family or friends is a better use for down time than cooking at home, and 67% of consumers surveyed between Dec. 4-6 reported they aren’t using restaurants as much as they’d like. 
  •  
    This article talks about how we have seen technology in restaurants change in the past year as well as what to expect moving forward. Restaurants have begun to see how new technologies like contactless pay are allowing them to expedite services and benefiting their businesses. It also discusses how even though things like QRs have become more common they won't replace aspects of service experience that are crucial to hospitality.
balle028

Trust will be "deciding factor in cloud service provider competition" in 2021 - 0 views

  • The trend of companies embracing digital transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic was the driving force behind the continued investment, according to Canalys, aided by the economic recovery and subsequent restart of some delayed projects. 
    • balle028
       
      There have been a lot of shifts to digital transformations due to the pandemic, many companies are welcoming this change. This article touches on the embracing of transformation due to COVID-19. Alot of recourses have been poured into developing this change. Companies like Amazon and Google Cloud have accounted for close to 70% of spending.
  • An International Data Corporation (IDC) published last week, revealed that the worldwide public cloud services market grew 24.1% year over year in 2020 with revenues totaling $312bn (£219.75bn). This market includes Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), System Infrastructure Software as a Service (SISaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS).
  • Rick Villars, group VP of worldwide research at IDC, said: “Access to shared infrastructure, data, and application resources in public clouds played a critical role in helping organisations and individuals navigate the disruptions of the past year. “In the coming years, enterprises’ ability to govern a growing portfolio of cloud services will be the foundation for introducing greater automation into business and IT processes while also becoming more digitally resilient.”
  •  
    Companies are leaning more into digital transformations for cloud services.
cleon087

How technology is transforming hotel point-of-sale systems | Hotel Management - 3 views

  • Technology has transformed point of sale into point of experience
  • elf-ordering via their smartphone by the pool or wherever they happen to be and increased guest satisfaction with guest payment
  • Because the staff members have appropriate intelligence readily in their hands, personalization can happen
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  • easy to summon service in “non-F&B” areas
  • The card data is processed only by the payment gateway to/from the acquiring bank and only the final transaction approval code is passed to the POS, without the card data
  • The hotel F&B space continues to show growth, with overall consumer spending increasing 4.9 percent in 2017 and showing a robust 5.5-percent annual growth since 2011
  • associated mobile apps have the potential to increase top-line [food-and-beverage] sales in hotels by 5 [percent] to 10 percent without significant costs
  • hotel food-and-beverage revenue per occupied room increased 1.6 percent during 2017. F&B RevPOR reached $105.56, up from $103.93 in 2016, according to STR.
  • POS vendors have moved away from storing card data on their application and network. Many vendors no longer pass through or process any card data on their POS systems. Rather, they link and integrate to certified payment gateways. Payment devices are encrypted and secured, and client card data is always encrypted and totally separated from the POS terminal.
  • Technology is allowing for an extreme and pronounced change in point-of-sale systems
  • Mobile POS provides several benefits for hotels and guests alike. With mobile POS, the speed of service is dramatically increased because the staff can bring mobile ordering directly to guests, anywhere on property
  • POS technology has been a great partner in these efforts by making POS systems easier than ever to use, and mobility plays a role in impacting the increase in consumer spending, Wisell said
  • Call-for-service technology, deployed tableside and in under-serviced areas such as lobbies, coupled with mobile ordering apps, offer hotels an opportunity to increase sales
  • Mobile POS also lays the groundwork for future integration with artificial intelligence or customer-relationship-management systems.
  • “Hotels can spend millions of dollars on a remodel but if they don’t have the right point of experience, it can still result in a one- or two-star rating,” he said.
    • cleon087
       
      This shows that importance of POS, and how it can transform a business for the good or bad.
  • Mobile is now
    • cleon087
       
      People are starting to expect this, they even want more of a variety of different ways to pay that can be determining if you get business or not.
  • Hinojosa said
    • cleon087
       
      Were always looking for a way to make the experience more personalized and this is one way.
  • with
    • cleon087
       
      When guest get their food quicker and accurately this helps the experience and revenue.
  • they are the face of the property
  • u recognize them and are honored they are here with you again.”
  • “Whenever a guest is seated in the lobby and wants a take-away coffee, they can order one and not only when a staff member notices the guest in a restaurant,
    • cleon087
       
      This is really good because it is hard as a front desk agent to give attention to the guest since the moment they step in but with this they can request their snack or drink that they want.
  • While there is interest in the potential of AI and chatbots for roomservice and self-service ordering, these are not yet ready for a widespread rollout at this time, Wisell said.  
  • “Data scientists can be used in the back of the house on the kitchen side, too—optimizing the production line,” he said. “Looking at the analytics behind the performance will reduce the wait times in the front of the house.”
    • cleon087
       
      This will optimize performance
  • hotels don’t want to cross the line into creepy.
  •  
    Mobile POS has boosted F&B growth due to the ability to complete sales much faster and from non-F&B serviced areas of the property. The mobility contributes greatly to the increase in customer spending. With this mobility, companies must ensure compliance with PCI standards, and ensure that no credit card information is stored directly on the POS terminal. The article also touches on the subject of tokenization, and the usage of technology to secure a "token" rather than actual card data aids in reducing security risks.
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    This article was about how technology has had a great influence on point of sale systems within the hospitality industry. According to a senior director of product manager at Agilysys, Mike Hinojosa, he states that technology has transformed point of sale into point of experience. I personally agree with this because lately I expect hotels to have the latest in technology when it comes to POS and when I encounter a poor POS I automatically think they lack in providing the best for their guests. This article talks a lot about how mobile POS provide benefits for both parties and how it has increased guest satisfaction. "With mobile POS, the speed of service is dramatically increased because the staff can bring mobile ordering directly to guests, anywhere on property." According to this article, POS systems help boost F&B spending growth and they have become more secure throughout the years. "The hotel F&B space continues to show growth, with overall consumer spending increasing 4.9 percent in 2017 and showing a robust 5.5-percent annual growth since 2011, according to Technomic". It's said that mobile POS has helped F&B growth because it gives users the ability to into quicker sales and in different areas throughout the properties. For example, a waiter walking around a pool taking orders instead of having the guests walk to the poolside bar to place an order. Collecting payment has also become safer and easier with POS systems because of the PCI standards.
  •  
    Technology is allowing for an extreme and pronounced change in point-of-sale systems. The speed of service for the guest in a hotel has dramatically went up because of point of scale systems. It is more convenient and quicker for guests to get things or to order things.
  •  
    This article is about the employment of technology in the hospitality industry.
  •  
    This article is about how technology is transforming the POS experience by providing a more advanced security solution and a mobile platform. The article highlights how this new technology supports both the client and staff experience. The technology also provides a financial benefit in increasing sales by 5% and reducing cost by 10%.
  •  
    POS Technology has developed majorly over the past years. Growing developing offering mobile devices that can help workers pace themselves and generate more sales. These programs also offer extra data security to protect the clients information against fraud. This device is perfect for sport arenas, bar, golf course and more open outdoor and large venues that cater to voluminous crowds.
  •  
    This article is about the benefits of technology in POS systems. It shows how the technology can personalize the experience of the guest by having them be able to order from the moment they step into the lobby. The article also discusses how all the technology is good but in the hospitality we are walking on a fine line that we don't want to cross to creepy with biometrics. Technology offers efficiency in speed and will give a better experience. Not only this but it talks about how POS is becoming more secure, and how people want to pay in different ways.
xrive007

Digital Transformation Sweeps Over Restaurant Industry | QSR magazine - 1 views

  • quick-service restaurant industry is highly adept at embracing rapid change and innovation.
  • From ordering apps to kiosks, loyalty programs and artificial intelligence, quick-serves today are harnessing technology to meet evolving consumer preferences for improved speed and ease of check-out.
  • the online ordering business grew 23 percent in the U.S. last year. 
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  • many leading quick-service restaurants are embracing digital transformation to capture greater market share.
  • 39 percent of quick-serve guests placed their meal orders using a smartphone app.
  • Even though these add-ons increased the price of the selections, customers appreciated the ability to create items that were uniquely their own.
  • important trend in quick service is connected commerce
  • Connected commerce leverages the latest technology to bring added value to the consumer and the merchant alike.
  • mobile application enabling customized food selections.
  • 28 percent used a kiosk and 27 percent used a tablet to place their order.
  • Many quick-serves are introducing self-service ordering kiosks to allow customers to control their own ordering experience instore
  • 31 percent
  • have used a kiosk
  • 54 percent
  • expect to use a kiosk within the next year.
  • kiosks in general have a higher margin than counter orders, delivering an average lift of 15–30 percent per check.
  • leveraging of customer data and analytics to lower the cost of customer acquisition.
  • Quick-serves today are increasingly focusing on the opportunities presented by digital transformation.
  • Many are embracing technologies that enhance the quality of the customer dining experience, delivering more of what consumers are clamoring for
  •  
    Connected commerce is helping the quick service restaurants. It is meeting more and more of the customers wants.
liz649

How AI is Transforming the Travel Industry | Eastern Peak - 0 views

  • perform various administrative tasks and offer excellent customer services
  • ensure an effortless and convenient practice for travelers
  • chatbots
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  • chatbots
  • increase their p
  • nd boost customer experience
  • transformed the mode of processing booking searches,
  • providing relevant information
  • two-thirds of respondents find AI chatbots useful when making travel arrangements
  • applying voice assistants that give tremendous advantages to both visitors and hotels
  • voice-based digital devices are usually connected with various hotel facilities
  • quick reception desk requests, automated room control, Internet connection, regional weather forecast, and hands-free calling
  • regulate the physical environment in the room,
  • voice-activated devices extremely beneficial as they enable them to bring down labor costs and ensure perfect services nonstop
  • staff always remains aware of guests’ requests and can reply quickly or text the necessary department
  • provide quick access to travel facilities, and, more importantly, grant a high degree of security for the staff and travelers.
  • ecognizes people in a few seconds by comparing their lips, eyes, ears, and chin with the similar ones available in the database.
  • Baggage key parameters and individual features allow for validating it to a certain passenger, not for a single trip but on other journeys when a person uses their bag
  • 64% of Americans support the idea of utilizing AI-based recognition methods at airports
  • reduced check-in time so that customers do not waste their time in long lines.
  • utilizing machine learning in the travel industry
  • identify individuals by their facial features.
  • 75% of people favor personalization in various forms of modern travel businesses
  • enables them to tailor specific services adjusted to customer preferences
  • Tourism product feedback given by people on different travel review platforms, professional travel blogs, or social media are valuable data sources for travel agencies, hoteliers, restaurant owners, and tourists.
  • it is believed to be true and unbiased as it is usually backed by relevant photos made by travelers during their trips.
  • Text-based comments undergo sentiment analysis that uses Machine Learning algorithms and Natural Language Processing technologies to study person’s opinions and ideas about certain tourism services and products.
  • can transform the obtained information into a competitive advantage.
  • Automated baggage systems at airports testify to the successful AI applications in the travel industry.
  • modernized tracking and handling methods
  • seamless experiences for airlines and their customers through reliable baggage services
  • photo identification to trace baggage for tourists,
  • forecast the amount of bags a particular person may have based on previously obtained travel data.
  • enhance decision-taking and planning, ensure results-driven optimization, and improve scheduling procedures
  • benefit from special airlines apps designed to find the lost baggage or track it when it is still in transit.
  • appreciate the degree of self-service provided by virtual assistants and robots.
  • implemented robotic technologies to speed-up check-in procedures, keep loads of information about their clients, and multitask beyond human capabilities.
  • Robots enhance the guest experience
  • AI-based virtual assistants and robots have become very helpful for international travelers as they have embedded translation software enabling the guests to conduct communication in their native language.
  • tendency played an important role in delivering hygienic and safe services without affecting availability.
  • Daily services performed by hospitality robots may vary from cleaning and baggage carrying to room food delivery.
  • develop cutting-edge travel apps enabling us to forecast flights and travel-related things like hotels
  • serve travelers in terms of finding the cheapest price and providing details on flight costs in the future.
  •  
    The article discusses how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the travel industry and in return affecting the hospitality industry. The AI that the article states are chatbots, voice-based digital assistants, facial recognition, personalized recommendations, sentiment analysis, and much more. AI has greatly benefitted the travel industry and made things easier for the traveler.
cborregomarsh

Cloud Computing Continues to Transform Hospitality - RTInsights - 1 views

  • Just like databases in the early 90s allowed hotels to manage large numbers of reservations and requests efficiently, cloud solutions offer the chance to remove common frustrations and frictions across the entire ecosystem.
  • Reduce cost: Cloud services allow hospitality industries to pay only for the services they need. Cloud computing also puts smart building management into reality, as well as facilitating projects and maintenance.
  • Improve experiences: Cloud services also provide flexibility in services by allowing staff to operate from anywhere, as an example. Guests also receive the same flexibility to manage their needs from anywhere.
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  • Build responsive infrastructure:
  • Cloud Security
  • Cloud reliability The hospitality industry wants to know that they aren’t adopting another solution that will prove obsolete in just a few years.
  • Even if it’s no fault of the establishment, customers will remember frustration reconciling a bill or having to wait a long time for check-in. The cloud adds a layer of protection against minor hiccups in their experience.
  • Personalize guest offers: Captured data offers a wealth of information. Cloud computing helps hoteliers and other hospitality organizations provide customized experiences and responsive, convenient services.
  • Cloud computing can offer a seamless experience to customers while reducing obstacles to service from the staff side.
  • The Airline was able to improve customer service by providing an instant response to various customer requests and reducing wait times.
  • Pre-arrival: Cloud services capture data from the moment guests first interact with the company or service. The hotel, for example, can make a note of what services or rooms the customer looked at and offer suggestions for upgrades.
  • Arrival: When guests arrive, their information is saved and ready for each member of staff. This offers personalization right from the beginning.
  • Cloud services can offer the full security expertise with automatic updates that the hospitality industry needs to keep information secure.
  • Departure: Not only does the cloud enable a frictionless checkout experience with no surprises, but it can also follow up afterward to continue to nurture relationships and reward loyalty.
  • Preparation: Following guest stays, businesses can enable targeted follow-up. Cloud computing can also handle things like predictive maintenance to reduce downtime, especially during peak seasons.
  • The Hilton made use of cloud computing to monitor all locks within its properties.
  • It’s only one instance of the Hilton’s shift to cloud computing. It has digitized rooms and created a type of mission control for everything from entertainment to ordering room service.
  • The stay: Knowledge of previous stays provides insight into customer preferences. A hotel may address mistakes right from the beginning or identify missed opportunities. Personalization continues with upsell offers that happen as the customer continues to interact with the business.
  • The cloud provides a real end-to-end solution for hospitality that brings back the excitement of travel. In an industry facing stiff competition, this type of solution could be a differentiator for success.
  • Companies can choose a provider familiar with the nuances required for hospitality excellence and reap the benefits of an end-to-end experience.
  • Cloud services also provide flexibility in services by allowing staff to operate from anywhere
  • Cloud services allow hospitality industries to pay only for the services they need.
  • Moving to cloud operations also allows the hospitality industry to scale.
  • In that case, cloud services allow a smooth transition with a central line of communication.
  • cloud solutions offer the chance to remove common frustrations and frictions across the entire ecosystem.
  • Cloud computing helps hoteliers and other hospitality organizations provide customized experiences and responsive, convenient services.
  • rigidity causes issues in connectivity and service. When the internet goes out, or a system goes down, operations cease.
  • Staff can work from anywhere, change devices if necessary, and mitigate the risk of lost or unsecured information.
  • The Hilton’s Room Lock Problem
  • The American Airlines Integration Challenge
  • The space continues to evolve, offering new ways to ingest, process, and protect customer data. And it’s this free flow of data that will allow the hospitality industry to move into the new era of the industry.
  • Use of cloud computing in hospitality continues to evolve, offering ne
  • w ways to ingest, process, and protect customer data.
  • cloud solutions offer the chance to remove common frustrations and frictions across the entire ecosystem.
  • cloud services allow a smooth transition with a central line of communication.
  • Cloud services allow hospitality industries to pay only for the services they need.
  • operate from anywhere,
  • Cloud services also provide flexibility
  • provide customized experiences
  • Staff can work from anywhere
  • he cloud adds a layer of protection against minor hiccups in their experience.
  • security is built-in.
  • Cloud computing can offer a seamless experience to customers while reducing obstacles to service from the staff side.
  • personalization right from the beginning.
  • address mistakes right from the beginning or identify missed opportunities. Personalization continues with upsell
  • handle things like predictive maintenance to reduce downtime
  • this type of solution could be a differentiator for success.
  • It has digitized rooms and created a type of mission control for everything from entertainment to ordering room service.
  • reducing wait times.
  •  
    Cloud computing has come a long way. The hospitality industry is quickly incorporating cloud computing services for guest satisfaction and productivity of employees. The article shares several real life examples where cloud computing were beneficial.
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  •  
    As we know, cloud computing is becoming the new norm and is the future for technology but is also transforming the hospitality and tourism industry. Cloud computing allows the hospitality industry to improve travel experiences, provide personalized offers, and also helps the industry reduce cost. With so many advantages, there are some cons of cloud computing that may pose as an issue such as the security and reliability that comes with using cloud computing. However, the pros outweigh the cons and if cloud services can overcome those barriers, the hospitality industry will reach new heights not seen in previous years. With the implementation of cloud computing in the hospitality industry, it will provide a travel experience like no other from start to finish, literally.
  •  
    This article discusses the impact that the integration of cloud computing has had on the operations and growth of the hospitality industry as a whole. Companies are optimizing their usage to help them carry out daily tasks while using data and sharing to provide the best guest experience possible. The article also goes into detail regarding the steps being taken by companies to prevent data theft and downtimes. One aspect of the post that I found to be extremely interesting was how it walked me through the integration of cloud computing in every step of guests' stay from pre-arrival to departure.
  •  
    Cloud computing is the future whether businesses want it to be or not. With the growth of technology, we need to embrace one tool that is become very developed, cloud computing. It gives more efficiency to businesses who need to know more about their clientele and also can provide information and data that humans could never do. It gives a more personalized experience to each guest while organizing data much faster than on a excel sheet that stuff have to manually update. It improves experience and reduced cost for business as well. It allows information to be reached anywhere and business can be taken home or traveled with. It brings a new level of security to businesses and customers and allows more flexibility in service in the hospitality industry.
  •  
    Cloud computing transforms hospitality by a offering seamless experience to customers while reducing obstacles to service from the staff side. It also offers individualized, quick solutions in an industry that is highly competitive.
ariellesmall

Hospitality Services | EY - US - 1 views

  • As a result, hotels and restaurants are investing in technology to transform both their front- and back-office operations to lift the customer experience, optimize costs and gather data to provide insights into digital operational efficiency. Meanwhile, tourism and destination organizations are seeking to maximize the benefits of tourism, while satisfying both visitors and local communities.
  • hospitality and tourism teams support hotels and destination organizations, helping them to make operations cost-efficient while providing the required services for their customers and communities
  • To meet the evolving demands of customers and to thrive in a digital age, we help hotels and hospitality organizations to transform their front- and back-office operations through: Strategy: Rethinking business strategies and operating models for the digital age - for example, developing integrated digital platforms to provide seamless customer experiences Innovation: Broad innovation capability, including incubating new ideas and business models, and redesigning the entire customer journey Experience: Analyzing the world of the customer, then designing and assisting new experiences such as e-commerce platforms that provide seamless digital experience Operations: Aligning, enhancing and automating operations and supply chain to deliver the promise of digital Trust: Helping EY clients build the agility to respond to digital risks
  •  
    The advancement of technology is improving daily. As a business personnel it important to constantly improve customer satisfaction and the operation of business. It is important to create a cost and benefit analysis on devices to overlook their operations. On the other hand, it should be a priority that it can develop improvement to the front and back office operations. Digital transformation has methods that can be used to enhance operations, in the area's of strategy, innovation, experiences, operations and trust.
mmoutsatsos

Digital Transformation in the Hospitality Industry | Boston Hospitality Review - 0 views

  • We are now experiencing the fourth industrial revolution, a period marked by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, the Internet of Things, and fifth-generation wireless technology.
  • The recent Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this digital transformation resulting in a widening technology-mediated customer experience.
  • Service robots are “system-based autonomous and adaptable interfaces that interact, communicate, and deliver service to an organization’s customer” (Wirtz et al., 2018, p. 109).
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  • The core interactive and communicative features differentiate service robots from other self-service machines, which result in unprecedented human-technology interactions in the hospitality industry.
  • he service production process, disinfection robots, which emit UV light to kill viruses and bacteria, were announced to be used in airports and hotels worldwide to ensure a safe and clean environment (Greg, 2020).
  • The robots drive around autonomously in high-touch public areas and select rooms at the hotel, removing all airborne viruses and bacteria. As an extension of the hotel’s “SmartStaySafety” operation, the use of UVD robots not only provides a safe environment but also assures guests that they are being protected. 
  • In
  • the service delivery process, service robots assist frontline staff in a sequence of service encounters. For instance, the robot concierges assist employees with guest greetings upon arrival, transporting luggage, guiding guests, and delivering room service.
  • service robots can effectively respond and interact with guests, even in multiple languages. 
  • While robots make significant contributions to operational efficiency, they also raise concerns.
  • Service robots are still novel in hospitality. Their ability to cope with unexpected, dynamic conditions remains to be fully explored.
  • If guests do not follow the pre-set route, service robots may fail to respond, which can lead to a service failure.
  • AI-powered online chatbots are also employed to provide swift answers to customers via live chats.
  • provide customers with immediate responses 24 hours a day, significantly improving customer engagement.
  • customers believed VR simulations would be the best tool for hospitality operators to create a compelling customer experience.
  • VR can make a huge difference in a customer’s booking stage.
  • Through the digitally accommodated environment, customers can have a much clearer sense of what they are expecting, thus attracting more prospective customers.
  • VR application is the virtual tour video,
  • This not only offers customers a chance to experience prior to booking, but also allows the hospitality business to benefit from the “try before you buy” marketing strategy. 
  • Unlike VR, which puts customers in a completely virtual environment, augmented reality (AR) is about enhancing the physical environment and the experience of exploring one’s surroundings in real-time.
  • The current applications of AR in hospitality are largely for entertainment and practical purposes.
  • One example is the Best Western Hotel Group’s experiment with AR and Disney stars.
  • Another application of AR is indoor navigation
  • Internet of Things (IoT) refers to “an ever-growing network of connected devices which communicate with a central server as well as with each other” (Car et al., 2019, p. 163).
  • IoT provides integrated services, such as automated door locks, light switches, electric blinds, and voice-assistant devices, which are connected on a network.
  • These allow customers to control or monitor their devices from a central server, such as a mobile phone or a tablet. 
  • For example, customers can use their mobile phones for self-check-in and check-out.
  • Rooms also become “smart” with the help of IoT, which is also called the “connected room” at Hilton hotels.
  • Customers can also use voice-controlled assistants, for example, the Amazon Alexa, to control those in-room features, and order food or drinks, which can be delivered by autonomous delivery robots.
  • In addition, devices, such as luggage carts with GPS function and sensors in the parking lot, can help customers to locate their luggage and cars. Thus, IoT helps improve service processes and makes customer experiences smoother.
  • It obtains real-time data through continuous tracking from various devices, as well as a collection of customer information that was previously unavailable, such as preferences, routines, and habits (Marek & Woźniczka, 2017).
  • there are several emerging issues that hospitality practitioners must take into consideration when embracing digital technologies, which include security, privacy, costs, and human touch in hospitality. 
  • IoT with locational information can send real-time personalized recommendations to customers based on their stored preferences.
  • IoT can collect customers’ preferences for in-room features, and the data can then be used to customize the room settings for their next stay.
  • Security is a fundamental issue in digital transformation in any industry, including hospitality.
  • Also, t
  • he broad connection of various devices brings vulnerability to digital networks.
  • Thus,
  • hospitality managers must prepare for security implications of digital transformation, which can be accomplished by adopting high-security technologies to reduce software vulnerabilities, building resources to mitigate risk of cyber-attacks, and training employees on cyber-attack prevention.
  • Privacy is another important factor as highly personalized services rely on storing and tracking customer preferences and behavior through digital technologies.
  • a transparent, strict, and clear privacy policy clarifying what data can be collected and shared, and who can own the data, is necessary.
  • Another challenge is associated with the high costs of employing these digital technologies.
  • For small businesses, using digital technologies in their daily operations may require significant upfront investments.
  • it is becoming critical for hospitality businesses to consider what digital technologies would most benefit their business.
  • for small hospitality businesses, they need to prioritize what works best for them when adopting digital technologies.
  • the paradox between digital convenience and in-person experience.
  • hospitality, particularly in fine dining restaurants, customer-staff interaction is highly valued by customers.
  • it is important for hospitality businesses to strike a balance between digital convenience and in-person experiences
  • Key considerations include judging what services cannot be replaced by digital tools, preservation of the choice for customers to decide between digital or human services to maximize customer experience, and incorporation of interactive digital features in the process.
  •  
    This article talks about the current applications of 3 innovative technologies and how they are used in the hospitality industry.
Jessica Schwec

7 technologies that are transforming the hospitality industry | Hospitality Magazine - 4 views

  • Despite the many changes that are being brought on by these technologies, the truth is that they are there to enhance, not to replace, the core offerings of a hospitality business.
  •  
    The hospitality industry is experiencing a technological transformation. Current technology is improving and being put to better or new uses. According to this article in Hospitality Magazine, there are seven technologies that are taking the industry by storm. 1. Online Booking Systems I agree with the many industry insiders that now consider an online booking system essential. Penetrating the online marketplace is an absolutely mandatory part of the formula for success. However, opinions differ when it comes to how to accomplish this aspiration. As expressed in the article "Taking back control of the direct channel for hotels" posted on the class ScoopIt!, using online travel agents as a properties online booking system has easy setup and maintenance but lacks true customization and can put a sizable dent in profit margins, but building and utilizing a 100 percent customized system does not necessarily grant instant access to hundreds of travels sites on the web. Over all, I am of the opinion that online travel agents are still the best option-for now-because the pros out way the cons. 2. Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) Primarily used for mobile or self-ordering, EPOS systems can replace waitresses' use of paper orders and remote/hidden POS systems. In my opinion, this streamlines the look of the restaurant floor and provides better and more instantaneous service. Panera Bread uses self-order tablets as some of their locations that allow customers who know what they want to order traditional menu items quickly and independently. Having used this system, I find it more of a novelty than a convenience because the system isn't exactly self-explanatory. Currently, the technology is much more enjoyable as an aid to waitresses where the restaurant can experience increased efficiency and a higher standard of service while guests can experience the "that's cool" factor without the frustration of having to navigate the service themselves.
  •  
    3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) CRM technology provides efficient electronic storage and management of contracts and customer information and many versions also feature cloud-based applications that provide easy access to frontline employees. Electronic storage and online back-up are not totally new ideas (i.e. the floppy disc) and despite the long way these technologies have come is, in my opinion, not enough to do away completely with paper back ups. Even with electronic files, my previous property kept basic papers for 1 year and more sensitive files for much longer. Basically, CRM technology is something we should utilize more, but I doubt many will do away with a paperback up system anytime soon. 4. Marketing Automation Automatic email and text communications have been made possible by the development and improvement of marketing automation technology. Having worked with this type of technology, there is not an overabundance of companies/technologies from which to chose; however, the technology available various greatly in effectiveness and quality. In my opinion, Constant Contact is the best marriage of quality and ease of use for marketing automation technology available. This type of marketing can really step us a properties game, but beware of poor performing products. 5. Social Media According to the article, photos are the most popular posts by social media users, but the arena has become a bonafide space for reviews. While sites such as TripAdvisor and Expedia provide a niche arena for travel/tourism/hospitality related communication, general social media sites also invite open, unfiltered discussion. Whole social media is BIG, it is important for companies to assess and utilize only the social media outlets that their demographic are actively using.
  •  
    6. Smartphones Smartphones are already super convenient. They are constantly being integrated and synced with our daily lives. Applications such as Apple Pay, in combination with CapitalOne, have provided another level of integration. Currently, there is talk and work on guests being able to use their cell phones as hotel room keys but I wouldn't be surprised if in the future we will have QR Code or RFID storage for our driver licenses, insurance policies and other important information. 7. Smart Appliances A part of American households for sometime, smart appliances are beginning to make their way into the hospitality industry. Luxuries such as electronically controlled blinds, thermostats, lights and more are something we can expect to see in hotels sometime in the future. My biggest concern is the time between now and implementation because while these products are available for purchase by consumers directly, they have not taken off nor seemed to gain any ground in the typical household. Could the hospitality industry be just as slow to adopt these technologies? I believe that it is likely so-mainly due to the high cost of implementation. In conclusion, technology is still advancing and most industries are feeling the pressure to update existing technology and adopt new technology. In the hospitality industry this is especially true.
herzencortes

4 Sustainability Trends Transforming the Hotel Industry - 2 views

  • 4 Sustainability Trends Transforming the Hotel Industry
    • ansonj55
       
      The article lists four sustainability trends that they argue are transforming the hotel industry. The four trends are: plastics reduction, water, conservation, sustainability efforts, and recycling efforts. Hotels are able to benefit by implementing such sustainable practices in a number of ways, including a positive brand image and cost savings (i.e., savings on electricity, water expenses, and cleaning materials).
  • adopting eco-friendly practices,
    • ansonj55
       
      Eco-friendly practices are gaining popularity from consumers.
  • adopting eco-friendly practices,
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  • key component to a successful hotel
    • ansonj55
       
      Both financially and brand image
  • ecognize travel brands that prove their environmental merits
  • Recycling Efforts
  • Plastics Reduction
  • Water conservation
  • Sustainability Efforts and Suppliers
  • government subsidies, and tax and loan benefits
    • ansonj55
       
      The benefits of being sustainable are well-rounded.
  • as efforts to do so not only help the planet, but create an eco-friendly image for themselves, in turn appealing to environmentally-minded job seekers and guests.
    • herzencortes
       
      For hotel to go into eco-practices is part of a bigger trend, it is part of a global trend towards a more conscious mindset on the importance of eco-friendly practices. The millennial market is the fastest growing in the tourism segment and research shows that a large percentage is more worried about what they leave behind in a destination than what the take from it.
  • Besides positive word of mouth, going green can lead to a leaner bottom line, as savings on electricity, water expenses, and cleaning materials can add up
    • herzencortes
       
      A leaner bottom line is the second element in going on eco-friendly practices.
  • “The company could eliminate the use of more than 1 billion plastic straws per year and about a quarter billion stirrers,” according to a corporate news release. “A single plastic straw, which might be used for about 15 minutes, will never fully decompose.”
    • herzencortes
       
      Straws have increasingly become a large component of changes that are happening world wide. Countries, States, and Cities have all begun passing legislation to control straws, many people today opt to not use a straw or carry a metal straw with them as to reduce waste. It is only natural that hotels and other hospitality venues begin to take action.
  • “The larger bottle formats help reduce waste by avoiding half-used containers. Only the lotion is provided in a 15 ml travel size along with the bar soap which is recycled to benefit Clean the World
  • For Vail Resorts, water use at their lodges, restaurants and properties is a huge focus. Through water-less urinals and low-flow fixtures installed in a majority of bathrooms at Vail Mountain in Colorado, the effort, “Saves up to 200,000 gallons from being flushed down the drain each year and the sink fixtures have led to a 27% reduction in annual water usage since installation in 2008,” according to the company’s website. In addition, over 80% of water used in snowmaking returns to the watershed yearly and the company is still seeking to improve such efficiency and optimize its environmental footprint.
    • herzencortes
       
      Water in ski resorts is a large portion of the expense. There is an absurd amount of water that is used to make snow, and so, using techniques to minimize water waste makes waste.
  • Additionally, hotels make an effort to find like-minded sustainable partners that align with the brand’s fresh approach to a lifestyle hotel offerings that makes a clear difference.
    • herzencortes
       
      The Hilton is not the only hotel chain or business unit that is looking for suppliers that are like minded, many travel wholesalers and travel agencies look for hotels and suppliers with certifications such as earth check.
  •  
    Summary of sustainability trends in the Hotel Industry
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