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Marketing and E-business for tourism industry A good marketing plan is important to the success of businesses. There are several guidelines and ways to use electronic medium to stay competitive. A business has to always take care of the existing customers and their needs without forgetting to attract new customers. Tourists are using internet to shop for new destinations so an online presence is very important for consumers so they will be able to find out information about the business. There are several guidelines to consider: * Promptness people expect to get a response within a reasonable time. * Quality means that your website should be able to compete with other websites on the internet and this means that it should have good quality photographs and professional tone to the websites. * Consistency means a good consumer service and a professional image. There are many ways to promote services online: email newsletters and promotion, building traffic by working with other websites, offer deals, get involved in discussion sites about the industry you are in. During an off season bookings, simplicity of booking should be a priority. Tourism operators should join travel and tourism "mall" to offer their products and host their site and use these low cost services. Companies can also promote their products online by offering auction style sales that helps consumers have some kind of control over the prices of the different services in tourism. One of the perks of online shopping for travel services is the price transparency and the fact that costumers have choices of different prices in front of them. Company should Increase a web marketing pull by offering different services and also advertising with other companies. Promote and minimize the costs of the services by adding "do-it-yourself" features. A list such as: A FAQ, maps of location of other area attractions and local guides for rental outlets. To improve the way you market your products and

This article mainly talked about a new room control system that controls in-room minibars along with various other technologies, in order to maximize operations and minimize costs. The system reports on room occupancy, network connectivity and equipment run-time, which helps in a property's preventative maintenance processes, as well as tracking the energy savings being achieved. Additionally, it communicates with other hotel server-based systems, such as the property-management system, building-automation systems, central electronic-locking systems and work order systems.

This article focuses on the benefits that Maestro (a property management system) offers to hotels and how it has been benefitting hotels that currently use their system, more specifically, smaller, independent hotels. Most chain hotels and large facilities are required to utilize a flag-mandated property management system. However, independent operators are not linked with these mandated systems, and have a choice as to which system to utilize. Maestro claims to offer Northwind, a service that allows Maestro to be utilized in a cloud-based system, enabling it to host multiple properties and save the establishment money by not requiring them to purchase servers and security, whereas a traditional PMS would have done so. The president of Northwind also states that they strive for their clients to succeed and that it is more of a partnership with those who utilize their service, and their goal is to make a hotel's operations more profitable and efficient. The article continues on to explain the uses and functions of the Maestro system, including being fully-integrates and offering operators loyalty program benefits and the functionality to compete with programs that were solely available to chains. It also tracks points earned and redemption stays as well for those loyalty programs, and claims to minimize errors and save operators money. It also allows integrations that provides social media outlets through the property management system, allowing the user to operate their business simultaneously through different systems. Maestro also boasts that the utilization of their property management system allows hotels to increase their direct bookings through the property for a lower cost than if they were to utilize a different system in which it was not flawlessly and seamlessly integrated with a global distribution system. It seems to be a property management system that enables users to complete many tasks at once, from one location, without having the hassle of

The article states that the "Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has committed to the social and environmental sustainability in a broad and long-term planning of the hospitality and tourism sector development throughout the country". The previous focus of Thai tourism was on social and economic development. The focus has now been shifted towards minimizing the ecological impact of tourism. In efforts to minimize the ecological impact, the TAT has introduced Seven Green Concepts in 2011. The Seven Green Concepts include: * Green Heart * Green Logistics * Green Destinations * Green Communities * Green Activities * Green Service * Green + Despite some criticism, the TAT will look at "managing short-term market recovery, long-term market expansion, improved economic revenue, and the preservation of ecological assets". The upkeep of national parks, protection of wildlife and green capacity building will help sustain the environment. Hotels and resorts are also encouraged to follow Green guidelines. In 2011, there were 220 hotels with Green Leaf recognition and 535 smoke-free hotels. With increasing popularity of Green concepts, these numbers were expected to increase in the future.

The M/S Viking Grace was launched in January 2013 and is considered the most environmentally friendly large cruise vessel to have been built. The ship travels between Finland and Sweden as a cruise ferry. The ship is powered by a liquefied natural gas (LNG). The shipbuilder says all emissions into the sea have been eliminated and emissions into the air are now lower than any other cruise passenger ship. Besides the lower emission the M/S Viking Grace also has passenger space that minimizes environmental impact and a new machinery configuration, which saves energy. I think this is significant that the M/S Viking Grace has basically eliminated a good percentage of emissions. I believe the cruise industry, from both luxury liners to cruise ferries, has a considerable amount of work to do to become more environmentally friendly. The use of LNG to power a ship is important for other ferries and cruise lines to look at for the future. Cruise vacations are popular worldwide and saving the sea for future generations is incredibly important. Even though this is just one ship that sails in the Baltic Sea, I think the M/S Viking Grace can have a large positive impact on the region.

Bartech offers an array of customizable automatic minibars that are designed to maximize revenue and save hoteliers time and money through increased efficiency. Bartech is also the only minibar provider to incorporate three different types of sensor technologies into their advanced product design, including infrared, magnetic and micro-switch. This allows Bartech minibars to use the most effective and reliable technology for each type of product dispensed, maximizing reliability and efficiency of the minibar operation and minimizing guest disputes.

Hotel Concepts, a leading global provider of property management/CRS technology solutions, announces that they have become one of the first property management system (PMS) vendors to achieve Cardholder Information Security Program (CISP) validation, following the recommendations of the Payment Application Best Practices (PABP) program. By following PABP, Hotel Concepts PMS is capable of delivering secure payment applications, minimizing the potential for security breaches that could lead to compromises of credit card information and preventing damaging fraud.

As this article mentioned, Hotel Med Park chooses to use ProfitWatch to provide accurate call reporting and billing. This system is designed to save the property money and simplify management. They also choose CloudPM to provide hotels an affordale cloud-bases property management system with full functionality and features. In my opinion, this system is very convenient and correct to use for hotels. It can help minimize liability and boost revenues.

Safety and security is very important in the hospitality industry. When you have tourist coming to your place every single day then you know you need to have your premises secure. In this article they talk about how hotels have separated and made two different categories, which are security and safety. This article also shows how it is very important that hotel train their staff for an emergency if it was to occur. Training your employees in safety and security would help prevent any emergency that can happen in the hospitality industry. This will just help tourist come to your hotel more because guest will feel safe at your hotel. The system that hotels implement about security and safety is very important and will help keep bringing in your guest.

This article mainly talks about there have been a lot of pioneering uses of tablet devices in hospitality industry. Many hotels are adopting recent developments in tablet computers and smartphones to offer guests information in real time in a wide choice of unprecedented ways. For example, a new in-room guest service technology will provide guests in all the rooms with the ability to navigate through all offered hotel services with the finger print. This new technology brings a lot of benefit for guest convenience. Each custom built guest interface provides direct communication between hotel staff and guests in real time. Hotel tracks all requests and activities, minimizing error and increasing efficiency. Tablet devices will be a trend which widely used in hospitality industry.

The article is talking about that FastBooking, one of the world's leading e-marketing and online technology solution providers announced FastBooking Updater Premium which has been added new functionalities to industry-leading channel management tool. New features include the powerful reporting tools that collects and stores reservations made on internet distribution sites in a single database and generates business reports for the hotel, the centrally managed inventory that allows allotments to be automatically adjusted and dispatched to all channel, and the automatic, real-time booking of the PMS to minimize manual intervention.

The functionalities of FastBooking seem very interesting such as collecting reservations made in different websites. In this manner the productivity and performance would be more accurated providing a best service for the potential guests.

The International Air Transport Association introduced a new security system at the 67th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Singapore in 2011. This new system would divide travelers in three different categories: known travelers, normal travelers and enhanced security travelers. Each level would have different security procedures and then passengers would pass through different tunnels, one for each category of traveler. For example, if you are a known traveler you would need to pass a iris recognition system which would confirm your identity and you would pass through a tunnel with minimal scanning technology. The scanning procedures get more invasive for normal passengers and even worse for enhanced security travelers.

This article gives an overview of security considerations of a cruise liner. Initially it cites a comparison between cruise security concerns and that of a hotel, which are basically the same, such as secure doors to cabins (rooms), having an exact record of all passengers and onboard staff, as well as having surveillance such as cameras taking constant video recordings. Whereas hotels are mostly open to outside traffic, cruise ships are limited only to those who have purchased passage, are working there, or are conducting business onboard. This has led to boarding procedures which are as stringent and detailed as those conducted when passengers board a commercial airline. Safety concerns for cruise ships have been a forefront concern since the 1985 hijacking of the MS Achille Lauro (See next comment) which led to minimal security standards issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The tragic events of 9/11 compelled US issuance of an International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) to strengthen security protocols. This includes requirements that any "ship over 500 tons…not (be) allowed into the United States unless their last ports of call conformed to ISPS code." The ISPS code, however, involves minimal adjustment for cruise lines currently in compliance with IMO rules. Newer ships are being constructed to include the infrastructure for video fibre optics and metal detection equipment. State of the art equipment will have crew member's photo and data available to be checked with each swipe of their ID card. Biometric fingerprint detection equipment is another safety layer that is available, but is not currently in use, although it will certainly be put into place promptly if a major incident occurs. The odds of such a major incident are high when considering the volume of cruise passengers in the last decade. Since other commercial ships have witnessed attacks, cruise lines are strongly advised to progressively

Additional information regarding the 1985 MS Achillies Lauro hijacking: http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2010/10/remembering-the-achille-lauro-hijacking-picture-of-the-day/

This article explains the company, Ruskus Wireless, which has introduced a powerful Wi-Fi Wall switch, called ZoneFlex 7025, with elevated speeds of 802.11n, available for the United States' and European market. This product can offer hotels with the feature of multiple IP service over a single wireless at a minimal cost per room. According to Douglas Rice, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Hotel Technology Next Generation: "the hospitality market sees enormous benefits that an IP-based network brings in delivering a better guest experience, new services that will lead to drive customer loyalty". This type of technology will allow for hotels to integrate their Internet enabled devices to connect to a single wireless network. Eliminating the limitations of Ethernet cables will improve the areas of guest services, and conference rooms enhancing the experience for guests. Multiple hotels do not have the infrastructure to provide the feature of wireless access throughout their facility, considering the current technological revolution; it has become more of a necessity for hotels to provide this option for their guests. This type of Wi-Fi wall switch will help reduce the cost and complications associated with implementing network services. Fundamentally, Wi-Fi is a common amenity that multiple guests request in every level of travel purpose, which many hotels should implement if their benefit will outweigh the cost.

Hilton prides itself with strong brand identity, but also seeks out innovation and is constantly adapting for new technologies. Hilton has developed a website, the Hilton Design Studio, which allows owners, developers, and design firms to create their unique design utilizing Hilton styles of FF&E and artwork. This website allows users to fully integrate their creativity within Hilton's guidelines, but minimizes costs through the rendering of virtual representations in minimal time. Hilton is allowing flexibility of design while maintaining brand standards. "Part of the design philosophy is creating the Hilton Design Studio as an education tool for owners and developers to know the Hilton look and feel". The article also discusses the new Hilton Valet, a multifunctional armoire with refrigerator with three types of amenity components for owner to choose aimed at "creating a smart, clean design". Also featured is Hilton's Connectivity Station, which is offered in three model choices to provide additional technology convenience to guests.

Green Initiative by Hilton Hotel Hotels as well as other service industries are looking for new ways to run more efficiently and looking to nature to give them some ideas. The latest in green technology is allowing hotels to push the eco-envelope and create energy efficient roof systems that also help the environment, and provide a visually beautiful space for their guests to enjoy. Hilton Hotel chain recently constructed Hilton Baltimore to break records with their proactive "green" policy, by creating garden to cover the entire roof, which Hilton looks upon as a commitment to the community and environment- a top level priority which stems from the top at the corporate level and is implemented down to the property level. This kind of innovation benefits all the major stakeholders…….it helps the environment by reducing rain water run-off, creates habitants for birds to thrive, helps to keep the hotel cool thereby reducing utility expense, it also provides a conducive atmosphere for the guest to enjoy and above all it generates good will for Hilton Hotels. This is not just happening in the U.S. Hotels around the globe are choosing to guide their business towards efficiency utilizing green roof technology. Besides recycling, and purchasing 'Green Sustainable Energy Credits' for 50% of the energy it utilizes annually, InterContinental Chicago hotel initiated "waste minimization" with a program that donates table scraps and leftover foods to local farms or composting sites. They have also introduced 'Green Weddings' and 'Green Meetings' options for event planners, bicycle rentals, organic wines and foods, and distribute seeds to employees to encourage giving back to the environment.

This is a great way to collect the preferences of your customers, it definitely gives them new options that were not available before, the hospitality industry is constantly changing, technology becomes more important every day. This technology can also be a tool for management to keep track of sales and minimize theft.

This article is talking about current situation of how green concepts influences hospitality industry. Become more and more green and sustainable is the goal of many hotels, they've tried to achieve the goal through many ways in recent years. The hospitality industry is recognizing the compelling need to adopt sustainable operating practices for the sake of efficiency, cost savings and green building requirements. And also they are considering whether green can drive greater returns. Corporate travel executives set the rewards to encourage sustainable purchasing by reward. In fact, different people have different opinions of "green". Mostly, hostels chose to become more sustainable through strategic selection of products and services. Such as they use the conserving energy coverlets, shower, window, toilet and so on. Besides, hospitality managers want a consistent guidelines and performance targets to be used by purchase influencers and decision makers to make solutions for cost saving more effective. Now there are more and more people realize this concept and there already has a preliminary guideline for prioritizing actionable, practical solutions to achieve long-term growth of having a "green forest in hospitality".

There are several benefit of cloud computing, including low upfront costs, minimal IT infrastructure and easy across multiple properties.

Choice hotels have deployed their cloud based hotel property management system choiceADVANTAGE, to its 5000th hotel, which is the Comfort Hotel De L'Europe of Saint -Nazaire, France, and is one of the lodging industry's most widely distributed web-based proprietary systems. This is a very user-friendly system and according to the chief technology officer of the Choice Hotels, the software also has an integrated solution to manage guest interaction at every stage. some of its features are efficient guest servicing, sophisticated revenue management, groups functionality, remote access and integration with company's programs. one of their main reasons to do this was to reduce their cost of purchasing, storing, and maintaining the costly infrastructure and hardware associated with the previous management systems. The hotel group also installed the Rate Center management tool, which will allow them to manage their pricing and inventory.

Good to see a strong working example of mass implementation like this. Proves that the web based model can work, so it will be interesting to see if more properties, and large chains in particular will adopt this model.

Choice made a wise choice! The cloud-based hotel property management system, choiceAdvantage, allows Choice Hotel to become more competitive in the hospitality industry by mastering efficient guest service, sophisticated revenue management, remote access, and so on. Since it is cloud-based, the system can be accessible to any computer that have Internet connection. The reason why Choice has made a wise choice is that It benefits a lot from this system by using less money. Usually hotel needs to spend more for installing and maintaing infrastructure and hardware. Since ChoiceAdvantage system is web based solution, it needs a minimal initial investment and save hotel a large sum of money. Choice hotel now starts to combine other management tools with its choiceAdvantage system to become more powerful in management level, which taught us that high-technology can help hotels improve and develop faster if it is applied in the right way.