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nbrac002

How Cloud Computing Helped Hotels and HotelTechReport.com Cope with Volatility | AWS for Industries - 0 views

  • During the pandemic, the travel industry adopted technology at unprecedented speed and scope to meet new regulations and volatile market conditions.
  • At the heart of every hotel process or SOP there is software that relies on cloud computing.
  • received responses from 657 hoteliers that crystalized the major trends we’ve observed in the market:
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  • cost savings is now actually less important to hoteliers than the ability to adapt to rapidly changing business conditions.
  • Historically, hoteliers respond that improving operational efficiency is the most important value proposition for adopting software, but when asked about their goal for hotel technology in 2021, hoteliers said they were adopting new technology solutions to assist in the transformation of business processes and operating models.
  • 96% told us that technology will be more important to their businesses in five years. 91% said that they expect to be using more software tools to run their businesses in 2025 than they did in 2020.
  • ocused on using technology to transform business processes after the events of 2020
  • Guests demanded fully contactless experiences for the first time in history.
  • detailed housekeeping protocols.
  • infrastructure and assets went unused
  • Hotels needed to decrease staffing levels while delivering increased, safety-focused levels of customer service.
  • Cloud computing technology like AWS has lowered the cost of delivery so that hotel operators of any size can access software that was previously only available to major global chains.
  • The cloud allows companies to avoid costly installations. It requires minimal upfront investment and frees up companies to focus on improving their core services instead of server configurations. The cloud also offers companies a pay-as-you-go model so that they can scale up and down their infrastructure in a flexible and cost-effective way.
  • Increasing server capacity without cloud servers would have required us to rush-order new servers. F
  • $5,000.
  • one additional server
  • able to double our server capacity for minimal cost.
  • It adapts to meet evolving business needs.
  • Sometimes they face growing pains and need to rapidly scale infrastructure to meet new demand.
  • hospitality ecosystem can use the cloud’s fundamental scale-up-on-demand model to enable creativity, innovation, and speed.
  •  
    After the pandemic hit in 2020, hotels have had to adapt to a volatile market quickly or risk major losses. This quick adaptation would not have been possible without cloud computing. Based on a Jan. 2021 survey, the vast majority of hoteliers now claim that the most important use of software is to have the ability to adapt to rapidly changing business conditions- a shift from the historical answer of efficiency and cost savings. What is clear is that without cloud computing, hotels would not be able to meet guests' evolving needs while navigating an ever- changing travel market.
nashalsiddiqi

PCI What? | Column | Hospitality Magazine (HT) - 1 views

  • I asked politely if the hotel was complaint with PCI Standards. "PC what?" she asked with a friendly smile.
  • PCI DSS, a business or organization should be able to assure its customers that their credit card data, account information and transaction information is safe from hackers or any malicious system intrusion (www.pcicomplianceguide.org). This includes physical copies of consumers' credit card information.
  • Extra attention should be paid to any wireless transactions. Wireless technology is considered the least secure by the PCI Council. Therefore, wireless hospitality applications that carry credit card information such as a wireless point of sale terminal should be evaluated very carefully
anonymous

PMS Software: What Are the Most Important Advantages? - Booking Ninjas - 1 views

  • A property management system (PMS) is a software application for the operation of hospitality businesses such as hotels and commercial or residential rental properties
  • PMS systems are customized for the needs of the hospitality industry to further increase ease of operations. Computer record keeping and PMS systems have increased the efficiency of hospitality industries significantly by making it possible to update and consult centralized records from multiple computers and devices.
  • According to Forbes, “Property managers have been using software to assist with managing their properties for years… Artificial Intelligence (AI) apps will just be a natural extension of this wave of adoption… they won’t replace current software solutions, they will compliment them.”
  •  
    The article discusses the importance of property management systems software and its most important advantages. It shows how important PMS is to your business financial health and the functions it performs to make you more efficient. The article also connects how Artificial Intelligence are a natural extension and will compliment the PMS software.
wenjieyang

3 Data Protection Tips for the Hospitality Industry | Endpoint Protector - 0 views

  • 1. Hire cybersecurity personnel
  • hospitality companies do need to acknowledge the need for cybersecurity personnel and hire a team that can keep their cybersecurity framework up to date and react in real-time to any security incidents that may arise.
  • 2. Protect against insider threats
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  • Whether through ignorance or malice, employees are often at the heart of data breaches.
  • Another way companies can protect against human error or insider threats is through strong data protection policies.
  • limiting access to sensitive data only to those employees who need it to perform their job functions and restricting the use of personal mobile phones or portable storage devices in the work place.
  • 3. Look into compliance
  • hospitality companies must ensure that they have a high level of data protection in place.
  • Companies must therefore look into where their customers come from and what data protection laws are in place in their countries of origin and ensure they can protect their sensitive data accordingly.
  • Abiding by these standards should ensure that hospitality companies are protected from most potential data breaches and can thus stay clear of any penalties that would otherwise come their way.
kesca010

Using Proximity-based Technology At Events - Eventeem - 0 views

  • Proximity-based technologies provide brands unique opportunities both to interact with customers and deliver content straight to their devices.
  • Proximity-based technology is the perfect way to add interactivity to a campaign, through both content delivery, as well as other, more campaign-specific methods.
  • Beacons act as geographic points, where a device which meets the appropriate criteria e.g.
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  • This can range from a notification of deal offers, a tactic used by US supermarket giant Target in over 50 stores nationwide, to a small piece of content.
  • Sharing-based Loyalty Card:
  • A live Competition:
  • A “Second Screen” Experience:
  •  
    This article speaks about the tole of Proximity based technology in events. It covers the benefits it brings and how it can work for companies. They present great examples on how companies have successfully used this technology.
nbrac002

Could wristbands turn festivals into games? - BBC News - 0 views

  • Wristbands have long been synonymous with music festivals, but what was once a simple, colourful loop of material now increasingly contains contactless technology. This allows music fans to pay for food, drinks or merchandise but festival directors are now taking the technology further, into the realm of "gameification".
  • Festival director Ben Robinson says it will allow visitors to check-in at stages, talks and stalls, creating a "mission log" they will be sent after the event, listing what they saw and giving further information.
  • Ultimately, he hopes to turn festivals into immersive gaming sites - something akin to Pokemon Go - where, alongside enjoying the festival site, visitors can unlock exclusive rewards. This might include entry to a restricted area for visiting a number of check-in points or free dishes if enough food is purchased.
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  • linking the wristbands to interactive apps and existing technologies, such as augmented reality, to give attendees something beyond the usual festival experience.
  • which is also used in contactless bank card payments,
  • The danger is that you get analysis that tells you 80% of your audience went to see Band X so you should book loads of bands that sound like Band X," he says
  • data can stop exposing you to that thrill of hearing something new and different."
  • "It's simply a device that will tell us how many people bought how many beers and at what time and such like [which is] data that a standard EPOS (electronic point of sale) system would track."
  • and experts also question the security of the system.
  • so somebody could duplicate it - and as it's contactless, you only need to be within a certain proximity.
  • "Also, the visitors are potentially being profiled and this is viewed by the security community as an invasion of privacy."
  • The system they are using provides only "blind data", he says, which means there is "no GPRS [and] no tracking"
  • "That is where people load money on that they never end up redeeming. Most retailers view this as an excellent stream of effectively free money... but it is scamming the punters who are already paying an on-site premium."
  • He says they use "a global encryption standard used by the military... that has only ever been hacked or cloned in a theoretical situation, never in real life" and only use any data collected for "assisting visitors with customer service enquiries".
  •  
    This article explains how music festivals are innovating their use of the RFID bracelets to create a more immersive guest experience. These bands, on top of being used as a cashless payment system, entry pass, and VIP entrance, festivals are now looking to use these bands to in creative ways including linking them to apps and augmented realty technologies to "gameify" the experience. Possibilities include having check- in sites to collect points for real- life prizes, allowing entrance to specialized areas, and creating mission logs so guests can remember their experience.
rhera004

100 Event Statistics (2021 Edition) - 0 views

  • Whether the industry remembers it as a catalyst or catastrophe will largely depend on how event professionals adapt and navigate the uncertain times to come.
  • Streaming experiences can reduce total climate pollution from events by 60-98%
  • 58% to 67% of eventprofs are very likely or completely likely to address sustainability in their meeting plans for 2021.
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  • EVENT INDUSTRY CORONAVIRUS RECOVERY STATISTICS
  • 66.5% of eventprofs plan to use hybrid as their go-to format once in-person events resume.
  • Almost three quarters of planners (71%) plan to continue to employ a digital strategy to maintain their virtual audience once they return to physical events
  • 57% of attendees believe that they can conduct the majority of their event objectives online.
  • As of March 2020, the exhibition and events industry had lost 14.4 billion euros (16.5 billion USD).
  • only 5% were minimally impacted.
  • Almost three fourths of planners, or 73.6 %, have become more proficient or much more proficient in tech as a result of the pandemic, which will be important as the industry transitions further to virtual and eventually hybrid events in the coming months.
  • 39% of planners expected to be able to recoup at least 25 percent of their revenue by pivoting to virtual events in 2020.
  • Event planners listed social media as the most effective tool for event marketing (74%), followed by email marketing (66%), their website (60%) and event registration site (26%).
  • 37% of event planners report that social media exposure is a key metric of event success.
  • 58% of marketers use social media for marketing before, during and after their events.
  • 52% of events engage on social media several times a day.
  • 92% of marketers consider influencer marketing is an effective form of marketing, and  82% believe that the quality of customers from influencer marketing campaigns is better than from other forms of marketing
  • The most-used event app feature is agenda/sessions, used by 98.3% of eventprofs, followed by the sponsors/exhibitors listing (93%) and the speakers listing (89.3%).
  • 57% of app providers include recommendations of nearby places, events, and experiences to attendees, while 65% include personalized session or content recommendations
  • The average maximum price of an event app is $15,000, which is up substantially from average maximum price in 2019 of $9,600. (EventMB, 2020)
  • Most app companies (41%) charge according to features — the number of companies charging by number of attendees decreased by 9 percentage points in 2020, from 30% in 2019 to about 21% in 2020.
  • The most important consideration in event management software is support (79%), followed by the features (78%) and analytics (69%). Value for money is listed by 67% of event planners and for 58% it is important that they are not limited in terms of the number of events or attendees. (EventMB, 2018) Graph available. 18.8% of event planners used different event technology providers rather than an all-in-one solution in 2019, though the pivot to virtual events in 2020 has likely radically changed this.
  • In terms of sponsorship opportunities, the top three features offered by virtual event tech providers are sponsor/exhibitor profiles (78%), analytics/reporting (77%), and banners in high traffic areas (70%).
  • Only 14.5 percent of event planning companies experienced no impact from the pandemic.
  • Networking is the most effective strategy for event planners to find new clients (66%), followed by social media (45%).
  • 37% of planners value safety standards above all else when it comes to choosing a destination for their next event. The same criterion for venues ranked as most important for 56% of planners. This suggests planners expect venues to carry more weight than destinations when it comes to safeguarding their attendees.
  •  
    Informative page reflecting Event Statistics - Post-Covid
bruss031

GoTab Unveils Next-Generation All-in-One POS for Restaurant Operators | - 0 views

  • GoTab restaurant POS was designed to help operators adapt to changing consumer preferences while still creating a personal connection with guests.
  • With QR code ordering, guests enjoy having control over the ordering and payment experience, choosing to order what they want, whenever they want.
  • operators can now easily tailor a guest-initiated experience or a server-initiated experience, enabling both parties to start and access the ordering tab and giving everyone flexibility to place orders however they wish.
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  • “GoTab has been a boon for us, helping us reduce labor and track financials and inventory,”
  • With the GoTab POS, front-of-house staff can handle the very first impression of guests’ on-site experience, which always makes or breaks the overall experience. Servers and managers can start and add to a digital tab, seamlessly pass the tab to guests, and then update it later with upsells or order changes.
  • servers can be proactive and anticipate guests’ needs with more table touches, more upsells, and real-time issue resolution.
  • GoTab allows operators to capture each guest’s preferences and build upon each guest’s ordering data to create loyalty programs and better market to customers
  • “The typical legacy POS system (at best) is going to capture the person paying for a check. In a traditional restaurant – let’s say you have a table of 4, a restaurant is lucky if they can capture a single diner’s data for loyalty, spending insights and marketing purposes.
  • GoTab’s technology also provides restaurants with a menu of solutions that can adapt to a wide variety of restaurant needs. For instance, operators might want to start with online food ordering capabilities or a standalone food takeout and delivery system which integrates to their existing point of sale system. When they later decide to upgrade to a full GoTab POS, they have a platform with functions that seamlessly communicate with one another and provide a full 360-degree approach to restaurant operations.
  •  
    The GoTab Restaurant POS is making waves in the industry that is coupling line level efficiency with increase guest satisfaction and preference catering to better assist guests throughout their dining experience. The new POS allows both guests and restaurant staff to add to a tab and reduces the overall time servers spend at a table being an order taker and thus frees up their time to allow them to better connect with guests on a personal level and fix issues in the moment that require more attention. The GoTab POS is going to be directly competing in an already saturated market filled with market leaders such as Square and Clover but I believe thier systems offer such a significant difference to the traditional POS system that they may be able to gain a competitive edge within the market.
cingram21

Managing Payments: How Embedded Fintech will Fuel Travel Revenues | PaymentsJournal - 2 views

  • These companies’ payments systems provide greater efficiencies for hotel owners, such as contactless payment and seamless accounting; they also provide financial services capabilities to owners and banks via embedded finance.
  • Embedded fintech is technology that enables embedded finance, into a financial institutions’ product sets, websites, mobile applications, and business processes via APIs by allowing banks access to a new customer base
  • To meet the demands of travel in a reopening world, these payment systems should also include a state-of-the-art terminal, transparent fees, built-in reporting, analytics, security, and world-class (in-house) support so hoteliers can to focus on their guests rather than time-consuming payments acceptance and reconciliation.
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  • Further, cloud based payments systems are often integrated in Property Management Systems, (PMS)
  • Discover and seamlessly connect to 3rd party apps and services and a channel manager to sync rates, availability and details across 100s of channelsManage revenue by optimizing rates, tracking competitors, and providing insights & analytics,Connect to a booking engine to drive commission free bookings and the payment system, which alleviates manual credit card entry, lengthy verification processes and seamlessly rolls up accounting and tax preparation.
  •  
    FinTech is a hot topic and this Journal article touches on the developments of FInTech in the hotel. The standout line touches on how cloud payments can, "connect to a booking engine to drive commission-free bookings and the payment system..."
khiyara_00

Proximity Marketing: What is it? What types? - 0 views

  • Proximity marketing is any system that utilizes location technologies to directly communicate with customers via their portable devices.
  • distribution of media at concerts, information, gaming, and social applications, retail check-ins, payment gateways, and local advertising.
  • utilizing a number of different methods
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  • Proximity Marketing Doesn’t Always Require Expensive Apps and Geocentric Technology
  • display signage
  • offer a free wifi hotspot.
  • our company website to detect people using a Mobile Browser at your location. You can then
  •  
    This article discusses what is proximity marketing is used for and the different ways it can be done. The article then also goes to highlight its importance as to why ot should be implemented.
cingram21

Cloud Computing Trends & Future Technology 2021 | Datamation - 1 views

  • Enterprise leaders are quickly recognizing that not all clouds work for all of their needs, and some of their legacy systems and applications work better on their existing on-premises infrastructure. These realizations, and a growing need for both flexibility and reliable security, have ushered in a period of growth for hybrid and multicloud setups. 
  • which polled more than 2,600 global IT decision-makers globally – and highlighted that hybrid cloud is now the most common choice, with 46% of respondents now using a hybrid cloud (a 12% increase since their previous survey).
  • Instead of relying on embedded, native security features, tech experts are advocating for the increased use of managed security service providers (MSSPs) and a better organizational policy for user access management. Organizations are recognizing that security incidents can come from both internal accidents and external actors, so it’s important that all users are trained and compliant with an organization’s security policies.
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  • By implementing the ZTNA model for secure network access, IT teams can have full control over who is granted access, enters, and leaves the network at all times. This model has gained much more recognition since being mandated in President Biden’s executive order.”
  • The entire world is starting to shift its attention to Kubernetes and the orchestration of containers,” Cusimano said. “It’s the next iterative shift — we went from physical to virtual to cloud, and now we’re going to microservices and containers. 
  • “Cloud-native technologies will also lead and help companies to build, migrate, and modernize customer-facing and analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) apps more easily and at scale.”
  • cloud is typically more energy efficient than on-premises infrastructure, the growth of AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) is causing cloud technology to work harder than ever.
  • “Sustainability is a massive trend in IT – from enterprises seeking to ensure cloud providers leverage renewable energy in data centers to enterprises increasingly seeking to minimize their own supply carbon footprint via sustainably sourced, circular IT solutions,” Fenn said.
  • Although few cloud vendors have adopted the circular model, most are changing their business models to emphasize more renewable energy use, carbon offsets, and data center efficiency boosts.
    • cingram21
       
      This article discussed the five major trends and developments in cloud computing. The first point explains how there was a big trend towards cloud-only computing and away from on-premise infrastructure. We are realizing this isn't always the the best scenario and that a hybrid model allows for an enterprise to operate data-intensive processes while taking advantage of tech advancements associated with cloud computing. The second trend is utilizing "managed security service providers (MSSPs). This is because security is important to control both internally and externally. It also mentions "Zero-Trust Network Access" as a new executive order issued by President Biden. The third section discusses Kubernetes (Further research explained this is an open-source system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.) Kubernetes is also known as "K8s." This is a large shift from physical on-site infrastructure to "containers." This is packaging software for the deployment and the sharing of technology. The reason this is a trend is because it is cost-effective and improves performance. The final major trend is sustainability efforts. Cloud technology is more energy-efficient than on-site infrastructure, but advancements in (IoT) is causing significant growth and use of cloud tech which requires increased energy consumption. Cloud vendors are changing to ensure they are using renewable energy, carbon offsets, and data center efficiency. The most interesting part of this to me is the Kubernetes and Containerization as I have yet to read or hear anything about this. Open source is always interesting. The story behind K8's being developed by Google and now an independent foundation is good for our society and a good trend.
    • cingram21
       
      This article discussed the five major trends and developments in cloud computing. The first point explains how there was a big trend towards cloud-only computing and away from on-premise infrastructure. We are realizing this isn't always the the best scenario and that a hybrid model allows for an enterprise to operate data-intensive processes while taking advantage of tech advancements associated with cloud computing. The second trend is utilizing "managed security service providers (MSSPs). This is because security is important to control both internally and externally. It also mentions "Zero-Trust Network Access" as a new executive order issued by President Biden. The third section discusses Kubernetes (Further research explained this is an open-source system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.) Kubernetes is also known as "K8s." This is a large shift from physical on-site infrastructure to "containers." This is packaging software for the deployment and the sharing of technology. The reason this is a trend is because it is cost-effective and improves performance. The final major trend is sustainability efforts. Cloud technology is more energy-efficient than on-site infrastructure, but advancements in (IoT) is causing significant growth and use of cloud tech which requires increased energy consumption. Cloud vendors are changing to ensure they are using renewable energy, carbon offsets, and data center efficiency. The most interesting part of this to me is the Kubernetes and Containerization as I have yet to read or hear anything about this. Open source is always interesting. The story behind K8's being developed by Google and now an independent foundation is good for our society and a good trend.
ricardoa97

How to choose the right hotel software from reliable vendor | By Bogdan Romashko - Hospitality Net - 0 views

  •  
    The article, "How to choose the right hotel software from reliable vendor", by Bogdan Romashko, discusses the steps needed to successfully select the correct Hotel Management Software for the respective property. The two emphasized points in the article of finding a software are to ensure that the selected software fits the type of hotel in operation and analyzing the original business model to properly select the correct PMS. The selection of the PMS is difficult due to the variations of properties and must be carefully analyzed. A variable, such as the property size and location, can change the PMS used for a particular property. A hotel in Los Angeles, California has different needs than a hotel in Cody, Wyoming. The clientele is different and the operations software needed are unique to that clientele. In addition, the business models for each location has slight difference when calculating success and monitoring customer activity. The PMS selected will basically do the same thing regardless of the property including, financials, task, and logistical management. Lastly, PMS technology can be utilized to assist during the pandemic with minimal touch capabilities which are keyless entry and online check-in and -out.
rhera004

10 Jaw-Dropping Event Marketing Stats That Point to the Future of the Industry - Endless Events - 0 views

  • November 2, 2017
  • In fact, it’s the intersection of digital marketing and event marketing that makes the latter as effective as it is.
  • They are absolutely critical for outpacing and outlasting competitors.
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  • To paraphrase the mantra of the Instagram era: “Events or it didn’t happen.”
  • Businesses invested heavily in the online world, but a response from consumers was inevitable.
  • advertisers have to fight tooth and claw with one another to be noticed.
  • Every minute 3.8 million Google searches are made, 1,440 blog posts are published and nearly 150,000 emails are sent.
  • The ability to track, attribute and analyze event ROI just wasn’t there before.
  • be it attendee engagement, contacts management or marketing automation
  • Whereas 63% of all of the marketers surveyed said that they plan on investing more in live events in the years to come, 80% of marketers from organizations that are overperforming in regards to their business goals plan on investing more in events.
  • “Live events are a great way for generating leads, if your annual contract for a client is large enough. If you’re selling 10 dollar stuff it’s not worth it, a way to primarily generate leads. Otherwise, it’s a great opportunity engage your community and to build products, to understand what your community cares about. Because as a business you should always be talking to your customers.”
  • In fact, 80% of marketers plan on investing more in event technology and they plan on doing so with thousands of more dollars than marketers from organizations that are underperforming or performing as expected.  
  • The combination of both the modern CRM and the modern marketing automation system has given rise to the modern event management platform, which enables marketers to manage, measure and grow their events like never before.
  • One of the biggest obstacles for organizations in the past was accurately attributing and measuring event ROI
  •  
    Statistics re: the use of tech in events and its importance/future
ldevaul

How the travel industry can fight back against cyberthreats | SmartBrief - 1 views

  • Travel and hospitality businesses have become lucrative targets in recent years for cybercriminals who have stolen from the industries in attacks that often take more than half a year to identify.
  • In the past three years alone, the hotel industry has faced 13 serious attacks, according to an IntSights study.
  • The travel and leisure sectors suffered a 155.9% year-over-year rise in suspected online fraud attempts worldwide in the second quarter, according to a TransUnion study, compared with a 16.5% increase in overall alleged intrusions.
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  • The hotel industry attracts cybercriminals because it handles so many financial transactions in so many countries.
  • The top threat to hotels is phishing, a scam in which hotel guests may receive fake phone calls claiming to be from the front desk. The caller could claim that there is an issue with the credit card on file and that they need to re-verify the payment method. 
  • DarkHotel hacks are another significant threat. These target travelers via hotel Wi-Fi. Digital certificates are sent to guests, like a familiar adobe update, which will retrieve sensitive information. Hotel chains are combating these hacks by suggesting that guests use a virtual private network.
  • Malware (malicious software) is something criminals email employees, under the guise of the attachment or link looking innocent or legitimate. But when the user opens the file or clicks on the link, their system (and more) can be hacked into by the criminal.
  • IT department should routinely update operating systems and back up data and files, and every employee should double-check sources when asked for software administrative permissions. Also, strong firewalls can limit bad traffic and provide security. 
  • Software and hardware can help prevent breaches, but employee training is also an essential part of any hotel’s cybersecurity.
  • In 2018, a Marriott reservation system was hacked. More than 500 million customer records, including credit card information and passport numbers, were stolen. The company said the hack went back four years prior to the discovery and, when it was noticed, the company started using computer and mobile device monitoring software.
  • “Guests can enroll in a service called WebWatcher, which monitors the sites where personal information may be shared and alerts guests if evidence of their personal data is found,”
  • Hotels are not alone in being targeted by cybercriminals: The airline industry has faced serious cyberattacks as well, and many airlines still aren’t equipped to handle them.
  • only around 35% of airlines and 30% of airports are prepared for cyberattacks.
  • "The proliferated effect of the attack on SITA is yet another example of how vulnerable organizations can be solely on the basis of their connections to third-party vendors,"
  • The aviation industry faces dangers such as ransomware and distributed-denial-of-service attacks. Following the SITA attack, HackerOne solutions architect Shlomie Liberow stressed that airlines need to prepare for the worst. 
  • traditional enterprises like airlines have always been an attractive target since few are digital-first businesses, and therefore have relied on legacy software, which is more likely to be out-of-date or have existing vulnerabilities that can be exploited."
  • The airline industry needs to keep third-party vendors in check when it comes to protecting information. Given the high stakes involved, experts suggest that blind trust is not an option. 
  • “You simply cannot know whether your third parties meet your company’s security controls and risk appetite until you’ve completed a full vendor security assessment on them,
  • It’s important to note that the best practice is not a ‘one-and-done’ activity, but through real-time, continuous monitoring.”
  • In 2015, hackers targeted Polish airline LOT’s ground operations system, affecting 1,400 passengers. The hackers made it impossible to create flight plans and flights. It was the first attack of its kind, and it caused concern about cyberattacks one day remotely taking control of planes.
  • To address the threat, the standard advice is to back up and store data in multiple places, including off your physical premises, and have one copy of it be offline
  • Multifactor authentication and long, complicated passwords will take longer to crack. Updating and patching systems regularly helps companies avoid being victimized when a new exploit is discovered.
  • Treating cybersecurity as a companywide concern, not an IT concern, encourages each employee to take ownership of their actions and knowledge and to seek help proactively instead of making an “innocent” mistake that costs the company millions of dollars.
  • Finally, companies should avoid simply throwing money at the problem: Not all cybersecurity solutions work together, which wastes money and increases the risk of a breach.
  •  
    This article discusses ways that the travel industry can combat cyberthreats. The main cyber concern for hotels' is phishing, which is a scam that collects credit card information by pretending to be apart of a hotel's front desk staff. The article mentions that IT departments should do routinely updates to operating systems and back up data and files. Employees should also be trained to help prevent data breaches. The author briefly touched on what to do when your hotel system is hacked and even dives into how the airline industry is still very unequipped to handle cyberattacks and threats. This is a great read to learn how to keep up with best security practices in the hospitality and tourism industry.
khiyara_00

Three ways technology is improving hotel security | TOPHOTELNEWS - 3 views

  • Mobile keys are making an entrance, and this means added security for guests. In some instances, the technology can alert guests and hotel management when someone has entered the room or tried to get in.
  • Many properties are expanding the number and locations of cameras, upgrading hardware, and using better software to run and monitor the cameras. Some of the more advanced systems offer low-light vision, facial recognition, and movement and color recognition analysis software.
  • To combat cybercrime, hotels are taking steps to incorporate more advanced firewalls, limiting who has access to data, and securing mobile devices of employees.
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  • Mobile keys are making an entrance, and this means added security for guests. In some instances, the technology can alert guests and hotel management when someone has entered the room or tried to get in.
  • Mobile keys are making an entrance, and this means added security for guests. In some instances, the technology can alert guests and hotel management when someone has entered the room or tried to get in.
  • 2. Hotel security monitoring systems get an upgrade
  • ware to run and monitor the cameras. Some of the more advanced systems offer low-light vision, facial recognition, and movement and color recognition analysis software.
  • 3. Hotel security and cybercrime
  • New technology, such as mobile key cards, advanced monitoring systems, and cybercrime initiatives are working to protect property and personal information, so travelers can always feel more secure.
  •  
    In this article, TOPHOTELNEWS highlights three ways technology is reducing incidences of theft, assault, and data breaches in the hotel industry. Mobile keys allow guests and hotel staff to monitor who enters a room and when, limiting the chances of theft. Security cameras now offer low-light vision and facial recognition, and their decrease in size allows for discrete placement. Cybercrime initiatives are also working harder than ever to secure delicate information by developing advanced firewalls. Each of these advancements allows travelers to feel more secure in their "home away from home."
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    This is a great article as the hotel that i work for as many of these same features including the mobile keys, and high definition security cameras and a great team at the back of it. Although it is all good to have those features having the right team makes a huge difference. I have many examples with while being at the hotel probably having a difficult interaction with a guess the security team call me to make sure that i am ok. This made me feel safe to the highest extent that they are watching and alert.
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    This article discusses three ways that hotel security is being enhanced by technology. One way is by mobile keys. Customers no longer have to use physical keys. They can simply use their mobile phone to open room doors. They don't have to worry about their keys going into the wrong hands. The second way is cameras. Modern cameras are smaller and are more easily hidden and can more accurately take pictures of the faces of persons who enter and exit hotels. The third way is to enhance the cybersecurity of the hotels' computer systems.
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    This article discusses the ways a hotel can implement security measures to keep guest information and company's data safe.
lhick022

Disruptive Innovation: The Inevitable Change Every Market Must Face | MassChallenge - 0 views

  • According to Forbes, innovation could wipe out $8 trillion worth of U.S. public company equity
  • every company must have an effective strategy to either engage in or counteract disruptive innovation in its industry.
  • Clayton Christensen first coined the disruptive innovation theory in a Harvard Business School paper to refer to companies who meet market demands with a simpler, cheaper solution.
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  • This practice often results in game-changing products that are fundamentally different from any current choice on the market.
  • sustaining innovation seeks only to improve upon existing concepts or products
  • It happens slowly at first
  • Low-end market disruption occurs at the “low end” of existing value networks. Unlike new-market disruption, it does not launch a groundbreaking alternative.
  • Lower margins
  • Higher risks
  • Disrupts an existing market or creates a new on
  • Involves new technology and a new business model
  • New-market disruptors create products or solutions that are so much more affordable or convenient than existing options that entirely new segments of the population can begin using them.
  • New innovation is often ignored at the outset
  • It seems obvious only after the fac
  • Because of these potential costs, innovating in a disruptive fashion may be ill-suited for organizations that do not wish to commit these resources.
  • Software as a Service
  • Video Streaming
  • Smartphones
  • Personal Computers
  • Lightbulbs
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Ride Sharing
  • It is important to note that you don't have to choose only one type of innovation at the other's expense.
  • Peer to Peer Accommodation
  • Lack of Leadership
  • Lack of Culture
  • . Sooner or later, your market is going to face a newcomer with a never-seen-before idea or business model. You must seek out ways of doing it first or else brace for the impact.
  • Listen To Your Customers
  • Focus On Your Business Model
  • Find an Innovation Partner
  •  
    This article fully explains disruptive innovation, its almost as if the article listened to the lecture then wrote the paper. I could have highlighted the whole paper, it lists causes, characteristics and effects of disruptive innovations.
naxiang2001

What hotels need to know about biometric privacy laws | Hotel Management - 0 views

  •  
    This article investigates the purpose of biometrics and how they can be put to use in the hospitality industry. Biometrics are often seen as the most secure method of identity verification, but with that comes the fact that this information is incredibly private and an very high security risk for the company holding it. It also discusses some of the challenges and difficulties companies may face in their implementation. It specifically focuses on different pieces of legislature that may limit the use of biometric data and what this means for employee and customer safety. This article concludes by acknowledging the fact that if biometrics continue to rise in technological prominence then a federal law should be put into place to designate its use.
georgemacintyre

No, guests do not require human-provided services in hospitality | PhocusWire - 0 views

  • The classic philosophy in hospitality goes like this: customers – whether leisure, business, corporate group or SMERF members - require services provided by super nice, smiling, well-trained humans.
  • I believe the notion that guests are demanding human-provided services is greatly exaggerated, especially today. A great example of why guests do not care about human-provided services as much as some in our industry think comes from the vacation rental sector.
  • The vast majority of these short-term rental bookings were done online via Airbnb, Vrbo, FlipKey, Vacasa, etc.
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  • Just imagine the whole vacation rental experience: you book online, receive online confirmation and pre-arrival information (directions, keyless entry info, destination info, etc.); upon arrival enter the unit using the mobile key or keyless entry; enjoy your stay; pack your bags and leave on day of departure.
  • All of this while having a completely humanless experience!
  • Five years from now, the hospitality industry won’t be needing half the people it needed back in 2019, and the savings from payroll will mean the investments in next-gen technology will pay for themselves.
  • The ultimate goal imposed on hospitality by the marketplace is simple: do more with fewer employees by using technology and thus reducing the property’s staffing needs by a significant percentage. 
  • So how much human labor would a hotel need in the future? In my view, five years from now, the hospitality industry won’t be needing half the people it needed back in 2019, and the savings from payroll will mean the investments in next-gen technology will pay for themselves.
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    This article portrays the belief that human interaction is very overrated in the hospitality industry. This author believes that rental services such as airbnb are proving that human interaction is unnecessary in hospitality and that hotels are wasting many resources by hiring too many people that technology could do the work for instead.
mmoutsatsos

Why Germ-Zapping Robots and AI Technology Could Be the Future For Cruise Ships - 0 views

  • Cruise lines have arguably been well ahead of the game when it comes to new technology in the travel industry
  • -- even before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in March and led to a global suspension of operations.
  • What COVID-19 has done is to add a more 'urgent' element that will force the industry to speed up that process of adding to the passenger experience and enhancing health protocols."
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  • thermal imaging cameras to test passengers' temperature; the aim of the technology is to give a ship's medical team the information to decide whether a passenger should be allowed to board.
  • Royal Caribbean's fast track check in -- take a selfie and scan your own passport; Celebrity's facial recognition technology; MSC Cruises' artificial intelligence system, Zoe, an Alexa-like onboard assistant; and Princess' Ocean Medallion, a part-app, part token approach to customized cruising.
  • Princess Cruises' Ocean Medallion, for example, unlocks the door as you approach so guests don't need to touch their door handle. It was simply a luxurious feature pre-COVID-19; now, in our new world it, holds far more practical importance."
  • Another possible change passengers might see are disinfection tunnels leading to the terminal and an entirely biometric system operating in the terminal, according to Jennifer Willy, editor at the
    • mmoutsatsos
       
      In our discussion we talked about how to justify spending money on technology and I believe this article does a good job at showing all the different tech the different cruise lines were investing in and how it todays day with COVID it has become money well spent. We also talked about disruptive innovation and how if a company doesn't adapt it will fail. The cruise industry see the move to things become touchless and have already taken steps to meet expectations.
  • Apple and Google both are developing track and trace apps, which can alert crew whether someone has been near an infected person.
  • "Most likely to be rolled out first across most cruise lines and port terminals is temperature scanning, for example, thermal imaging using infrared to detect elevated skin temperatures, not only at embarkation, but for monitoring throughout the cruise."
  • One of the aspects that we might lose, at least in the short term, is the personal touch --
  • "There are systems for air purification and pathogen removal for the whole terminal facility that could be implemented, along with UV lighting, and the obvious thermal imagining for temperature checks,"
  • touchless tech. This is already used widely by the lines in the form of apps, which allow you to do a whole variety of things -- often without the need to log onto onboard Wi-Fi.
  • ct as a keycard to open your cabin, to order and pay for drinks; make bookings at restaurants, shows and the spa; book shore excursions, check your account, track your loved ones or even control the lights and temperature in your cabin.
  • "For instance, a ship could use virtual queueing apps to limit how many people are able to go to a certain area at any given time, which would make certain there is no crowding at a lunch buffet, in the fitness center or at the pool.
  • MSC Cruises' geo-location wristbands mean you can find your friends or family wherever they are on the ship (using your app), rather than meeting them at a central point somewhere.
  • Ocean Now on some of Princess Cruises' ships, passengers can order food, drink and a selection of other products and receive them in a different location, away from other passengers or shopping areas.
  • "Royal Caribbean's Bionic Bar cocktail maker was surely little more than a publicity stunt when it was conceived but it now seems a prophetic move by the cruise line. People will be understandably worried about food and drink preparation -- and shared buffets in particular - when they return to cruising. We may see an increase in automation as a result."
  • Most of the major lines have been running with enhanced technology for a couple of years.
  • could cruise lines introduce some of the changes that are already being pioneered at hotels such as limited housekeeping, no room service and surfaces devoid of many items to help with cleaning?
  • whose LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots (they've been likened to R2D2) are already being used in hotels, restaurants, food processing facilities, and office buildings -- and it has built protocols for cruise ships.
  • The robots use broad spectrum UV light to quickly decontaminate rooms and public spaces.
  • Xenex, Texas Biomedical Research Institute tested the robot against the virus that causes COVID-19 and it killed it in two minutes.
  • worried about touching surfaces in your cabin, just ask Zoe to look up information or power items on or off for you – MSC Cruises' voice activated Alexa-like speaker is in every cabin onboard MSC Bellissima and MSC Grandiosa, and is likely to be retrofitted onto other ships in the fleet.
  • "Voice tech will become important in the new touchless world too. Rather than having to turn off the lights or lower the blinds by hand, just ask 'Alexa' to do it for you,
  • "It will be an expensive time for cruise lines when they can least afford it. Lifelong cruise lovers will return after the pandemic ends but convincing new people to give a cruise a try may rely on ships becoming as touchless as possible."
  • I think onboard technology will augment the ways guests can communicate and interact with the crew, rather than replace them."
  • "Once again, completely replacing a human being is unlikely, and handing off conversations will be an important step."
  • Royal Caribbean found out to its cost in 2014 when it first introduced tablets for waiters to take orders, and were hit with a deluge of complaints because it meant waiters were buried in their screens
  • Cruising is all about the personal attention and relationships built with crew and other guests. 
  • "Personal contact with the ship board staff is and always has been a very important component of creating memorable experiences. The cruise product cannot eliminate that essence of the cruising experience.
  • He added: "Otherwise it will be just transportation from one place to another."
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    This article talks about the different technology cruise lines have implemented and the future technology they plan to include as they move for a more touchless approach to certain things.
anonymous

Data Privacy and Security in the Travel Industry - Security Boulevard - 0 views

  • As COVID-19 mauls the travel sector and hotels, airlines and cruise lines shutter their doors or park their planes and ships, this interlude may present them an opportunity to address how they handle passenger information. Each of these sectors of the travel industry collects personally identifiable information and each has suffered considerable breaches or lapses in how data is handled.
  • Like British Airways, the hotelier Marriott Corp. was socked with a £99 million fine by the ICO for its 2018 exposure of 383 million customers booking information.There is no doubt that the hotel industry is awash with personal data on their guests and are ripe for targeting by cybercriminals.
  • Every infosec professional will tell you, don’t collect what you can’t protect. These examples from within the travel industry serve to drive home that point. In the case of the Gekko Group and Spice Jet, their attempts to protect their data revealed configuration errors or a lack of understanding. With respect to Marriott, British Airways and Carnival, they were subjected to an attack that managed to maneuver through their defenses. What is inexplicable is the time delay between discovery and disclosure
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    The article breaks down Data Privacy in the Travel Industry. It explains how the pause due to the pandemic is a good time to address security concerns. The article covers examples in the cruise sector, the airline sector and the hotel sector. It also warns companies that it shouldn't collect what it cant protect.
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