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anonymous

Make Some Plans Announces Revolutionary Strategy for Event Planning - 0 views

www.digitaljournal.com/1153834

shared by anonymous on 29 Mar 13 - No Cached
  • r Event Planning
  • Makesomeplans.com recently announced that they have developed a sophisticated website that makes the event planning process faster, easier, more convenient, and more affordable. This new approach to event planning revolves around creative use of social media.
  • They created makesomeplans.com to help people find vendors in their areas help them plan and enjoy their events efficiently and inexpensively. Eventually, this family team realized that they could supplement their basic list of geographically-organized vendor links with social media technology. That was the beginning of a new era in event planning.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • The vendors benefit greatly from the direct exposure to potential new client bases, and they can customize their profile pages to ensure that the visitors have all of the most pertinent information to make their decisions.
  • Visitors to the site are guided directly to the related vendors in their local areas, and placed directly in contact with them through social media.
  • Make Some Plans Announces Revolutionary Strategy for Event Planning
  • Nicole Stevens on 29 Mar 13
     
    Makesoneplans.com is a site that utilizes social media to connect prospective clients with vendors. This allows a person or group of people to easily become their own event planner.
TIAN LIU

Lessons from Apple & Google Teach Operators to be Leaders in Hospitality | Top Stories | | Hospitality Magazine (HT) - 0 views

hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/...be-Leaders-in-Hospitality83582

hospitality Technology

shared by TIAN LIU on 11 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Hospitality leaders need to become pioneers.  Let’s iterate, take bold risks and be okay with failing fast so we continue to progress and deliver on improving travel experiences.  The next generation of travelers is looking for the creative thought leaders to anticipate needs that travelers don’t even know they are looking for yet.  
  • 1) Add a new product, feature or service into your portfolio every year. 2) Change what you’re doing or who you partner with. Are you successfully operating in Mexico? Add Central America. Cater to the business traveler? Go leisure. 3) Kill the product, then do one better. Not making money in F & B? Close it out at one location and perfect concierge service. 4) Eliminate some of the laborious and outdated notions of a traditional hotel.
  • TIAN LIU on 11 Jan 13
     
    The article was talking about how the hospitality firm can learn something from other industry, technology. As we all know the leader of the IT industry are Google and Apple inc. What is the most successful strategic to attract the customers? Through the article we can obviously find out the chrisma of the product is the most significant thing they have, the customer always expect some new things and improve at their new product, next version, this is the most important point of them to catch the customers' attention.  For the hotel industry, their have a lot similar things with technology area. The invariable system can not have any attraction in modem life, the hospitality leaders need to find out what is wrong with current system and operation and then find the solution. They should substitute some fresh thing for the old one, looking forward for the performance of new version, so the customers will have more increase in greenness and exception of the  new product in the future.
Xiaoqing Zhang

The Virtues of Daydreaming : The New Yorker - 0 views

www.newyorker.com/...he-virtues-of-daydreaming.html

Creativity daydreaming

shared by Xiaoqing Zhang on 31 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • In a culture obsessed with efficiency, mind-wandering is often derided as useless—the kind of thinking we rely on when we don’t really want to think. Freud, for instance, described daydreams as “infantile” and a means of escaping from the necessary chores of the world into fantasies of “wish-fulfillment.”
  • A daydream is that fountain spurting, spilling strange new thoughts into the stream of consciousness. And these spurts turn out to be surprisingly useful.
  • Schooler argues that it’s clear evidence that those twelve minutes of daydreaming allowed the subjects to invent additional possibilities, as their unconscious minds pondered new ways to make use of toothpicks.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • We think we’re wasting time, but, actually, an intellectual fountain really is spurting.
  • Xiaoqing Zhang on 31 Jan 13
     
    Daydreaming sometimes is really meaningfull.
Lu Zhang

hotelsystemsoftware: How to Generate Revenue with Hotel Call Accounting Software - 0 views

hotelsystemsoftware.blogspot.com/...e-revenue-with-hotel-call.html

calling accounting CMS tariff updates

shared by Lu Zhang on 20 Feb 13 - No Cached
  • It is imperative for sophisticated hotel billing software to account for telephone charges, Internet usage, equipment fees, surcharges and taxes in real time.
  • Hotel telecom revenues are now declining at a steady rate of 3 to 6 per cent per year. Hotel general managers and comptrollers are forced to become more creative to meet bottom line objectives for communication.
  • Lu Zhang on 20 Feb 13
     
    Because the calling rates decrease, hotel revenue of calling decline. However, according to this article, hotel can get much profit when using call accounting system. Hotel could track the busy number or peak calling times to set up specific rates or charge plan to maximize revenue from call. Besides, night auditors should pay more attention on reconcile balance between calling bills and hotel calling record, and ensuring the calling accounting system keep the accurate rates for different guests or locations.
Kelly Baptist

Revel Systems Unveils IPad Point-of-Sale Solution For Food Trucks With Twitter Integration :: Restaurant News Resource - 0 views

www.restaurantnewsresource.com/article64895.html

Food Truck POS

shared by Kelly Baptist on 02 Oct 12 - No Cached
  • Revel Systems announced the release of an iPad-based restaurant POS system specially designed for food trucks on the go, complete with Twitter integration.
  • The food-truck solution includes Revel Systems' new Revel Router—a "made-for-iPad" device developed by Revel Systems in conjunction with Apple that allows customers to run their iPad POS systems without additional Internet connection hardware or wiring. Instead, Revel Router accesses an Internet connection directly via the user's Verizon 3G- or 4G-enabled Apple iPad, eliminating the need for an Ethernet router or a MiFi 3G hotspot.
  • "Customers talk and Revel listens. Our customers were expressing frustration with installing other systems inside food trucks, so we set out to help them with a purpose-built solution," said Revel Systems CEO Lisa Falzone.
  • Kelly Baptist on 02 Oct 12
     
    This article introduces Revel System's new Ipad Point of Sale System designed specifically for food trucks. The system includes Revel Router, which allows customers to connect to the internet by using their iPad's built-in 3G or 4G connection. Another highlight of the system is that it intergrates with Twitter, allowing food truck owners to instantly send out location/price/sales updates to their followers. I immediately found this article to be interesting, because my research for this class will center around effective POS systems in food trucks. I feel it was an excellent move on Revel's part to create a system for this unique group. I think they really had food truck owners' best interest in mind, especially in intergrating Twitter with the system. This allows food trucks to communicate easily with their followers, and provides opportunites to boost sales and revenue. I look forward to seeing if any of the food trucks I visit are using this system.
Qianlin Wang

The Impact of IT Investments on Profits - 1 views

sloanreview.mit.edu/...t-of-it-investments-on-profits

IT investments technology

shared by Qianlin Wang on 24 Oct 12 - No Cached
  • Investment in IT had a greater impact on a company’s profits than comparable spending on either advertising or R&D.
  • New research finds that investments companies make in information technology increase profitability more than investments in advertising or R&D do.
  • CEOs often struggle with some critical choices as they allocate their companies’ discretionary dollars among various categories of investments.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Information technology can be used to increase efficiency and reduce costs, or it can be used to support sales growth through, say, customer satisfaction and customer retention strategies.
  • All other things being equal, executives should accord higher priority to IT projects that have the potential for revenue growth over those that focus mainly on cost savings.
  • jie shen on 24 Oct 12
     
    This article talks about how IT investments related to the profits.The IT investments has a significant positive impact on profitability. Investment in IT had a greater impact on a company's profits than comparable spending on either advertising or R&D.  IT investments offer more room for creativity and innovation. IT investments were more effective in improving profitability by increasing revenue than by decreasing operating expenses.
  • Qianlin Wang on 24 Oct 12
     
    In recent years the combination of new types of IT investments and increasingly constrained sources of revenue have conspired to place information technology investments under a scrutiny they have historically avoided. New research finds that investments companies make in information technology increase profitability more than investments in advertising or R&D do. CEOS often struggle with some critical choices as they allocate their companies' discretionary dollars among various categories of investments. Investment in IT had a greater impact on a company's profits than comparable spending on either advertising or R&D. Information technology can be used to increase efficiency and reduce costs, or it can be used to support sales growth through, say, customer satisfaction and customer retention strategies. Industries become more competitive, the effect of IT on profitability increases.
delaneyverger

Thinking Outside the Vendor RFP Process in Hospitality Digital Marketing | By Jason Price - 0 views

www.hospitalitynet.org/...4067389.html

vendor rfp process request for proposal hospitality hotel business tech technology i.t. i.t. investment

shared by delaneyverger on 21 Sep 16 - No Cached
  • Some believe the vendor RFP process allows a hotel company to pick the most qualified service/product provider through an unbiased decision process. Perhaps this is the case for commoditized supplies or services (housekeeping supplies, linens, laundry, etc.) where the RFP process allows for comparing the proverbial "apples to apples."
  • At a typical hotel, who is equipped with the latest best practices in digital technology and marketing to sufficiently and adequately prepare a vendor RFP? Very few hotel companies have the bandwidth and depth of knowledge to adequately identify the digital needs of the property. Nor can they convey the property's needs and wants in the digital space and where it needs to be in 6, 12, 24 and 36 months from now. Lastly, who at the property can afford to devote considerable time to research and prepare a vendor RFP that asks the right questions, conveys the right objectives and provides a solid framework for evaluating and comparing one digital technology and marketing firm to the next?
  • On the hotel side, the typical vendor RFP process easily takes 50+ hours from beginning to end. On the digital technology and marketing vendor side, time to review, respond, and present takes upwards of 25-40 hours. Typically, three vendors compete and with all parties combined the entire RFP process will cost upwards of $15,000-$20,000. Beyond the cost, this process consumes the time and energy of multiple people and departments on an average of every two years for the hotel company.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • The traditional vendor RFP process is not suited for evaluating and choosing a digital technology and marketing partner who will be entrusted to guide the hotel in maximizing revenues from the most important distribution and marketing channel in hospitality: the direct online channel (i.e. the property website). Such an RFP process is typically riddled with contradictions and self-selecting biases, and also represents an antiquated method unsuitable for a fast-paced digital world
  • The traditional vendor RFP process cannot provide answers to crucial questions concerning familiarity with industry's best practices, strategic approach to digital marketing technology and marketing, digital technology innovativeness, quality and depth of direct online channel consulting services, etc
  • Common observations on the RFP experience: It serves as a tool to fulfill administrative requirements or to simply "shop around" when in fact the digital marketing/technology firm has already been privately selected. On paper, every digital technology and marketing firm can present itself at its best and can creatively diminish any weaknesses or embellish any strength. The hotel does not know what questions to ask to get to the heart of what the hotel needs. Digital marketing and technology firms can easily make promises and fall short on delivery and meeting expectations. Over-promising and under-delivering has become modus operandi for a number of players in the industry. Properties can get carried away and request proprietary information like methodologies, access to code, and design work as part of the vendor RFP.
  • Some hotel companies never follow up and leave the evaluated vendors in limbo. Oftentimes hotel companies do not give the digital marketing firm adequate time for proposal development, which demands further use of resources or the delay of other key projects. When management changes, the hotel company is more likely to go into a vendor RFP without evaluating the results and contributions of their current vendor, which can disrupt existing relationships and potentially impede the successes to date. Given the arduous process of the vendor RFP process, there could be a sense of entitlement on both sides that could result in a mutually caustic relationship from the onset.
  • Digital agencies may propose lower costs to win the contract and introduce additional fees later only leading to resentment and regret. Hotels will often push needs beyond the original scope in the vendor RFP and use the proposal as leverage to get more services without paying. Not all digital agencies are the same but as mentioned, any agency can demonstrate on paper its superiority to solve any problem and deliver any service. Behind the scenes an agency can outsource and end up costing the hotel twice what is originally proposed in additional fees.
  • Not all digital agencies are the same but as mentioned, any agency can demonstrate on paper its superiority to solve any problem and deliver any service. Behind the scenes an agency can outsource and end up costing the hotel twice what is originally proposed in additional fees.
  • delaneyverger on 21 Sep 16
     
    This article discusses how the traditional vendor RFP (Request for Proposal) model is no longer the ideal way to integrate the right technology marketing that a hotel needs. The traditional vendor RFP model is time-consuming and expensive, and with the way that technology is constantly expanding and changing, hotels need to stay up-to-date with technology more and more frequently, which can mean this process is wasting time and money on an ever-increasing scale. Furthermore, it is not always an accurate indicator of the kinds of technology a hotel might need, especially what a hotel might need in the future, and it is difficult to determine who would best be capable of knowing what the property will need or what exactly to ask for in an RFP. The article talks about three alternatives to the traditional model: the Scorecard model, the Digital Marketing Partner Interview model, and the Trusted Partner model. With the Scorecard model, hotels have a checklist of things they need and can check off each point from each potential vendor. With the Digital Marketing Partner Interview model, which is similar to the traditional vendor RFP process, except that the interview focused on finding a Digital Marketing Partner that aligns with the hotel's management philosophy, values, and culture in order to find the right partnership. With the Trusted Partner model, the hotel works with one particular company with whom they share common goals and objectives, and they work together to solve problems and adapt new technology as the hotel's technological needs are manifested over time.
Carolina Alfonso

Hoteliers rake in returns through retargeting - 0 views

www.hotelnewsnow.com/...in-returns-through-retargeting

shared by Carolina Alfonso on 06 Apr 12 - No Cached
  • Hotel brands and individual properties are successfully embracing “retargeting” campaigns
  • with really specific information and a relatively small budget, you can give the impression that you’re advertising across the whole Internet
  • Retargeting is serving specific advertisements to travelers after they leave an advertiser's website.
  • ...10 more annotations...
  • is done by displaying ads to the user as they browse the Internet and visit other sites
  • Retargeting "is more effective than traditional push advertising,
  • hotels are looking to get the most efficient advertising out for quality returns. When you know specifically that the person is interested in your product, that’s a big help.”
  • Google’s retargeting program creates far more revenues for the hotel industry than Google Hotel Finder
  • the visitor is served advertisements that are part of Google Display Network.
  • retargeting can be most beneficial for the hotel at the local level.
  • hoteliers can be creative with researching what led the consumer to leave and target them with relevant display ads on other sites.
  • People who go to brand sites are brand loyal
  • Kauffman said online advertising shifted during the past few years and, with tools such as retargeting, has moved from advertisers buying websites to advertisers buying audiences
  • retargeting is about being at the right place at the right time.
  • Carolina Alfonso on 06 Apr 12
     
    Hotels chains as well as independent hotels are using retargeting as a way of making internet advertising campaigns more effective. According to the article one hotel brand said that the average returns of investing in retargeting are between 5-1 and 10-1. Retargeting helps companies to keep advertising to prospective clients even if they have already leaved the page. Advertisements are displayed to users as they visit other sites. According to John Hach, VP of e-marketing solutions for TravelClick, hotels are looking for ways of making advertisement more efficient and what better way of doing this by already knowing who is interested in your product. One of the main advantages of retargeting is that with a small investment and specific information hotels can give the impression that they are advertising through the entire internet. Although there are different media companies that offer retargeting, Google is the leader. Trough Google AdWords a code can be built in a website and when a customer leaves the page a cookie is installed showing they visited the page. After that the user is shown ads that are part of Google Display Network.
  • Melissa Krajewski on 06 Apr 12
     
    I'm trying to understand the re-targeting method explained here. So once the user leaves a webpage Google's 'AdWords' sends them an ad based on key words from the page they just left?
Fei Qi

BBC News - Danish eco-hotel offers pedalpower free meal - 0 views

news.bbc.co.uk/8621038.stm

eco-hotel pedalpower

shared by Fei Qi on 09 Feb 12 - No Cached
  • A Danish hotel is offering a free meal to any guest who is able to produce electricity for the hotel on an exercise bike attached to a generator.
  • Guests will have to produce at least 10 watt hours of electricity - roughly 15 minutes of cycling for someone of average fitness.
  • Fei Qi on 09 Feb 12
     
    This article illustrated that a creative way to produce electricity and at the same time to encourage guests to do sports. The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Copenhagen provides the guests with the equipments just like the bicycles. Guests will have to produce at least 10 watt hours of electricity - roughly 15 minutes of cycling for someone of average fitness. This is a new idea for the hotel to propagandize the green hotel concept and benefits of doing sports. The most important, the hotel uses the free meal to encourage guests to join this interesting activity. Actually, the hotel has already applied the solar panels to produce renewable energy. I think this is a fantastic idea. Firstly, in this environment friendly way, the hotel gets electricity. Secondly, it encourages the guests to do more sports and it is good for their health. As people nowadays do not pay enough attention to sports and this way can encourage them do some sports. Thirdly, it also put the "green hotel" concept into practice and in this way to encourage more and more hotels to generate new ideas to promote the environmentally friendly hotel development. Moreover, this new idea can help the hotel build a good image, as people pay more and more intention to the environment. The practice of the new idea is good opportunity for the hotel to advertise itself.
Zhenzi LV

INNOVATION SOFTWARE - 1 views

www.innovationpms.com

hotel technology Software

shared by Zhenzi LV on 17 Feb 12 - No Cached
  • Zhenzi LV on 17 Feb 12
     
    I have found this creative system which is "innovation software" hotel PMS. Like the cloud-based PMS system, it is low cost and saves money. And it is also flexiable and simple to use. Which is more special it's that it has online training via its elearning portal which save time and money that all staff are fully competent in using the system. The most important reason for this system is that the SaaS is not like the others that the data is hosted locally at the hotel so if the internet is disconnected, the PMS system doesn't. This advantage is more pirior than the others because most of the cons for the other system will face this internet problem. And also, this system doesn't lock the company into a long-term contract which means it is possible to change or stop the contract if the hotels not satisfied with it. I think it is a good choice for the small hotels to choose. What's more, this system releases software to all clients every quarter, at the meanwhile, it would deeply value the clients feedback and use it. In its website, the client has the right to calculate the savings for detailed requirements. For instance you can enter the no. of the bedrooms and the average room rate, then the % commission charged on web bookings and so on. After you follow the fomula that it presented, it will calculate for you. It also has a online demo for free as long as you quickly sign up. And the clients are available to see clearly about all the services listed on the website. One of the service I want to mention is the ePOS integration which this software completely re-developed the way POS & PMS communicate with each other and eradicated the dreaded "Micro interface" standard. It's just like a wonderful package to deal with all the complex situations.
  • Wei Ding on 17 Feb 12
     
    Unlike traditional collaborative software ventures which emphasize open communication across an entire organization, innovation management software is more selective in how different members of the company interact. It is ranked by reputation which reflect more accurate information.
Caroline Hardenbergh

Brand DNA key to Hilton's new design website - 1 views

www.hotelnewsnow.com/...-to-Hiltons-new-design-website

hotel technology hospitality software tech travel brand hilton design website

shared by Caroline Hardenbergh on 30 Jun 12 - No Cached
  • Caroline Hardenbergh on 30 Jun 12
     
    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.
Hanlu Hu

E-Commerce for the Hospitality Industry | The Moscow Times - 6 views

www.themoscowtimes.com/...449373.html

technology

shared by Hanlu Hu on 30 May 12 - No Cached
  • E-commerce has been defined as "the buying and selling of products and services by businesses and consumers over the Internet."
  • Accelerating Internet usage worldwide The Internet is the lowest cost hotel-booking channel Most travelers research hotel reservations on the Internet Social media and online hotel reviews are an increasingly important decision factor The web is the preferred media source for travel information, favored 17:1 over television and 6:1 over newspapers and magazines.
  • Adding real time search functionality to your site, capability to generate user reviews, launching contests helps to build fresh content and quality links
  • ...9 more annotations...
  • Heavy graphics, animation and flash demos cause your site to perform slowly. Sites that are built keeping these guidelines in mind will deliver better user experiences, will perform better on search engines, and ultimately drive higher ROI.
  • As things stand now, mobile queries represent about 10% of all queries made on Google. People are using mobile devices to conduct searches, as well as share content, connect with friends and browse the web
  • Embracing social media. 93 percent of social media users expect companies to have a social presence. 85 percent of social media users want companies to interact with them on social sites. A well-planned social initiative can turn fans into brand evangelists.
  • The Internet has consolidated itself as a very powerful platform that has changed the way we communicate, and the way we do business.
  • The growing importance of e-commerce in the modern hospitality industry has created an urgent need for simple solutions to manage companies' online presence. Now that each hotel is involved in e-commerce, why is hotel e-commerce so important today?
  • We forget that the human brain can only consume limited information. It is important to take a holistic approach and prioritize information. Good web site architecture and organized content improves site usability and its efficiency when used with search engines.
    • yan xie
      yan xie on 03 Jun 12
       
      It is true that we always forge how many information the human brain will take at once. Although the e-commerce is the good way for customers to know the new products and new service from the hotels, sometimes the hotels provide so much information to customers. It lets customers confused and does not know what the specifice products can meet their requirements. And sometimes, they feel some hard to understand your service so that they give up hotels service or new products to choose the one they are familiar. So how to make e-commerce usability and efficiency is a new point, which the hospitality industry company need to consider.
  • make sure your ad groups are made up of tightly knit keyword themes and that those keywords are reflected in your ad copy; ensure that your landing pages clearly reflect the offer promoted in the ad copy and includes clear calls to action and conversion factors.
    • yan xie
      yan xie on 03 Jun 12
       
      As the point two mentioned, the customers cannot get so many information at once, and they also cannot search lots of information at once. So the keyword themes is also another important thing for company to do the promotion and ads. This ads need to have the keywords to clearly reflect the offer promoted for customers. In this way, the customers will catch the information as possible as they can.
  • Top e-commerce sites are continually testing new things. It's the only way to achieve continual improvement.
    • yan xie
      yan xie on 03 Jun 12
       
      To do the continually testing new things is always a best development way for the developing company. If the company cannot test the new things in their e-commerce sites and e-commerce process, the e-commerce of this company will be far away from other companies. Company need to have the innovation to make some new things for their e-commerce and do the test all the time to select the best way for the business and customers' expericence.
  • hospitality industry has always been among the first to capitalize on new technologies
  • Gerardo Collado on 30 May 12
     
    The hospitality industry along with the resourcefulness of the Internet has allowed the Russian hospitality industry to benefit and grow with the technology of e-commerce. E-commerce is defined as "the buying and selling of products and service by businesses and consumers over the Internet". This technology is significant due to its beneficial factors of lowering costs, accessibility, decision-making, and media exposure. As well, the article provides for methods and advice regards effective strategies to utilize the Internet. Primarily, the speed of the website's functionality is essential, along with providing compatibility of browsers, thus, allowing for a better experience for users. The information in the website should be efficient, allowing for real time search whether using a mobile phone or a computer. It was informative to read the multiple functionality, that social media is playing in the hospitality industry regards the exposure and marketability. E-commerce has change the market of goods and services, from a tangible experience to digital experience, through the use of online shopping estimated at $228 Billion in 2010, a third derived from the purchase of travel and flight websites, thus, demonstrating the importance of the Internet in relation to consumerism.
  • ...7 more comments...
  • Avril Emmanuel on 01 Jun 12
     
    This article talks about why hotel E-commerce is essential today and how to go about having E-commerce work for your business/hotel. The article says, "The internet has consolidated itself as a very powerful platform that has changed he way we communicate, and the way we do business." This is the reason why businesses need to utilize the internet. According to the article these are the reasons that hotel e-commerce is important today: the internet is being used worldwide, the internet is the lowest cost hotel-booking medium, the internet is used, by travelers, to research hotels and their reservations, the internet is the home of social media and hotel reviews and the internet is preferred 17:1 over television and 6:1 over newspapers and magazines for travel information. It would be at a hotel's detriment if they do not utilize the internet and e-commerce. It isn't enough to use e-commerce for business but there must be an upkeep. It is extremely beneficial to research or monitor how customers and potential consumers are seeking information and what attracts them to a site. According to the article, e-commerce strategies that would 'help get the best from the internet world' are: 1. Search-friendly website design 2. Improving Conversion and Usability 3. Paid Search 4. Real time Search 5. Mobile Device Market 6. Social Media 7. Testing
  • yan xie on 03 Jun 12
     
    This article mentioned why the ecommerce important for the hospitality industry. And also there are more things they hospitality industry companies need to know. Although the e-commerce is the good way for customers to know the new products and new service from the hotels, sometimes the hotels provide so much information to customers. It lets customers confused and does not know what the specific products can meet their requirements. And sometimes, they feel some hard to understand your service so that they give up hotels service or new products to choose the one they are familiar. So how to make e-commerce usability and efficiency is a new point, which the hospitality industry company need to consider. As the point two mentioned, the customers cannot get so many information at once, and they cannot search lots of information at once. So the keyword themes is also another important thing for company to do the promotion and ads. This ads need to have the keywords to clearly reflect the offer promoted for customers. In this way, the customers will catch the information as possible as they can. It is true that we always forge how many information the human brain will take at once. To do the continually testing new things is always a best development way for the developing company. If the company cannot test the new things in their e-commerce sites and e-commerce process, the e-commerce of this company will be far away from other companies. Company need to have the innovation to make some new things for their e-commerce and do the test all the time to select the best way for the business and customers' experience.
  • xiyu wang on 16 Sep 12
     
    This article discusses about the application of e-commerce in hospitality industry. Internet has become a very powerful tool for customers when they are planing their travels. As the same time, it has become an important media for hotelierss to improve their businesses. Internet can provider a lot of online sources to customers when they make any dicisions. And how to make your web site become more competitive and attract more customers is the topic of this article. First of all, a good design for the web site is the most important thing for hotelierss. And the download speed is the basic factor. Quick download speed brings a good experience to users, and improves the ranking in organic search. Secondly, improving usability needs to be focused on by hotelierss. Large imformation may not be took in by users. You need to make your customers seethe most important information first. In other word, you need to prioritize your web site and make the imformation more understood. Paid search and real time search are also focused on by the author. Sometimes, paid search can make your hotel more compelling on the search engine. And some tips have been given in this articel to help the hotelierss to maximize conversions. Real time search is similar with paid search, and it needs compelling fresh content and quality incoming links on the web site. Maps, photo galleries, videos and press releases are creative ways to distrivute content on different channels. With more mobiles customers using, mobile represent about 10% of all queries make on Google. Hotels can exand the mobile market and improve the download speed of their site by avoid heavy graphics and flash, making their site is mobile compatible. Social media is in the same condition with mobile. Customers need more connections on social sites, so they want companies to interact with them through the social media. The last point is testing. Every new thing needs a lot of tests. It can provides changes and improvement for
  • Gaby Belardo on 16 Sep 12
     
    The article discusses power of internet and how different it is from magazine and television ads. "In terms of time your travel websites are available for are accessible for a longer period of time, the flexibility that the content can be changed without asking someone,if you have a content management system." Also travel websites will help your business potentially reach a wider audience. Another big advantage of having a travel website is it's availability even when your business is closed or no one is available to answer your phone. Everyone knows that there are so many time zones, and the visitors can come from any part of the world. So having a travel websites gives your travel business visibility for all 365 days of year 24x7.
  • Xiameng Zheng on 30 Jan 13
     
    In hospitality industry, customers are constantly seeking new sources of information to help them make decisions before purchasing services. E-commerce in hospitality industry is about the online buying and selling services. And it's become such an important source for the company and customer. Hospitality businesses are all involved in the trend. Smart hoteliers need to keep a sharp focus on the fundamental shift in ways customers are seeking information and channels that drive maximum return on investment. This article listed several basic e-commerce strategies that will help hoteliers to get the best from the Internet world.
  • Marcos Oliveira on 31 Jan 13
     
    As new technological advances are being made, the hospitality industry has always been among the first to capitalize on new technologies. The term e-commerce has been defined as the buying and selling of products and services by businesses and consumers over the internet. Now that hotels are involved directly with e-commerce it becomes even more important today because of the accelerating internet usage worldwide,the internet is still the lowest cost channel for booking, many travelers make their travel decisions via the internet. Embracing social media, 93% of social media users expect companies to have a social presence and 85% of social media users want comoanies to interact with them on social sites. A well-planned social iniative can turn fans into brand evangelists. This article dealt mainly with a brief introduction of what e-commerce is in terms of its defining and what it means to the hospitality industry. With more and more people utilizing the internet each day, the potential to have a person book a hotel room greatly increases. Several search engines have advertisements relating to many hotel companies offering specials and customers will see these ads and book. With more technological advances bound to come into play, its only a matter of time before the practice of e-commerce is taken to another level.
  • Ling Xiang on 31 Jan 13
     
    Over the last decade the population of Internet users has increased rapidly. The hospitality industry has always been among the first to capitalize on new technologies. E-commerce has been defined as "the buying and selling of products and services by businesses and consumers over the Internet." With hotel e-commerce, the landscape of the hospitality industry is forever changed. Online sales are an important part of the business. The growing importance of e-commerce in the modern hospitality industry has created an urgent need for simple solutions to manage companies' online presence. Now that each hotel is involved in e-commerce, reasons why is hotel e-commerce so important today may because the accelerating internet usage worldwide, the Internet is the lowest cost hotel-booking channel, and social media and online hotel reviews are an increasingly important decision factor.
  • Panpan Xie on 31 Jan 13
     
    E-commerce has become more and more important in our daily life, because many customers today prefer to use internet to help them make decisions. In hospitality industry, e-commerce also plays an important role, as internet is a very cheap and convenient booking channel and many people use the internet intensively. There are many e-commerce strategies for hoteliers, such as making friendly web site design, embracing social media, etc. As e-commerce has so many advantages, I think e-commerce is an opportunity for hoteliers to grasp. It is important for hoteliers to use different strategies to get the best from the internet world.
  • Hanlu Hu on 02 Feb 13
     
        This article introduced the function of ecommerce and the ecommerce effect for the hospitality industry. The author listed some important reasons about why hotel ecommerce is so important:1)Accelerating Internet usage worldwide.2)The Internet is the lowest cost hotel-booking channel. 3) Most travelers research hotel reservations on the Internet. 4)Social media and online hotel reviews are an increasingly important decision factor. 5) The web is the preferred media source for travel information, favored 17:1 over television and 6:1 over newspapers and magazines. This article also listed some basic e-commerce strategies that will help hoteliers to take advantage of ecommerce from the Internet world. 1) Search-friendly web site design.2) Improve conversion and usability 3) Paid search. 4) Real time search - natural ranking.5) Mobile.6) Embracing social media. 7) Test, test, test. Top e-commerce sites are continually testing new things.      In a summary, the author suggest smart hoteliers need to keep a sharp focus on the fundamental shift in ways customers are seeking information and channels that drive maximum return on investment. Moreover, hoteliers have to constantly learn and look for ways to harness the power of new developments and trends.
Laura Montoya

At Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, 'Little' Steps Add Up to 'One Big Green Initiative' | Green Lodging News - 0 views

www.greenlodgingnews.com/mick-place-little-steps-add-up

initiative lodging green

shared by Laura Montoya on 01 Sep 12 - No Cached
  • Perhaps even more impressive than its energy and water savings is the hotel’s recycling and composting accomplishments. In 2008 the hotel recycled 85 tons of materials; in 2009 that number grew to 137 tons. Last year 116 tons was recycled. In late June of last year, a food waste decomposition machine was installed in the loading dock area. The leased machine uses heat, and bacteria treated wood chips to accelerate the decomposition process. Over the remainder of 2010, 110 tons of food waste was composted. “We need to generate at least a few hundred pounds a day to make it [financially] worthwhile,” Martin says of the machine. The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place recycles the following: office paper, newspaper, glass, metal cans, plastic containers, glass, construction waste, cardboard (four to six tons per month), used bulbs, batteries and ballasts, electronics and pallets. Recycling containers are placed throughout the hotel in public areas and guestrooms include a plastic bag for guests to insert recyclables.
  • “Our focus is to do a lot of the little things that add up to one big green initiative.”
  • reduced its electricity consumption by 12.7 percent from 2009 to 2010 and its water consumption by 24.4 percent.
  • Nelson Placa on 01 Sep 12
     
    Travelers prefer to stay at green hotels. Major corporations such as Marriott, Hyatt, and Hilton & Starwood are looking for ways to integrate green into their hotels while conserving water and energy. Not only is the focus on going green going to impact the environment but also will impact the bottom line which is the dollars. This article shows how the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois has been able to go green to benefit both the company and the environment. The amount of items they are able to recycle is amazing; it is great that the company can also focus on the disposal of foods. As we continue to focus on the environment, more and more companies will continue to find ways to help reduce cost while protecting the environment. At the Walt Disney World Resort, guest can tour facilities and are educated on how the company impacts the environment through their recycling programs worldwide.
  • Laura Montoya on 02 Sep 12
     
    This article talks about the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and the different steps they have taken to Go Green. They have significantly reduced their water and electricity consumption with the "When not in use, turn off the juice" project. Along with saving water and energy, they have also begun recycling. They recycle, paper, plastic, cardboard, light bulbs and the list goes on. They are also taking the time to educate their employees as well. "To encourage participation in programs such as 'When Not in Use, Turn Off the Juice,' employee awareness days are held. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are given to employees to help them save energy at home." The hotel has a green team who meet quarterly to continue growing in their sustainability initiatives. The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place is Green Key certified and has been recognized and awarded for their Green efforts.
Dalton Draper

Tech Trends: In-Room Telephones | Hotel Management - 2 views

www.hotelmanagement.net/...rends-in-room-telephones-16786

tech trends telephones hotel management

shared by Dalton Draper on 06 Sep 12 - No Cached
  • Although much in-room telephone development has focused on the move to VoIP technology, there are still ways to upgrade the telephone hardware to continue to satisfy guests and protect the bottom line.
  • Bittel Americas is the integration of the phone, alarm and dock with USB port.
  • “I’d rather leave my iPhone on the nightstand than on the desk. We recognized this as a universal issue for all hotels and figured there’s something we can do to provide an integrated device that includes a phone, alarm, mp3 iPhone dock and so on.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • adding a desktop device, but it takes up too much space
  • very little revenue comes from phones. The less money hoteliers spend maintaining phones, the better.”
  • That’s people’s content on there, they have almost all their info at their fingertips on that device. … An in-room device probably makes more sense if we were to design our product in such a way that works well with these smartphones instead of trying to compete against them.”
  • Dalton Draper on 06 Sep 12
     
    This article talks about how hotels are trying to upgrade the in room phones to better serve the guest they receive. They have started to think of ways to integrate the phones to have USB ports for charging smart phones or thinking of ways to actually have a tablet available on the night stand. Some companies have even decided to downgrade their phones to save on maintaince cost since most people have smart phones or tablets with all their information on it.
  • Jenna Rashbaum on 06 Sep 12
     
    I think this is a great article that you found. It is true that people do not really use the in-room telephones anymore unless it is to call down to the front desk and then still the hotel is not making money on it. If they had an all-in-one phone, alarm, USB port, mp3 people would get a lot more use and be happier with it. These devices should start to come to major hotels and see how they work and then go from there to be everywhere
AQUEELAH THOMPSON

iPhone as hotel room key? Technology offers 'high level of security,' tech chief says - USATODAY.com - 0 views

travel.usatoday.com/...1

hotel technology security

shared by AQUEELAH THOMPSON on 21 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • Holiday Inn next month will begin testing technology that lets you convert your iPhone into your room key - but several readers said they're too skeptical to try it.
  • "It's new," he said. "Those questions are all valid questions."
  • The basics: Guests who opt to try "fast check-in" will give the hotel their smartphone number and download Open Ways' app. Then, two or three days before arrival, they'll receive a text message containing their room number and a unique and encrypted sound code that they'll use to unlock their hotel-room door.
  • Fei Qi on 21 Jan 12
     
    This article is about technology of combining the room key with the iphones. Holiday Inn will test this technology next month. Though this is a creative idea, some people may feel skeptical to try the new room keys. As this technology is new, some guests may not accept that use the cell phone as their room keys and there are many questions come into being with this new technology. For hotels, they must think about the using guests' iphones as the room keys is optional or required. The article also illustrates how the iphone works and what will happen if the iphone is lost or stolen. Besides, more hotels will test this new technology and the technology will work with regular cell phones. In my opinion, combining the cell phones with the room keys is a good idea, because many customers today use iphones today, and almost everyone takes a cell phone when live in the hotel. It is convenient for the guests to use their cell phones as the room keys. This technology can give guests fast check-in because before the guests arrive, they will receive a text massage containing their room number and a unique and encrypted sound code that they'll use to unlock their hotel-room door. When they arrive at the hotel, they can directly go to their rooms. It also can reduce front desk's work. . However, security is still the main factor that the guests will concern and there are some risks if the cell phones lost or stolen. Besides, some guests may prefer to use traditional room key and may not accept the change. It relies on the Open Ways (the secured network) and can work with more brands of cell phones. I consider hotels can provide this technology for the guests as an option because some guests prefer the traditional room keys while some like the new technology.
  • AQUEELAH THOMPSON on 03 Apr 12
     
    This article is about the use of I-Phone of Blackberry as your room key. It explains that Holiday Inn will be trying this new technology and many guests are not sure about trying it out. Many guests are not sure about trying it and question how safe it can be. The article explains that this new technology is not required and is rather an opinion. The article explained how it works and is simply a code sent to the customer to their phone and this is used to open the door and the code is only used once and resets every time. The article goes on to explain that there is no issues if the phone is lost or stolen because the codes aren't saved to the phone but rather the server the app runs on. I feel that this is a new cool way to technology. However, I don't see where it is anymore secure than a room key and really it doesn't make the process any easier. I feel its new and innovative but its not the best idea.
ying jiang

New Pay-at-the-Table Solution Uses Digital Bill Folder to Reduce Skimming | Products | Hospitality Magazine (HT) - 0 views

hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/...Folder-to-Reduce-Skimming77757

bill digital

shared by ying jiang on 20 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • . The patented digital bill folder enables restaurant customers to self-swipe credit or debit cards at the table.
  • The basic RAIL system includes POS integration, the BaseStation, a secure wireless system, a set of RAIL devices (generally 1 device per every 3 tables), and monthly maintenance.
  • ying jiang on 20 Jan 12
     
    Generally, digital bill folder provides solution to two kinds of problem : simplifying the checking procedure and reducing skimming.
chunxia gao

40 ways to a greener hotel | Hotel Management Asia - 2 views

hma.hotelworldasia.com/...40-ways-greener-hotel

green initiatives environmental energy sustainability

shared by chunxia gao on 20 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • . Ozone laundry systems reduce the Water, Energy and Chemicals used by the wash.
  • 12. "Green roofs" create energy savings by acting as super insulators, keeping buildings warm in the winter and cool in the summer. They also serve as a storm water management systems, catching pollutants as they drain off the roofs. 
  • 32. Use electric buffet warmers rather than canned fuels.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • 35. Offer guests bicycles for short trips instead of driving.
  • 40. Plant a garden and harvest organically-grown vegetables for your restaurant.
  • chunxia gao on 20 Jan 12
     
    This article includes standards and suggestions to operate green hotels. The 40 ways include electricity saving, water saving, recycling systems and other environmental friendly usage method. For example, it mentioned to use digital control to HVAC systems, key card to control lights in guest rooms, using CFL bulbs to save electricity. It mentioned as possible as you can to paperless or recycle paper. Use ozone laundry system to reduce cost, water energy and chemicals use. Give leftover food and amenities to charities. An interesting thing, it also mentioned plant a garden and harvest organically-grown vegetables for your restaurant, a best way to save cost and treat food debris. The highlight ways are what interesting in my mind.
  • ...3 more comments...
  • Diane Cacho on 21 Jan 12
     
    I really like this concept, it's an excellent idea to help save energy and better the environment in the Hotel Industry. Such as in room recycling, laundry systems that help out the ozone layer by reducing the water, energy and chemicals used in the wash. I would never think of biodegradable 100% recycled room keys, great idea considering people throw them away carelessly and loose them often. In the Hospitality Industry I understand that first-rate service is a must but little things such as not asking for a new bath towel every hotel night can save a lot electricity and water. The fact that they are considering a linen and towel reuse program I am sure this would be very beneficial and will help lower energy costs.
  • YONGHE FAN on 21 Jan 12
     
    This article provides numerous detailed ways of helping hotels get greener and some of them are really make sense. For example, the No.12 about the green roofs that keep building warm in the winter and cool in the summer by acting as super insulators. That is perfect that it help to reduce the use of air-conditioning which would pollute our air and weather. As for the last one about the idea of planting a garden, I have to admit that that is a creative idea but hard to implement. If a hotel wants to plan a vegetables garden that big enough for hotel consumption, the cost would be a problem against the hotel's profits.
  • Bing Liu on 21 Jan 12
     
    This is a very useful and practical article about how hospitality facilities can go green. Going Green should not be just a slogan that hotels post on their walls. It requires people's attention and it needs to be implemented in the right way. Programs like towels reuse program and paper recycle programs are being implemented in most of the hotels. However, there are still hotels that have no sense of sustainable development. Management is important in implementing these actions and they could be good examples for their teams in energy-saving activities.
  • Jingyi Wen on 22 Jan 12
     
    This article provides clarified information about what the hotel should do to be green. This is a valuable guideline for hotel to be a greener hotel. Nowadays more and more hotels bring in new technology to save energy, I know this action can bring many benefits to hotel, but some not mature technology may bring trouble for hotel. I read a story talk about the solar powered energy management system. With this system's control the air conditioner will turn down automatically when there is no person in the room. But sometimes it can turn down the air conditioner when the guests fall asleep. How to deal with this kind of problem is also a big challenge for hospitality industry.
  • angelamenoher on 31 Jan 12
     
    If your hotel is interested in being certified for Florida Green Lodging or just want tips visit http://diigo.com/0mwfk
Ligia Elizondo

Tourism Fiji in search of an advertising partner - News - Advertising - Campaign Asia-Pacific - 1 views

www.campaignasia.com/...of-an-advertising-partner.aspx

shared by Ligia Elizondo on 27 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • A key outcome of that anaysis was that taking a global approach to brand communications would create a range of new opportunities and help to ensure Tourism Fiji a maximum return on its marketing investments.
  • "We’ve already had a huge response of agencies wishing to work with one of the world’s most magical brands," he said.
  • Ligia Elizondo on 27 Jan 12
     
    The agency "Tourism Fiji" will be implementing a new global brand and accompanying communications style, which would take place in each of the Tourism Fiji's international and local markets. This decision was based in accordance of the destination marketing audit of 2011. "A key outcome of that analysis was that taking a global approach to brand communications would create a range of new opportunities and help to ensure Tourism Fiji a maximum return on its marketing investments." The Tourism Fiji agency have received great ideas and proposals of agencies that are very interested in working with them because it will give them an opportunity to make their name known in the industry. These agencies are required to make a full pitch encompassing a full creative and strategic proposal. Michael Meade, acting chief executive officer of Tourism Fiji, claims "the association had already had strong levels of interest from the industry, despite only announcing the pitch on 24 January." Thanks to its communication campaigns, marketing strategies and networking, Tourism Fiji will attract great interest in new markets which will bring a lot of businesses to the agency.
Alexandra Givner

New website lets hotels bid for your business - 0 views

travel.usatoday.com/...1

B2C intermediaries hotel reservation technology marketing

shared by Alexandra Givner on 02 Feb 12 - No Cached
  • Alexandra Givner on 02 Feb 12
     
    A very interesting website that allows users to post an existing hotel reservation and then receive "bids" from other hotels in the area to give the user better offers and deals. It essentially allows the hotels to pursue customers, allowing them to take advantage of offers such as upgrades and amenities. As mentioned in the article, the website is very user friendly and transparent - allowing users to get a good feel for the hotels that are "bidding" on them. I believe this website is a very interesting and creative application. The company has put an innovative twist on e-marketing that allows for the user to feel "wanted" by the hotels. By giving a customer so many options, they are able to create a competitive lodging market and hopefully, in turn increase profits in the industry.
Jiaqi Xu

How to Generate Revenue with Hotel Call Accounting Software - 2 views

ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Generate-Revenue-with-Hotel-Call-Accounting-Software&id=94261

hotel technology

shared by Jiaqi Xu on 07 Feb 12 - No Cached
  • Jingyi Wen on 07 Feb 12
     
    Billing software is important for the hotel. It can helps the hotel account for telephone charges, Internet usage, equipment fees, surcharges and taxes in real time. With the declining of the telecom revenue the new call accounting modules should adapt to new market competition. Some of the hotel adjusting room rate to balance the telecom revenue lost. Even though the use of the telecom is declining, proper use hotel call accounting system can still bring profit. The accounting system can provide traffic reports identify grade of service, peak calling hours, and the number of trunks the hotel should have to run telecom smoothly. The calling accounting report can show where guests are calling. It is easy for hotel find its target market and negotiate better tariff plans. The call accounting system can make fewer mistakes than the night auditor. All calls are being record with the help of calling accounting system. Hotel should update the critical information in calling accounting system monthly and all the properties use the same tariff table and follow the same guidelines. In this way hotel can avoid inaccurate billing and lost revenue.
  • ...2 more comments...
  • Carl Miller on 09 Feb 12
     
    This is an interesting article as hotels have to adjust from guests using the room telephones and hotel internet to using their cell phones and mobile networks. Hotels do need to compensate for that loss in revenue but it is hard to charge much for internet service when guests can go down the block to Starbucks and get it for free. With these changes, it makes it even more important to hotels' bottom lines to have the right call accounting system in place making sure they don't miss out on any collectible monies. Good article Jingyi.
  • Fei Qi on 02 Mar 12
     
    This article is about how to generate revenue from the hotel call accounting system. Travelers involve the business travelers and family travelers all need to keep in touch with others. Therefore, it is important for sophisticated hotel billing software to account for telephone charges, Internet usage, and equipment fees. Sometimes your telephone charges could account for a larger cost than the room rate. The article also compared the old call accounting system and the new ones. Old call accounting system would generally been left in the back room logging long distance call records from a PBX serial port. Nowadays, hotel managers become creative in using new call accounting modules or more appropriately a communication management system .Properly utilization of a hotel call accounting system can help hotel generate high profits. Proactive hotel properties use call accounting reports to determine calling patterns that show where guests are calling. These statistics help the hotel target marketing and negotiate better tariff plans. As hotel provides more communication facilities, the communication management system will be required to account for hotel cell phones, calls made with authorization codes, internet service, hand held devices and other guest amenities.
  • Jiaqi Xu on 02 Mar 12
     
    Hotel call accounting software or hotel accounting software in short is a system records telephonic activity, translates it into relevant data and arranges it in reports, graphs, charts etc for analysis. In the hospitality industry, the call accounting software plays an important role as an interface between the hotel management/staff and the customers. Call accounting products allow hotels/motels to bill guests for all phone calls that the property will have to pay for, recovering costs.Managers can also detect phone misuse or abuse, optimize phone system performance, allocate telecom costs by department or extension, set special rates for VIP guests, and decrease billing errors.
  • Wei Ding on 03 Mar 12
     
    Using accounting system to generate revenue for hotel is a great way. Today, revenue management is strong relay on those more accounting system. Properly use accounting system can support hotel generate more profits. Also, proactive hotel properties use call accounting reports to determine calling patterns that show where guests are calling. All these data help the hotel target marketing and negotiate better tariff plans.
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