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This article explains the importance of being safe on a ship despite what has happened in the past. In the past, many ships have sunk and other incidents have occurred. When such incidents like these happen, it comes down to the officers acting in a professional manner to make sure their guests are all safe. Life- saving equipment include lifeboats, rafts and lifejackets.

UK-based Diet Chef delivers ready-made low-fat meals to some 25,000 customers. With current sales of around 30m dollars in 2011, founder Kevin Dorren is planning an aggressive expansion into Italy, France and Germany.  Issues of payment methods (Germans don't use credit cards online), where to source ingredients, shipping to and from the UK, and whether or not it's blasphemous for an Italian to eat lasagna made in Britain are proving to be quite challenging. 

Summary: The variety of gifting options has grown from a simple plastic gift card to virtual cards delivered by email, text, debit/credit cards and more. The prediction for 2013 will exceed a billion dollars of digital gifting for the holiday season and continue to grow. Digital gift cards have made giving easy due to the convenience of redemption. Paper coupons have proven to be successful to draw in consumer activity, but the digital revolution in virtual gifting is expected to explode as people are so connected to their mobile devices. Even with the convenience and growing popularity of digital gifting comes barriers and security issues. Such issues include personal banking security and privacy. Some small to midsize businesses may not be able to participate in digital gifting due to cost barriers or lack of technology. Due to electronic process, paper receipts will be obsolete. Computers aren't perfect so how does one resolve dollar discrepancies. One benefit of virtual giving is the bar codes/QR codes. Companies are able to collect and retain additional information of givers and receivers by scanning the bar code/QR Code. Often people are reluctant to provide contact information, but in this case they aren't being asked, they have no choice. This is a benefit to the companies because they can make other promotional offers to engage and possibly retain both parties, thereby increasing sales. There are a variety of methods of virtual gifting and redemption. One example is Giftly. Giftly adds the value of the gift to the recipient's credit or debit card which can be used anywhere. This is super convenient for many people and they are able to choose whatever they wish rather than receive a gift chosen for them. This is certainly the digital age version of sending a check via mail to a loved one. Other corporate examples that have impacted the transition from plastic gift cards to virtual gifting are Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Applebee's and Starbu

As iPhone 6s begin shipping to pre-order purchasers tonight, this article is very timely for retailers everywhere. Apple already has the support of the big three credit card companies (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express) covering 83% of all credit cards out there. They also have buy in from a variety of companies including: Disney, Subway, McDonalds, Walgreens and many more. 220,000 stores are already ready to accept contactless payments . The system uses a combination of hardware, software and biometrics to keep the transactions secure. No actual card data ever leaves the phone. All transactions have unique codes and store personnel never get their hands on a card. Apple may have finally broken the code to making shopping easier and more secure.

Apple Pay is going to solve so many issues when it comes to security and fraud. By using biometrics it will be nearly impossible for people to use credit cards that are not theirs. Disney is already set up to start using Apple Pay and it will be so interesting to see how guests react to using this method of payment. Although we already use biometrics when guests enter the main entrance of our theme parks at Disney the idea of giving biometric information has not appealed to all of our guests. Biometrics are something many companies will be using in the future as an extra step in security and it will be essential that people adjust to this change.

Greetings everyone! Proximity marketing is a great success for the companies to share their items available for sale or use. This is also a great way to communicate with the customers from a distance and to have them feel part of the family, an important part. it is interesting how it works and detects users on a radius, but it is also very important to yet be a little distanced and keep customer's confidence safe at the same time. I found this article interesting ...

I chose this article as I am an avid user of Trip Advisor! After watching the E-Commerce lecture, I actually started researching more on facial recognition used in the hospitality industry, both in marketing and to keep guests safe. Using facial recognition for safety actually came up quite a bit; specifically as Professor Cilli mentioned on cruise ships to help track and potentially stop a predator or threatening guest. This article is on Trip Advisor's new badge system, that intends to flag hotels if reports or media comes out including sexual assault, crime, and other potential threats to travelers. The idea started from a case filed against Trip Advisor for taking down comments claiming a security guard at a Mexican resort had sexually assaulted a guest who had stayed there. Trip Adivisor claims that at the time, the comment was removed due to explicit material. Not only has Trip Advisor promised to keep comments like this published on their pages, but if taken down they will tell users what exactly flagged their system to take it down. Users will easily be able to adjust their wording and repost. While the exact wording of the badge does not specifically detail why the hotel was flagged (see wording annotated above), as a traveler it would definitely make me think twice. From a management standpoint, getting flagged like this on one of the most used travel websites could completely halt business and create financial strain for months. The badge will last for at least three months and in that time could be seen by thousands of visitors. I hope this small step for Trip Advisors forces hotels to take big step in terms of safety and security with who they are hiring and tracking who is on property.

In The Proven Principles Podcast, Ron Swidler explains the future of hotel bars and food & beverage operations - it's robots! This is a part of a larger presentation on the Hotel of Tomorrow" - https://www.hospitalitynet.org/video/69001240.html https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2020/09/the-hotel-of-tomorrow-project-showcases-future-design-and-technology-concepts/ Clearly MSC Cruises anticipated this and included a hefty chunk of capital expenditure budget for this technology investment. They also tried to incorporate the 'human touch' so ingrained in hospitality interactions.

In this article, there are examples of what is going to arise in the upcoming years with Royal Caribbean newest vessels. They have an astronomical event for tasting. In this event the backgrounds will shatter and manifest into something else.

The initial focus of this article is on the cruise line industry's multi-billion undertaking in developing new energy efficient technology. The technology that will be deployed will be integrated with the cruise system in order to assist in reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030. BioHiTech Global, Inc has taken a leading role with the development of their new system - Revolution Series Digesters. This system provides both supplies and continuous cloud-based analytics that will help its inaugural client, Carnival Corporation, to reduce their environmental footprint.

Before the pandemic, companies were afraid to invest in cloud due to the concerns of the cost, time, and security. But in today's world technology is something companies need to adopt. It's time for travel companies to see the cloud for what it is, the passport to future value. All sections can benefit from this technology including hotels, airlines, and airports. This is the best time to invest into technology to benefit the industry by taking a deep relook at strategy, organization, practices, technology, and talent function. As travel is being rebuilt, cloud-related investments will deliver higher returns on capital than investment in new aircraft, new hotels, and new ships. This is the perfect time to invest into cloud adoption.

Using biometrics to allow people access to events and keep track of their whereabouts is becoming more and more common across several industries including hospitality. Although seemingly helpful and more efficient that regular tickets or keys, there also seem to be concerns about the security. However, many believe that although these concerns exist, the use of biometrics is one of the safest verification routes currently.

This article discusses some of the technological disruptors in the hospitality industry and provides a couple examples specific to hotels. Some of these examples include pop-up hotels, facial recognition, and robots. The article provides a couple reasons why each of these innovative technologies could be beneficial or negative for hotels. Overall, the article provides some good insight into the future of technology in hotels.

This article covered various disruptors in the hotel industry from the check in process down to automation & self service for guests. Implementing facial recognition to speed up check ins for guest, using voice assistants to substitute daily hotel operations, & using robots for automation are all things that can become more prevalant amongst the hotel industry as it may seem more cost efficient.

Every year, technological advances are made in each industry, including the hospitality industry. These advances are often seen as threats according to this article, however, they might also pose as great opportunities for the industry and its stakeholders. The article highlights some of the major disruptors in the hospitality industry. Trends such as facial recognition and robots were among those mentioned. I found that both of these trends have negative and positive aspects to them. Facial recognition would reduce the time spent checking in significantly, however guests would still be concerned with the storage of their personal data. Additionally in regards to robots, they aid in operational efficiency in check in and check out services also but they could possibly omit the human touch factor of certain roles that guests appreciate.

Proximity marketing is a hotel's current powerful tool for elevating guests' experiences. It is imperative for a hotel to have a fun, interactive, and easy-to-use app that creates a better stay for its guests. Some benefits include geofencing, room entry and room controls, and hotel navigation. These factors all go hand in hand in creating a seamless and memorable hotel stay.

This article goes into detail about the utility of proximity marketing in terms of adding guest experience within the hospitality industry. It also details how guest retention can be increased by the ability to use analytical data in order to gain insights on guest trends allowing for a memorable personal touch. Another major point made within the article details the importance of hospitality companies promoting local experiences outside of the venue itself and proximity marketing allows for local businesses and attractions to be highlighted.

Cruises are said to be one of those forms of transportation with the highest carbon emissions. "A typical cruise ship with 3,000 passengers generates 1 million gallons of gray water; 210,000 gallons of sewade; 25,000 gallons of oily bilge water; 100 gallons of hazardous or toxic waste; 50 tons of garbage and solid waste…" This expert just proves how non-ecofriendly cruises can actually be. However, regulations set by the government have now pushed cruises into trying to be more environmentally friendly. This article singles out seven green cruises that have found ways in which they can decrease their carbon footprint on the world. One cruise that has taken on the initiative is Holland America Cruises. With tactics such as towel reuse program and the installation of low-flow showerheads this cruise line has been making a conscious effort to operate green. They even ensure the most fuel-efficient means of travelling by studying tide schedules to maximize fuel usage with shorter routes. Another interesting cruise that pushes for the green initiative includes Celebrity Cruises with its solar powered cruise line. Other tactics used by other cruises include reusing waste cooking oil on heavy machinery, ridding of all plastic water bottles, shutting off engines in the winter time and only buying fish that are sustainably harvested are just some ways these 7 cruise lines have taken a stand to become greener. This responsible effort by these cruise lines not only can work in their favor for marketing purposes with consumers but create a sustainable industry for the future of cruises. Something as crucial as waste disposal in the water can greatly affect the future of the industry if not considered by the cruises today. Could you imagine if every cruise were to just dispose of their waste into the ocean with no sort of eco-friendly thought in their mind? I found this article to be extremely interesting, especially since I have been on a cruise. I had no idea ho

Green Path Transfers are a a fairly new Eco-friendly airport transfer and ground transportation network. The goal is to offer safe and professional transportation in global markets to travelers. In addition Green Path Transfers are focusing on a low carbon movement in the future. The company has partnered with companies using low-emission vehicles and these vehicles are clearly marked in the search results of the website, in order to allow the customer a completely transparent booking and check-out process with the vehicle of their choice. Their customers consist of leisure travelers, corporate travelers and their distribution partners, such as hotels and flights.

So I'm a beer person. I brew with 'Brew FIU' team and I'm a TA for Professor Gump. This story just makes me smile. Leave it to beer people to find another reason to make more beer. In the brewing process malt, barley and other grains are used as a sugar and flavor source. It's what makes beer, well beer. After the grain has been used it's considered spent due to the fact that most to all of the sugar and starch has removed. At this point it's common to dry the spent grain and turn it into flour for cooking or send it to a farm for animal feed. Which is a green thing to do as is. But the Alaskan Brewing Co. decided to turn it's spent grain into fuel. Now their entire facility is run off of spent grain. How cool is that?!

Laguna Beach welcomes more than 6 million visitors annually to its sandy shores. Now visitors who stay in the beachside city's 22 hotels and lodging establishments will be inadvertent participants in a citywide effort to recycle all of the soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, lotions and bath gels that are left over after a night's stay. Starting Monday, Laguna Beach becomes the first city in the nation to have all of its hotel properties with more than 20 rooms participate in Clean the World -- a Florida-based nonprofit that provides recycled hotel soaps and hygiene products to those in need. Montage Laguna Beach, Pacific Edge Hotel and Best Western Laguna Brisas are among the 18 participating hotels, along with four of the city's six bed and breakfasts, for a total of 1,229 rooms. In an average year, with an estimated 75% occupancy rate, Laguna Beach hotels generate 336,000 bars of soap and a slightly lesser number of shampoo, conditioner, bath gel and lotion bottles, all of which were previously thrown in the trash. Working with Clean the World, those hygiene products will be reclaimed by the housekeeping staff and set aside in a separate receptacle to be shipped to a Las Vegas processing facility. The bars of soap are cleaned of hair and paper, sterilized, ground into pellets and pressed into new bars of soap that are distributed to non-governmental organizations in 45 countries that do not have ready access to soap. The bottled amenities are likewise reclaimed. If they're full, the bottles' exteriors are sterilized and redistributed to homeless shelters and soup kitchens inside the U.S. If the bottles are 25% empty, the plastic is recycled or potentially upcycled for use in other products. Founded in 2009, Clean the World has 1,200 partner hotels across the U.S. and Canada, 126 of which are in California, including the Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Resort & Spa and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel in Anaheim. Since joining the Clean th

this is a old article but there is a good view for future marketing of hotel. that is mobile marketing. with more and more people using the smartphone, the apps for marketing will be a great way to expand your markets. airilines already use this technology to provide travel alerts concerning weather changes and flight schedules. why hotel can not provide such apps for customer. we can see that ther are several third part apps for booking and resevation already popular. so, how about a hotel creat their own apps for customers for the renovation and promotions. i think it will attrack more people to focus on you and bring more business for the hotel.