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This article tells us about 10 new innovations in the hospitality world. Mostly it is talking about some innovations in the hotel industry such as face recognition at the registrations, voice-controlled rooms, and smart amenities.

Sustainability has been a primary focus for many hotel companies around the world. There are many initiatives that are being created other than your everyday recycling. Fairmont Mayakoba has implemented a tour in which guest can assist in the transplant of coral to help their growth. Hosteling International USA has also become the first of it's kind to develop a system that monitors shower to last at most seven minutes in it effort to conserve water. These are just some of the many ideas that are taking into effect to further progress sustainability within hotel operations.

As guests are getting more environmentally friendly, being sustainable is an important aspect of hotel operations. Before they book a hotel, a lot of guests will look for or read about the hotel's social responsibility program. Hence, going green would bring in more revenue by attracting more guests.

This article explains several ways that hotels and resorts are helping in the fight for sustainability. Some resorts have completely eliminated the use of air conditioning and other ways to get energy for running electricity. For example, the Jade Mountain resort in St. Lucia has designed all their rooms to be open-air rooms which allows for breezes to come through the rooms and ultimately cool down the rooms. This, in turn, eliminates the need for air-conditioning all together. Some hotels are even offering classes on how to live a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. Hotels and resorts have worked towards saving coral reefs, energy and water conservation, preserving food and re-purposing waste, and creating eco-minded communities.

This article describes the challenges that hoteliers face when it comes to accounting principles. There are four major issues that arise: Enterprise Resource Planning, Staff Variations, Data Overload, and Core Challenges. Choosing the proper system to manage your finances is an important issue when dealing hotel accounting. Taking into consideration your varying staff levels into the financial arena is also important. In addition you must choose what data is important to your financial success. Once you determine the data to use its very important on what you do with it. Its important to have someone on staff that will understand how to interpret the information and make it useful. If no one is on staff then the choice to outsource the task will be the next option.

Every hotel company would like to build their own enterprise back-office system. It is more cost effective solution would be to partner up and invest in hotel sector specific technologies. With needs to staff variations real-time monitoring of labor is essentially in reducing labor cost. Another cost-effective and efficient solution is to outsource any finances and accounting practices that the hoteliers can't perform themselves

Its no secret that a hospitality companies financies and accounting tools can be complex with there own unique challenges. Cloud based reporting tools are there to help manage and monitor transactions in real time through an array of data sets.

This article talks about the importance of having an online presence. It is imperative that businesses leverage their business opportunities online before they are gone. It talks about key issues managers deal with during this network era. Such as "understanding customer expectations", "analyzing a firm's ability to manage information technology" and moving quickly enough to implement the changes necessary to actually benefit the company. In 2020, if businesses do not have an online presence they might as well not exist. Especially when customers have a "right now" mentality. This article helped me understand the issues that are arising with companies not being involved in e-business.

This article provides a detailed account of the variety of ways that E-Commerce can be used within the hospitality industry. With the advent of the Internet and new and improved technology, it has become much more imperative for companies to remain competitive in this space. From VR to targeting, as well as online tracking, there are a variety of tools that hospitality firms can employ to attract customers via the Internet. As the Internet is the primary resource that people utilize to shop for hospitality products such as hotel rooms, airfare, etc... it is incredibly important for companies to remain on the cutting edge in regards to their marketing online and attracting and retaining customers.

The hospitality industry is faced with numerous responsibilities when it come to the satisfaction of guest. with the tremendous acts of growth within trends it is often difficult for vendors to keep up with the trends. some of the new trends that are being introduced include personalized features which is playing a major role today. Another major trend is now called virtual reality. I think this trend is a great addition to the industry because it allows customers to virtually place the item in their home to see if it fits their style. Also with the pandemic situations with can help with the idea of social distancing .

The innovations of e-commerce with application in hospitality is becoming a growth trend for this industry. Many more guests are interested in the experience of personalized attractions and the creativity of what brands has to offer. Many merchants are creating a tool that allows the software to remind shopper/guest about what left in the carts to reduce the number of missed sales.

The demand for e-commerce has increased over the years, and has played a vital role in the travel and tourism industry. The article lists five ways e-commerce has helped the industry grow by making operations and online booking more feasible.

This article discusses the use of AI technology in the event planning sector, concluding that AI can be used as chatbots interfaces, data collection tools, and recommendation engines for event planners, to make the event planning process much faster and easier.

On that note it makes it easier to match planners with appropriate vendors as well. Both of these are considered the AI matchmaking function. The chatbot can also unite fellow guests with similar interests or experiences and give them a place to virtually meet each other, and Facebook has launched chatbot extensions. A company called PubNub allows a business to build its own chatbots from scratch.

Instead of having to download yet another app, chatbots allow users to connect through apps they've already downloaded (like facebook messenger), or other popular apps. And of course all of this data and interaction is collected and can be analyzed by event planners to streamline and enhance business, increase revenue, and increase guest satisfaction based on recommendations from the AI technology.

This article covers the research behind and design of software implemented in the Czech Republic to monitor visitor activity in protected areas. The software is designed to act as a "tour guide" and keeps track of visitors through satellite positioning. The article discusses the process by which this software would be developed, rationale for its implementation, and consumer data that may be collected through this process that would benefit National Parks and other protected areas. Theoretical questions in regard to human interaction, privacy concerns, and effectiveness of the application in low-service areas are discussed. Though the application requires more research and strict attention to variables, its implementation worldwide could change how sustainable tourism is managed and would provide important information on consumer habits in protected areas.

This article provides an overview of the ways POS systems are advancing and evolving in 2020. It goes on to explain the most important developments in POS.

This article talks about the important role that the internet plays when it comes to communication within the tourism and travel industry. The internet is the main means by which many tourism business communicate. Travel agencies are able to communicate with hotel and book reservations and offer feedback to their clients. Travel agencies use computer technologies to stay connected to hotels, airlines and other tourism industries which makes it easy to streamline reservations. Mobile communications help to keep customers up to date when they are on the road. Tourism business are using mobile communication more to send text message especially for flight delay or flight change.

This article discusses how technology such as the internet, Reservation systems, computer systems and mobile communication are being used in hospitality & tourism. Internet is the first system the article discusses and how important it is for a business. It is a tool many consumers use in order to make a decision so it is important to have the business website user friendly and attractive. The next technology is reservation systems and how it facilitates and reduces the cost of a business by reducing call volume. Here it talks about reservations on traveling sites like Expedia but I also thought about reservations for a dinner at a restaurant that is a technology that is being used as well. Computer systems are an important way of communicating between branches and locations. This is very important with how many businesses are being more global. Last technology this article talks about is Mobile communication and how they use it to send notices or even to advertise like when a user is on an app.

The article highlights some of the major ways technology is used in the hospitality industry and how this technology has become standard. Researching on third party booking sites, booking, receiving travel updates, digital boarding passes, and loyalty apps are some of the most common technology uses we find in the industry. What is most interesting in the advent of new camera based technology to be used in facial recognition of repeat customers. I think this poises some serious concerns with privacy violations and it would be interesting to see how customers would react to firms using this technology.

Ted Turner, George McKerrow Jr, and Charlie Ayers led a panel discussing the local and national benefits of making eco-friendly changes at restaurants. While there is a strong push from customers to eat at sustainable restaurants, "the challenge is convincing them (the restaurants) that being green won't hurt profits." The easiest baby step that seems to have the most ROI is simply changing the lighting in the restaurant to energy-efficient light bulbs. At Ted's Montana Grill, this switch saved his company $80,000 in the first year. Other small changes to consider would be to move to plastic-free straws and biodegradable takeout containers. But those things cost money and may be out of reach for many restaurants. Some places are taking it a step further and incorporating sustainable materials into the restaurant design and decor. The last major suggestion from this panel is a large scale shift in fossil fuel subsidies. If those can be removed, green energy can become a more competitive field and thus offer restaurants another alternative and opportunity to become green.

The article focuses on trends that companies utilizing a POS system should look at deploying. Bolstered by figures supporting the success of the emergent trends, the article seeks to encourage operators to make the move sooner rather than later. The most prominent trends revolve around more efficient payment access. Customers appreciate the speed and available payment options. Companies are also able to manage customer data effectively and securely while also managing inventory and marketing. AI integration is also a forward trend that is allowing businesses to tailor their tactics to each customer individually. Perhaps the most important trend that is affecting other transaction systems as well is cloud based POS.

This article focuses on the future of ordering in restaurants amid the coronavirus pandemic. While this technology may not have initially been developed to improve safety during these times, it definitely has helped. The article mentions voice-ordering kiosks that customers can use to place order while in restaurants, eliminating the use of touch-based kiosks, or having to give your order to an employee.

This article gives some ideas on how to successfully host an event. Events are important and valuable to the hospitality industry. An excellent event includes making registration easy, managing the event properly, and creating a unique experience. Events can be divided into "Simple" Events, Midsize Events, Small Events and Complex Events. The size of the event will affect the planning of the event. The main points and purpose of the event are also factors to consider when planning the event. Time should have a clear theme, while considering the company's profits. Finally, applying the current technology to the event to create an unforgettable experience for customers is also essential for a successful event.

This article talks about the detail about a professional way to make a good event. It lists seven necessary points. Also, showing the point of view and example to make the reader easy to understand.

(1 of 3) This Hotel Technology News article discusses the various technology advancements in Hotel Event Planning and what their effects were predicted to be for 2020. As the article states, "With each passing year, events seem to get bigger and better, boasting exciting new technology, catering to attendees' needs in finer detail, and bringing guests together in unique venue spaces for a variety of occasions." The event industry continues to grow as people continue to desire more unique, memorable experiences. Event planners struggle with advancing their experiences, but with the help of technology they are able to continue to grow each year. This process starts with the booking experience and Venue Management Technology has gained popularity in creating seamless booking experiences. "Whether marketing to a transient guest, event attendees, or a corporate group, hoteliers and event planners are in the business of meeting and exceeding expectations." With venue management technology, event planners are able to make memorable experiences starting with the booking of the venue all the way until days after the event. Venue management platforms provide everything to the event planners at their fingertips.

(2 of 3) The article continues on to discuss that while large events are extremely lucrative, venues must make sure to consider smaller events as well. "Ensure your venue space is equipped for events and meetings of various scale, and work closely with planners to ensure an attentive, personalized experience while bringing their event or meeting to life." Meetings are going to continue to grow so venues must continue to adjust and be equipped for anything a consumer might desire. This may include non-traditional events or venue spaces as well. While classic hotel convention spaces may not be as popular anymore, hotels are challenged to utilize and market their space differently to attract new consumers. With the event industry, as with any segment in hospitality, the ultimate purpose is to leave lasting impressions on guests. In recent years, the use of technology has been great in assisting this idea. Venues who have mastered creating a memorable experience have often done so by "using new-age features and platforms to create a frictionless event, engage attendees on a deeper level, and create meaningful, memorable experiences." Venue management tools are also used in making these experiences for guests. The article left readers with three takeaways. The first being that venues need to utilize technology to make them more effective in areas such as RFP response and the way that they offer their services. The second takeaway is that businesses need to evaluate their current technology partners and make sure to choose a partner that will allow them to best create memorable events. The final key takeaway is that venues must increase conversions and improve venue listings with things such as real-time availability and strategic pricing.

(3 of 3) This article was very interesting in its description of the technology used in the event industry and predictions for the future of events. It is quite apparent that this article was written at the beginning of 2020, though. I do believe the event industry was headed in this direction, but, as with the rest of the hospitality industry, I believe events will see a massive decrease over the next few years and then pick back up in the future. Due to the risks associated with Covid-19, consumers are not finding in-person meetings or events necessary. Many organizations have resorted to digital meetings and cancelled any events, causing a huge loss for the industry. I believe that as the rest of the industry recovers, events will slowly follow and eventually make their way back to their pre-pandemic predictions.

In this article, the author emphasizes that security in the tourism industry should be number one. With the advent of technology, cyber contingency plans must be a part of the overall security plans of tourism businesses. The author also admonishes hospitality businesses to be proactive when dealing with cyber security breaches to withstand malware and infections as well as to be honest with customers when security breaches occur to maintain the customer's trust.

Ideally, Maestro explores the operational features and functionalities underutilized and yet very critical, especially in this COVID era. Among such quality is the Idea of reporting capabilities (Dehan, 2020). For example, through this feature, the guest's data becomes essential in making various decisions by management and the staff. This includes knowing when the guest is arriving, budgeting, and congestion at the front office. In this sense, it becomes effortless to determine the requisite measures to minimize physical contact. Equally, to eliminate the physical contact between the guest and the staff, Maestro provides integrated technological infrastructures such as touchless tools and mobile apps (Dehan, 2020). This system is set to perform very many functions. For instance, "Online web and mobile guest registration/check -in, online prepayment portal, express mobile check-out…." Besides, using a mobile key ensures that the guest is exempted from the contact at the front desk. All these efforts are meant to create contactless interaction between the staff and the guest and thereby enhancing the safety both the staff and the customer. Further, the article identifies data control and security as a significant element for using the cloud for PMS (Dehan, 2020). While using the private cloud, such as Maestro, it's the IT system that takes care of the data without a third-party having access or control of such information. This becomes fundamental in enhancing customer confidentiality and security in the process. The on-premises PMS, misses this feature as it's the customer taking care of their data Moreover, the article identifies internet connectivity as one of the fundamental challenges of using the cloud for PMS. That, it submits, "For those operating in remote areas, the cloud is wrong platform for the environment" (Dehan, 2020). Such outages are demeriting since they result in the disruption of the flow of services and time-consumin

Meeting and event planners spend extensive amounts of time researching for the services and locations that meet the needs of the customer they are serving. Venues must provide planners with realistic expectations. Event planners also pay special attention to user-generated reviews, so companies must also pay close attention to their online presence. Direct communication is also essential between event planners and hotels as having a reliable point of contact is important. Event planners also look for unconventional spaces that allow for a change of scenery. Reliable wireless Internet is also a must for event planners as this is essential for their planning needs but also for the guests that will be utilizing the space. Lastly, the staff at the venue must be flexible and trained for various types of events. The wow factor is what event planners really look for when evaluating spaces. They want venues that are different than the rest of the competition and will make their event really stand out.

Event Planning serves as the most critical part in making the event a memorable and special one. While taking care of the perfect venue and place settings its also important for them for keep contact with their venue and updated options. Event planners feed from user reviews to gain more awareness and generate more business so in order for them to accomplish this they go over and beyond to satisfy the needs of the customers.

This article discussed different ways to make your hotel an ideal match for an event planner. Based on the seven ways described by the author, one would be more likely to be able to have event planners pick their hotel to host their events. The seven ways described were: making sure your website gives an event planner real authentic details about your space; allowing all user reviews to be available including any negative ones (you can always show how you plan to improve for any negative experiences); having someone available to speak directly with the planner whenever needed; having an outdoor space for events; making sure your wireless internet is reliable and of an adequate speed; having staff who are trained to work any kind of event (i.e birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, corporate events); and having a venue that stands out in a unique way.

This article talked about the importance of travel agents. Before the pandemic people often thought that travel agencies weren't necessary was a dying career, however since this past year they have really proven their worth and won't be going away any time soon. Travel agents were able to cancel trips and get their customers money refunded or switched gears and planned a different trip for the future. Using the internet to cut out the middleman and save money isn't always the best way to plan a trip and the pandemic proved this.