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Paige Wuensch

Novotel Virtual Concierge Ups Guest Satisfaction Levels - 0 views

www.hotelnewsresource.com/Guest_Satisfaction_Levels.html

concierge guest technology hospitality hotel green tech travel

shared by Paige Wuensch on 09 Jul 13 - No Cached
  • Virtual
  • One month after the first phase of a global virtual concierge roll-out, Novotel has noted significant increases in guests’ satisfaction levels. Accor’s midscale brand also reports high levels of adoption across all target demographics. Comments made by guests on social media sites have also been very complimentary.
  • staff
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • “This solution is powerful and our customers love it. The system is very fluid and flexible in particular for content updates. With this new, simple and intuitive technology, Novotel reflects its commitment to provide guests with an ever more innovative hotel experience.
  • Paige Wuensch on 09 Jul 13
     
    This article is based on Novotel Hotels. The company has launched The Virtual Concierge last month in June 2013. I picked this article because I have never heard of a virtual option of using a Concierge before. The Virtual Concierge is located on a screen availble for guest use in the lobby of the hotel. "Guests can use it to browse through information about the brand and the hotel. They can also obtain recommendations on places of interest near the hotel (restaurants, museums, etc.); practical information such as the weather forecast and flight information, and a host of other innovative services including sending virtual postcards." The hotel has even introduced free mobile applications for smartphones that will allow guests to access the virtual concierge's services from anywhere! "The service is unanimously approved by everyone who has used it! " I could definitely see virtual concierges making a strong addition to hotels around the world. Unfortunately I predict it will eliminate several jobs in the market, as it eliminates a key position to hotel staffing.  
Jia Kim

TSA Begins Security Check Long Before Your Flight -- Security Today - 0 views

security-today.com/...k-long-before-your-flight.aspx

'TSA' 'airport security'

shared by Jia Kim on 31 Oct 13 - No Cached
  • According to TSA, their goal is to streamline security procedures to all passengers who pose no risk, so before you even arrive at the airport, it is likely that TSA is searching through government and private databases trying to locate information about you.
  • allows the government more authority to use traveler data for domestic airport screenings.
  • it is unknown exactly what information TSA is using to make risk assessments
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • identify low-risk travelers so that lighter screening can be done at airport security checkpoints
  • Jia Kim on 31 Oct 13
     
    This article is about how TSA begins to security check. The goal of TSA is to simplify security procedures to all low risk passengers, so it is likely to that TSA searches through database which is provided by government and others even before the passengers arrive at the airport. In order to do thorough security check, there should be more authority of the government. Actually TSA did not undisclose the information that are using to identify the low risk passengers. However, it can be predicted such as follows; Tax identification numbers, car registrations, employment information,past travel itineraries, property records, physical characteristics, law enforcement information and intelligence information.
yoyohad

Hospitality Technology News | Hotel Software News | StayNTouch - 0 views

stayntouch.com/news

hospitality technology news software business solution mobile tech

shared by yoyohad on 29 Sep 14 - No Cached
  •  A 2012 and 2013 finalist for the San Francisco Hotel Council’s Hotel Hero Awards for Innovation  and recipient of AH&LA’s Innovation Technology award last year, Galleria Park Hotel is the latest Commune Hotels & Resorts property to introduce the StayNTouch Mobility Platform.
  • With today’s traveler looking for a more personal, convenient guest experience, Galleria Park Hotel is a step ahead of the curve by providing its guests with the ability to check in and out via their mobile devices (mobile phone or tablet) and receive their room keys via a key dispenser. These options allow the hotel’s guests to experience an expedited arrival process. Guests who choose to take advantage of the service can review reservation details prior to arrival, see available room upgrades and complete their check-in through the PMS-integrated experience.  Checkouts are similarly expedited.  A notification is pushed out to departing guests, allowing them to review bills, request folios via email and request late checkouts.
  • Overlay on top of PMS bringing the front office functionality onto a mobile/tablet in a touch/graphic user experience.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Enabling guest pre-engagement and mobile guest services via mobile web, no app needed.  Guests receive an email invite to check-in & out via smart phone or desktop.
  • Via any mobile device (iTouch, tablet, etc.), housekeeping has touch-optimized user interface for full access to rooms-to-clean lists, room status, guest information and ability to update room status after servicing.
  • yoyohad on 29 Sep 14
     
    This new technology is very interesting to see for many travelers. When you arrive at a hotel in the late night, the least thing you want to do is standing in line to wait for check in. Or when there is a flight to catch, you don't want to wait in line to check out either. With this phone/ mobilized app, it's possible to do all the front desk work by yourself, save time and energy, and be more controllable of your own free time. 
Ruoxi Wang

Unlocking the future: Hotels to see new security technology - Hospitality Portal - Hotelier & Hospitality News & TV Channel - 1 views

hotelier.typepad.com/...e-new-security-technology.html

hotels security technology mobile

shared by Ruoxi Wang on 30 Oct 13 - No Cached
  • Your mobile can now literally be the key to your future and open many doors, thanks to a new technology that can have your cellphone talking to your locks.
  • Frequent travellers can now skip the check-in and check-out process into hotels, collecting keys at reception counters and spending time in lounges paying bills, thanks to Near Field Communication technology that makes mobiles do your work, says Sanjeev Anand, sales and key accounts manager, India, of VingCard Elsafe, supplier of hospitality security solutions worldwide.
  • His entry is automatically recorded on the front desk.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • The technology enables a user with an NFC-enabled mobile and a booking in an NFC-enabled hotel to breeze in and out, sans all hassles. After initial booking on arrival by flight, train or bus, the traveller's mobile is automatically loaded with an electronic wallet and encrypted code and hotel room number.
  • It can also be used to pay bills in his room or at the lobby kiosk without wasting time at the counter or stepping out of a room early to complete all formalities and hurrying to catch a flight or train.
  • Ruoxi Wang on 30 Oct 13
     
    This is an amazing technology. A customer can use his cellphone to do the reservation, check-in, enter the room and pay the bill. If  this technology can be widely used in this industry. It really can bring a lot of convenience to both the hotels and the customers. It is also very safe, because only your cellphone can open your room and the cellphone is also a identification of a customer. But there are two concerns. First is the cost of this technology and the hardware. It can be too much to afford for the hotels. Second, is it really that safety. What if someone lose his mobile?
jazminesnyder

Guest Column: How Distribution Systems Are Like Seat Belts - Business Travel News - 0 views

www.businesstravelnews.com/...on-Systems-Are-Like-Seat-Belts

staying hotels trends american initiatives industry sustainability Green guest column distribution systems seat news travel business travel belts

shared by jazminesnyder on 09 Sep 15 - No Cached
  • global distribution systems use old technology
  • their interfaces aren’t quite as attractive as airline websites
  • they still do what they’re designed to do efficiently and affordably.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • agency portals
  • Are not designed to manage high transaction volumes generated by large TMCs.Do not offer comparison shopping on competing airlines.
  • Its strategy seems to rest in shifting distribution costs to corporate buyers.
  • Building out airline websites, keeping website content updated, investing in agent portals and investing in direct connect technology all come with significant capital expenditures or resource costs.
  • jazminesnyder on 09 Sep 15
     
    My article this week is about how GDS (Global Distribution Systems) can be compared to a seatbelt. The author opens the article discussing the main reasons we still continue to use seatbelts; even though they aren't the most comfortable or fashionable items to use, they still do their jobs in saving our lives when it comes to a collision of some sort. The author is in favor of GDS and makes the claim that like seatbelts, the GDS may not be the most up-to-date or may not appear to be as nice as other local systems to each individual airline, but they get the job done and there are no other systems out there like it that we know of (no other systems that do everything he GDS system does that is). The main topic of discussion that the article is concerned with is the recent decision made by the company Lufthansa to start charging its customers an additional surcharge for using GDS systems instead of going through its own system. The author clearly makes it know that she doesn't believe Lufthansa when they say they are charging this additional surcharge because GDS is the most expensive channel to go through. "Because there's no reason to think that an airline should expect to distribute its products without any cost, Lufthansa's recent gambit seems more of a tactic for increasing lagging direct distribution... Its strategy seems to rest in shifting distribution costs to corporate buyers" claims Rose, the author of the article. The author also points out some of the draw backs of using agency portals, the main reason being that a customer cannot compare rates of other competitors and that agency portals cannot handle high volume transactions like the GDS can. It is also made known that there are costs that come with other channels as well, like the prices you pay for building airline websites and keeping them updated. The author concludes that "Given the history of negotiations between airlines and GDSs, it's impossible to know whether Lufthansa is using DCC as
pelaez17

Why is GDS important to the travel industry? | TTS - 4 views

www.tts.com/...portant-to-the-travel-industry

shared by pelaez17 on 24 Sep 17 - No Cached
  • he Global Distribution System (GDS) is a primary reservation tool for travel agents.
  • GDS is a network/platform that enables travel agencies and their clients to access travel data, shop for and compare reservations options, and book travel.
  • The modern GDS system evolved from this early labour-intensive manual system, thanks to the collaborative team efforts of American Airlines (AA) and IBM.  The result of that collaboration? The first airline industry mainframe-based system, SABRE.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Through such commerce platforms as the GDS Travelport, agents can access scheduling and inventory of hotels, airlines, car rentals, and (some) railway and bus reservations – in real time. GDS links all those services across the three primary travel reservation sectors (airline, hotel, and ground transportation, i.e., car rentals), and activities.
  • Promotional messaging to agents through GDS cores like the most prominent airline national distribution systems (Amadeus, SABRE, Galileo, and Worldspan) alert agents to special rates, fares, and travel packages – an effective marketing tool for passing savings on to agents, and from agents to their customers. 
  • GDS booking has increased worldwide over the past 4 years yet some industry observers suggest that GDSs may become nearly obsolete by 2020. But like many technology/software-based systems, GDS may evolve, instead.
  • GDS is probably not going to fall into disuse any time soon. Rather, it will continue to evolve as it did from the Lazy Susan system of the 1950s.
  • anonymous on 24 Sep 17
     
    I found this article interesting as it talks about why the GDS is important and also gives some insight to how the booking process has changed over the decades. For instance, thanks to the internet we can book a flight within minutes while comfortably sitting on our cough. The article however states, what I did not know, was that back in the 50's, it took an airline reservationist 1.5 to 3 hours to book a single airline flight for the customer. At the end, the article also states that GDS most probably will not be going anywhere any time soon and still be around, at least for some time, and keep on evolving.
  • ...2 more comments...
  • lkastwood on 24 Sep 17
     
    The Hotel industry has been trying to move away from Global Distribution Systems (GDS), because of the high cost associated with them; however, travel agents more than ever are turning to the global distribution system for their hotel and travel bookings. In a recent article written for Travel Technology & Solution they discussed why GDS is important to the travel industry. Educating the reading on what GDS is and how it works, the importance of GDS to travel agents and the future of GDS. According to tts.com "GDS is a network/platform that enables travel agencies and their clients to access travel data, shop for and compare reservations options, and book travel. This allows for the travel agent to provide the best option at the best price to their clients. Travel agents are in favor of this system as what once took hours to complete can now be done in minutes. An agent has the ability to receive messages through the system alerting them of special rates, fares and travel packages which in turned are passed on to their clients. "Not only is messaging through GDSs effective in promoting travel savings to clients, GDS providers are becoming fundamental to the supply of travel products to retailers in the online channel." With a large percentage of people still turning to travel agents to book their travels GDSs might be here to stay. Over the past four years the use of the Global Distribution System has increased, "yet some industry observers suggest that GDSs may become nearly obsolete by 2020".
  • amberarias on 28 Jan 18
     
    This article discusses the history, importance, and future of GDS in a way that is simple and easy to understand. It use to take a long time to make a travel reservation until GDS came along, and it is now used by travel companies and their agents everywhere. It allows them to see a variety of airlines, hotels, transportation, and activities to compare pricing, in order to select the best of each one for their clients. They say GDS will become extinct in a couple of years but this article states otherwise. They believe it will become more sophisticated/developed into something greater.
  • zport003 on 05 Sep 18
     
    The article describes the importance of GDS to the travel industry. The article describes GDS as "a network/platform that enables travel agencies and their clients to access to travel data, shop for and compare reservations options and book travel." The system is used globally as it helps in generating travel sales in billions of dollars. Travel agents use the system access scheduling and inventory of hotels, car rentals, airlines and bus tickets all in real time. The system achieves this by linking the travel reservation sectors of car rentals, hotels and airlines. The major GDSs in the world are Sabre, Amadeus, Worldspan, Apollo, and Galileo. The authors argue that GDS is important to travel agents as it helps the agents to make reservations in real time for their clients and can complete bookings for their clients within a short time. The end of the article proposes that GDS may become obsolete by 2020 due to technological advances. However, the authors argue that the system will evolve with the technological changes and will not fall into disuse anytime soon.
  • pelaez17 on 10 Sep 18
     
    GDS I feel will always have an impact in the travel industry because it is what it was built for since the beginning. Yes, we advance with apps and direct booking but people will always use travel agencies and GDS I believe will always be the primary source for booking for travel agents because it is what makes them comfortable.
Alberto Rodriguez

Direct Connect, GDS or Both ? - 1 views

While booking a hotel and flight together from an agent is attractive one touch service is becoming more apparent now a days with the use of technology. I still say there is a need for both and the...

started by Alberto Rodriguez on 14 Sep 17 1 follow-up, last by Alberto Rodriguez on 14 Sep 17
espence13

About Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and Travel - 0 views

www.tripsavvy.com/what-is-gds-468274

shared by espence13 on 28 Jan 19 - No Cached
  • Global distribution systems (GDSs) are computerized networks/platforms that centralize services and provide travel-related transactions. They cover everything from airline tickets, to car rentals, to hotel rooms, and more. Global distribution systems were originally set up for use by the airlines but were later extended to travel agents. Today, the systems allow users to purchase tickets from multiple different providers or airlines. Global distribution systems are also the back end of most Internet-based travel services.
  • To see how global distribution systems work, take a closer look at one of the largest—Amadeus. Amadeus was created in 1987 as a joint venture between Air France, Iberia, Lufthansa, and SAS and has grown considerably over the past twenty-five years.
  • There's no doubt that global distribution systems will play an important part in the travel landscape for many years to come, but their traditional role is changing and being challenged by all the changes taking place in the travel industry. Two important considerations impacting the role of global distribution systems are the growth of online travel websites that offer price comparisons and the increased push from airlines and other travel service providers to encourage consumers to make bookings directly via their websites.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • While such changes will definitely impact the future growth opportunities for global distribution systems, there will continue to be a role for them as they evolve to meet the needs of travel planners, travel websites, airlines and groups of individuals.
  • espence13 on 28 Jan 19
     
    Global Distribution System (GDS) is a system operated by an organization that empowers automated exchanges between travel specialist organizations for mainly airlines, lodgings and vehicle rental organizations and travel agencies. Travel agencies generally depended on GDS for administrations, products and rates so as to provision travel related administrations to the end consumers. A GDS can connect services, rates and bookings uniting items and services over every one of the three travel segments: i.e., aircraft reservations, hotel reservations, vehicle rentals. The biggest global distribution framework is Amadeus. GDS is not the same as a PC reservations framework, which is a reservation framework utilized by the specialist organizations also known as vendors. Essential clients of GDS are travel specialists both online and office-based to reserve spot on different reservation frameworks kept running by the sellers. GDS holds no inventory; the inventory is hung on the merchant's reservation framework itself. A GDS framework will have constant connect to the merchant's database. For instance, when a travel office asks for a reservation on the administration of a specific carrier organization, the GDS framework courses the demand to the proper aircraft's PC reservations framework. This empowers a travel specialist with an association with a solitary GDS to pick and book different flights, lodgings, exercises and related administrations on every one of the merchants working in a similar course who are part of that GDS network. There's no uncertainty that global distribution frameworks will have an imperative influence in the travel landscape for a long time to come, yet their conventional job is changing and being tested by every one of the progressions occurring in the travel business. While such changes will affect the future development open doors for global distribution frameworks, there will keep on being a job for them as they advance to address the issue
kimmumford

The Role of Global Competer Reservation Systems in the Travel Industry Today and in the Future - 0 views

GDS CRS

shared by kimmumford on 15 Jan 18 - No Cached
  • the best known global CRSs are AMADEUS, GALILEO, SABRE, and WORLDSPAN with AMADEUS being the only one which is largely owned by European airlines. Together with GALILEO, it is the leading system in the European market. GALILEO, however, also has a strong position in the US market after it merged with an American system. SABRE and WORLDSPAN have been developed in the US. So far, SABRE is the only CRS which is wholly owned by one single airline.
    • kimmumford
      kimmumford on 15 Jan 18
       
      Global CRS's
  • CRSs are systems for purely (information transfer) logistical functions
    • kimmumford
      kimmumford on 15 Jan 18
       
      CRS definition
  • he network of the global CRS AMADEUS has additional 14 network nodes distribers who thus have the latest information about availability at any point in time and can use it as a basis for a new offer. In addition, the system can also store customer related information such as e.g. all services provided to a certain customer, type of payment, service information etc. ♦ Fare Quote & Ticketing: Just like the product presentation, the fare quote, ticketing and voucher generating process depend on the type and the complexity of the services offered. For flights, multiple fares are being offered which differ according to the reservation category, the date of the journey, the day when the reservation was made, the route and the length of the stay. That means that practically each fare needs to be calculated individually. In addition, fare quotes can change daily. The prices of other service providers, however, are relatively fixed so that in most cases, they stay an unchanged part of the offer. For the ticketing, travel agencies receive a fixed number of ticket forms which may only be used after confirmation has been availability of particular reservation categories and possibly the fare. It may, however, be difficult to describe the products of other service providers appropriately with only a limited amount of information. Hotels, for example, have so far only been able to provide information about the price, the size of the bed and its approximate location which alone is not a meaningful description for potential customers. For this reason, it is intended to link the particular offers to visual multimedia technology to be able to provide more detailed information to the customer. ♦ Reservation: The core function of reservation systems and the main reason for developing them is the reservation of offered services in the travel industry. To this end, a so called Passenger Name Record (PNR) or Guest Name Record (GNR) is created for each passenger or each group of passengers. These records contain all services-related customer information. At the same time, this information is transferred to the internal inventory system of all service providFigure 2 Principel structure of CRSs N N P pr S Fare Quote and T Hotel- or Car-Systems Travel Agencies Tourism Tourism Tourism Tourism Stickynote
    • kimmumford
      kimmumford on 15 Jan 18
       
      AMADEUS network modes and criticism of CRS
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • The development of such systems was already started at the beginning of the sixties, the objective being at the time to automate seat reservations procedures of airlines. Today, the largest civil data centers and the most powerful communications networks are being used exclusively for this purpose.
    • kimmumford
      kimmumford on 15 Jan 18
       
      Began for one purpose which is now expanded.
  • Today, the user has direct access to essential travel information and can find further information in all CRSs about trade shows, visa regulations, particular events etc. Furthermore, programs and interfaces have been developed which facilitate the internal administration for each travel agent. Also invoicing, accounting, customer and quota management increasingly depend on the respective CRS. User prompting has significantly improved so that even inexperienced users can easily learn how to work with the reservation procedure. Since more and more PCs are being used in this area modern user interfaces have been introduced.
    • kimmumford
      kimmumford on 15 Jan 18
       
      Additional access for the CRS
  • Another weak point in the CRSs have always been additional functions since such functions would not increase the number of sold flight tickets. O
    • kimmumford
      kimmumford on 15 Jan 18
       
      Weak point
  • There are two approaches which can help to reduce distribution costs. On the one hand, the on-line services provide additional possibilities of cost-effective direct distribution to the end customer. Many airlines now offer access to their internal service provider systems via on-line services and in particular via Internet. This also helps reducing costs incurred by travel agents and fees to the CRSs. O
    • kimmumford
      kimmumford on 15 Jan 18
       
      two approaches to cost reduction
  • he so called “no frill carriers”, one of them being Southwest Airlines, have taken this one step further. In all areas, they avoid unnecessary costs (service, change of bookings, meals, etc.) and merely offer basic services, i.e. to transport a passenger from A to B at the best possible price.
    • kimmumford
      kimmumford on 15 Jan 18
       
      Offer basic services
  • kimmumford on 15 Jan 18
     
    This article discusses the role of CRS and GDS in the travel industry. The author discusses the well known systems used. The authors further discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using these systems and ways to reduce the costs. These systems were believed to be entering extinction; however, there are still uses in the industry.
anonymous

JetBlue is going to let passengers board with just a selfie - Business Insider - 2 views

www.businessinsider.com/ers-board-with-a-selfie-2017-5

shared by anonymous on 21 Jan 18 - No Cached
ysuarez123 liked it
  • anonymous on 21 Jan 18
     
    In 2017 JetBlue announced that they will be the first airline to partner up with US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to come up with a biometric technology that will use facial recognition to check in their customers and allow them to board the airplane, instead of using cell phone applications or paper boarding passes. The way it will work is that your image will be sent to CBP where it will be matched with your passport or visa. At the same time the technology will verify your flight details and let you know when you're okay to board the flight.This will be the first time biometric facial recognition is cleared through CBP.
  • ...1 more comment...
  • bdolman on 25 Jan 18
     
    Hello, Thank you for posting this article as it was quite interesting. It is notable that technology benefits numerous industries, including the airline industry. I believe airlines have faced the challenge of how to alleviate long lines while checking in. In my opinion, as I read this article numerous questions and scenarios arose, such as the requirement of needing to verify the flyer's visa, having to check in baggage which may require human assistance, and technical bugs or changes in the flyer's appearance which may impact the selfie option. Nonetheless, I find this feature fascinating, especially as it will enhance national security aspects and become a more reliable approach towards identifying individuals. Thank you very much.
  • jmelilli on 25 Jan 18
     
    I was just reading this today! Great article and fascinating technology.
  • ysuarez123 on 28 Jan 18
     
    I am a frequent flyer with Jet Blue, and love everything their airline. This futuristic step will not only enhance security, increase boarding speeds, but also help the environment with paperless boarding. I think there will always be passengers who want to be offered the traditional boarding pass, and those who do not want their picture taken. However, the more airlines that come to use this system, the quicker it could become airports new normal. Thanks for posting!
anonymous

Ways Hotels Can Implementing Sustainable Practices, Tech to Attract Eco Travelers | Hospitality Technology - 0 views

hospitalitytech.com/ces-tech-attract-eco-travelers

technology hospitality green solution hotel

shared by anonymous on 24 Sep 19 - No Cached
  • These eco-travelers can practice several types of tourism: ecotourism, which is more focused on being close to fragile/undisturbed natural areas, ecological conservation and the use of local resources; and sustainable tourism, which is a much broader term that implies traveling with the intent to provide minimal impact on the environment.
  • There are three sectors to take into consideration when arranging a sustainable vacation: the destination, flights, and accommodations.
    • anonymous
      anonymous on 24 Sep 19
       
      Destination. Flight. Accommodations. Taking these three things into consideration when planning your next trip can really help you become more environmentally aware.
  • occupancy sensors and LED lighting
    • anonymous
      anonymous on 24 Sep 19
       
      Occupancy sensors & LED lights These would reduce their cost of electricity by a lot because instead of having their lights on at all times these would just activate when they sense someone in the room.
  • ...15 more annotations...
  • Many hotels are catching on and beginning to adapt this trend by implementing sustainable practices
    • anonymous
      anonymous on 24 Sep 19
       
      Hotels located in places that are critically endangered environmentally, are trying to adapt more sustainable ways of operating so save the ecosystem and preserve it.
  • Often times, hotels will begin by starting small and gradually installing larger protocols
  • High efficiency lighting
  • Low-flow toilets, faucets and shower heads
    • anonymous
      anonymous on 24 Sep 19
       
      Low-flow technology A great way to reduce the amount of water used by toilets, faucets and shower heads.
  • Eco-Friendly heating and energy
  • employ a building energy management system
  • The biggest trend in sustainable tourism is the rise in environmentally conscious hotels.
    • anonymous
      anonymous on 24 Sep 19
       
      Everyday more hotels are aiming at going green. In another recent article I read, Marriott is trying to get rid of their single use plastic shampoo/conditioner bottles and replace them with more permanent ones that they won't need to throw away after every guest uses them.
  • Low-flow water
  • smart thermostats
  • Green appliances
  • that will not only reduce energy, but will actually produce it
    • anonymous
      anonymous on 24 Sep 19
       
      Sustainable Equipment A solution to the carbon emissions problem. These machines are power by the person who is using them by allowing them to harness the energy need to use the machines.
  • green appliances that use about 30% less energy and water needed to run a traditional appliance
  • Green fitness
  • Implementing these types of sustainable practices not only helps hotels in a social sense, but ultimately helps to attract a whole demographic of eco travelers looking to minimize their environmental impact while on vacation
  • sustainable equipment
  • anonymous on 24 Sep 19
     
    The article discusses the ways hotels can become more sustainable for the environment by using green technology which will reduce energy and cut down water usage.
croja081

Q&A: Southwest Airlines on its GDS, corporate business strategy | PhocusWire - 0 views

www.phocuswire.com/st-corporate-business-strategy

shared by croja081 on 16 Sep 19 - No Cached
  • announced deals to participate in the Amadeus and Travelport global distribution systems, providing content and full booking capabilities for the first time.
  • We have such a great business-friendly product, such a strong schedule, and the policies and fares are so accommodating. But we've been harder to do business within terms of how you book, transact and settle and all of that kind of stuff.
  • The shift away from our [basic booking request] and the basic approach to an industry-standard GDS is really important.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • When will content be available on the GDSs?We're still going through the implementation and the sequencing and who comes up first. I think we'll be up and live by mid-2020. I would love that to be both partners. We'll have to see how the work pans out, but that's what we're trying to do.
  • croja081 on 16 Sep 19
     
    This article focuses on the impact that two new GDS programs will have on Southwest flights and their cooperate progress. While they dive into other observations in the article, the main points are being made about GDS and how it is newly implemented in their company. Based on the GDS that is now with Southwest, they can now "provide content and full booking capabilities for the first time." This is important as they are trying to open their flights to make more Hawaii trips and this helps their cause. The reason that this article strikes me of such importance because it shows a real-life example of GDS being used to this day. GDS is still a prevalent force in the travel industry and while stated in the article that it will take some time to be fully operationally, the company still believes that it is a plus. When studying about GDS, there were many opinions saying it is not as relied on anymore as it once was. Yet as we have here, GDS is still here as it is being used to it strengthens and helping a major airliner like Southwest.
kaylaabad

What is a Global Distribution System (GDS)? | Global Distribution System (GDS) Definition | Scott's Cheap Flights - 0 views

scottscheapflights.com/...global-distribution-system-gds

shared by kaylaabad on 26 Jan 20 - No Cached
  • facilitates transactions between travel service providers and travel agents
    • kaylaabad
      kaylaabad on 26 Jan 20
       
      True function of GDS - "Facilitates transactions between travel service providers and travel agents."
  • It allows agents, both human and technological, to review information, compare prices and schedules, and make purchases from multiple different vendors in real time to quickly and efficiently create an itinerary for their clients.
    • kaylaabad
      kaylaabad on 26 Jan 20
       
      GDS aids businesses in increasing their efficiency and customer service - "It allows agents, both human and technological, to review information, compare prices and schedules, and make purchases from multiple different vendors in real time to quickly and efficiently create an itinerary for their clients."
  • agents can determine which particular flights, accommodation, or other services best suit their client’s needs in seconds
    • kaylaabad
      kaylaabad on 26 Jan 20
       
      Customer Service thrives off of this
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Travel agents (again, both human and online) are the primary target for today’s GDS networks
    • kaylaabad
      kaylaabad on 26 Jan 20
       
      Who does GDS target? Travel Agents
  • in real-time
    • kaylaabad
      kaylaabad on 26 Jan 20
       
      GDS allows all interactions and transactions to occur in real-time
  • Sabre, Travelport (the majority owner of Galileo, Apollo, and Worldspan), and Amadeus represent the leading GDSs today.
    • kaylaabad
      kaylaabad on 26 Jan 20
       
      Leading GDS's today - Sabre, Travelport (the majority owner of Galileo, Apollo, and Worldspan), and Amadeus
  • Different corporations partner with different GDSs, so each system connects agents to their own set of participating vendors.
    • kaylaabad
      kaylaabad on 26 Jan 20
       
      Each corporation has their own GDS's
  • kaylaabad on 26 Jan 20
     
    This article discusses the functions of Global Distribution Systems, along with examples of these systems in todays industry. This article stated that GDS's "facilitate transactions between travel service providers and travel agent." This is backed up by the fact that GDS's allow travel agents to gather and store information in real time, essentially improving efficiency and customer service.
anonymous

TravelBank brings in $25 million Series B with focus on automatic rewards product - Tnooz - 0 views

www.tnooz.com/...s-on-automatic-rewards-product

shared by anonymous on 02 Sep 17 - No Cached
  • anonymous on 02 Sep 17
     
    I found this to be a very interesting article. For those of you who don't know TravelBank, this is an app which launched 2016 targeting business travelers. The app helps the user keep track of their travel expenses and file an expense report. Further, it also helps the user predict travel expenses, which amongst other would include transportation, lodging, dinning, and airfare. The article quoted the Global Business Travel Association, stating that last year, companies spend $1.3 trillion globally for business travel. TravelBank announced that they will add a new feature to their app, the so called 'AutoRewards' feature. Here users are able to book flights through a unique interface which they call 'rewards points value'. With this new feature, one is able to collect reward points, but TravelBank has a different twist to it. In their case, the more financially responsible the user travels, the more reward points one will receive. With this approach, they want/hope to help employees make more (financially) responsible bookings.
irinatroitskaya

United Signals It Wants a Better Deal with Reservation Middlemen - Skift - 0 views

skift.com/...eal-with-reservation-middlemen

GDS airlines

shared by irinatroitskaya on 16 Sep 17 - No Cached
  • The reservation services that middlemen technology companies provide to travel agency networks and online travel agencies are a particular sore spot for airlines.
  • Overall worldwide, airline lobbying groups say they pay $7 billion in fees a year to these reservation systems.
  • In the past, non-standard products like that have posed challenges for Sabre, Amadeus, Travelport, and Travelsky to display and distribute to travel agencies.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • But beyond monetary concerns, there were antitrust issues at play, with the airlines contending that Sabre had a stranglehold on the domestic U.S. market
  • The distributors say they can accommodate technological requests from the airlines, despite the public skepticism expressed by some airline executives.
  • irinatroitskaya on 16 Sep 17
     
    This article demonstrates the way how relationship between the airlines (United) and the technology companies which serve as middlemen is build. According to the estimations, the airlines pay to the gds's about $18 per round trip ticket reservation, which results in 7 billion in fees that are payed to the gds's annually. The air companies consider these fees unfair in regard of the gds' performance. To compensate for these payments as well as to promote direct bookings, the airlines (namely, Lufthansa) have added a surcharge for any external bookings. GDS's, however, fight back and start litigations against Lufthansa. The decision on this case will either stop such a practice, or force other airlines to follow LH and add surcharges for gds's too. Another problem that airlines experience with GDS's is the presentation of non-standard products that the airlines offer. For example, it took the GDS's several years to correctly display the Ecomy Skycouch by Air New Zealand (buy 3 seats at the price of 2 to sleep across all of them during the long-haul flight). United is going to introduce its Basic Economy Seats with no carry-on luggage and no qualifying miles. However, they are not sure that the GDS' s will be able to display this product to the customers in a proper way so that they could fully understand what they are buying. The reason for that is that GDS's are mainly reluctant to invest in technologies that are focused on product differentation. In this regard, it becomes more difficult to compare fares since different set of services is included in different products. Thus, the customers might be mislead. Moreover, there are antitrust issues with the gds's. The airlines claim that Sabre has a stranlehold on the US domestic market. Such position allows it to ultimatum the airlines and voluntary decide on search display order. The airlines expect the GDS's to be more prone to partnership ralations. This would imply the fair compensation for what they add to the
jorgeegutivav

Make the Skies Friendly Again With Chartered Event Flights | Corporate Event News - 0 views

www.corporateeventnews.com/...-again-chartered-event-flights

technology hospitality business Travel solution

shared by jorgeegutivav on 12 Nov 19 - No Cached
  • jorgeegutivav on 12 Nov 19
     
    This article discusses the new trend of booking entire planes for private events in order to increase comfort and ease of travel for the attendees of the specific event. In the article, the author discusses a specific company called Freespeed that plans the entirety of the trip from the plane and pilot to meal and beverages been offered. This allows for complete customization of the air transportation experience.
brobb009

In Human vs. Machine, CWT Study Finds Two-Thirds of Travelers Prefer Machines When Booking Air Travel - 0 views

www.hospitalitynet.org/...4093468.html

shared by brobb009 on 23 May 19 - No Cached
  • travelers prefer to manage their travel transactions digitally, via an app or browser.
  • 69% of business travelers prefer to book their flights digitally rather than have human interactions.
  • hotel reservations (78%), ground transportation (71%), and checking-in for flights (68%)
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • checking into their hotel (46%) and checking out (51%).
  • Digital interactions are taking over, so the travel industry must keep evolving t
  • the Americas are most inclined to use technology over personal contact
  • booked through a computer screen - 45% in 2019 versus 53% in 2018 and 52% in 2017.
  • "The modern business traveler wants to be able to make decisions immediately at their convenience,"
  • brobb009 on 23 May 19
     
    This article informs us on how travelers prefer to manage their travel transactions in different regions. According to the article travelers prefer to manage their travel digitally, via app or browser versus personal contact. Percentages still very by region but overall the computer still ranks number one in booking, while smartphones, and tablets rank second and third.
tcale003

5 Reasons Why You Need A Travel Agent - More Than Ever - 0 views

www.forbes.com/...d-a-travel-agentmore-than-ever

Travel advisors agent air expertise emergencies

shared by tcale003 on 26 May 20 - No Cached
    • tcale003
      tcale003 on 26 May 20
       
      Travel agents are considered travel advisors or consultants. Large corporations still use travel advisors for their travel needs. Travel consultants are needed for a multitude of reason including their expertise.
  • Travel agents are even more important to luxury travelers, who ironically often think they know a lot about travel and rely on their own misguided sense of expertise. But while a good agent is so vital that it is simply foolish to plan a high-end trip on your own without one, they can also help travelers of all budgets.
  • pros of using an agent: “They can find crazy deals”; “They will be your advocate”; “They’ll take care of the little things”;
  • ...13 more annotations...
  • The reality is that while it was widely predicted that the internet was going to kill off travel agents when digital tools were placed at every traveler’s disposal, that just hasn’t happened, for several good reasons.
  • “They’re
  • true experts” and “They don’t usually cost extra.”
  • My tech savviest friends use travel advisors, and so does every major corporation - because it is the smart thing to do.
  • “Information overload, thousands of new hotels on the scene, all sorts of new cruise ships, passport and visa issues, weather, transit strikes, political unrest, natural disasters, travel insurance, travel providers going out of business, it’s never ending. How does one navigate all of this? To avoid the travel landmines that lay in front of you, you need to get a great travel advisor!
  • a good travel advisor can often save you money.
  • good travel agents prefer to be called travel advisors, or sometimes travel consultants, and those are both totally accurate, but since most people still think of the industry in terms of travel agents
  • “Travel agents are a thing of the past - they primarily booked tickets and beds. Travel advisors have taken on a much more complex role - part psychologist, life coach, executive producer, concierge, fixer, dream maker, and ‘Blink Blink’ genie, with the multitude of services that they provide.”
  • Emergencies:
  • Expertise
  • VIP Connection
  • Extras
  • Better Trips
  • tcale003 on 26 May 20
     
    There are many reasons one still needs a travel agent. They are now called advisors or consultants because of what they can do and their knowledge. These advisors can assist with a multitude of things including emergencies, getting great deals on trips, They will be your best advocate when issues arise and at no extra cost to the consumer. In addition, a good travel advisors save you time and money on trying to plan you own trip. Travel agents who just booked flights and beds are a thing of the past, travel advisors play a much more complex role and provie a great variety of services.
rhoff019

Breakdown of Lufthansa and Sabre Deal Signals New Risks for Corp Travel - Skift - 0 views

skift.com/...nals-new-risks-for-corp-travel

shared by rhoff019 on 05 Jun 20 - No Cached
  • Lufthansa Group on Tuesday informed its travel agency partners that its fares would soon be removed from the global distribution system Sabre.
  • Sabre had terminated the distribution agreement with its airlines
  • This dispute won’t go down well with those corporate travel agencies, or their clients, holding thousands of unused tickets, potentially worth tens of millions of dollars.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • The termination also affects Abacus, Sabre’s Asia-Pacific booking system.
  • Lufthansa Group is the leader of the pack in Europe when it comes to New Distribution Capability
  • The absence of a renewal reflects Lufthansa’s push towards selling directly — although Lufthansa told Skift it wanted to reiterate Sabre cancelled the agreement, not the airline group.
  • With the contract due to end soon, one industry observer believes the distribution deadlock is simply a negotiating tactic.
  • Many airlines have had time to weigh up distribution strategies over the past few months, but with the no real end to the crisis in sight, it would make little sense to limit their options.
  • Southwest, for example,  recently placed its full family of fares on Travelport’s Apollo and Worldspan global distribution systems.
  • Sabre in particular is having a hard time, with net airline bookings falling 111 percent in March.
  • rhoff019 on 05 Jun 20
     
    Sabre has canceled its distribution agreement with all airlines from the Lufthansa Group. These include Austrian, Swiss, and Brussels Airlines. Flights have also been removed from Abacus, which is Sabre's Asian booking system. Lufthansa sets the standard in Europe when it comes to distribution, and Lufthansa is currently working on a redeveloped distribution platform of its own.
mmorr116

Google Hotels is the Elephant in the Room, Is it Good or Evil? - 0 views

hoteltechreport.com/...google-hotels

google OTAs hotels

shared by mmorr116 on 08 Nov 21 - No Cached
  • First there was Google search then Google maps, Google flights now Google's hotel search product is aiming to take on other hotel booking sites and disrupt the online travel agency model.  With flights and core search Google is already a travel industry leader.
  • As Google takes on the OTAs head-to-head, hotels benefit from a significant new distribution channel which (alongside Airbnb) is a major shift in industry dynamics.
  • Rather than hotels distributing to OTAs, who charge commissions for capturing demand from Google (almost like advertising arbitrage), hotels can advertise directly on Google. This shortens the value chain and somewhat balances the  distribution power dynamic in hotels’ favor.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • There’s growing mainstream awareness around the potentially monopolistic characteristics of Google's position as the place where the majority of the world start their online searches.
  • mmorr116 on 08 Nov 21
     
    OTAs identified an unmet customer need and created digital destinations that became the first stop for prospective travelers. Unfortunately, the very thing that made OTAs the original travel disruptors- the ability to aggregate digitized data to create economical, do-it-yourself travel planning - could be what gives rise to another innovative disrupter: Google.
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