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This is a smart move, both from a environmental and a cost cutting perspective as refillable containers will likely reduce costs over the long run. Marriott has been looking at replacing this process for years (Marriott Banning Little Shampoo Bottles By 2020 Associated Press - https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/marriott-banning-little-shampoo-bottles-2020-n1047116) However, even Marriott admits that it doesn't have the process right yet. There will be a significant impact to smaller operators whom 1) Will be challenged with an additional increase in cost for new dispensary options 2) Have less access to big brand economy of scale purchasing which specialized dispensary products will require. Though this is as a policy almost a foregone conclusion, there seems little doubt that extensive thought has to be put into the impact on operators as a whole, and the customer made cognizant of the fact that costs will rise due to this change.

This article highlights the benefits of GDS and how it is becoming obsolete to major airlines. Experts in the industry have been suggesting that the days of the GDS are numbered as technology evolves.

Push-to-talk over celluar (PoC) has impacted wireless communications and hardware development globally in the hospitality industry. There is a growing rend toward the use of mobile messaging apps among hotels, casinos, stadiums, and other venues. The Internet of Things (IoT) has ultimately been the forefront of wireless innovations and mobile apps are being developed on a daily basis to satisfy sector-specific needs. Being easily accessible over Wi-Fi or broadband networks allow great reach and consistent connectivity. Manufacturers are staying relevant through developing joint solutions with other companies to meet end user demands. For example LMR radio and smart phone makers have been working with PTT app firms as well as network providers to satisfy the amount of PoC demand. The trend on replacing two-way radios with smartphones has been seen; however, some are reluctant to change. Some manufacturers have created devices that look like traditional radios but ultimately are just 4G phones on the inside. As soon as safety, productivity, and response time are improved and stable, this transition will become commonplace. In the very near future, through the use of Bluetooth technologies, hotels will send keys directly to smartphones for guests who wish to skip the check-in process.

This article reflects on how communication is now being done through our mobile devices. With so many innovations occurring with technology there are new ways to communicate. The introduction of wireless bluetooth has impacted the push to talk. It's important to keep up with the new innovations in order to stay relevant and not fall behind. The idea of merging devices, in regard to radio is the next big thing. I believe it's important to continue the trend of technology because it helps improve communication and customer experiences. Mobile-applications will at one point be assigned to a certain job and that's how communication will take place. For some it may be a bluetooth piece for others it may be a small microphone attached to the clothing.

This article outlines the tremendous potential of IoT implementation in the industry, with a specific look at India. Interesting to note that the number of devices connected had already exceeded the population of India when it was written and the writer comments that the projection is set for 50 Billion by 2020 (25x the population of India). Citing three major areas of application and impact: 1. Personalization - Enabling the guest to control their in-room preferences and providing the Hotel the opportunity to understand those preferences and provide better future service. 2. Better Monitoring - Ensuring product fault assurance and equipment monitoring 3. Surveillance and Access Control - Monitoring activity on key locks and access to multiple units on the same device. While I think this article speaks to the potential there was significant ground missing in potential applications and services that can and will be offered. It didn't discuss many set backs such as limitations to current IOS provision systems, such as requirement for stable Wi-fi or cell reception. 5G will make this even more complicated. Nor did it address the actual costs of implementation which will be significant, especially for smaller operators. However, it does bring to light the potential for the future.

As we all know, all hotels need some variation of a property management system, which PMSs come in many different forms. In this article, the author has seen PMSs as a superior way to handle all these tasks with ease at hotels because of its ability to deeply integrate with channel managers, booking engines, and revenue management systems. However, there are still certain concerns over PMSs, and this author has clarified some rumors of the validity and cost effectiveness of PMSs in this article.

All hotels need some variation of a property management system (PMS). However they come in many different forms and are not all created equal. There are still properties trying to manage their business in a traditional way with books and ledgers, others are using server-based systems, while many used web-based systems. One of the most valuable things to a hotel manager is time, and money of course. The first two systems listed are a drain on both time and finances, while the latter has obviously become the optimal way to manage hotel operations. Cloud-based PMSs are a superior way to automate and accelerate all the important processes at your hotel such as taking and confirming bookings, managing reservations, generating bills and reports, check-in/out, room transfers, checking/editing availability, guest communication, the list goes in.

The internet has allowed the Hospitality Industry to significantly grow, by bring their products , which is now easily accessible for customers.

Some argue that the GDS is a fair system. It it does enable travel agents and clients to access travel data, make price comparisons, access special rates and book travel. The big 3 Travelport, Amaadeus, and Sabre do generate billions of dollars of global travel sales for travel providers. The fact is though that the current system is old, dating back to the 60's, has serious flaws, and can be hacked. It is also biased as travel agents bookings are swayed by the airlines they have preferred agreements with, which can skew the equation away from the traveler's best interests. Having 3 Big players with a virtual travel monopoly is not an ideal situation. Carriers are fighting back and airlines are changing strategy. Tension between airlines and the GDS caused by disputes has European airlines exploring models outside the GDS. To make the changes successful they cannot be restricted by outdated systems, old technology or financial burdens.

It discusses the high fees of the GDS and the fact that their system needs to be upgraded. Also, the challenges airlines face with paying those fees and ways the airlines are making additional revenue without having to pay fees to the GDS.

Due to the high fees some airlines were or are paying to the GDS companies, they are re-thinking their strategy to get more revenue out of the passengers, in order to mitigate the lost of revenue for not being anymore in an open GDS market like Amadeus. Amadeus knows they are the big gorilla in the market with a 44% of the share, compared to Sabre or Travelport, the other two leaders in the GDS market.

This article relates on the growth and efficiency of cashless & contact-less payment systems which are now part of the unattended POS systems. Their use allows for a fast & easy service and prevent people form worrying about whether they have enough change to pay for the parking meter or for the candy bar form the vending machine. The best part is the fact that the payment card can be placed nearby the device and the transaction can be processed; no need to put in a pin number and risk getting any financial information stolen.

AirBnb and City Relay discuss how they are implementing sustainability in the short term vacation rentals that host travellers in their business platforms. Sustainability has become a very important trend in tourism which travellers highly consider and these businesses see sustainability as a way of increasing operational efficiency.

Here are 8 common questions and concerns among hotel executives wanting to know more about the use of cloud computing at their property.

This article talks about how Oracle has hired a new CEO who is trying to grow their hotel property management system (PMS). It currently has a 16% share of available hotel rooms globally. However, the article talks about how Oracle is facing competitors who are adopting cloud-based services with subscription models. Oracle is hesitant to do so because company executives believe that it will affect their hardware sales and upfront license fees. Oracle's customers also complain about the lack of integrating ability of their programs with other existing programs. The CEO says it is a priority that they improve on this but denies that there is a prevalent existing problem. The article talks about one of their competitors, Protel, which is actively using the cloud in its programs. Protel has become very popular because its open to integrating the cloud in their systems, along with other start-ups that have been successful as well. The CEO seems determined to defend the company and not admit it's defects. He won't even say he's turning the company around. He simply says that he is continuing to implement the same priorities that Oracle had before. This seems a little ignorant. But it was cool to examine how PMS systems with cloud integration have become increasingly popular in the hospitality industry.

This article demonstrates the significance of GDS in cutting cut the operation costs in the airline industry, and thus, improves profitability. The article explains that Air India solved its financial problems by implementing GDS. The use of GDS in domestic ticketing helped the company to reduce its expenditure and earn more revenue. Thus, this is an effective method that modern airlines can use to increase their profit margins.

Unattended POS systems in fast food restaurants like McDonalds can significantly improve their efficiency and remove the pressure from their staff. Restaurants like these are often short staffed. They feel significant impact when they do not have enough staff to support the amount of business that comes through their doors. The cashier often will have to assist in making orders as well, causing a further delay in the line. Adding this and their new drive through initiative, McDonalds will be able to maximize profit, produce more orders in one day and keep their customers waiting minimal amounts of time.

This article focuses on the enhanced technology that fast food chains such as McDonald's are embracing to enhance their service and increase their productivity. An example of this is the self-service kiosks that many McDonald's have installed inside their restaurants. Consumers have adapted well to this technology because data shows that this has increased revenue over time, therefore proving how the unattended POS technology is helping companies be more cost efficient and increase sales.

This article introduces GDS, OTA and Meta in a short space. GDS stands for Global Distribution System, GDS is a rather costly selling channel that mainly allows the sale of rooms in larger quantities to bigger companies. Small independent hotels usually do not need GDS. OTA stands for Online Travel Agency. meta stands for Metasearch Engines. For small hotels, the cost of GDS is high and it is generally difficult to adopt. OTA and meta are two methods worth considering.

This article discusses the importance of accounting in the hospitality industry and how the data that is found is utilized in creating the budget that the property must follow. Companies hire managers and directors who are responsible in forecasting, and ensuring their respective departments meet the budgetary goals for the period / year.

IT in hospitality is most depends on the multiple factors:1. we are using methodology to analyze which are the most factors to be easier effected the people who in hospitality. 2. Findings. Only half of independent hotels use any form of information technology.Smaller hotels are less likely to use IT with only 26 per cent of those hotels with less than 20 rooms being users.Factors such as location, i.e. whether a hotel is situated in a rural or urban environment, seem not to affect use. 3. user and non-user. The profile of the hotel manager himself/herself was a significant determinant in the adoption of IT and those managers who do not use IT are generally older and have poor academic qualifications. This indicated that the more young manager or stuff in independent hotel, the most often IT system or hardware and software being used. Those who did not use IT in their hotels gave the main reason for this lack of use as the cost of the systems involved although 58 per cent could perceive a positive benefit provided by a computer system which would indicate an undeveloped market for hardware and software suppliers. Concerns were expressed at the plethora of software and hardware (which made it difficult for non‐users to make a choice), the lack of independent advice, and the difficulty of keeping abreast of technology with the volume of hardware and software emerging daily. This seems to indicate that the fear of making a poor choice prevents some non‐users from making any choice. So it is seems like concerns with the unfamiliar especially in the non touchable IT area, being a barrier for the older manager from independent hotel keep in touch with IT. IT has much to offer in terms of competitive advantage. This survey recommend those non-IT hotel being changed, even with many of the barriers on their face, let the IT come to your life and make your business more easier and profitable. If we intend to get the survey as more specific as we can, which means we