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How to use Artificial Intelligence in the Hospitality Industry - 3 views

  • Artificial intelligence, or AI, refers to the performance of seemingly intelligent behaviours by computers or machines.
  • Essentially, AI refers to computers or machines carrying out tasks that were traditionally thought to require cognitive function to carry out. It is associated with concepts like automation and big data.
  • Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in hospitality management, primarily because of its ability to carry out traditionally human functions at any time of the day.
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  • AI chatbots have been utilised on social media platforms, allowing customers to ask questions and get almost instantaneous responses, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Another wayin which AI is being utilised within the hotel industry away from pure customer service is in data analysis. In this capacity, the technology can be used to quickly sort through large amounts of data and draw important conclusions about customers, or potential customers.
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    This article goes over different ways artificial intelligence is able to be used within the hospitality industry. Some examples used in this article are the virtual customer service representative known as Connie by Hilton Hotels as well as chatter box messaging. These are just some of the ways of many AI is being used throughout the industry.
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    AI is playing an increasingly important role in hospitality management, primarily because of its ability to carry out traditionally human functions at any time of the day. This potentially means hotel owners can save significant money, eliminate human error and deliver superior service. With artificial intelligence, the possibilities for improving this aspect are almost endless, ranging from increased personalization to tailored recommendations.
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How Hotel Connectivity Leads to Exceptional Guest Experiences - 0 views

  • According to a recent study by Hotel Technology, 73 percent of guests surveyed are likely to return to a hotel that meets their technology needs.
  • “Today’s guests want an almost at-home-like experience when it comes to connectivity. As they juggle between smartphones, laptops, tablets, and wearables, there’s an expectation of seamless network coverage that caters to their tech-driven habits.
  • According to Skift Research’s 2022 Digital Transformation Report, almost 87 percent of surveyed travel executives said they were using cloud computing to help improve the customer experience and optimize operations
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    This article speaks about the cloud-based solutions used to meet the needs of our guests during their stay. Connectivity is ranked number on their list of amenities and their reason for returning as loyal guests. Cloud technology allows the hospitality industry to provide scalable and efficient services.
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How COVID-19 has accelerated tech adoption in the hotel industry | Hotel Management - 0 views

  • exponential technology.
  • refers to both the rapid improvements in cost and performance
  • Smart capacities and services that were previously considered add-ons to the guest experience will quickly become requirements in the post-pandemic hospitality space.
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  • Investing in integrated online booking platforms that help to supplement staff efforts and create a seamless, personalized experience is the best way to ensure the guest has a positive brand experience
  • Hoteliers are using app platforms to track spaces used by guests and ensure a thorough sanitation before their next use
  • Integrated app platforms can help guests order room service or a morning coffee, reserve a spot out on the pool deck or communicate virtually with a staff member for instant assistance
  • Reward programs are meant to incentivize returning business without alienating first-time customers, or overemphasizing the different levels of guest perks.
  • A personalized guest app can offer different levels of accommodation.
  • Their choices and preferences could be logged as data and shared with the staff to help personalize their next stay.
  • Wearable technology has gained in popularity as a way to monitor guest activity, manage contact tracing, and help control the spread of the virus
  • also offers valuable feedback for consumer analysis
  • The more that guests are able to be tracked and recognized, the more they deserve to know their data is safe.
  • App platforms should have a section detailing which guest operations remain completely private, the rules and regulations regarding the use or sale of customer data, and the consequences that apply if any rules are breached.
  • Accelerated adoption of technology will transform the hotel sector at a rate even more extreme than once predicted
  • Smart tech will offer benefits to customers and staff alike, elevating the guest experience and making new levels of personalized hospitality possible.
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    *The hotel industry has incorporated exponential technology for its improvements in cost and performance -an implementation that evolved rapidly during the pandemic that hasn't been seen before. *Smart technology has offered benefits to customers and staff while elevating the guest experience on a personalized hospitality way.
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Hilton Hotels Hit By Payment Malware - 0 views

  • Hilton has revealed that some of its payment systems have been infected with malware that organised the theft of targeted customer informat
  • ion.
  • nfected POS (Point of Sale) systems in hotels.
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  • i
  • we identified and eradicated unauthorised malware that targeted payment card information in some point-of-sale systems at our hotels
  • 54 North American locations were compromised by point-of-sale malware
  • hospitality service providers face extraordinary challenges with customer data security at point of sale (POS)
  • often the weak link in the chain and the choice of malware,
  • Encrypting the data in the card reading terminal ahead of the POS eliminates the exposure of live information in vulnerable POS systems
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    This article is about the POS system at Hilton hotels and how it was breached by malware that put consumer data at risk. I found this article interesting because Hilton does not use unattended POS systems, which are what are most commonly targeted in information phishing attacks. This is definitely something that affects all aspects of the hospitality industry, and we know that consumer data is very sensitive. Hotels and other hospitality agencies are trusted to maintain high levels of confidentiality. It would be interesting to see how such a malware would have affected a smaller company with less counterattack resources.
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Short-circuiting the electronic-waste crisis - 1 views

  • According to the Global E-waste Monitor, a project backed by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, people disposed of 53.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste in 2019 — a quantity that is expected to increase by nearly 40% by 2030
  • “This is an opportunity to stop thinking of it as waste,” says Clara Santato, a chemist specializing in electroactive materials at Polytechnique Montréal in Canada. But making electronics more sustainable will also require a more radical evolution of the industry as a whole, as well as the consumers who crave their products
  • Not everything can be readily recycled, but there are opportunities to create ‘green electronics’ that can be produced and disposed of in a more environmentally friendly way.
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  • E-waste contains these hard-to-find elements in abundance.
  • as of 2019, only around 17% of the world’s e-waste was being properly managed for recycling in the countries that generate it
  • In an initial demonstration, this method recovered more than 80% of the precious metals, such as palladium and silver, that were present in an e-waste sample4, while also enabling easy isolation of toxic compounds such as mercury and lead.
  • Standard building blocks such as silicon, iron and copper are typically joined by more exotic elements. These include highly conductive precious metals such as platinum and gold, as well as rare-earth elements such as neodymium, which possess unique magnetic and electrical properties.
  • Conventional circuit boards are built on fibreglass, which is non-biodegradable and typically laced with potentially toxic fire-retardant compounds. Martins’ group is working on paper-based boards that could offer an environmentally friendlier alternative.
  • recyclable or compostable electronics could become invaluable in devices intended for short-term use, or in narrow-purpose devices such as wearables or environmental sensors that don’t have to meet the same rigorous performance standards as the processors found in smartphones.
  • But more-aggressive measures will probably be necessary, including tighter regulations.
  • Manufacturers should also pursue practices that promote circularity.
  • Planned obsolescence by manufacturers is part of the problem, but resolving this issue will also be a matter of public education and policies that boost civic-mindedness and environmental consciousness
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    The article recommends tighter regulations and corporate accountability as means to limit e-waste production and facilitate a cultural shift. E-waste production is set to increase rapidly and will see a 40% increase in quantity by 2030 unless checks are put in place. Creating green electronics has been discussed as an important step as manufacturers have been urged to use biodegradable components in their devices. The article further encourages businesses to promote circularity while highlighting that the responsibility also falls on consumers to adopt better practices. Public education is discussed as a critical tool to make populations aware while consumer electronics brands have been urged to make devices that are easy to disassemble and repair to increase longevity.
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How can proximity marketing help your business? - ShippyPro Blog - 2 views

  • you may have heard of its alternative name, ‘hyperlocal marketing’. It’s all about marketing to customers, and potential customers, in the right place and at the right time. It also makes use of personalised notifications to really engage customer
  • Proximity marketing enables you to bridge the gap between online and offline marketing. It can entice customers into making a spontaneous purchase.
  • beacons are small, wireless devices that transmit Bluetooth signals to smartphones that are within a certain proximity of the device
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  • Proximity marketing can also be used as a way of gaining on-the-spot customer feedback.
  • Over 60% of respondents to the study said that they would do more holiday shopping in a physical store rather than online if they were served mobile content and offers as they shopped. Finally, 61% of people said they’d visit a shop more often if it offered beacon marketing campaigns.
  • Near-field communication (NFC) was designed to enable secure payments and applications
  • it hasn’t been as successful for proximity marketing. That’s because NFC ads require customers to initiate the engagement, and can’t send notifications like beacons can.
  • QR codes are an alternative solution for running proximity marketing campaigns if your brand doesn’t have an app
  • Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is used by retailers to track store product movement and inventory. However, to use it for proximity marketing requires businesses to invest a significant amount in all of the equipment needed including tags, readers, reader control and apps.
  • it’s not inherently compatible with mobile devices,
  • Proximity marketing can offer tailored advertising for customers, with ads triggered by a customer’s proximity to your store.
  • you can build long-term relationships with your customers by offering them a more personalised experience
  • Retailers who have both online stores and bricks-and-mortar shops have long struggled with having access to the same data offline as they do online
  • It targets potential customers with personalised adverts based on how close they are to a specific location.
  • The technology for hyperlocal marketing is usually powered by beacons, which is a fast-growing market. In 2016, the global beacons technology market was valued at $519.6 million.
  • Retailers can send whatever information they want out to customers’ phones. They could choose to send details of special offers, or perhaps offer a unique discount that isn’t available to other customers.
  • It can improve a customer’s affinity to your brand, and drive sales from both new and existing customers.
  • By sending notifications and offers to shoppers through your app, you can ensure customers take a more active interest in the app.
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    This article explains what proximity marketing is, that marketing to customers and prospects in the right place at the right time, and how it works. Through a series of research data shows the development prospect of this marketing way. Introduce the most common technique used for this type of marketing is beacon,while also introduce some other methods and the reason why these technologies haven't been as popular as beacons, including NCF (near-field communication), QR codes, RFID (radio-frequency identification), and WiFi. The author also analyzes the benefits, which contains advertising, personalization, access to data, and increase usage of mobile apps, for companies to use this, as well as benefits for customers, such as a personalized shopping experience. Moreover, the writer rounded up some of the best-use cases of proximity marketing by big brands, including McDonald's, Amazon Go, and Walmart in order to give some idea for readers how this could be applied for business.
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    This article discusses what proximity marketing is, how it is used, the different forms of it, as well as the pros and cons of it. Proximity marketing has many different uses, and is currently mainly used in retail stores. However, this kind of location based marketing is becoming popular in hospitality, mainly through restaurant usage.
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The Importance Of Proximity In Hospitality SEO - Wpromote - 0 views

  • Domain clustering can be a factor in why your hotel is not ranking in organic search results for “hotels near Times Square NY,” especially if there are multiple hotels in your area. Google wants to make sure users are receiving diverse and relevant search results for their queries. That means that sharing a domain name can sometimes work against you because Google is unlikely to serve a user several hotels that are on the same domain.
  • It’s important to put yourself in a customer or potential customer’s shoes and approach your keyword strategy from that point of view while also considering algorithms, domain crowding, competition, and user intent.
  • Closeness to area attractions and venues is important to SEO, and proximity of your address to a point of interest has become the top-ranking factor in Google. This makes it much harder for your hotel to rank for attractions and points of interest if they truly are not “near” your hotel.
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  • In 2016, the Google Possum algorithm update caused Proximity of the Address to the Point of Interest to become more important.
  • In 2017, the Google Hawk algorithm update eliminated some of the local search filters that were put in place by the Google Possum update and focused on showing search results in the immediate area or in close proximity of the search query.
  • f your hotel lies outside that area, it will be seen as irrelevant to the search query and most likely will not rank for that phrase organically.
  • Hotels that are in rural or suburban areas, however, typically have fewer large attractions or points of interest nearby, so they may rank for attractions that are further away due to less competition in the area.
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    Proximity marketing is and has become the new method of advertising on a device which virtually anyone has; the cell phone. However, due to its popularity it has turned into something more complex due to the amount of organizations using this feature and the somewhat tight geographic locations. A city like New York is a prime example to how many businesses fight for a glimpse of spotlight regarding proximity marketing. Although, Google plays a huge role in helping locate a business, it does not seem to be an equal opportunist for all hotels, for instance.
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    proximity accurately represent your location in relation to major points of interest in your area becomes even more important for the guest experience. Imagine that same hotel really tries to drive home the point that is it near Times Square on its website, only to have visitors disappointed that the attraction is really much further than expected and that other hotels are much closer.
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POV: IHG's Recent Data Breach Wasn't Due to a Weak Password | Hospitality Technology - 0 views

  • come to light regarding the recent IHG data breach, one thing becomes clear: employee training to detect suspicious phishing emails must become a priority. Many news outlets have made it seem that a weak password was the cause for the company’s recent security breach, but if the hackers -- TeaPea -- who are claiming responsibility for the breach are to be believed, this really isn’t the case. TeaPea told the BBC that they were only able to gain access to the company’s internal IT network after an employee was tricked into downloading a malicious piece of software via a booby-trapped email attachment.
  • MPLOYEES ARE THE WEAKEST LINK
  • Unfortunately, in an industry where hospitality and customer service is the primary directive, employees are predisposed for being kind and willing to give to much information," says Andy Rogers, Senior Assessor of Schellman, a global cybersecurity assessor. 
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  • or hoteliers, recognizing this as a true weakness and doing what they can to remediate this problem is a necessity
  • MAKE CYBER SECURITY TRAINING A PRIORITYOnce employees are aware of the role they play in protecting the company, they must then receive regular and high-quality training on a variety of phishing attacks
  • remember, an hour long security training session once a year is likely to be highly ineffective. Instead, consider multiple short training sessions regularly.
  • GO BEYOND TRAINING
  • Email systems are too intimate with business applications and are typically installed on the same workstations for convenience," Sackowitz says. "Perhaps, as a safer alternative, it's time to look at sandboxing or bifurcating critical systems over one’s that converge with public delivery. Perimeters are still necessary. Additionally, there are technologies that can block or proxy any outbound URL from email that will minimize risk."
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    this article is about a recent data breach. in essence this article provides an outline for how to possibly prevent something this devastating from happening. the general consensus is that training employees is of the utmost importance because there the weak link.
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15 Ways Brick-And-Mortar Stores Can Leverage Tech To Boost The Shopping Experience - 0 views

  • Brick-and-mortar businesses were already facing stiff competition from e-commerce when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, and in the months since, e-commerce’s share of the retail market has only grown.
  • if brick-and-mortar retailers adopt a page or two from the e-commerce playbook.
  • By blending what’s unique about the in-store experience with technology that adds the convenience shoppers love about e-commerce, brick-and-mortar retailers can offer consumers the best of both worlds.
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  • 1. Leverage Proximity Marketing
  • proximity marketing offers enormous potential through personal touches and person-centered service.
  • Physical stores should leverage their existing cameras to digitize their physical spaces. Using computer vision and artificial intelligence, physical stores can truly compete with e-commerce by optimizing store layouts, reducing queue lengths and, ultimately, increasing conversions
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    As brick-and-mortar stores struggle throughout the country, many are looking at technology to bridge the gap between e-commerce. Many are looking at leveraging proximity marketing with personal touches or AI to provide guests with an online shopping experience in the store.
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Gamification: The Hotel Effect - 0 views

  • Gamification: The hotel effect
  • Nowadays, the ways to attract guest attention and interest are countless, and being able to capitalize on today’s new technologies and digital transformation is just as important as presenting an unforgettable stay for your guests. With this in mind, we’ve taken interest in a new and innovative trend that hotels have begun adding into their marketing repertoires - gamification. 
  • use cases of this concept present a wide array of possibilities
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  • Why is gamification so effective in hospitality?
  • One of the important points of gamification is that it serves as a completely interactive digital experience. Being a new concept gives visitors the excitement of being able to engage with something fresh, and the interactive aspects of gamification is what keeps them interested in the program - and ultimately, of course, the property. Hotels around the world have begun introducing different variations of gamification, from simple point systems to full-fledged casino-like game ideas. Whether it be keeping up with guest loyalty or creating a sense of scarcity and urgency, gamification is a budding trend that’s set to take over the hospitality world. 
  • In addition to creating an engaging and interactive first impression for your potential guests, it’s equally important to be able to have something that keeps them constantly wanting more from you; and this is exactly what La Quinta Inns & Suites did.  The brand presented visitors with “Play & Stay”, a tremendously addictive game where users were able to potentially win collectibles or points of the brand with a digital slot machine and wheel of fortune. 
  • With “Play & Stay’s” digital slot machine, guests can use these tokens to access the game. The more times they play, the more chances they get to receive La Quinta-relevant rewards such as discounts or stays without blackout dates. The game’s addictiveness, in addition to the great potential rewards, adds to the guest's desire of returning back to the La Quinta website, and spinning the wheel again to see what more prizes they can potentially win. This in itself already helps to builds a large loyal base of La Quinta followers, and the gamification strategy’s success only amplifies its potential.
  • Accor Hotels
  • When creating a point-based gamification strategy, Accor Hotels has hit all the right spots with their Accor Live Limitless (ALL) program. The brand’s ALL program lies solely in a simple yet equally effective point system. Though it seems straightforward, the Accor point system possesses an in-depth array of different aspects in the overall strategy. Five different ALL program levels, depicted with different cards, range from classic to diamond and contain different perks each. Focusing on the actual stays of the guests, the program allows users to accumulate reward points every time they book or stay at one of the participating ALL program hotels, and members can earn additional reward and status points for every 10 Euros spent.
  • We at THN love exploring and learning about new hotel marketing initiatives, and look forward to creating more content and additional follow-ups to the growing and innovative gamification trend. We can’t wait to see what more exciting gamification strategies you have in store! 
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    this article talks about how gamification is impacting the Hospitality industry.
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6 Technology Trends Redefining the Hospitality Industry - 2 views

  • Travelers now prefer self-service over waiting to be served
  • online planning and booking
  • ontactless check-in and
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  • Incorporating technology into day-to-day operations is essential to minimize human error, maximize service efficiency and improve the guest experience.
    • aquin206
       
      Companies must evolve in the world of technology in order to meet customer demands. In effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, travelers now prefer self-service such as contactless check in. The incorporation of this technology, minimizes huma error and maximizes efficiency.
  • Companies must move quickly to meet evolving demands or risk missing the boat.
  • 24/7 digital concierge.
  • As people contemplate their next getaway, hospitality companies can leverage gamification — using game design elements in non-game contexts — to turn travel planning from a chore into a guilty pleasure.
  • Gamification of travel planning
    • aquin206
       
      By using game like templates in their websites, travel companies are able to capitalize on human motivation. When customers able to get rewards, brand awareness, customer loyalty, and revenue are improved
  • companies can capitalize on human motivation.
  • Beyond novelty, using gamification for online advertising is proven to boost data driving, customer loyalty, brand awareness, user-generated content, online engagement and revenue.
  • Virtual reality tours
    • aquin206
       
      Virtual reality tours help travelers to enjoy their future destination before they arrive. They also help with brand experience as they create mental imagery and presence.
  • Through the use of VR (virtual reality), companies can now give first-person digital tours of their space to future guests.
  • The adoption of contactless technology like self-check-in, in-room technology, mobile keys and digital payments, increased by 66 percent during the pandemic
  • Going contactless
    • aquin206
       
      Contactless check in, mobile keys, and digital payments all increased by 66 percent due to the pandemic. This however, is here to stay as this decreases staff dependency.
  • VR increases the elaboration of mental imagery and presence, leading to better brand experience,
  • many hospitality companies transitioned to contactless check-in/out to reduce staff dependency.
  • Chatbot as a digital concierge
    • aquin206
       
      Chatbot is a simple way to meet guest demands 24/7. With FAQ, guests can get an answer to their question in a matter of seconds at any time of the day without needing to leave their room.
  • Hoteliers are scrambling to meet 24/7 guest demands. With fewer staff, chatbots are shifting from luxury to necessity.
  • This means a 24/7 ability to engage users, answer their questions and fulfill their requests.
  • IoT for room control and customization
    • aquin206
       
      IoT allows guests to have a home away from home by personalizing their rooms by changing the color of the lights, temperature, etc.
  • IoT technology allows guests to personalize room settings like room temperature and lighting.
  • Location-based services
    • aquin206
       
      With location based services, travelers are able to find activities and amenities wherever they are staying. This can offer more intuitive local recommendations without needing staff assistance.
  • By seeing a guest's location via their smartphone, hospitality companies can offer more intuitive local recommendations. Without needing staff assistance, guests can instantly access local information, such as the nearest grocery store or the best pub in town.
  • Hospitality tech revolution predictions
  • he hospitality industry cannot expect a return to normal.
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    This article focuses on six trends that are redefining the hospitality industry. These trends are; gamification of travel planning, virtual reality tours, going contactless, chatbot as digital concierge, IoT for room control, and location-based services. Companies must evolve in the world of technology in order to meet customer demands. In effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, travelers now prefer self-service such as contactless check in. The incorporation of this technology, minimizes huma error and maximizes efficiency. Gamification of travel planning: By using game like templates in their websites, travel companies are able to capitalize on human motivation. When customers able to get rewards, brand awareness, customer loyalty, and revenue are improved. Virtual Reality Tours: Virtual reality tours help travelers to enjoy their future destination before they arrive. They also help with brand experience as they create mental imagery and presence. Going Contactless: Contactless check in, mobile keys, and digital payments all increased by 66 percent due to the pandemic. This however, is here to stay as this decreases staff dependency. Chatbot as a Digital Concierge: Chatbot is a simple way to meet guest demands 24/7. With FAQ, guests can get an answer to their question in a matter of seconds at any time of the day without needing to leave their room. IoT for Room Control and Customization: IoT allows guests to have a home away from home by personalizing their rooms by changing the color of the lights, temperature, etc. Location-Based Services: With location based services, travelers are able to find activities and amenities wherever they are staying. This can offer more intuitive local recommendations without needing staff assistance.
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    Hello Alejandra. I really enjoyed reading this article, thank you for sharing! Although I am a germaphobe, and number three (Going contactless) appealed to me on a certain level, the points that stood out to me the most were; number two (Virtual reality tours) and number four (Chatbot as a digital concierge). I am one of the individuals who check reviews of places before I make a reservation but taking the virtual reality tour would give me more assurance of the property because individuals have different expectations and standards so what may be appropriate for them, may not be for me. The Chatbot as a digital concierge is quite convenient for both guests and hotels, hence it will ensure a more comfortable and relaxing stay.
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Hospitality Digital Technology: Challenges, Priorities and Buzzwords | - 4 views

  • With the explosion of the “digital way of life”, the customer journey has become increasingly complex, forcing hoteliers overhaul not only their corporate and marketing strategies, but also their technology stack in order to engage, acquire, service and retain these digitally-enabled travel consumers across multiple digital touch points and across all digital channels and devices.
  • Today’s hospitality is being transformed into a 100% digital technology-enabled industry powered by online, mobile, cloud, IoT, AI and blockchain tools and applications.
  • there are two categories of guest-facing digital technology:
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  • Today, the vast majority of hoteliers are primarily focused on and investing in Guest Services Technology, while underinvesting in Guest Engagement, Acquisition and Retention Technology.
  • Guest Services Technology
  • Guest Engagement, Acquisition and Retention Technology
  • Today’s hoteliers must create and manage a robust digital presence and engage, acquire, service and retain travel consumers in this increasingly mobile-first world.
  • In other words, hoteliers’ technology focus and investments end where the OTA focus and investment begin.
  • With nearly 59% of online travelers now visiting the hotel website from mobile devices,
  • a mobile-first website design is a must.
  • Mobile-first responsive website with
  • cloud hosting and CDN (Content Delivery Network) provides far better server response times and faster download speeds.
  • Quite often different teams at the property use different sets of data in their day-to-day operations, creating a total “data integrity mess,” which directly affects the property’s guest acquisition and retention efforts.
  • They must understand and invest in digital technology and marketing that enables the best possible user experience, provides the best customer service, increases efficiencies and boosts revenues.
  • From a technology perspective, the challenge to hoteliers is to create a hotel and room environment that at least matches but preferably exceeds their guests’ home environment. In other words, hotel and room technology, amenities, and features should be the same or better than what guests already enjoy at home. These include:
  • The future of this technology is the Smart Guestroom which will be completely personalized to guest preferences and loyalty member profile.
  • “Imagine a world where the room knows you, and you know your room.”
  • Hoteliers are overwhelmed by the amount of technology, data, and digital marketing silos and the need to work with multitude of vendors in their guest acquisition and services efforts.
  • Each team has its own technology tools, databases, and vendors which are not in communication with the other teams.
  • Unlike hoteliers, the OTAs are focused exclusively and investing only in Guest Engagement, Acquisition and Retention Technology since they do not have to worry about on-property technology and guest experiences.
  • Reluctance to invest in digital technology:
  • Antiquated accounting in hospitality:
  • The technology and data fragmentation in hospitality
  • These are the major impediments to the industry becoming a digital technology-driven and technology-savvy industry:
  • Recently, an independent hotel introduced room service delivery robots, which would have been great if the rest of the hotel tech stack were in order, and if it weren’t for the 6-year old property website, and absence of any CRM technology.
  • Hotels should first focus on the fundamentals of the technology stack before implementing more advanced things.
  • The U.S. hospitality industry is a $155 billion industry. This provides endless opportunities for smart technology vendors to thrive and service the industry with state-of-the-art solutions.
  • The industry needs fewer, as opposed to more, technology vendors servicing the industry.
  • The industry has a “vendor deficit disorder” in the sense of being overwhelmed by the number of tech vendors and solutions out there.
  • Hoteliers need to monitor, proactively inquire about and familiarize themselves with the Next Generation Technologies that are already making their way into hospitality, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Voice Assistants, Chat Bots, Robotics, and Blockchain.
  • Over the next 3-5 years we will witness wider adoption and implementation of the following next gen technologies:
  • Unlike hoteliers, the OTAs are focused exclusively and investing only in Guest Engagement, Acquisition and Retention Technology.
  • Hoteliers must wake up to the fact that by being primarily focused on and investing in Guest Services Technology, while underinvesting in Guest Engagement, Acquisition and Retention Technology, they are allowing the OTAs more visibility to engage, acquire and retain the online travel consumer.
  • Digital technology is making its way into every aspect of the industry: hotel operations, guest services and communications, revenue management, distribution, CRM and marketing.
  • Today’s hotelier must understand, know and use digital tech solutions in their everyday environment, and be able to assess, evaluate, recommend and acquire technology solutions to improve guest satisfaction, operational efficiencies and productivity, customer service and revenue.
  • Website Technology: The property or hotel brand website has become the gravitational center of all hotelier’s efforts to engage, acquire and retain the customer. Any marketing efforts of the hotel today lead the potential customers to the hotel website. Today’s website technology includes cloud-based Content Management System (CMS), comprehensive merchandising suites, reservation abandonment tools, personalization pricing and content, technical SEO, cloud hosting, and robust analytics suite
  • The goal here is very clear: bridge the guest data and technology silos in hospitality and create an end-to-end solution, empowering hotels to acquire new guests, engage current guests, and retain past guests by combining digital marketing, website, and CRM data into one cohesive marketing and personalization platform.
  • The “digital way of life” adopted by today’s tech-savvy travel consumer is forcing the hospitality industry to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies and become a 100% digital technology-enabled industry.
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    The article covers a great deal of the technology products in all of the hotel aspects. it also focuses on the fact that hotels are investing a lot in offering technological tangible services to the clients where must shift its focus a bit and invest more in the guest engagement technology to close the gap between them and OTAs.
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    Hospitality is being transformed into a 100% digital technology-enabled industry; however, it is very challenging to maintain. Employees are overwhelmed by the amount of technology they need to lear to do their job efficiently
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    This article focuses on the fact that technology is now being used in almost every aspect of the hotel industry. This is because hoteliers are beginning to understand that guests are expecting to enjoy the same level of technology used in the comfort of their homes when they are at hotels. Therefore, hotels that are more technologically advanced are more empowered to satisfy guests' technological needs, but the information collected by the hotels' systems also enables the hotels to acquire new guests, engage current guests and retain past guests; as such, there are benefits to both the hotels and guests when the level of technology offered is updated.
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What is Cloud Computing? Pros and Cons of Different Types of Services - 2 views

  • Cloud computing
  • Cloud computing is the delivery of different services through the Internet
  • cloud-based storage makes it possible to save them to a remote database
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  • including cost savings, increased productivity, speed and efficiency, performance, and security.
  • Companies that provide cloud services enable users to store files and applications on remote servers and then access all the data via the Internet.
  • Public clouds provide their services on servers and storage on the Internet.
  • Private clouds are reserved for specific clientele, usually one business or organization.
  • Hybrid clouds
  • allows the user more flexibility and helps optimize the user's infrastructure and security.
  • Cloud computing is
  • primarily comprised of three services:
  • Software-as-a-service (SaaS)
  • pay-as-you-go model or on-demand.
  • Microsoft Office's 365
  • Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS)
  • nvolves a method for delivering everything from operating systems to servers and storage through IP-based connectivity as part of an on-demand service.
  • Platform-as-a-service (PaaS
  • a platform for creating software that is delivered via the Internet.
  • Advantages of Cloud Computing 
  • ability to use software from any device
  • It also offers big businesses huge cost-saving potential.
  • The cloud structure allows individuals to save storage space
  • Disadvantages of the Cloud
  • Security has always been a big concern with the cloud especially when it comes to sensitive medical records and financial information.
  • internal bugs, and power outages
  • types of cloud computing services
  • Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platforms-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
  •  
    Cloud computing is the delivery of services through the internet with the use of a cloud based remote database. Cloud computing helps businesses with cost savings, productivity, speed, efficiency, performance, and security. There are different types of clouds which include public clouds, private clouds, and hybrid clouds. In addition, there are also three services in cloud computing which are; software-as-a-service which provides the user with a pay as you go model, infrastructure-as-a-service, which provides the user with services via IP addresses, and platform-as-a-service which is a platform delivered via the internet. There are both pros and cons when it comes to cloud computing. Some pros include the ability to use the software from any device, cost savings, and storage utility. On the other hand, some cons include security concerns, internal bugs, and power outages.
  •  
    I also read this article just for a better understanding of the cloud and to really dive deep into the good and the bad, because as we know you can't have the good without the bad. I didn't realize the many different types of cloud computing so that was interesting to read.
  •  
    Hello Alejandra, This is another great article that you have posted, thank you! Although I have been doing a lot of reading this week on Cloud Computing, I was truly enlightened by some of the information in this post; for example, Cloud Computing offers both public and private services, coupled with a Hybrid option that allows more flexibility and helps optimize the user's infrastructure and security. Further, creating and testing apps, and audio and video streaming were highlighted in this article, unlike others that I have read. Moreover, it broke down the functions of the components of the system (SaaS), infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), and platform-as-a-service (PaaS). Equally, some disadvantages stood out to me, like if the encryption key is lost, the data disappears. The geographical reach of cloud computing cuts both ways: A blackout in California could paralyze users in New York, and a firm in Texas could lose its data if something causes its Maine-based provider to crash. Additionally, with many individuals accessing and manipulating information through a single portal, inadvertent mistakes can transfer across an entire system. In closing, I have noticed that overall the benefits of Cloud Computing can tremendously assist companies in many ways, but some of the disadvantages can have a catastrophic impact on businesses and their operations. Shineal
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Data Security in Hospitality: Risks and Best Practices - 0 views

  • Best practices for companies in the hospitality sector to protect data include:
  • Always encrypt payment card information. Operate a continuous training program in cybersecurity to maintain a well-trained workforce. Always adhere to relevant regulations, such as PCI DSS. Use cybersecurity measures such as firewalls, network monitoring, anti-malware, and traffic filtering to protect against common threats. Conduct tests against your organization’s cybersecurity defenses in which you mirror the behavior of an actual hacker. Know where your data is and enforce the principle of least privileges to limit access to sensitive information.
  • groups may use different computer systems to store information, and the information can also frequently move across those systems.
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  • five of the biggest data security concerns in the hospitality industry and highlights some best practices for protecting hospitality data.
  • Data Security Concerns in Hospitality
  • complex ownership structures
  • From the perspective of cybercriminals, hospitality appears to offer an ideal target vector for conducting crimes such as identity theft and credit card fraud due to the existence of multiple databases and devices containing both Payment Card Information (PCI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
  • challenge to maintain teams of well-trained staff.
  • t was reported in 2017 that out of 21 of the most high-profile hotel company data breaches that have occurred since 2010, 20 of them were a result of malware affecting POS systems.
  • can go unnoticed for months.
  • High Staff Turnover
  • In the U.K., for example, the job turnover rate in hospitality is as high as 90 percent.
  • Reliance on Paying By Card
  • t involves employees selling data to third parties without the knowledge of the organization that employs them.
  • Insider Threats
  • Compliance
  • Hotels, motels, resorts, and rented apartment complexes all gather and electronically store a range of sensitive personal guest data, such as names, phone numbers, addresses, and credit card details.
  • The high level of turnover and high degree of staff movement between different locations makes it a real challenge to maintain teams of well-trained staff
  • Each of these groups may use different computer systems to store information, and the information can also frequently move across those systems.
  • ospitality appears to offer an ideal target vector for conducting crimes such as identity theft and credit card fraud due to the existence of multiple databases and devices containing both Payment Card Information (PCI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
  • ybercriminals use this reliance on cards to infect point-of-sale (POS) systems with malware that steals credit and debit card information by scraping the data
  • A case in point was the Wyndham Worldwide breaches of 2008 and 2010. Hackers gained access to the systems of an individual operating company through easily guessed passwords, and the attack easily proliferated through the entire corporate network, with the result that 619,000 customers had their information compromised.
  • While GDPR protects individual data within the EU and EEA, its ramifications have rippled through industries globally, and organizations are realizing the need to put greater compliance measures in place. PCI DSS is another important global regulation that protects credit card data, and fines for non-compliance begin at $500,000 per incident. The risk here is not just to data security but to the future survivability of hospitality companies, many of which would not be able to absorb the s
  • This type of data risk is more subtle and it involves employees selling data to third parties without the knowledge of the organization that employs them
  • Always encrypt payment ca
  • rd information. Operate a continuous training program in cybersecurity to maintain a well-trained workforce. Always adhere to relevant regulations, such as PCI DSS. Use cybersecurity measures such as firewalls, network monitoring, anti-malware, and traffic filtering to protect against common threats. Conduct tests against your organization’s cybersecurity defenses in which you mirror the behavior of an actual hacker. Know where your data is and enforce the principle of least privileges to limit access to sensitive information.
  •  
    This article highlights several important security issues in the hospitality industry, followed by the practice of protecting data from loss. The data structure of the hotel industry is complex, customers mainly use bank cards to pay, and the staff turnover rate is high. There are certain internal threats. In order to solve these problems and avoid data loss, it is not enough to strengthen network security. It is also important that employees are trained and familiar with and comply with relevant regulations.
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  •  
    Data security is a major issue in the hospitality industry. A lot of personal information is stored on the computers specifically credit card information of the guests staying at the hotel. It is the responsibility of the hotel to ensure that the data is protected. High turnover rate in the industry can make this an even bigger challenge. Ensuring that your staff is properly trained to ensure the highest level of security is maintained is highly important.
  •  
    This article speaks about the data security concerns in hospitality. Restaurants, hotels, and other companies in the hospitality sector often have complex ownership structures in which there's a franchisor and a management company that acts as the operator. Businesses use different computer systems to store information. The nature of the hospitality industry is such that it is extremely reliant on cards as a form of payment. Cybercriminals use this reliance on cards to infect point-of-sale (POS) systems with malware that steals credit and debit card information by scraping the data. A vital part of protecting data is training staff to securely gather and store personal information. Well-trained staff also know how to recognize social engineering attempts and they understand an organization's compliance requirements. Data security risks in the hospitality industry extend far beyond the reputation hit that a hotel can take if guests' data is compromised. Industry and political regulators are becoming stricter in governing how organizations process and store personal data. Some of the best practices for companies in the hospitality industry to use are: always encrypt payment card info, operate training programs in cybersecurity regularly to keep everyone informed, adhere to regulations, know where the data is, and enforce limit access to sensitive info, and more.
  •  
    This article explains how data security is at an all time high in the hospitality industry. Focuses on the 5 security concerns and what are some practices that leadership can help employees detect when someone is trying to hack into sensitive information. Also, making sure employees are in compliance with company policy when leaving the company if they have access to sensitive data and making sure employees are not using to their advantage when leaving the company.
  •  
    Hospitality offers an ideal target vector for conducting Cyber crimes such as identity theft and credit card fraud due to the existence of multiple databases and devices containing both Payment Card Information (PCI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Restaurants, hotels, and other companies in the hospitality sector often have complex ownership structures with an individual owner or group of owners, and a management company that acts as the operator. Each of these groups may use different computer systems to store information, and the information can also frequently move across those systems.
  •  
    In this article, we learn about the top five data security risks as well as best practices to help prevent data breaches. According to the article, the hospitality industry is a prime target since it stores a vast amount of sensitive guest information like names, phone numbers, addresses, and credit card numbers. Some of the five risks included complex ownership structures, reliance on paying by card, and insider threats to name a few. In order to avoid these threats, the article suggest that companies become PCI compliant, use cybersecurity measures like firewalls, and know where exactly their data is stored.
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How Augmented Reality is Transforming the Hospitality Industry - 1 views

  • Augmented reality has emerged as an important concept within hospitality management in recent years, because it allows hotels and other related businesses to enhance the physical environment they are selling
  • Many hotels are seeing the benefits of using augmented reality to make the hotel environment more enjoyable to spend time in.
  • Augmented reality serves to alter a person’s perception of their physical surroundings, through the use of computer technology.
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  • Augmented reality is often compared to virtual reality (VR), but while VR replaces the real-world environment with a completely virtual one, augmented reality enhances the real-world environment in real-time.
    • kmill139
       
      This is important to understand since a lot of people think both are the same. I thought they were the same.
  • The technology itself can be deployed in a number of ways, including through smartphones, tablet devices or headsets.
    • kmill139
       
      This can be especially useful in today's world since everyone has access to a cellphone.
  • Today, millennials are the dominant consumer generation and they are also more likely than previous generations to utilise digital technology and buy things like virtual reality and augmented reality devices.
    • kmill139
       
      As the generations are being born into the ever-changing and growing technology world, they need to utilize this in their business practices.
  • Augmented reality technology can make a lot of this information readily available to customers at all times of the day, improving their entire experience.
  • (i.e. their hotel and its rooms), or enhance the experience of exploring the surrounding area.
    • kmill139
       
      This is another way that the industry can enhance its guests' experience.
  • 1. Interactive Hotel Rooms
  • An example of this is seen with The Hub Hotel from Premier Inn in the United Kingdom, which has started using AR in conjunction with wall maps placed in its hotel rooms.
  • 4. Beacon Technology
  • 3. Augmented Hotel Environments
  • For example, Holiday Inn created an augmented reality hotel experience, which allowed guests to point their smartphone and see realistic virtual depictions of famous celebrities in the hotel.
  • Meanwhile, Best Western experimented with augmented reality and Disney stars, allowing children to see themselves alongside characters from Disney films, and other hotels have used AR apps to allow guests to virtually redecorate.
  • 2. Gamification
  • Virtual Reality & Artificial Intelligence
  • ugmented reality is often compared to virtual reality (VR), but while VR replaces the real-world environment with a completely virtual one, augmented reality enhances the real-world environment in real-time.
  • allows hotels and other related businesses to enhance the physical environment they are selling
  • The Hub Hotel from Premier Inn in the United Kingdom, which has started using AR in conjunction with wall maps placed in its hotel rooms.
  • Holiday Inn created an augmented reality hotel experience, which allowed guests to point their smartphone and see realistic virtual depictions of famous celebrities in the hotel
  • Starwood Hotels, for instance, used the technology to send a virtual key to guests, allowing them to unlock their door through their phone. Others have used beacons to send maps and other information at opportune moments.
  •  
    This article is about how augmented reality has made such improvements in the hospitality industry. The changes that are being made are actually for the better, not only fr the hotel but also for the customers that benefit from these augmented realities.
  •  
    A great article that explains what augmented reality is and how it is being integrated into the hospitality industry.
  •  
    This article relates to augmented reality and a few of the different ways it is being incorporated into hotels. Augmented reality allows the hotelier to enhance the guests environment real time in a number of different ways. Some of these ways, as described in the article are: interactive hotel rooms, gamification, augmented hotel environments, and beacon technology. At the end of the article there are a number of links to articles about other digital trends, such as robots being used in the hospitality industry!
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Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in travel, hospitality and leisure - PMC - 1 views

  • With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it has become even clearer that tourism is highly dependent on technological solutions.
  • Smart technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, are creating an important driving force for travel
  • hospitality, and leisure (THL)
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  • paving the way for new business models
  • AI and robotics can provide structured automated services and enhanced experiences.
  • emphasis on sustainability, resilience, and enhanced wellbeing.
  • AI and robotics will have a tremendous impact on customers, businesses, and communities alike
  • the THL domain are increasingly reliant upon technologies that can understand, anticipate, and act upon human needs to improve the personal experience
  • AI enable predictions and accuracy of key tasks and allow individuals, organizations, and governance agencies to respond more flexibly
  • platform-based tools such as recommender systems and chatbots have been developed to provide personalized
  • These tools are becoming increasingly pervasive in commercial applications due to the diffusion of the smartphone and of social media
  • As a result, AI and robotics are rapidly transforming the way businesses operate and engage with their customers,
  • there is an urgency for research on AI and robotics in THL contexts that tackles the issue from multiple perspectives using a wide array of approaches.
  • service robots (cost reduction vs. service enhancement)
  • restaurants are inclined to leverage technologies for service excellence.
  •  
    AI has become a very useful tool in the hospitality industry and continues to grow in this community. It has become useful in many different industries such as hotels, restaurants, and even at home on our computers. This study showed AI in many different areas of the world and how people respond to robots and AI helping them with simple tasks such as running food, checking them into their hotel room, and answering questions. The hospitality industry has been developing this type of technology for some time now and it has been getting positive feedback for the most part. Technology can be a very useful tool to this industry when utilized right.
  •  
    Thank you very much for sharing this article on Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in travel, hospitality and leisure, it was indeed quite informative. What I thought was very interesting is how the various perspectives of robotics were focused on; from the customers' perspective, the firm's perspective, and the governance's perspective. Consequently, providing a much wider understanding of the benefits of the adaptation of robotics and AI, in general. Further, I learned about the term "Smart Tourism." Nice post!
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A GDS Primer: What is the GDS and Which Travel Agents Need It? - 0 views

  • The advantage to travel agents is that the GDS not only can show you many fares from multiple airlines, but it also offers a great depth of information about each flight in one place. The carrier, the times, the costs, the class of the seat, aircraft type and so much more. It’s a smorgasbord of options. So if you’re booking a high volume of tickets, it’s great to have access to every minutiae of information from multiple carriers in one go.
  • In today’s world, the GDSs have a bit of a split personality. There is the old school, traditional GDS commonly called “the green screen.” Then there’s the hip side of the GDSs, which people will call “point and click” or “GUI” (Graphical User Interface). Essentially, it’s a more intuitive and prettier looking version of the GDS.
  • To learn the GDS green screen takes intense training, and to become proficient takes tons of practice and constant use. That means daily use with a mentor (for at least 6 months to a year), not just booking a ticket for a client every few weeks.
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  • While new agents can partially navigate the GDS with the GUI interface, the code that comes back still has important information like fare types and rules that the agents really needs to understand. So many agents, in the end, need to learn the green screen (and find it faster) regardless.
  • One of the reasons that most leisure agents don’t need the GDS is because the air will be included in a vacation package by the tour operator, or you can book it with the cruise line and you don’t need to use the GDS.
  • Global Distribution System (GDS) is a travel agent’s motherboard for booking airline tickets and other sorts of travel goodies (like hotel and car)
  • It can be easy to confuse the GDS with a Central Reservation System or Computerized Reservation System (CRS). CRSs are automated inventory-tracking systems that were (originally) owned and run by individual vendors (like airlines, car companies and hotels).
  • GDSs function as an umbrella for many many CRS systems. It’s like a CRS motherboard. (In fact, many vendors outsource their CRS systems to a GDS.)
  • an show you many fares from multiple airlines, but it also offers a great depth of information about each flight in one place. The carrier, the times, the costs, the class of the seat, aircraft type and so much more. It’s a smorgasbord of options. So if you’re bookin
  • If you are a leisure travel agent, there’s a huge whopping huge chance that you don’t need to use a GDS
  • American Airlines created the first CRS system in 1946. And while this helped automate inventory for vendors, travel agents did not have direct access to that inventory. Travel agents would need to call the airline’s booking center, who would then contact one of their CRS operators, then relay the results to the travel agent over the phone (literally, like playing telephone). It took a lot of people power to book a single airline ticket. Travelers booking their own ticket? Forget about it! 
  • There are many GDS options, and each GDS system will has access to their own pool of carriers. The four largest GDSs are: Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport (which is the parent company of Apollo/Galileo and Worldspan).
  • Let me be blunt: unless you’re some kind of prodigy, the GDS green screens are not user friendly. Be afraid, be very afraid.
  • he GUI is the point-and-click version of the GDS. You may have heard of options such as Sabre Red Workspace and TravelPort Smartpoint. So why doesn’t everyone use it? Here’s the problem: At its current stage of development, even GUI users need to understand the language of the green screen.
  • Essentially, the GUI interface isn’t quite there yet . . . and developing this technology is reeeeeally expensive and comes with a lot of growing pain
  • To book in the GDS, you must have an IATA/IATAN accreditation number, in addition to an ARC accreditation number if you’re located in the United States.
  • As a new agent, you can’t get these accreditation numbers because they require a lot of experience. So you come into the industry under a host agency (more on what a host agency is) and use their accreditation number instead.
  • Corporate travel agents book a whole lot of air, so the GDS is pretty much a must for them.
  • If your specialty is around the world tickets or you have a steady stream of clients with multi-stop itineraries, the GDS will be a necessity. 
  •  
    This article looks at GDS and GUI systems and gives a holistic viewpoint of performance, positives and negatives, and what type of agencies can utilize each system. I felt that the more complicated system and its requirements for agency users to have and understanding of coding, made the GUI system more likely to have a higher utilization in the future.
  •  
    The article delves into the importance of GDSs and travel agents along with the controversy surrounding their evolution as airlines are trying to encourage more direct bookings to make more profits and avoid paying commission to travel agents.
  •  
    This article goes into detail about GDS's, the history of GDS's, and if travel agents actually need to use them. The article first explains what a GDS system is, a brief description stating "Global Distribution System (GDS) is a travel agent's motherboard for booking airline tickets and other sorts of travel goodies (like hotel and car)". The article then quickly goes into a brief history of the GDS. GDS was created by America Airlines in 1946, making it easier to check inventory for vendors, though it would still take some time for this technology to reach the travel agents. "Travel agents would need to call the airline's booking center, who would then contact one of their CRS operators, then relay the results to the travel agent over the phone (literally, like playing telephone). It took a lot of people power to book a single airline ticket". We then take a turn, and learn about the usability of a GDS, and that it's quite low. GDS's are not user-friendly, but sadly sometimes a necessity for certain types of travel agents. These types mostly being the ones who book lots of corporate travel arrangements. Lastly, the article discusses if a GDS is right for your business, and if you decide it's not, how to go about booking things without it.
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All Bets Are Off on Casinos and Cybersecurity | UpGuard - 0 views

  • better malware tools and access to deep funding make today's cyber criminals more than a bad movie, especially when lucrative payloads are for the taking.
  • In May 2015, attackers were able to steal cardholder names, credit card numbers, and CVV codes belonging to hotel guests and customers. In 2016 they suffered similar incidents due to malware being installed on POS systems, allowing attackers to steal customers' credit card information.
  • It may come as no surprise that casinos and gaming firms are ideal cyber attack targets, but how competent are these enterprises when it comes to rudimentary security?
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  • Online gambling upstart Ignition Casino offers Blackjack, Slots, Poker on its website; fortunately, the company has also taken the requisite security measures for bolstering its website security and email security.
  •  
    This article focused on cybersecurity in hotel casinos. They mention how casinos seem to be a target for a lot of cyber attackers because they tend to not invest as they should on protecting themselves. Casinos hold a TON of financial data; customer info., bank info., and credit card info. I enjoyed the article because they even went as far as giving a few casinos a "security score" in how well/bad they are in staying secure.
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Benefits of Point of Sale Software for Hotels - 0 views

  • Point of sale software, or POS software, is used as part of a wider POS system and is primarily designed to allow users to process payments from customers. However, at the same time, POS software can be used to automate various parts of the sales process, such as updating inventory information and sales data.
  • For those in the hotel industry, point of sale software can be one of the most important investments, because it can provide staff with a range of tools that can be of benefit to them, and to the business.
  • One of the biggest benefits of using point of sale software within the hotel and hospitality industry is the ability to process payments easily. This includes processing payments of a variety of types, including cash payments, debit card payments, credit card payments, mobile wallet payments, and more.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • Point of sale software within the hotel industry is also invaluable for the role it can play in terms of improving inventory management. As an example of this, stock levels on products can be automatically updated as and when sales are processed, meaning employees will always have the most accurate data at their disposal.
  • Another major plus point associated with the use of point of sale software within hotels is centred around the opportunities it provides for upselling, cross selling, and marketing. Upselling and cross selling are strategies for maximising revenue per customer and in hotels, this can mean selling room upgrades or extras.
  • POS software and systems can also help hotels when it comes to employee management and there are a number of ways this can be achieved. For instance, employees connecting to the POS system can be used to monitor when they were in work, when they left, and the amount of hours they worked, potentially making payroll easier.
  • The data gathered by point of sale software can be extremely useful for reporting purposes, making it one of the most vital pieces of hotel technology. Generally, a POS system will automatically track basic performance indicators related to sales and revenue, and hotels can configure software to track RevPAR and similar metrics too.
  • Finally, point of sale software also offers excellent compatibility and integration with other examples of hotel software, with property management systems (PMS) among the most significant examples of this.
  • Point of sale software can be especially useful within hotel restaurants, and within the restaurant industry as a whole, because it allows for smoother transactions, while also automatically feeding back which meals have been ordered. Of course it is also important to stay up-to-date with the various other ways the software is being used.
  •  
    The article discusses the benefits of using POS software in hotels and how POS software can improve revenue generation over time. Some of the key benefits discussed include ease of processing payments, better management of inventory, opportunities to upsell and market different products, improved employee management and more analytical insights. The article further highlights a POS system's ability to integrate with the hotel PMS to further increase efficiency. Current and future trends have also been covered.
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Cloud Computing Continues to Transform Hospitality - RTInsights - 1 views

  • Just like databases in the early 90s allowed hotels to manage large numbers of reservations and requests efficiently, cloud solutions offer the chance to remove common frustrations and frictions across the entire ecosystem.
  • Reduce cost: Cloud services allow hospitality industries to pay only for the services they need. Cloud computing also puts smart building management into reality, as well as facilitating projects and maintenance.
  • Improve experiences: Cloud services also provide flexibility in services by allowing staff to operate from anywhere, as an example. Guests also receive the same flexibility to manage their needs from anywhere.
  • ...46 more annotations...
  • Build responsive infrastructure:
  • Cloud Security
  • Cloud reliability The hospitality industry wants to know that they aren’t adopting another solution that will prove obsolete in just a few years.
  • Even if it’s no fault of the establishment, customers will remember frustration reconciling a bill or having to wait a long time for check-in. The cloud adds a layer of protection against minor hiccups in their experience.
  • Personalize guest offers: Captured data offers a wealth of information. Cloud computing helps hoteliers and other hospitality organizations provide customized experiences and responsive, convenient services.
  • Cloud computing can offer a seamless experience to customers while reducing obstacles to service from the staff side.
  • The Airline was able to improve customer service by providing an instant response to various customer requests and reducing wait times.
  • Pre-arrival: Cloud services capture data from the moment guests first interact with the company or service. The hotel, for example, can make a note of what services or rooms the customer looked at and offer suggestions for upgrades.
  • Arrival: When guests arrive, their information is saved and ready for each member of staff. This offers personalization right from the beginning.
  • The stay: Knowledge of previous stays provides insight into customer preferences. A hotel may address mistakes right from the beginning or identify missed opportunities. Personalization continues with upsell offers that happen as the customer continues to interact with the business.
  • Departure: Not only does the cloud enable a frictionless checkout experience with no surprises, but it can also follow up afterward to continue to nurture relationships and reward loyalty.
  • Preparation: Following guest stays, businesses can enable targeted follow-up. Cloud computing can also handle things like predictive maintenance to reduce downtime, especially during peak seasons.
  • The Hilton made use of cloud computing to monitor all locks within its properties.
  • It’s only one instance of the Hilton’s shift to cloud computing. It has digitized rooms and created a type of mission control for everything from entertainment to ordering room service.
  • Cloud services can offer the full security expertise with automatic updates that the hospitality industry needs to keep information secure.
  • The cloud provides a real end-to-end solution for hospitality that brings back the excitement of travel. In an industry facing stiff competition, this type of solution could be a differentiator for success.
  • Companies can choose a provider familiar with the nuances required for hospitality excellence and reap the benefits of an end-to-end experience.
  • Cloud services allow hospitality industries to pay only for the services they need.
  • Cloud services also provide flexibility in services by allowing staff to operate from anywhere
  • Moving to cloud operations also allows the hospitality industry to scale.
  • In that case, cloud services allow a smooth transition with a central line of communication.
  • Cloud computing helps hoteliers and other hospitality organizations provide customized experiences and responsive, convenient services.
  • cloud solutions offer the chance to remove common frustrations and frictions across the entire ecosystem.
  • rigidity causes issues in connectivity and service. When the internet goes out, or a system goes down, operations cease.
  • Staff can work from anywhere, change devices if necessary, and mitigate the risk of lost or unsecured information.
  • The Hilton’s Room Lock Problem
  • The American Airlines Integration Challenge
  • The space continues to evolve, offering new ways to ingest, process, and protect customer data. And it’s this free flow of data that will allow the hospitality industry to move into the new era of the industry.
  • Use of cloud computing in hospitality continues to evolve, offering ne
  • w ways to ingest, process, and protect customer data.
  • cloud solutions offer the chance to remove common frustrations and frictions across the entire ecosystem.
  • Cloud services also provide flexibility
  • Cloud services allow hospitality industries to pay only for the services they need.
  • operate from anywhere,
  • cloud services allow a smooth transition with a central line of communication.
  • provide customized experiences
  • Staff can work from anywhere
  • he cloud adds a layer of protection against minor hiccups in their experience.
  • security is built-in.
  • Cloud computing can offer a seamless experience to customers while reducing obstacles to service from the staff side.
  • personalization right from the beginning.
  • address mistakes right from the beginning or identify missed opportunities. Personalization continues with upsell
  • handle things like predictive maintenance to reduce downtime
  • this type of solution could be a differentiator for success.
  • It has digitized rooms and created a type of mission control for everything from entertainment to ordering room service.
  • reducing wait times.
  •  
    Cloud computing has come a long way. The hospitality industry is quickly incorporating cloud computing services for guest satisfaction and productivity of employees. The article shares several real life examples where cloud computing were beneficial.
  • ...2 more comments...
  •  
    As we know, cloud computing is becoming the new norm and is the future for technology but is also transforming the hospitality and tourism industry. Cloud computing allows the hospitality industry to improve travel experiences, provide personalized offers, and also helps the industry reduce cost. With so many advantages, there are some cons of cloud computing that may pose as an issue such as the security and reliability that comes with using cloud computing. However, the pros outweigh the cons and if cloud services can overcome those barriers, the hospitality industry will reach new heights not seen in previous years. With the implementation of cloud computing in the hospitality industry, it will provide a travel experience like no other from start to finish, literally.
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    This article discusses the impact that the integration of cloud computing has had on the operations and growth of the hospitality industry as a whole. Companies are optimizing their usage to help them carry out daily tasks while using data and sharing to provide the best guest experience possible. The article also goes into detail regarding the steps being taken by companies to prevent data theft and downtimes. One aspect of the post that I found to be extremely interesting was how it walked me through the integration of cloud computing in every step of guests' stay from pre-arrival to departure.
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    Cloud computing is the future whether businesses want it to be or not. With the growth of technology, we need to embrace one tool that is become very developed, cloud computing. It gives more efficiency to businesses who need to know more about their clientele and also can provide information and data that humans could never do. It gives a more personalized experience to each guest while organizing data much faster than on a excel sheet that stuff have to manually update. It improves experience and reduced cost for business as well. It allows information to be reached anywhere and business can be taken home or traveled with. It brings a new level of security to businesses and customers and allows more flexibility in service in the hospitality industry.
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    Cloud computing transforms hospitality by a offering seamless experience to customers while reducing obstacles to service from the staff side. It also offers individualized, quick solutions in an industry that is highly competitive.
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