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The article highlights the hospitality industry's issues by not adopting and investing in new technologies and the solutions to those problems. In 2018 digital travel sales worldwide reached $694 billion, indicating that having an online presence is a must to reach and attract more travelers. Hotels have increased spending on marketing techniques with metasearch and online travel review sites to increase online visibility. A majority of marketing budget spending now goes into online activities. The goal is to drive more direct bookings, and these techniques, along with mobile sites, are effective distribution channels. In addition to this, hotels are investing in reputation management tools to maintain a positive online reputation. Over 95% of travelers read reviews before booking reservations, so having a positive presence is crucial. Technology is also driving the personalization of the guest experience. Investments into services like mobile check-in/check-out, keyless entry, smart climate and lighting control, location-based digital guided tours, and in-room tablets enhance guest satisfaction and provide a more seamless experience. With the emergence of the pandemic, this technology is getting pushed to the forefront of investments as must-haves to comply with new regulations and gain consumer confidence in coming back. This technology also collects data on your guest's preferences and behaviors, which will lead to better personalized services on their future stays. In addition to enhancing the guest experience, it also enhances your hotel operations. Investing in technologies increases employee productivity and improves operating efficiency.

This article mentions about the SnapShot Marketplace which is a system that allows hotels to pick and choose the applications they need to run their business. Hotels can customize their entire software and integrate all their data in one place.

Hotels implementing PMS into their day-to-day operations is the key for a successful and smoothly operating system. Having a PMS system allows for hotels to includes modules for their guests giving them the ultimate experience. For example, reservations, front desk operations, housekeeping, and a range of other features that allows each guests experience to be personalized to themselves. PMS is essential when it comes to hospitality, as it allows for everything to continuously run like a well-oiled machine.

Through this article we can understand how the trends in event management industry taking shape. By having the knowledge of such trends in the event industry ,hotels can modify their strategies accordingly. Increasingly tech-savvy and eco-conscious clients will drive continued change in meetings and events management in the year ahead, according to meetings management, logistics and event company, Publicis Meetings USA (PMUSA). Technological advances are expected to be at the core of several trends in the meeting industry in 2011. Customizable mobile apps One trend is the use of mobile devices and customized applications to promote audience engagement, interactivity and networking. Mobile apps are now being developed for individual events and programs, allowing organizers to communicate with attendees before and during the meeting, especially regarding time-sensitive subjects like changes of itinerary, maps and other announcements. Hybrid meetings In today's cost-conscious business environment, PMUSA forecasts that new technologies will also drive continued growth in hybrid meetings. By incorporating hybrid components into their meetings, clients are saving money, achieving higher attendance rates and promoting sustainability. Incorporating technology, such as live broadcasts and video streaming, allows clients to conduct and attend meetings from a remote location. PMUSA believes that the cost savings is a major factor in this trend, along with the importance of a meeting's environmental responsibility." Comprehensive "green" meetings Meeting clients have increasingly been requesting "green" events, but it's the comprehensive nature of these requests that PMUSA sees as the most important trend for the coming year. Increasingly, clients are expecting every aspect of a meeting to include an environmental component, from biodiesel vehicles and biodegradable materials to the use of locally sourced food and reusable plants for centre pieces in lieu of cut flo

Yes, what you mention is the trend of technology using in event planning. I used to search information about the green concept of meeting. Now more and more planners consider this trend when plan meeting. It's a comprehensive one when implement.

In the event industry, new apps and software are popping up daily and some of them really change the way that we deal with events management. This is an interesting and useful article in which the author introduces 15 app and tech tools for event and meetings. Some of the apps attract my eyes and I think they will be applied widely with a further development. For instance, if planners who want an app for a conference or meeting, now they have a do-it-yourself option.  Yapp launched in April and allows users to create custom mobile apps. Users can customize their theme, event invitation, the agenda and so on. They can also show their guests the final products via YappBox app for IOS. It is easy for them to update  the app and allow guests to chat or upload group photos. This app sounds great and it will leave more flexibility to its users in event planning. Great tools like this are listed in this article, and some of them may become popular in the near future.   

This article is giving the reader a look into the new check in procedures being implemented by hotels across the world. This "speedy check-in" allows for guests to by pass the traditional front desk check in and instead opt for check in via kiosks located in the lobby or even checking in before arrival. The automatic check in trend began as a way to relieve guests from having to wait in long lines when arriving at their hotel to check in . The option for speaking with front desk associates is still there but would rather serve as more of concierge, with suggestions on restaurants and questions regarding any leisure activities within the city or hotel itself. Some hotels are also taking the approach of personal greeters who approach the guest upon arrival, making the check in process more like a welcoming into a friends home. Overall I love the idea of being able to bypass hotel lines, especially during holidays when lines tend to get quite long or when arriving to a hotel fairly late in the night. Being able to arrive and head straight to the room allows for smoother check-ins and more efficient use of front desk associates. The personal greeters also provide more of an at home feeling. Guests can feel like they are personally being cared for as opposed to just being another occupied room. 

As we move into a technology focused society hotel needs to follow the trend of what travelers want and how to streamline using technology. This article describes how hotels are implimating kiosk in their lobbies to offer their guest a quick and easy way to check-in without having to make the line at the front desk. The hotels goal is to leave the "hotel embassador" and/or front desk for guests that have special requests or questions about their stay. They reference a hotel in Boston that has taken the electronic checkin a step further. They email the guests prior to arriving at the hotel two codes. The first code is to be used at the front door to enter the hotel, and the second code to enter into their hotel room keypad. They interviewed President and General Manager of NCR Corporation's travel business about these types of services. He stated that they offer travelers the same speed and quick services as ATM machines at banks or kiosks at the airport for quick checkin. He went on to say that they expect that type of service when traveling. Mr. Craig even touched on how a travelers feedback is even more important due to social media. One bad review can affect the hotel instantly after they tweet, post, etc. In the article they also interviewed Glenn Haussman, editor of the online trade magazine Hotel Interactive. He stated that with the use of the kiosk and express check-in the front desk staff can offer a more personal experience by doing other tasks. For example they mentioned a late check guest might want a snack or something to relax after a tough flight. By the staff not needing to check them in can go get the guest a coffee, or something to eat; this making the experience feeling more personal. The article states the Hyatt chain has implemented their kiosk in almost all their properties in major cities. They still offer a more traditional check-in as well. They went on to say some chains are using greeters with ipads to check guests in as they ente

This article talks about how hoteliers should be balancing the human touch with technology. Some businesses in the hospitality industry are leaning towards technology, forgetting the human touch is what hospitality is all about. Cutting costs does not outweigh guest experience. Hotels still keep the front desk as a nice touch, yet when we go to the movies we tend to go to the shortest line possible, which is usually the self-service machine. I think this is a trend at the movies because we don't consider it to be hospitality, all we are asking for is a movie ticket and can barely hear the person behind the speaker anyways. Front desk at a hotel is completely different. This is a huge first impression of the hotel itself. Guests are deciding to use mobile apps to check in early or use keyless entry, which means one of the things for front desk: a promotion or getting fired. Hotels are deciding to become more tech friendly to please guests and of course, to cut labor costs. The article mentioned: "The travel industry also needs to rethink its chase of digital tools and services as a proxy to the human experience, and build real social experiences as part of the social spaces it incorporates." This statement was very important to me going back to what I said about human interaction being the face of hospitality. Hotels in China began using mobile check in devices, which seems to be a way to meet in the middle with human experience and technology. These clerks are no longer standing behind a desk. In a way, this seems a bit more personal. Hotel front desks have not changed much within two decades. Of course, certain hotels within Hyatt or Marriott are exceptions. The point here is simply to make checkin and checkout flexible. A hotel can earn customer loyalty this way. It's nice for a guest to feel remembered if they have stayed at the hotel before. Creating loyalty can be very difficult when guests are booking through third parties.When it comes to check

Great article summarizing various elements a mobile device can be used for in a hotel. Mobile devices are becoming a priority in younger generations & are often used not just for phone calls, but also text messaging, web searching & games. It's no surprise they are now being used to check in at hotels, pay bills & order room service. Cell phones provide guests a unique customer service that is inexpensive, quick & simple to use. Using mobile devices as room keys is an example that will save the hotel money in not having to purchase thousands of room keys & having to deal with replacement cards for guests. There are several benefits to utilizing mobile devices in the hospitality industry, but there are also drawbacks. Guests may choose to play games on their phone or watch movies on their phone's screens instead of paying to watch a movie on the hotel's television or attending activities offered by staff. This reduces the face-to-face customer service that many hotels are recognized for. It may take away from the hotel's superior guest service if a request does not go through the mobile device or it malfunctions when a guest is trying to enter their room. Whether or not hotel managers like it, mobile devices are becoming popular among guests & should be implemented.

This article discusses how technology is changing the experience you have while staying at a hotel, by making it much easier for the guest. The article specifically address 11 areas in which technology is changing the whole experience. First is a mobile wallet, which will make paying the bill a breeze, by wirelessly sending credit card information directly to the hotels computer. Next, how about using your smart phone as a room key, as well as using it as the in room phone, connecting you to the front desk anytime any place. Or using it to order room service, and having it delivered to you anywhere on the property by using your phones location services. Next the article discusses virtual concierge desk, which can be scattered around the property, making it easy to make dinner reservations without having to wait in line. And the last main points that are discussed are controlling the temperature, lighting, and in room entertainment from an app on your smart phone, letting you turn off and on lights from bed, and changing the temperature before you even get back to the room. And one day when you forget your smart phones power cord and think your taking a step back in time, because you cant use any of the new technology, no worries their will be one in the room.

Mobile technology is constantly changing the way we do everything. Smart mobile devices dictate how we live our lives and how we travel. Here is a sampling of eleven items that may be drastically different in some hotels of the near future: 1. Currency 2. Hotel Room Keys 3. In-Room Phone 4. Concierge Desk 5. Room Service 6. Front Desk Attendant 7. Printed Hotel Promotional Material 8. Alarm Clocks 9. In-Room Entertainment 10. Thermostats, Light Switches and more 11. Power Cords

Every year hotels come out with newer more advanced ways to make your stay more comfortable. In some hotels gone are the days of getting up and turning off the light or calling and trying to get services via the telephone. Remembering to put out the Do Not Disturb sign is now a thing of the past combined with remote systems and keyless entry already out and being used it makes one wonder what they could possible think of next.

This article shows a few important steps to make companies staying ahead of the curve. Leaders can create an environment of trust, tap into the creative energy of their people, master characteristics of agility (speed, flexibility, strengths), stay committed to values, staff, and customers, stay uncommitted to anything that may tie you down, master the short-term, but think future.

The article, "Financial Statement Fraud Risks Escalates in Pandemic" by Deloitte Editor focuses on the escalation of risk that is as a result of financial statements fraud. According to the report, the escalation is more persistent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fraud occasions consist of three elements, mainly related to pandemics. Pressure due to money shortfalls and other setbacks brought about by the pandemic insert some strains to the organizations that may cause some liquidity problems and significantly affect shareholders' expectations (Deloitte, 2020). Opportunity is also an element of fraud events. The situation of the pandemic may push some organizations to consider some staffing changes to counter the problems brought about by the pandemic. The third element is the rationalization. In times of a pandemic, some individuals or organizations tend not to separate acceptable from unacceptable behaviors. Others engage in manipulative actions in the name of the crisis, which they would otherwise not consider. The article explains that keen examination needs to be done during revenue recognition. Some organizations may fabricate or misstate their revenues to prove their perseverance during a challenging business environment. Another financial reporting risk lies in allowances and reserves. The author states that keen scrutiny needs to be done on the organization's reserve accounts since most of them are based on estimates and mere judgments. The management may be tempted to manipulate these reserves ways to favoring their bottom line. Valuation and impairments also form a financial reporting risk for examination. During turbulent times, organizations are tempted to give false valuations on their assets; hence keen examination would be needed. Additionally, restructuring charges brings a financial report risk in that some organizations may seek to write off their underperforming assets. In other cases, a business may include costs associated with the pandemic a

This article shows us many advantages of using computerized accounting software. It is useful for managers to manage enterprises through instant reports which were provided by computerized accounting programs. And it also be helpful for financial manager to check the manager's work. The advantages of the computerized accounting software includes: speed, automatic document production, accuracy, up-to-date information, availability of information, management information, GST/VAT return, legibility, efficiency, staff motivation, cost savings, reduce frustration and the ability to deal in multiple currencies easily.

This article introduces the functions and importance of contemporary strategic management accounting (SMA) techniques in hospitality industry. They involve the collection of long-term, externally-focused and forward-looking information for the purpose. Besides, SMA techniques perform better in hotels which adopt market orientation business strategy.

This article addresses a very sensible accounting tool that can be used to eliminate theft of all types. Integrating video with POS systems is an effective way to see if discounts are being abused, if voids re unnecessarily being done and also to serve as a check and balance on food inventory levels.

According to this article the technology of facial recognition is expected to grow tremendously by 2022. Also, mentioned industries such as homeland security who has been using this form of technology since 2015. When comparing the 2D and 3D technology, 2D technology is more widely used due to its low cost and ease of use. The use of 3D technology has its place in the industry as well due to its ability to recognize facial features more accurately than 2D technologies.

Great ideas on when to use PPC marketing campaigns for hoteliers. The thoughts are valuable even though it's written by a marketing company who are trying to sell the service.

Social media are becoming increasingly popular as a powerful marketing tool. The article describes three ways in which the hotel industry can use social media to improve the quality of its products and services. Using that marketing allows hotels to effectively engage with clients at speed faster. Improving customer relationship management since this tool as a communication channel encourages greater transparency in consumer responses. Conducting reputation management, since this channel lets customers feel that they essentially engaged in a high-speed, personal relationship with the hotel and enthusiastic customers of the hotel may become "members" to build in the marketing team of the hotel.