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FF&E PROVIDER HÄFELE and Like Magic, a guest experience platform, are producing a new multifunctional hotel room concept. The "Work and Sleep" concept allows hotel operators to transform rooms into offices, meeting spaces and other functional areas using digitally enabled furniture, fitting solutions and specialized software. Work and Sleep integrates a booking engine, guest platform, employee interface and monitoring tools into one central hub, streamlining hotel management, the companies said in a joint statement. It will combine Like Magic's guest and employee experience platform with Häfele's hardware systems, the statement said. The collaboration aims to introduce new revenue models by activating otherwise vacant rooms while reducing outfitting costs. "Our goal is to lead the way in hotel industry innovation with our forward-thinking concepts," said Gregor Riekena, Häfele's CEO. "We are currently testing these new ideas at the ibis Styles Hotel in Nagold, Germany, which serves as a valuable proving ground for our initiatives. This innovation not only allows us to gather essential insights and refine our concepts, but also demonstrates our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what modern hotels can offer. By continuously evolving and enhancing our solutions, we aim to set new standards for guest experience and operational efficiency."

TOCK, A RESERVATIONS and events platform for the hospitality industry, recently partnered with Curator Hotel & Resort Collection to enhance food and beverage operations and provide additional amenities to guests. The partnership will enable Curator member hotels and resorts to streamline operations, drive revenue and improve guests' experiences on a single system. "Tock provides a holistic solution that empowers our customers and we're thrilled to bring that to Curator's elite network of independent hotels and resorts," said Patrick Venn, Tock's head of hotels and enterprise. "This partnership aligns with our mission to empower hotels of all sizes with forward-thinking technology focused on revenue management. Together, we aim to help these properties not only in navigating today's competitive landscape, but also setting new standards in delivering extraordinary guest experiences." Tock's platform offers capabilities tailored for hotel operators, Tock said in a statement.

WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS has entered into a new agreement with Groups360 to bring instant online multi-room bookings to Wyndham hotels in 2023. Using Groups360's GroupSync Marketplace direct booking solution, Wyndham hotel owners will have the opportunity to integrate the platform with their hotel reservation systems, providing travel planners, including groups and events organizers along with those managing infrastructure, logistics and corporate accounts, with rates and availability as well as booking of rooms online, the company said in a statement. "Over the last three years, Wyndham has invested over $100 million in major technology initiatives, giving our franchisees access to best-in-class offerings that unlock new efficiencies while helping to grow their bottom line," said Lisa Checchio, Wyndham's chief marketing officer. "Bringing franchisees access to GroupSync is just the latest example and one we believe offers incredible opportunity for franchisees, particularly those in the economy segment, where such technology is an industry first." Hotels that publish live inventory and rates within the GroupSync Marketplace save travel planners' valuable time by allowing them to search, shop and book blocks of rooms. Possible users include short one- to-two-night group events such as youth sports, weddings and family reunions, as well as multi-week infrastructure or logistics projects such as commercial construction, bridge repair or highway expansion, Wyndham's statement said.

IHG HOTELS & RESORTS has selected California-based Canary Technologies as the global digital tipping solution vendor, enabling guests to tip hotel staff. Founded by Harman Narula and SJ Sawhney in 2017, the company offers digital tipping solutions and an end-to-end guest management system, including mobile check-in and checkout, dynamic upsells, and guest messaging, Canary said in a statement. "Hotel staff members are the backbone of the hospitality industry and guests want to tip staff for great service," said Dhiraj "DJ" Singh, Canary's vice president of sales. "With the declining use of cash worldwide, staff tips have taken a hit over the years. We are thrilled to help IHG hoteliers boost guest satisfaction and reward hard-working team members." IHG Hotels & Resorts, featuring 19 brands, more than 6,000 hotels, and nearly 1 million rooms worldwide, will implement Canary's digital tipping solution to improve the guest experience and acknowledge employees efficiently, the statement added.

HOTEL EQUITIES HAS partnered with Grazzy and Visa Direct to launch a digital tipping platform for their associates and guests. This initiative aims to provide a secure and cashless way for guests to tip hotel staff, HE said in a statement. According to a recent study, 83 percent of hotel guests want to tip staff digitally but face limitations. HE and Grazzy's program enables guests to tip housekeeping, front desk and other staff from their mobile devices, the company said. By scanning a hotel branded QR code in their room or on hotel signage, guests can access Grazzy, choose the staff member and enter the desired tip amount. No cash or extra apps are required, the statement added.

Travel Portal Solution is a company that helps travel agents or tour operators or travel management companies with the issue related to travel technology or if they want to have an online presence of their company then Travel Portal Solution is there for them. We provide vacation packages, Airline GDS integration, Hotel Booking Solution, Car Rental reservation System, Bus Ticket Booking Solution, XML, API, Web administration, White Label Travel Portal, and more. Travel Portal solution uses PHP framework, HTML, JavaScript, Angular Js, and more. Travel Portal Solution provides various services like vacation packages, Airline GDS (Global Distribution System) integration, Hotel Booking solution, Car rental reservation system, Bus ticket booking solution, GDS (Global Distribution System), XML, API, Web administration, and White label travel solution. We provide 24X7 customer support to our clients so, if they have any queries or issues they can reach us easily without any difficulties. API integration we provide are Travel Boutique Online Trip Jack, Riya Travel, Yatra, Akbar Travel, Ease My Trip, GRNConnect, Hotel Beds, TravelFusion, Mystifly, Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre, NDC, All Direct LCC Airlines like Indigo, Spicejet, etc. Travel Portal Solution provides API integration services for Flight API, Hotel API, Transfer API, Cab API, Insurance API, Sightseeing API, Forex API, Utility API, and Money Transfer API. Technology that Travel Portal Solution provides to travel agents is PHP Frameworks, Angular Js, Node Js, HTML, JavaScript, CSS, Ionic, and WordPress. For more information related to travel technology or travel portal, you can reach our website or you can feel our contact us form or chat with us on Whatsapp.

ONLY ONE IN five hotel professionals believe the current tech stack is sufficient for achieving efficiencies, cost savings and adequate guest care, according to a recent survey by the Hospitality Women's Innovation Council. Approximately 91 percent of survey respondents indicated that better collaboration among technology companies on integrations is needed, while 86 percent felt improved integration processes would encourage greater investment in technology. HWIC, a group of hotel brand executives, managers, and innovators, conducted the survey between May 25 and June 15, HWIC said in a statement. More than 300 owners, managers, and technologists participated in the survey. The study was supported by Visual Matrix, a PMS software developer in Richardson, Texas. "Industry professionals have confirmed that more than any other factor, collaboration is the key to driving better business results for hoteliers-collaboration among technology providers and between the providers and the hoteliers they serve," said Georgine Muntz, HWIC co-chair and CEO of Visual Matrix. "When we created the council close to a year ago, we began with the assumption that women leaders in hospitality can help improve the ways industry professionals collaborate for common ends and encourage better standardized integrations. Now that assumption has been fully validated. We look forward to sharing the council's recommendations on better integration, collaboration and advancing innovation, in the weeks ahead."

UNIFOCUS, A WORKFORCE management system provider led by CEO Moneesh Arora, recently partnered with Nonius, a guest-facing solutions company for hotels, to integrate Nonius' platform with the Unifocus operations management system. This partnership ensures guest requests inform operational priorities, enabling real-time adaptation to guest needs and improving service delivery and staff efficiency. By integrating Nonius' guest messaging solution, Unifocus connects hotel staff with guests more effectively, the companies said in a joint statement. "Our partnership with Nonius isn't just an additional feature, it's a transformative bridge connecting the guest experience with hotel operations," said Arora. "It blends technology with the guest journey, enhancing human connections and setting the stage for the future of hospitality."

CONTACTLESS CHECK-IN TECHNOLOGY firm Virdee is now integrated with commerce technology platform FreedomPay. The companies will offer a PCI-validated, point-to-point encryption solution with EMV, NFC, currency conversion and real-time data capabilities. The transition will help Virdee to offer end-to-end protection for credit card payments made through FreedomPay's cloud-based payments platform. It also provided FreedomPay compatibility with Virdee's check-in/check-out process with software for identity verification, payment collection, access control and remote support, according to Virdee. "Our integration with Virdee offers our customers expanded options, flexibility and, most important, security," said Chris Kronenthal, president of FreedomPay. "We help streamline and simplify complex payment options, while providing a single flow of data to facilitate consumer insights and engagement for our hotel clients. We're proud to partner with best-in-class solution providers, like Virdee, as we work together to revolutionize hotel operations and guest-facing technologies."

WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS recently launched Wyndham Connect, a new guest engagement platform by Canary Technologies, in North America. The platform, first announced at the company's 2023 global conference, is available at no additional cost to owners, with nearly 2,000 North American hotels already using it, Wyndham said in a statement. "We always put our franchisees first, and investing in innovative technology like AI sets them apart from the competition," said Scott Strickland, Wyndham's chief commercial officer. "With access to powerful solutions like Wyndham Connect, our franchisees can manage their businesses more efficiently and curate guest experiences to help make stays more meaningful than ever. The result? Happier guests, higher chances for repeat business and money in franchisees' pockets."

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association has partnered with hiring software provider Hireology to provide AHLA members access to industry-specific tools and services, AHLA and Hireology said in a joint statement. Hireology also will organize a series of leadership exchange events, aiming to bring together professionals in the hospitality sector to discuss current challenges, trends, and solutions. "Hireology is a hiring technology leader and provider of hotel-specific workforce knowledge," said Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO. "Joining forces will allow us to take our services to the next level and further our mission to empower the American hospitality industry." Partnering with Hireology brings hiring technology and expertise into the association's catalog of resources, the statement said. The program stands as a practical resource for hotel operators addressing their business challenge in the coming years.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT management firm Noble Investment Group partnered with Host Hotels & Resorts to tap and expand travel, leisure and hospitality opportunities, a statement said. As part of the initiative, Host will invest $150 million as a limited partner in an existing Noble investment vehicle and provide Noble with first-look at select-service and extended-stay hotel opportunities sourced through Host's channels. Host also will become a minority investment partner in Noble's fee-based asset management business, according to Noble's press release. "As we continue to expand our institutional investment management platform, this strategic partnership further augments Noble's ability to develop, source, and execute innovative growth strategies in travel, leisure, and hospitality," said Mit Shah, Noble's CEO. According to the statement, the partnership will combine Noble's operational expertise and development acumen with Host's scale, market insights, data analytics, and breadth of resources. They aim to source differentiated investment strategies including property technology solutions, development, and alternative lodging.

AAHOA RECENTLY CHOSE Bookit N Go, a travel tech startup, as its strategic booking partner. The company, led by Aman Mohindra as CEO, will use its advanced online travel platform to drive bookings for AAHOA member hotels, offering the lowest flat commissions, AAHOA and Bookit N Go said in a joint statement. "We look forward to collaborating with Bookit N Go as a strategic booking partner," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA's chairman. "This partnership represents a paradigm shift in how hotel bookings are handled with a focus on putting money back in the pockets of AAHOA Members. This partnership provides a booking engine partner invested in our members' success as we continue to focus on how we can help AAHOA Members save on their bottom lines." The partnership shows Bookit N Go's focus on improving the travel and hospitality sectors, the statement added. By providing AAHOA member hotels with a strategic booking solution, the company aims to drive value and growth for all stakeholders.

HOSPITALITY SOFTWARE PROVIDER Canary Technologies recently closed a $50 million Series C funding round to research AI guest technology in the hospitality sector, bringing its total fundraising to nearly $100 million. The company's software includes mobile check-in and checkout, tablet registration, upsells, guest messaging, Canary AI and digital tipping. The recent investment round was led by global software investor Insight Partners, who also led the company's Series B, with participation from existing investors F-Prime Capital, Thayer Ventures, Y-Combinator and Commerce Ventures, Canary said in a statement. California-based Canary is led by CEO Harman Singh Narula and President SJ Sawhney. "AI is transforming the way we live, work and travel," said Narula. "Canary is at the forefront of delivering enterprise-grade hospitality AI solutions that empower hoteliers to streamline operations, boost efficiency and elevate the guest experience, This funding milestone is a reflection of the team's hard work and the immense impact that Canary is making for hoteliers, including many of the world's largest enterprise hotel brands. We continue to see significant demand in the market for our products and are excited to extend our partnership with existing investors."

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL RECENTLY launched "Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy," an online travel booking program for small and medium business travelers. This program combines the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio with travel tools for booking, managing, and expensing business travel. It is available to businesses in the U.S., Canada and other countries, Marriott said in a statement. "We recognize the significant value small businesses provide to the hotel industry," said Drew Pinto, Marriott International's executive vice president and chief revenue and technology officer. "Whether small to medium-sized businesses are looking for convenient online booking capabilities for their employees or better expense management solutions, the all-in-one platform, merged with our portfolio of hotel brands around the world, provides everything they need to manage their business travel needs."

Prakash Padariya is now chief information security officer for IT and security teams at OYO. Prior to that, he was with Netherlands headquartered online payment solutions provider PayU in a similar role. Previously, Padariya worked in senior management roles for a variety of companies, including GE, Royal Bank of Scotland, IBM, Target Corporation and Accenture, according to the company. He will oversee OYO's security strategy globally and will report to chief technology officer Ankit Mathuria. According to the company, Padariya also will be responsible for leveraging technologies such as big data analytics and artificial intelligence to enhance cyber security functions from the ground.

The Internet of Things (IoT) has been a game-changer in various industries, and the hospitality sector is no exception. The integration of IoT technology in hospitality has transformed how hotels and resorts operate, offering enhanced guest experiences and streamlined operations. IoT refers to the network of interconnected devices and sensors that collect and exchange data through the Internet, enabling seamless communication and automation. Let's explore how the IoT can benefit the hospitality industry, with a particular focus on the role of mobile phones in enhancing guest experiences. Personalized Guest Experience According to Analytic Steps, one of the most significant advantages of IoT in the hospitality industry is its ability to provide personalized guest experiences. IoT-enabled devices like smart room systems and mobile apps can gather data on guest preferences and behavior. With this information, hotels can tailor their services to meet individual needs, creating a more personalized and memorable stay for guests.

VIRDEE, THE CONTACTLESS check-in technology firm, secured $12.4 million in an oversubscribed Series A funding round led by Moneta Ventures, bringing its total funding to $21 million. These funds will be used to finance research, expand product features, grow the workforce, and strengthen the company's presence in the hospitality sector, the company said. Other participants in the latest fundraising process include Silverton Partners, Koch Real Estate Investments, Alumni Ventures, DJR Advisors, Capital Factory, and strategic partners, Virdee said. This investment follows Series Seed financing led by Silverton Partners in February 2022 and a 2020 angel investment led by Rajiv Trivedi, former brand president for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc.'s La Quinta Inn and chairman of TST Capital.