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URBAN PARK HOTEL Collection, an independent budget-conscious hotel group, has partnered with technology firm LodgeTender to integrate its latest hotel technology platform. The new technology offers hotel owners an extra revenue stream, while eliminating the need to pay for a hotel PMS, booking engine, and channel manager, Urban Park Hotel said in a statement. "The partnership with LodgeTender offers our hotel portfolio an opportunity to earn rather than pay for a technology package," said Jay Patel, managing partner of Urban Park Hotel Collection. "We're delighted to introduce products and services that not only save our owners money, but also generate additional revenue for our member hotels." "Hotel owners now have the chance to upgrade their technology while staying ahead with productive features for added revenue and seamless guest service connections," added Kent Comfort, president of LodgeTender.

HOTEL WEBSITES LED all booking sources in revenue per booking in 2024, generating an average of $519, 60 percent higher than other channels, according to SiteMinder. Furthermore, the largest volume of hotel reservations from a single technology platform rose 8.5 percent year-over-year, with a value-per-booking 60 percent higher than OTAs at $320. SiteMinder's Hotel Booking Trends report, based on more than 125 million reservations, found the figure was 35 percent higher than global distribution systems at $380 and 15 percent higher than wholesalers, DMCs and tour operators combined at $446. Direct booking value rose year-over-year, with hotel websites holding or improving their position among top revenue sources in all major travel destinations for the first time. In the U.S., hotel websites remained the third-highest revenue-generating channel.

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."

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.

STAYNTOUCH, A CLOUD-BASED hotel property management software developer, recently launched UpsellPRO, an attribute-based selling platform that allows hotels to unbundle room reservations and market individual room features to guests during the booking process. The launch followed a report stating that half of respondents with a booking window over one month would pay more for ABS, Stayntouch said in a statement. "Attribute-based selling is giving travelers a degree of control over their hotel stay that they never thought possible, and hoteliers can deliver this experience without overwhelming themselves with unmanageable processes," said Nicole Dehler, Stayntouch's vice president of product. "The best part about today's ABS deployments is they can be delivered directly through the hotel PMS, automating inventory and room management without relying on a convoluted network of connected systems." Dehler said any hotel can leverage upselling to enhance service delivery and boost revenue growth organically, in a way that guests love.

GRACESOFT, URBAN PARK Hotel Collection and LodgeTender have integrated their portfolios to create an independent hotel service and membership network. The alliance provides hotel management technology, revenue optimization, consulting and a non-franchise membership brand, helping independent hoteliers compete in the market, the companies said in a joint statement. "Our mission is to equip independent hoteliers with the resources and technology they need to compete with major brands while retaining their unique identities," said Gideon Stanley, GraceSoft's CEO. "This collaboration brings together over 2,000 hotels, helping them improve efficiency, guest satisfaction, and profitability." The partnership offers a suite of solutions including property management systems, booking engines, revenue analytics and distressed property recovery consulting, giving hoteliers access to tools typically reserved for large franchise chains, the statement said.

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.

HYATT CORP. HAS expanded its relationship with group hospitality analytics firm Knowland, a statement said. The new partnership is aimed at increasing sales, the company said. With this partnership, Hyatt became the first global hotel brand to offer access to the Knowland database through a portfolio-driven program to its properties, the statement added. Hyatt will use Knowland's business tools that provide intelligence within meetings and events booked in its current markets as well as feeder markets. The expanded Knowland relationship standardizes program terms pre-approved for all Hyatt branded hotels, including franchise operators. "At Hyatt, it's important to be nimble in our commitment to providing technology for all of our hotels," said Steve Enselein, senior vice president of events at Hyatt. "Access to Knowland data allows our hotel sales teams to generate topline revenue that can maximize profit through group sales, creating value across our portfolio for hotel owners and operators."

Today's hoteliers face new challenges. IBIS World reports that there are now over 100,000 hotels and motels across the United States-meaning that the competition is greater than ever before. Further, the cost of delivering a unique and exciting guest experience continues to rise in tandem with the cost of hotel operations. So, hoteliers are tasked with finding sources of revenue beyond bookings. That's where new technology comes in. AAHOA owners can harness the power of technology to address modern challenges, so you'll be better positioned for success-no matter what the future holds. Start unlocking new revenue streams today According to a report by Oracle and Skift, nearly half of executives expect non-room revenue to account for an increasing share of their hotel's revenue by 2025. In-room TVs are a great way to drive non-room revenue-today and tomorrow. With new technology, you can use screen space to promote any paid amenities such as room service, spa services, on-site casinos, and more.You can also sell paid on-screen advertisements to local establishments like restaurants, amusement parks, or museums. There are even opportunities to promote larger affiliate partners and collect extra income when you refer guests.

A CYBER-ATTACK "significantly disrupted" booking channels and other applications for InterContinental Hotels Group last week, according to a statement from the company. Now, AAHOA is demanding an explanation for the breach and assurances that its members' data is protected. IHG has implemented a response plan, including notifying the relevant regulatory authorities, working with its technology suppliers and engaging external specialists to investigate the incident, according to the company. 'IHG is working to fully restore all systems as soon as possible and to assess the nature, extent and impact of the incident," the company said. "We will be supporting hotel owners and operators as part of our response to the ongoing service disruption. IHG's hotels are still able to operate and to take reservations directly."

CENDYN, A GLOBAL hospitality cloud technology company, recently acquired Knowland, a provider of data-as-a-service intelligence for meetings and events. The acquisition aims to enhance sales prospecting and boost bookings in the meetings, incentives, conferences and events sector, Cendyn said in a statement. Knowland's platform provides market intelligence from more than 7,500 U.S. hotels and select international markets. "To effectively sell group business, hoteliers need immediate access to data, and Knowland's event intelligence platform is the market leader in this area," said Jack Blaha, Cendyn's CEO. "Its sales intelligence complements our sales CRM, helping hoteliers find their target audience. Using our Proposals and Grouprev platforms, hoteliers can complete the booking process. It's a perfect fit with our commitment to helping hoteliers "Find, Book, and Grow" their business. With Haveli Investments' expertise in technology joining our expansion, we're poised for a bright future for Cendyn's customers."

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."

U.S. TRAVELERS FACE ongoing frustrations despite strong 2024 travel volumes, including delays, planning, costs, and airport experiences, according to an Amadeus study. Each traveler encounters unique challenges, the survey found, and while technology can address many frustrations, it doesn't solve them all. "Technology is important, but so is the human touch," states the survey "Friction Removed." Technology vs. human touch Technology plays a role in improving the traveler experience, the survey says. Travelers find mobile planning apps the most helpful at 89 percent, followed by automatic rebooking, digital bag tracking, integrated airline and hotel booking, and fully digital IDs and travel documents, all at 86 percent.

A GROUP OF InterContinental Hotels Group franchisees have filed a lawsuit against the company in connection with a cyber-attack that "significantly disrupted" its booking channels and other applications in mid-September. The lawsuit claims that IHG should have taken more steps to prevent the breach in light of warnings it received after a previous breach. IHG implemented a response plan, including notifying the relevant regulatory authorities, working with its technology suppliers and engaging external specialists to investigate the incident, according to the company. The breach affected IHG's reservations and customer care call centers, as well as internal systems, such as Merlin and the IHG Help Desk, according to a statement from AAHOA on the breach. The association said franchisees, including some of its members, saw a complete shutdown in guestroom bookings during this outage. On Sept. 15, several IHG franchisees filed a lawsuit against IHG in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division alleging the company should have done more to prevent the breach. The lawsuit references a similar breach the company experienced in 2017 as an example that IHG should have taken further steps to secure its system.

HOSPITALITY TECHNOLOGY FIRM OYO aims to invest $10 million to enhance G6 Hospitality's digital assets, including its website and app, targeting a quadruple increase in apps before summer. The company will use digital targeting, focusing on high-intent customers through direct partnerships with Google and Microsoft. The investment will fund data-driven digital campaigns to reach customers actively searching for accommodations with an aim toward boosting booking conversions and franchise partner value, G6 Hospitality said in a statement. "By concentrating our resources on users most likely to convert, we're optimizing our marketing spend and delivering more value to our franchise partners," said Shashank Jain, G6 Hospitality's head of online revenue. "The investment underscores G6's commitment to supporting its franchise network by driving direct bookings and reducing dependency on third-party platforms."

PEOPLE ARE SHOWING a desire to get back to travel, but within certain limits, according to a Reuters Events Travel webinar. The webinar featured information on the current state of the industry from IHG Hotels & Resorts, Visit California and digital consultancy Appnovation. Whether planning, booking or experiencing a vacation, today's travelers are more cautious than ever and are taking more time to research plans and are using digital tools for it, according to the webinar titled "Destination Experience: Driven by Data, Inspired by Travelers." As many as 41 percent of respondents to a survey from Appnovation cited a readiness to travel out of state or province, while only 19 percent were ready for international trips. Almost half of Americans, 49 percent, are likely to travel out of state and 24 percent are likely to travel internationally. "With data, brands are much better equipped to understand these shifts, and use their marketing tools more effectively. In short, you can't innovate properly until you innovate on your internal processes," said Anton Morrison, vice president of user experience and design, Appnovation.