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SITEMINDER, THE HOSPITALITY software platform led by CEO Sankar Narayan, and IDeaS recently launched the "Dynamic Revenue Plus" revenue management system that enables hotels to access live market intelligence and quickly act on their bookable inventory, pricing and distribution strategies. This mobile-first solution allows any hotel to optimize revenue based on market demand, unlike traditional RMS, which are often limited to select hotels. Dynamic Revenue Plus employs data from SiteMinder's platform, encompassing 120 million annual hotel bookings, and will soon be enhanced with pricing recommendations from IDeaS, the companies said in a joint statement. "We're committed to democratizing revenue management and bringing the benefits of dynamic, demand-based pricing to hotels across the globe," said Klaus Kohlmayr, IDeaS' chief evangelist and development officer. "This partnership offers hotels of all sizes and operating models a viable option to avoid losing revenue due to outdated manual practices." The integration of IDeaS' dynamic pricing capabilities with SiteMinder's distribution platform and market intelligence will help hotels of all sizes, including those with limited resources, with robust revenue management and quick market access, the statement said. It will initially be available to hotels in Australia and New Zealand, expanding to other markets in 2025, the companies said.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING points are becoming a standard amenity at hotels, akin to the rise of Wi-Fi in the early 2000s. Benefits for the hotel owners and franchisers can include additional revenue, carbon credits as well as attracting guests from the growing number of electric vehicle drivers. A 2022 Green Lodging survey by the American Hotel and Lodging Association revealed a surge in the deployment of EV chargers within the hospitality sector, with 26.6 percent of all U.S. hotels equipped with charging stations. The EV charging facilities are more commonly found at luxury hotels (nearly 90 percent offer them), while only about one in five limited-service hotels provides charging, representing significant growth opportunities. Hotel brands such as Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, BWH Hotel Group, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels International, Hyatt Hotel Corp. and G6 Hospitality have prioritized deploying EV charging based on customer preferences. Their franchisees have begun incorporating EV charging infrastructures into their properties. "We've heard from our owners that offering EV charging solutions is increasingly influential for guests when choosing hotels," said Brian McGuiness, IHG's senior vice president of global guest experience. "This is backed by our observation of guests using EVC filters on the IHG One Rewards mobile app and website. Our integrated EV-charger search filter within the IHG One Rewards mobile app allows travelers to easily find properties with EV charging capabilities, empowering them to plan their journeys conveniently and confidently."

DUETTO, A REVENUE management software provider, recently introduced BlockBuster, a revenue optimization solution, and rebranded its acquired space optimization tool, MiceRate, as OpenSpace, integrating new functions. BlockBuster coordinates revenue, sales and catering teams to optimize business quotes, while OpenSpace automates revenue management for rooms, event spaces, and ancillary services, Duetto said in a statement. "The addition of OpenSpace, combined with our investment in group management, positions us as a one-stop-shop for hoteliers looking to maximize revenue across their entire property," said David Woolenberg, Duetto's CEO. "Now, our customers can leverage Duetto to optimize pricing, manage inventory, and streamline bookings for individual guests, groups, and function spaces - all in a single, unified solution. These enhancements will streamline the group booking process, improve internal communication, and ensure a more seamless experience for both hoteliers and their customers."

THE 2020 COVID-influenced lodging industry recession resulted in some noticeable changes to the way hotels provide F&B service. Social distancing regulations forced operators to be creative in the way they served food and beverages to guests. Rising wage rates and sharp increases in the cost of food and beverage products compelled hotel managers to find ways to control costs. The inability of hotels to attract employees to fill the positions eliminated during the recession required creative solutions to improve productivity and offer more with less. These factors resulted in the following hotel food and beverage trends during the subsequent recovery period: The increased offering of kiosks and grab-and-go venues The closing of traditional three-meal-a-day restaurants A reduction in the menus, number of seats, and hours of remaining F&B venues Reductions in in-room dining and mini-bar service The conversion of food and beverage space to other revenue generating purposes To learn how these recent changes in hotel food and beverage operations have impacted revenues and expenses, we have analyzed the operating statements of 2,500 U.S. full-service, resort, and convention hotels that participated in CBRE's annual Trends in the Hotel Industry in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, these 2,500 properties averaged 285 rooms in size, and achieved an occupancy of 64.7 percent, along with an ADR of $225.60. To provide more current information, we also relied on the monthly operating statements of 1,200 properties during the period January through June of 2023.

HUNDREDS OF HOSPITALITY professionals gathered at City Hall to oppose Intro 991, the "Safe Hotels Act," highlighting its detrimental effects on NYC hotels, subcontractors, and small businesses. This follows last month's protest, which drew more than 1,500 attendees. Intro 991, despite being framed as a safety measure, imposes costly mandates that threaten the survival of the city's hotels, risking over 265,000 jobs and billions in tax revenue, according to industry associations. Representatives from the American Hotel & Lodging Association and AAHOA were among the protesters. "Intro 991 targets a single industry and will inflict sweeping harm on the hotel sector, the economy, and hotel guests," said Kevin Carey, AHLA's interim president and CEO. "The bill will have devastating, unintended consequences for New York City's tourism and hospitality industries, forcing many hotels and small businesses to close. We urge the city council to reconsider and find real solutions that protect both safety and livelihoods." Since the legislation was introduced in July, AAHOA members have reached out to the council, urging them to reconsider the act. AAHOA Northeast regional director Preyas Patel, past chairwoman Jagruti Panwala, former young professional director Purvi Panwala and AAHOA member Mitesh Ahir addressed the council after the event.

HOSPITALITY SOFTWARE FIRM Actabl recently introduced new bundled offerings designed to address hotels' operational efficiency, profitability and workflow management. The bundles include features from its integrated solutions-ProfitSword, Hotel Effectiveness, Alice and Transcendent-providing solutions for business intelligence, labor management and operations and CapEx, Actabl said in a statement. "We are thrilled to unveil our new bundled solutions, which mark a significant evolution in how we deliver value to our customers," said Jason Luo, Actabl's chief revenue officer. "We've thoughtfully crafted our offerings to meet the unique needs of properties and management groups of all sizes, providing a comprehensive, scalable, and flexible approach to hotel management." The new bundles are marketed to hotel management companies in three tiers: the Base Bundle, providing essential tools for foundational needs; the Advanced Bundle, offering enhanced features for more complex management requirements; and the Premier Bundle, delivering comprehensive, customizable solutions for those seeking to maximize the Actabl platform.

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.

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."

Beth Barris is the new executive vice president of sales and marketing for ELEVAT3, a revenue management consultancy led by Nilesh Patel as founder and partner. The company recently launched a new sales and marketing division to offer tailored branding solutions for hoteliers. Before joining ELEVAT3, Barris was chief sales officer at Barris Hospitality Consultancy, where she worked with hotel sales and marketing teams, owners and management companies to increase sales revenues and market share. She previously held various roles at Marshall Hotels & Resorts, including executive vice president of sales and marketing. The company combined its revenue management and sales and marketing divisions to provide a collaborative approach, ELEVAT3 said in a statement. The sales and marketing team provides services from full sales to market-plan development and prospecting, enhancing revenue management capabilities, the statement said. While clients can choose either service, both teams are designed to work together for branded and independent hotels.

STAYNTOUCH, A CLOUD-BASED hotel property management software developer, recently deployed its PMS at 139 Cobblestone Hotels locations in 90 days. Cobblestone has more than 160 properties across 29 states. The PMS streamlines operations, improves efficiency and speeds up property setups with template configurations, according to Stayntouch. It also enhances revenue and occupancy through an integrated rate strategy module and provides products to manage operations, drive revenue and support guest services. "At Stayntouch, we understand the challenges faced by hotel chains like Cobblestone, which is why we've tailored our solutions to meet their needs," said Jacob Messina, Stayntouch's CEO. "This collaboration reflects our commitment to delivering solutions that enhance operations and drive revenue for owners and operators. We focus on understanding their needs, delivering consistently, and building trust as a reliable partner."

Bill Fanning is now the chief revenue officer at Stayntouch, a cloud-based hotel property management software developer. Previously, he was senior vice president of sales at Compeat, part of Restaurant365's enterprise suite, covering accounting, inventory, scheduling, payroll, and HR solutions. In his new role at Stayntouch, Fanning will oversee revenue strategy and expansion efforts, focusing on customer value, strategic partnerships and global commercial growth across North America, Europe and global markets. "We are pleased to welcome Bill Fanning to our team," said Jacob Messina, Stayntouch's CEO. "His exceptional track record and experience in the hospitality industry and enterprise sales make him the perfect fit to lead our commercial strategy. Bill shares our unwavering commitment to customer success and innovation. His expertise will be instrumental in strengthening our relationships with hotel partners and enterprise customers, ensuring we continue to deliver solutions that address the most pressing challenges faced by hotel owners and operators today."

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.

DUETTO, A REVENUE management software company, acquired HotStats, a hotel benchmarking and financial reporting company. The acquisition supports Duetto's aim to provide hoteliers with a view of top-line revenue and performance across rooms, F&B and ancillary services. The acquisition also reflects Duetto's focus on expansion under GrowthCurve Capital, which acquired the company last year, Duetto said in a statement. "We're thrilled to welcome HotStats into the Duetto family," said David Woolenberg, Duetto's CEO. "By augmenting our existing suite of solutions with HotStats' industry-leading financial benchmarking data asset, we're able to deliver the industry's most comprehensive solution for driving revenue and profit optimization."

TECHNOLOGY HOTEL BRAND EV Evolution and construction solutions firm ServiceTry recently created a joint venture, EV Hotel Corp. The $400 million deal will fund the development of EV Evolution Venue hotels in international markets. Their new hospitality concept, The Eloise Project, is set to debut its first property by late 2025. ServiceTry will acquire a 40 percent equity stake in EV Hotel Corp., gaining access to all of EV's global revenue streams, the companies said in a joint statement. "We're not just building hotels; we're crafting worlds," said Ken Patel, EV Hotel Corp's., chairman and CEO. "The Eloise Project is about immersing guests in luxury and wonder. We're creating spaces where every moment is memorable, and every stay is extraordinary." The partnership will expand EV Hotel's global presence with ServiceTry as its largest shareholder, the statement said. The concept offers Dubai-style amenities and guest-centric experiences.

In an era where sustainability and convenience are paramount considerations for travelers, hotels are embracing innovative solutions to stay ahead in the competitive hospitality industry. One such forward-thinking amenity that is transforming the guest experience and boosting revenue is the integration of electric vehicle charging stations. Beyond environmental consciousness, these charging stations offer a plethora of benefits that can significantly impact a hotel's bottom line. 1. ATTRACTING A GROWING MARKET SEGMENT The shift towards electric vehicles is undeniable, with more consumers opting for eco-friendly transportation. In the years to come more EVs will be hitting the roads. By installing EV charging stations, hotels tap into a burgeoning market segment, attracting EV travelers that plan their trips around EV chargers. This strategic move puts the hotel at the top of the list and positions the hotel as a progressive and forward-looking establishment. 2. ENHANCING THE GUEST EXPERIENCE Providing EV charging stations enhances the overall guest experience. Travelers with electric vehicles often face the challenge of finding suitable charging points during their journeys. By offering on-site charging, hotels alleviate this concern, fostering a sense of convenience and loyalty among guests. The seamless integration of charging stations into the guest experience contributes to positive reviews and encourages repeat bookings.

ACCOR HAS SELECTED IDeaS as its global revenue management software provider for its portfolio of more than 5,600 hotels across 110 countries. IDeaS will "future-proof" Accor's revenue management strategy to provide a competitive advantage, the companies said in a joint statement. "We are thrilled to be selected as a global partner to drive Accor's commercial revenue platform transformation at a moment of unparalleled growth and opportunity for the company worldwide," said Ravi Mehrotra, IDeaS' cofounder and chief scientist. "In a new era of innovation and consumer and product diversification, we are pleased to bring IDeaS' market-leading automation, pricing approach, and a singular focus on holistic revenue optimization to Accor's diverse brand portfolio."

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL recently introduced Lobby in a Box, a modular design package that allows hoteliers to transform lobby dining areas into multifunctional, revenue-generating spaces in around 120 days. The offering is designed for extended-stay brands, including Suburban Studios and MainStay Suites. The package enables the conversion of standard lobby dining spaces in transient hotels, allowing hoteliers to create new income streams for the MainStay brand through a marketplace offering on-the-go food, beverages and travel essentials, Choice said in a statement. The program allows hotel owners to meet the needs of long-staying guests who prefer in-room dining with kitchens. "As demand for extended-stay accommodations continues to exceed supply, solutions like Lobby in a Box and Kitchen in a Box help franchisees seize opportunities in a growing market while providing long-staying guests a superior experience," said Matt McElhare, Choice's vice president and lead of extended-stay brands. "Our goal is to simplify the conversion process and maximize hotel owners' return on investment by giving them the tools to create functional and profitable spaces."

REMOTE SALES AND training appear to be surging in popularity among hotels, according to training consulting firm Gillis Sales. The firm reported $23 million in revenue from hospitality clients in 2021 and a 40 percent since the beginning of the pandemic. The latest figures indicate that hotels are seeing the benefits of investing in sales to increase profitability as travel resumes, said Tammy Gillis, CEO of Gillis Sales. Gillis foresees an increase in business as hoteliers turn to remote sales solutions to find and keep qualified salespeople. Market trends suggest that leisure and corporate travel are increasing while labor shortage continues, according to the company's statement.

COSTAR GROUP, A real estate marketplace and analytics provider, granted STR's hotel data subscribers access to its full product suite, enabling users to leverage multisegmented market analytics and forecasts. The services include a tenant database of 7.8 million spaces, an inventory of 6.7 million properties, a pipeline tracking 79,000 projects and a transactions database with 4.2 million sales comparables, CoStar said in a statement. "Today, CoStar becomes the product for tens of thousands of hotel users worldwide," said Andy Florance, CoStar Group's founder and CEO. "With access to the full product offering, hotel owners, operators and brand representatives will gain comprehensive insights across all commercial asset categories, enabling them to refine their sales strategy and identify new investment opportunities." STR's latest benchmarking solution debuted within the CoStar product in May 2023, the statement added. This comprehensive, multilingual tool offers enriched STAR Reports, detailed property and portfolio insights, and advanced visualizations to streamline revenue and performance management, operations, sales, marketing, and finance.

IDEAS, A SAS company specializing in hospitality revenue management software, recently integrated nearly 2,000 properties with the Oracle Hospitality Integration Platform. This connects their RMS solutions, including IDeaS G3 RMS, with Oracle's OPERA Cloud platform, accessible via OHIP and the Oracle Cloud Marketplace, the companies said in a joint statement. "The hospitality industry has long craved faster data exchanges and more capabilities to handle ever-increasing data volumes, and OHIP delivers precisely that," said Klaus Kohlmayr, IDeaS' chief evangelist and development officer. "By accelerating data exchange and efficiently transmitting the staggering 12 billion pricing decisions IDeaS processes daily, OHIP empowers us to innovate faster as partners with Oracle. This goes beyond pricing and forecasting. It unlocks the true potential of data-driven revenue management, allowing hoteliers to make smarter decisions and achieve optimal results." The two companies share nearly 10,000 clients, the statement said. IDeaS is connecting 50 to 100 hotels per week, allowing for faster implementation of future capabilities and additional solutions.