12.3.2023 With a background in strategy consulting and capital markets, Joshua Rogers brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Prior to founding Alertify, he led high-impact consulting projects at KPMG Russia, and successfully managed large portfolios in banking. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Envitae, a luxury short-term rental management company, where he encountered … [Read more...]
From Static Hotel Brochures to Dynamic Guest Experiences: How AI Will Drive the Evolution of Hotel Websites
Adaptable hotel websites with automated personalization and integrated booking engines (IBEs) that have memory represents a paradigm shift that will serve to unlock substantial new economic value for brands and independent properties.By Larry and Adam Mogelonsky - 12.1.2023 Unveiled a year ago today as a “low-key research preview,” and quickly emerging as the poster child of the AI … [Read more...]
Amazon One Enterprise’s Palm Recognition Technology is Poised to Change the Game for Hotel Access Control
Amazon One Enterprise is currently available in preview in the United States and hospitality organizations are expressing keen interest, viewing the technology as a more secure, efficient way to manage authentication and access their systems. Among them is IHG Hotels & Resorts, the global hospitality company with over 6,000 hotels in more than 100 countries, which will begin piloting the … [Read more...]
Starfleet Research Launches Surveys for Research Reports on Hotel IoT Security, Pool Water Management, and Guest Data Capture
For each completed survey, Starfleet Research will donate $5.00 to Ecologi, a nonprofit organization that partners with climate projects to offset carbon emissions.11.27.2023 Starfleet Research, the leading provider of benchmarking best practices in technology-enabled business initiatives, has announced the launch of three new market research surveys for hotel and resort IT directors and other … [Read more...]
WooHoo Partners with Intel to Redefine the Hotel Guest Experience with Next-Generation Voice AI Assistant Speaker
With a completely customizable interface, including preferred wake words, hotels can now personalize their branding and engagement. Guests can also use the multi-lingual touch commands to make requests, phone calls and check F&B menu digitally directly on the WooHoo® device.11.21.2023 WooHoo is a Silicon Valley-based solution provider and the developer of WooHoo® X-Series, an award-winning … [Read more...]
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Names Grazzy a Preferred Technology Provider for Its Digital Tipping Solutions
Grazzy empowers gratuity from guests without cash and offers instant payouts for hotel employees.11.21.2023 Grazzy, the digital tipping platform driving higher earnings for hotel workers, has been named a preferred technology provider by Hyatt Hotels. With this status, all 700+ Hyatt locations can utilize Grazzy’s digital tipping solutions to help hotel operations, bar and restaurant staff … [Read more...]
Cendyn and SiteMinder Join Forces to Help Hotels Achieve Their Full Revenue Potential
Through the partnership, Cendyn customers can now gain full access to SiteMinder’s revenue platform to complement the capabilities they receive through Cendyn’s central reservations system.11.20.2023 Cendyn, a catalyst for digital transformation in the hospitality industry, and SiteMinder, the name behind the only software platform that unlocks the full revenue potential of hotels, have … [Read more...]
Spotlight Interview: Mark Lewis, Founder and CEO at HotelREZ
11.20.2023 Twenty years ago, Mark Lewis founded HotelREZ, creating one of the largest and highly awarded hotel distribution consortia, as well as launching World Rainbow Hotels, the world’s only GDS-enabled consortia for the LGBTQ+ market. More recently, HotelREZ acquired British hospitality brand Best Loved Hotels, opened the company’s first owned luxury hotel in Mykonos, Greece, and launched … [Read more...]
Virdee Secures $12.4 Million to Expand Its Hotel Check-In Automation and Guest Experience Management Capabilities
The company's contactless hotel check-in experience is compatible with any system, whether it is web-, app-, or kiosk-based.By Lea Mira, HTN staff writer - 11.16.2023 Virdee, a Texas-based solution provider specializing in guest experience technology and check-in automation for the hospitality industry, has secured $12.4 million in Series A funding. The funding round was led by Moneta Ventures, … [Read more...]
How Hotels Can Protect Power Devices from Looming Cyber Threats in an Interconnected IT Environment
Hotel IT teams that integrate a robust power management strategy with evolving cyber defense practices will be in a strong position to stay ahead of emerging risks.By James Martin, Global Connectivity Product Manager at Eaton - 11.16.2023 As IT strategies have evolved amid the digital transformation, an era of generative AI is emerging that is changing the way hotels serve guests. Solutions such … [Read more...]
Event Temple Partners with Apaleo to Innovate and Simplify the Group and Event Booking Process for Hotels
This integration will enable hotels all sizes to easily manage event and group bookings, while also leveraging Apaleo's PMS to streamline guest services, room reservations, and billing, all within one unified platform.11.15.2023 Event Temple, the award winning hotel and venue management software, has announced its latest strategic partnership and integration with Apaleo, the cutting-edge open … [Read more...]
Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, Taps IRIS to Enhance the Hotel Guest Experience With F&B Digital Ordering App
Through the IRIS app, guests can order a range of food and drink items (to be enjoyed in their rooms, at the Tranquillity Pool or at the Ormos Beach Club) and peruse the hotel’s range of bespoke services and amenities, all available to order and reserve from the palm of their hands. 11.15.2023 IRIS, a global market leader in digital F&B ordering, guest directory and concierge solutions for … [Read more...]
OTA Insight Rebrands as Lighthouse, Consolidating Its Hotel Technology Solutions Into a Unified Platform
The unified platform serves 65,000 hotels across 185 countries, along with short-term rental data covering over 19 million short-term rental properties.11.9.2023 OTA Insight, the global leader in cloud-based market intelligence for the travel & hospitality industry, has rebranded to Lighthouse. The rebrand consolidates multiple products and acquired companies into a single, unified … [Read more...]
The Future of Hotel Marketing: Trends to Watch (and Utilize) in 2024
To attract more online traffic to your hotel's website, consider using short-form video ads on popular search engines like Google. In these ads, showcase your hotel's unique amenities, culture, and experiences.By Lauren Hall, CEO and Founder of iVvy - 11.7.2023 In an era where technology shapes everything from how we work to how we communicate, the hospitality industry stands at the forefront of … [Read more...]
Mirai Partners with SIHOT to Help Hotels Increase Direct Bookings through Metasearch
This new partnership is enabling hotels like Fidelis to secure more direct bookings.11.2.2023 SIHOT, a leading hotel modular management system, and Mirai, a pioneer of direct hotel sales technology specialist, have partnered to provide hotels with direct connections to metasearch engines for live pricing and availability updates. The partnership enables SIHOT users to connect to Mirai Metasearch … [Read more...]
Thynk Acquires ‘Please ask m’ to Further Strengthen Its Hospitality Cloud Solution
The acquisition aligns seamlessly with Thynk’s strategic growth initiatives following its USD$13 million Series A funding in April this year.10.31.2023 Thynk, a global provider of advanced technology solutions for data-driven hotel sales and operations management, has acquired of ‘Please ask m’, a pivotal step in fortifying its hospitality cloud solution. This acquisition aligns seamlessly with … [Read more...]
Hilton Unveils Two Digital Innovations Focused on Group Bookings for Small and Medium Businesses
initiatives, set to launch early next year, are part of Hilton's commitment to digitally transform the business travel experience, from booking to billing.By HTN Staff - 10.29.2023 Hilton is rolling out two new digital innovations aimed at enhancing the travel experience for small- and medium-sized businesses. Both initiatives are set to launch early next year, according to a company … [Read more...]
Scandic Hotels Group to Connect All Properties and Functions with Oracle Hospitality OPERA Cloud Solution
Work to implement the solution began in January 2023, and the goal is for all hotels and most central functions to be connected to the new platform by the first half of 2024.10.27.2023 Having a cloud-based platform for all hotels and central functions will create a new common way of working for Scandic. It will also enable an even better guest experience and higher efficiency through better … [Read more...]
Universal Orlando Resort Tests Facial Recognition Technology for Guest Entry
While the use of facial recognition technology in theme parks could potentially streamline operations and enhance guest experiences, it also raises important questions about personal privacy and data security.By Lea Mira, HTN staff writer - 10.28.2023 Universal Orlando Resort has begun testing a new facial recognition technology, dubbed “Photo Validation,” as a potential replacement for the … [Read more...]
6 Ways AI Technology Can Help Hoteliers Enhance Guest Wellness (and Increase Revenue)
In order for hotel brands to commercialize wellness in a labor-light manner and beyond traditional spa services, technologies like the latest in machine learning become instrumental for future revenue generation.By Larry and Adam Mogelonsky - 10.28.2023 In the year 1900, the average life expectancy was 47. A century later, it was 77 globally. Whether or not we extrapolate this trendline … [Read more...]