BLOG POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR
February 2019
Feb 08
A Digital Facelift: Micro Apps Yield Macro Results
With the advent of home sharing websites and short-term vacation rentals, many hotels and resorts have struggled to grow revenue.
ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR
April 2021
Apr 13
Curator Hotel & Resort Collection Welcomes Sage Hospitality Group as New Founding Member
Sage is joining a group of six other founding members: like-minded hotel owners and operators committed to working in cooperative competition to lift the independent hotel industry and provide incomparable experiences for travelers.
Apr 13
RH-ISAC Announces New eCommerce Campaign for Retail, Hospitality, and Travel Sector
Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council, PerimeterX, SecurityScorecard, Tala Security, and The Media Trust join forces with the RH-ISAC to address eCommerce concerns within retail, hospitality, and travel industry.
Apr 13
How Digitally Enabling Your Frontline Employees Has Become a Necessity
Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort shares how it kept its teams communicating during COVID-19 and how it is helping them to prepare for reopening in the upcoming season with minimal employee turnover.
Apr 12
Five Tips for Surviving Unsteady Occupancies
From tracking the right metrics to clustering operations, these core principles will help hoteliers navigate the current unpredictable market.
Apr 09
Z-Wave: Hospitality’s Alternative to WiFi for IoT Networks
Connected devices can crowd a hotel’s Wi-Fi frequency, causing bandwidth, interference, and reliability problems. Z-Wave works differently by operating in an entirely different frequency band.
Apr 08
Expedia Group Launches COVID-19 Advisor Tool to Track Global Travel Restrictions and to Help Restore Confidence In Travel
Expedia, Hotels.com, ebookers, Orbitz, Travelocity, Vrbo, and Wotif adopt the latest technology to support travel partners and ensure a frictionless experience for travelers.
Apr 08
Carnival's MedallionNet Redefines Remote Working
Every Princess cruise ship will feature land-like connectivity making remote working, distance learning and more available to all guests. With an access point in every stateroom, as well as all public areas, guests can move freely around the ship as they work without any frustrating signal drops.
Apr 07
Why Investors are Betting on Hospitality Tech
After being turned on its head, it's clear that the hospitality industry will never be the same. However, this disruption has created the perfect conditions for innovation and new companies to emerge, and investors are paying close attention.
Apr 06
A Look Back at the Digitalization of Hotel Management
Executives from Charlestowne Hotels discuss how 40 years of technology advancements have revolutionized the way hotels are run.
Apr 05
Aclaimant CEO: We Want to Help Every Business Be an Expert Risk Manager
The hospitality industry is facing one of the most litigious periods in history due to the pandemic. Technology can help hotels and restaurants to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to managing risk.
Apr 05
Six Ways Hospitality Can Make a Post-Pandemic Pivot to Leisure
Hoteliers need to change the way they think about their business—customer experiences, marketing, sales, customized content, loyalty programs, and both the “pre-travel” and “post-travel” phases of the customer journey.
Apr 05
How One SaaS Company is Leading the Industry to Contactless, Guest-Centric Transactions
Virdee, whose name is a play on VRD, saw an urgent need for solutions to help hotels achieve operational efficiencies and cost savings in a contactless environment. Its growing popularity shows the hospitality industry has taken note.
Apr 02
Booking.com Fined $560k for GDPR Violation
Booking.com took 22 days to report a data breach in 2019 when GDPR mandates that data breaches must be reported within 72 hours.
Apr 01
MURTEC 2021: Get a Sneak Peak at Taco Bell’s Tech Roadmap
From edge computing to the connected restaurant, native e-commerce, and IoT, MURTEC attendees get a look behind the scenes at what’s happening now and what’s on the horizon.
Apr 01
Burritos or Bitcoin: Chipotle to Give Away $200k in Free Burritos and Bitcoin to Celebrate National Burrito Day
The brand is teaming up with Stefan Thomas, the tech founder who notoriously lost his Bitcoin login worth $387 million earlier this year, and calling upon fans to enter for a chance to win on April 1.
Apr 01
HFTP Forms Global Hospitality PII Management Task Force to Develop Guidance on Secure Data Collection and Use
The growing use of high-tech interfaces and digital applications such as AI and facial recognition in hospitality operations present a need for thorough, hospitality-specific direction on data management, thoughtfully developed by the experts who implement the solutions.
March 2021
Mar 30
MURTEC 2021: How Another Broken Egg Cafe Increased Off-Prem Sales
COVID hit breakfast concepts especially hard, but CEO Paul Macaluso and his team at Another Broken Egg Cafe found a way to increase off-prem from 2% to more than 15%, all while creating here-to-stay incremental revenue streams.
Mar 30
Rōti Partners with GetUpside to Reach New Customers
GetUpside matches customers with local businesses and encourages them to transact using personalized cash back offers.
Mar 30
RH-ISAC and CISA Announce First Retail, Hospitality, and Travel Industry-Wide Cybersecurity Exercise
Top trade associations in retail, hospitality, and travel partner with RH-ISAC and CISA to support the first industry-wide exercise focused on communication, coordination, and decision making.
Mar 30
Jet's Pizza Introduces Text-to-Order Technology
In partnership with Ordr AI, Jet's Pizza has already done more than 1 million text orders and launched in more than 75% of stores.
Mar 29
How Restaurants Should Leverage POS Data to Capitalize on Game Day Ordering
Many restaurants are leaving money on the table by not mining their POS data for valuable insights.
Mar 29
Why Your Outdoor Dining Area Needs a Tech Upgrade
Embracing technology can help create a better dining experiences for customers which will lead to increased revenue for your brand.
Mar 26
3 Reasons Why UV-C Is the Future of Disinfection in the Hotel Industry
Efficiency, ROI, safety and sustainability all play a role in making UV-C disinfection tech ideal for hospitality.
Mar 26
Chipotle Invests in Autonomous Delivery Company: Nuro
Nuro uses robotics in their fleet of on-road, occupantless and autonomous vehicles to deliver everyday consumer goods.
Mar 26
2021 and the QSR Customer Experience
Successful QSRs will understand how to leverage their mobile technology programs to accommodate modern customers.
Mar 26
Casino Hotels Address Pandemic-Related Customer Concerns About Smoking Odors in Guest Rooms
New technology improves casino hotel guest satisfaction and eliminates remediation costs.
Mar 25
Hoteliers Opt for Onsite Tech Training Despite Pandemic
Operators say it’s important to lead by example and show businesses that it’s safe and viable to attend live meetings when health and safety protocols are followed.
Mar 25
Off-Premise Is Here to Stay
With various vaccines promising light at the end of the tunnel, guests surveyed said that the convenience afforded by off-premise channels would remain an essential fixture of their spending habits.
Mar 25
AHLA Integrates HTNG, Strengthening Technology Expertise, Advocacy Focus
HT’s exclusive interview with HTNG sheds light on how, why this partnership came to be.
Mar 25
A Fresh Breath of Air: Why One Restaurant Installed an Air Purifier
Minimizing risk and providing peace of mind for the owner, staff and patrons was a large driver behind the air purifier installation.
Mar 25
Learn How Bloomin' Brands and Uncle Julio's Virtual Brands Have Taken Center Stage
From optimizing tech to lessons learned, you'll hear how these newest brands are fanning the flames of profitability and popularity, and teaching old brands new tricks every step of the way.
Mar 24
Affordable, Accurate and Instantaneous: The Future of Multilingual Customer Support Has Arrived
International business, including hotels, often find that their number one challenge is providing customer support in a variety of languages. The answer to that question may just have arrived.
Mar 24
How the Hospitality Industry Can Benefit from President Biden's Buy American Executive Order
In four steps, the hospitality industry could prepare itself for a significant revenue stream in the near future.
Mar 23
Here's Why a Super App Could Reinvigorate the Business World
The super app brings a mobile-first focus to a mobile-first generation — a process that will only accelerate as we move past the pandemic.
Mar 23
3 Ways QSRs Will Benefit from Ultrafast EV Charging Stations
Widespread adoption of EVs and the next generation of ultrafast EV charging stations promise to generate revenue for QSRs and align their brands with energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.
Mar 22
ASJ Homes to Build Shipping Container Micro Hotels
Company introduces a new cryptocurrency called Container Tokens, which can be used to book a room, suite or event space at shipping container boutique micro hotels as well as pay for food, drinks and spa sessions.
Mar 22
South Korea: Hyundai Teams Up with Woowa Brothers to Create Restaurant Delivery Robots
Woowa Brothers, operator of South Korea's largest food delivery app, to develop robots that can carry meals from restaurant to door.
Mar 19
Redefining Communications for Today’s Mobile Workforces
Now that COVID-19 has all but eradicated traditional in-person relationships and many in-office team members are now working remotely, keeping everyone synced is an even more daunting task.
Mar 18
Thinking of Mandating the COVID-19 Vaccine for Your Hospitality Employees?
Not a great idea; try incentivizing it instead, says labor and employment attorney.
Mar 18
Sonesta Completes Acquisition of Red Lion Hotels
Sonesta Hotels now has 1,200 hotels and more than 100,000 rooms diversified across 15 brands.
Mar 18
How Event Organizers Are Using Tech to Have Successful In-Person Events
Key Takeaways: Hotels will need to offer high bandwidth, an onsite IT technician, and a lot of flexibility.
Mar 17
Healthy Building Solutions that Should Be on the Top of Your Reopening Checklist
Before any systems or technologies can be implemented, it’s crucial for hospitality managers to perform extensive assessments to establish their safety KPIs and understand what their facilities need to meet them.
Mar 16
Disney Announces MagicMobile Tech
After announcing in June 2020 that MagicBands will be ending in 2021, Disney has rolled out what many assume will be replacing them: smartphone tech.
Mar 16
Blackstone and Starwood Capital Group to Acquire Extended Stay America
Extended Stay America, Inc. (“ESA”) and its paired-share REIT, ESH Hospitality, Inc.
Mar 16
The Future Is Here: Conversational Messaging Platforms & Hospitality
Get on board or get left behind, there is no middle ground.
Mar 11
Google Says No More Cookies in 2022: How Should Hotel Marketers React?
Consumer privacy advocate Matt Voda of OptiMine says: “If you have under-invested in first-party data, you should begin to feel nervous sweat right now.”
Mar 11
Google's Free Hotel Booking Links: What It Means for You
Google Hotel Ads must now become an essential part of your direct booking strategy.
Mar 10
How Communication Technology Can Enhance the Hospitality Experience in 2021
Digital signage, wayfinding and other communication technology can be leveraged to make hotel guests feel more comfortable.
Mar 09
7 New Rules for Increasing Guest Satisfaction
Transparency, seamless experiences and resolving guest issues as they happen are just a few ways hospitality brands need to rethink the guest experience.
Mar 08
What can Hospitality Learn from Clubhouse?
The invitation-only audio-chat iPhone app allows users to listen to and actively participate in live, unscripted conversations and could provide hospitality with the opportunity to connect with their audience in a personal and intimate setting.
Mar 05
Sarona Holdings CTO Shares His Predictions for Hotel Tech in 2021 and Beyond
Contactless technologies – including the humble QR code – will continue to be a staple in 2021 says R.P. Rama, but don’t expect to see robots popping up in hotels just yet.
Mar 04
Hotel Tech: Solve for Pain Points
It’s not just about doing what’s hip and new, but it’s about actually helping consumers solve problems.
Mar 03
Hospitality Technology is a Catalyst for Business Agility: Here’s How to Take Advantage
A lack of business agility directly correlates with immature FP&A capabilities in hospitality businesses.
Mar 02
The Role of Revenue Performance in the COVID-19 Rebound
With 2021 underway, many questions remain unclear, such as when travel restrictions will ease, when demand will return, and how to effectively price inventory when traditional revenue management approaches are no longer reliable.
Mar 02
Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas to Be First Fully Vaccinated Cruise
Both crew and guests above the age of 16 will be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Mar 01
Retriggering Spontaneity Is Key to Reviving the Travel Industry
The real challenge for travel brands in 2021 will be finding ways to balance the message that it’s once again safe to go out with compelling offers that will trigger people’s spontaneity and make them want to travel again.
February 2021
Feb 26
IHG to Roll Out Attribute-Based Pricing Tech by Q4 2021
Tech will help hotel owners generate maximum value from their hotel's unique attributes.
Feb 25
3 Trends for Travel Loyalty Programs
With travel expecting to skyrocket once the pandemic ends, those first travel experiences for consumers will have a large impact on new B2C loyalty.
Feb 25
CDC Asks Royal Caribbean to Share Its Contact Tracing Tech
Using a variety of stringent guidelines in conjunction with contact tracing wearable technology, cruise line has been sailing without issue from numerous international ports.
Feb 24
How Your Hotel Stay Will Look Different in 2021 and Beyond
Reduced staffing, contactless technologies, and reservation tech will all become part of the new normal.
Feb 23
Davidson Hospitality Group Grows Corporate Team
Hospitality management company welcomes Paul Eckert, Senior Vice President, Operations and Todd Stein, Corporate Executive Chef, Davidson Restaurant Group
Feb 23
5 AI Trends That Will Shape Your Business in 2021
AI, when deployed properly, is proving to be the quickest way to emerge from the pandemic-stricken economy with a new sense of purpose.
Feb 23
Marriott International Appoints Anthony Capuano As New CEO And Stephanie Linnartz As President
Marriott International's Board of Directors announced today that Anthony "Tony" Capuano has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and has joined the company's Board of Directors, effective immediately.
Feb 22
The Benefits of Ghost Kitchens & How to Implement One
Ghost kitchens are not only a means to survival, but they’re also the way of the future.
Feb 22
2021 Hotel Industry Outlook
Even after a global pandemic, hoteliers remain committed to improving and implementing technology in the year ahead.
Feb 19
Marriott’s Disappointing 2020 Tempered by Bright Spots
Group bookings, loyalty engagement and the company’s Homes & Villas platform all point to positive signs for 2021 and beyond.
Feb 19
Choice Hotels CEO: Road Trips Will Remain Popular Among Americans in 2021
Website use and loyalty members paired with a renewed interest in road trips helped Choice have a much better year than the competition.
Feb 18
Hilton CEO: $15/HR Minimum Wage Will be Balanced by Improved Hotel Efficiencies
Housekeeping, F&B specially targeted to be more efficient by end of pandemic.
Feb 17
Florida Professor Says Customer Buy-in Is Largest Tech Hurdle for Hoteliers in 2021
Educating guests on how and why to use newly implemented technologies will lead to the greatest amount of success.
Feb 17
Noah Brodsky Appointed to Lead Travel + Leisure Group
Brodsky will oversee the development of and worldwide growth of new travel products and services that leverage the unparalleled Travel + Leisure reputation, expertise and content library.
Feb 17
Data Science: The Paradigm Shift in Revenue Management
Learn what data science is and how it can help your hotel reach financial recovery more quickly.
Feb 17
Four Ways Data Can Reinvent the Customer Experience
From connecting guest experiences to powering smart segmentation, real-time insights enable revenue generation, personalization and loyalty.
Feb 12
Digital Marketing and New Mobile App Drive 18% Year-on-Year Bookings Increase for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
RevPAR continues to show improvements with January 2021 down 24% YOY domestically.
Feb 11
Entirely Contactless Accommodation Experiences in the UK
Automation, keyless access, online payments and digital verification are hallmarks of these brands.
Feb 11
Carnival's Ingredients for Success: Vision and Conviction
Carnival’s CXO has learned to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, which often means refusing to be confined to a single way of operating.
Feb 11
Hospitality Priorities and Trends That Are Here to Stay
Hotels are reinventing what it means to vacation, shining a spotlight on cleaning protocols, and running more operations in the cloud to save money.
Feb 10
Smarter is Safer: Why Hoteliers Should Automate Everything
From property management to guest safety, automation makes sales smarter and safety simple.
Feb 09
Carnival's OceanMedallion Tech: The Wave of the Future
Before wearable tech was a thing and IoT devices existed, one man had a vision to improve the guest experience; 10 years later he accomplished it.
Feb 05
Data is the Key to Post-Pandemic Guest Loyalty
By building a cloud data strategy that offers a complete view of a guest and shares actionable insights with employees, hotels can quickly develop a unique set of ways to elevate the guest experience during their trip.
Feb 04
When Will Events Return? Sooner Than You Think
In the U.S., large-scale events are already planned for 2021 and hoteliers need to know where and when they'll be held in order to adequately prepare for the spike in demand.
Feb 03
Charlestowne Hotels Announces New Director of Operations
Paul Stracey brings more than 35 years of experience to his new role.
Feb 03
AHLA Survey: 56% of Americans Likely to Travel for Vacation in 2021
Of those surveyed, 21% report traveling since pandemic began.
Feb 03
Why Hotels Should Pay Attention to Indoor Air Quality
Guests are demanding better air filtration and purification options within guestrooms.