HT's 10 Most Read Hotel Tech Articles of 2024
As we look back on 2024, it's clear that hotel leaders have been focused on navigating a rapidly evolving technology landscape. In this roundup, we highlight the 10 most read articles on our site, offering insights into the key trends that have captured the attention of hotel leaders. These stories reflect the priorities and challenges that defined the year for hoteliers, from enhancing connectivity and cybersecurity to leveraging AI for personalized guest experiences. As the industry continues to evolve, these topics underscore the focus on innovation, operational efficiency, and staying ahead in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
10) Building a Resilient Digital Backbone: How Hotels are Enhancing Connectivity
This article examines the growing connectivity demands in hotels, driven by guest expectations for high-speed internet, the rise of IoT devices, and the reliance on cloud-based systems for operations. It highlights the challenges hotel CTOs face, including outdated infrastructure, cybersecurity threats, and the need for scalable, future-ready network solutions like Wi-Fi 6, private networks, and OpenWiFi. Staying ahead in connectivity is critical to ensuring seamless guest experiences, secure operations, and long-term competitiveness in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
This article explores how Turtle Bay Resort is leveraging AI and Salesforce’s Einstein 1 Platform to deliver hyper-personalized guest experiences. By analyzing guest data, the resort has achieved significant results, including a 40% revenue uplift, increased engagement rates, and a 50% rise in activity bookings. This case study highlights the importance of advanced CRM solutions and AI-driven insights in creating seamless, data-informed guest journeys that drive business growth.
8) Personalization and Profit: The Rise of ABS in Hotels
This article explores the potential of attribute-based selling (ABS) in the hotel industry, highlighting its ability to let guests personalize bookings by selecting specific room features and amenities. It underscores ABS's benefits for hotel CTOs, such as boosting revenue, enhancing guest satisfaction, and enabling better differentiation in a competitive market. By addressing implementation challenges, including technology readiness, staff training, and strategic planning, the article provides actionable insights for hoteliers considering ABS adoption.
This article explores how hotels are leveraging advanced technology to enhance guest experiences and strengthen cybersecurity in the "hotel of the future." It highlights innovations such as AI-driven personalization, IoT-enabled smart environments, and robotics for seamless operations, alongside strategies like AI-powered threat detection and blockchain for safeguarding data. These insights underscore the importance of integrating cutting-edge technology with robust security measures to elevate service, build guest loyalty, and protect their brand in a rapidly evolving landscape.
6) 2024 Hotel Industry Outlook: Back to Basics
In this article, HT interviewed our content council to provide valuable insights into the key priorities and technological advancements they feel will be shaping the future of hospitality. It highlighted the growing importance of AI and automation in enhancing guest experiences, strengthening cybersecurity, and redefining revenue management strategies, while addressing challenges like labor shortages and data security.
5) Former Booking.com CSO Sounds the Alarm on Rising Cyber Threats in Hospitality
This article, written by cybersecurity expert Spencer Mott, highlights the growing threat of Account Takeover (ATO) fraud in the travel and hospitality industry, where outdated systems and underinvestment in IT make hotels prime targets for cybercriminals. Mott shares insights from his tenure as Global CSO at Booking.com, detailing the vulnerabilities hotels face and the advanced technological solutions needed to combat fraud effectively. Readers will find actionable advice on safeguarding sensitive data and mitigating financial losses, empowering them to prioritize cybersecurity and protect their businesses in an increasingly digital landscape.
4) From Fragmentation to Integration: How Cloud Technology is Redefining Hospitality
This article explores how the hospitality industry's fragmented technology landscape hinders data consistency and why transitioning to cloud-native, end-to-end solutions is vital for hotels to remain competitive. In this interview, Francisco Pérez-Lozao, President, Hospitality, Amadeus, emphasizes the role of consistent data architecture in enabling digital merchandising, improving guest engagement, and scaling operations to meet modern shopping expectations. By fostering collaborative partnerships with technology providers, hotel CTOs can navigate these IT transformations to drive revenue growth, enhance guest loyalty, and adapt to a rapidly evolving digital advertising landscape.
3) Hilton Makes its First Metaverse Move
This article explores Hilton's debut in the metaverse through a partnership with Paris Hilton’s Slivingland in Roblox, where users can engage in immersive challenges to earn real-world loyalty points and benefits. It delves into Hilton's strategy to connect with Gen Z and future travelers, leveraging experimental marketing and unconventional platforms to enhance brand affinity and awareness. Learn how the metaverse can serve as a next-generation advertising channel, blending virtual engagement with tangible rewards to drive customer loyalty and differentiation in this Q&A with Dan Reynolds, vice president, global head of content, media, and partnerships, Hilton and Lisa Willett, head of travel & hospitality at Roblox.
2) 2024 Customer Engagement Technology Study: Unlocking Loyalty
In this survey, we examine what experienced travelers and diners — consumers with discretionary spending power — think of emerging technologies like voice/AI, kiosks, and robotics. We explore their expectations for loyalty programs, the ways they discover new restaurant and hotel brands, and how economic factors like inflation and the labor crisis are shaping their experiences and behaviors.
This study -- which debuted in September 2024 -- also touches on the broader implications of our increasingly screen-driven world, where consumers demand immediate, mobile-first solutions. As the industry navigates these challenges, it’s clear that continued investment in mobile interfaces, data analytics, AI, and CRM systems will be crucial for delivering the convenience, speed, and value that drive guest loyalty.
1) 2024 Lodging Technology Study: Digital Transformation & ROI
Our Lodging Technology Study is consistently a top performer in our annual year end list of most popular stories. Filled with valuable data an insights, both solution providers and IT leaders in the hospitality industry return to it year after year data points to support IT implementation/projects. Our 2024 version debuted in December 2023. We’re happy to let you know that our 2025 Lodging Technology Study: Driving Loyalty, is now live with even fresher data and more data points!