Lodging

The 2014 Global Traveler Study offers hotel and restaurant executives detailed insight into the mind of the modern traveler. Through global consumer surveys across a wide range of demographics, Hospitality Technology magazine and Cognizant Business Consulting have uncovered traveler preferences for the use of mobile devices, social media, and loyalty programs in their interactions with hotels and restaurants. Sponsored.

Despite concerns about security, CIOs and IT leaders are moving an increasing percentage of their organizational information into the cloud. Many of these executives are making growing use of private cloud and SaaS delivery models. Here HT talks to industry experts about their experiences, best practices and concerns for the future of managing hotels in the cloud.

This annual showcase highlights solutions that can help hotels and restaurants optimize their workforce across a variety of areas such as: onboarding, recruiting and pre-screening tools; employee training and development; performance management and assessment tools; communication tools and systems; forecasting solutions to maximize sales and reduce labor costs; scheduling systems, including mobile and web-based platforms and more. Sponsored.

Incorporating digital marketing activities into an everyday work routine can help maximize growth. Chief consultant for Piedmont Avenue Consulting, David Mitroff, offers tips to strengthen loyalty and increase new business with social and e-media strategies.

On the heels of announcing a global initiative for mobile check-in, Hilton Worldwide's digital and technology leaders discuss their collaboration and future plans for mobility. In what is an industry-first development, Hilton has initiated the wide-scale deployment of mobile-enabled check-in and room selection for its loyalty program members. HT speaks to Geraldine Calpin, senior vice president & global head of digital, and Bill Murphy, CIO, to get insight into the strategy and collaboration behind the project, plus insight into Hilton's future plans for mobile devices.

Finding ways to understand what guests want and deliver that in a way that is meaningful to them is one of the keys to having a successful loyalty strategy. Jay S. Rein, Practice Leader, Travel & Hospitality, for Cognizant Business Consulting, offers a roadmap for hospitality operators to follow in order to create compelling rewards programs to drive loyalty and appeal to next-gen customers. Sponsored.

Kube Systems portable charging stations have been rolled out in 29 locations to meet customer demand for more convenient ways to charge devices.

BirchStreet Systems helps Omni Hotels & Resorts to see achievements in global procure-to-pay, budget tracking and spend management.