Visual Matrix, a provider of advanced technology solutions for the hospitality industry, expanded the number of cloud-supported hotels on its platform by more than 80% in 2022 in addition to growing industrywide adoption of its product suite, including the expansion of its solutions across Prestige Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio of 15 distinctive hotels and resorts in British Columbia. Many of Prestige’s properties are part of the WorldHotels Collection owned by Best Western; Visual Matrix is a provider of property management systems and the largest provider to Best Western, with more than 1,600 Best Western properties worldwide on the Visual Matrix platform.

Georgine Muntz, CEO of Visual Matrix, said, “2022 was a year of unparalleled growth for Visual Matrix, as we both expanded our product suite and substantially increased the number of hotels on our cloud platform. Prestige Hotels & Resorts is a valued client, and we are thrilled they have expanded their use of our cloud platform to drive the efficient, effective management of property operations. We are deeply appreciative of their partnership.”

She concluded, “Our solutions are now helping hoteliers at more than 3,000 hotels representing 300,000+ rooms in North America, Europe, and Asia and we anticipate more growth in 2023 as hoteliers battle labor challenges and seek automation.”

Also in 2022, Visual Matrix launched EmpowerU, a new learning tool designed directly by the company, as well as integrations with VenueLytics, among others. The company now supports more than 50% of its customers using fully cloud-based services. The company also integrated its Mobile Operating Platform (MOP) to ensure Visual Matrix users can easily manage housekeeping and maintenance tasks from anywhere. This integration leveraged the HTNG Express PMS protocol that allows hoteliers to increase access to MOP and other operation tools that improve the guest experience.

“Visual Matrix is a responsive, adaptive technology partner that is capable of providing individual support to each of our properties as it meets the needs of our growing organization,” said Tanya Stroinig, Chief Operating Officer at Prestige Hotels & Resorts. “They understand the support each of our one-of-a-kind properties requires and they continue to evolve their offerings to offer innovative solutions, including back-of-the-house support and guest engagement tools, allowing us to continue our growth as a market leader. We are delighted with our long-standing partnership with them.”

Visual Matrix has partnered with Prestige Hotels for nearly 20 years, and in 2021 expanded its partnership to include cloud-based services and daily rate management to help the company navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing lodging environment.

Visual Matrix is leveraging its 2022 momentum to further expand its suite of services in 2023, including a new user interface to its system, guest texting enhancements, and more. To learn more about its new capabilities, visit visualmatrix.com.

Repay Holdings Corp. announced a new integration with HelloGM, an analytics and automation platform that centralizes hospitality performance data and operations from property management, accounting, and labor services as well as guest review sites. The integration will enable hospitality operators, owners and executives that use HelloGM to streamline accounts payable processes and securely pay vendors and suppliers for multiple properties.

Hospitality groups and property management companies that utilize the HelloGM data analytics platform will have access to Repay’s payment solution with accounts payable automation capabilities. By streamlining outbound vendor payments, hoteliers can seamlessly pay suppliers across multiple properties without the stress or risk associated with traditional paper checks and manual processing of payments. Additionally, they can significantly reduce their exposure to fraud in multiple ways, including by utilizing virtual cards which are designated for single use and loaded with the exact amount of money needed for payment.

The integrated payment solution provides a key function within HelloGM’s recently launched Accounts Payable feature, enabling subscribers to define and manage a seamless workflow through HelloGM.

As the centralized data analytics and automation platform for more than 1,000 U.S. hotels, HelloGM empowers hospitality operators and executives to automate time-consuming tasks, eliminate human error and maximize profitability through one platform. 

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the completion of the Dream Hotel Group lifestyle hotel brand and management platform acquisition, bringing a vibrant portfolio of lifestyle hotel brands – including Dream Hotels, The Chatwal and Unscripted Hotels – into the Hyatt portfolio. The asset-light acquisition includes 12 lifestyle hotels (nine managed and three licensed), with another 24 signed long-term management agreements for hotels expected to open in the future.

Dream Hotel Group properties are known for their progressive design and vibrant dining and nightlife that are the soul of each hotel. They boast unique and authentic hospitality experiences built on inventive activations and design-savvy spaces that inspire creativity and act as social hubs for guests as well as local communities.

The acquisition welcomes more than 600 new colleagues into the Hyatt family, bringing deep expertise in experiential hospitality to Hyatt’s global portfolio of lifestyle offerings and extending Hyatt’s brand footprint in strategic destinations including Nashville, Hollywood, Las Vegas, South Beach, Saint Lucia, Doha and several new locations new in New York City. It will also include new markets such as the Catskills in New York and Valle de Guadalupe in Mexico.

“Hyatt’s acquisition of Dream Hotel Group represents an exciting chapter in our asset-light growth as we expand our lifestyle offerings, providing global travelers with an increased number of elevated experiences – now, and in the future,” said Mark Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer, Hyatt. “Together, we will carefully preserve the spirit and individual identities of the sought-after Dream Hotel Group hotels while adding the commercial strength of Hyatt’s marketing and sales channels, all united under the World of Hyatt loyalty program.”

Dream Hotel Group founder Sant Singh Chatwal will continue his commitment as an owner of four open and two future hotels that are expected to join the Hyatt portfolio.

“Hyatt has a proven track record of preserving what makes lifestyle hotels special and is the ideal new home for our growing Dream Hotel Group brands,” said Sant Singh Chatwal, chairman and founder, Dream Hotel Group. “As an owner of Dream Hotel Group properties, I look forward to the next part of our journey, and I am confident there is a bright future ahead for our hotels, owners, guests and team members as part of the Hyatt family.”

Former Dream Hotel Group CEO Jay Stein is joining Hyatt as Head of Dream Hotels to guide the integration of Dream Hotel Group brands into the Hyatt portfolio; former Dream Hotel Group Chief Development Officer David Kuperberg is joining Hyatt as Head of Development – Dream Hotels; and former Chief Operating Officer Michael Lindenbaum is joining Hyatt as Head of Operations – Dream Hotels.

Dream Hotels will join as a brand within Hyatt’s Boundless Collection. The Chatwal and Unscripted Hotels brands will be welcomed into Hyatt’s Independent Collection, joining The Unbound Collection by Hyatt and JdV by Hyatt brands, respectively.

To learn more about these new properties, visit hyatt.com/info/dream-hotel-group-announcement. On January 19, 2023, The Chatwal, a hotel in New York City, joined the World of Hyatt loyalty program. Stay tuned for when and how other Dream Hotel Group properties will participate in World of Hyatt.

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

OYA Resorts — where rooms average $450 a night and large private villas, up to $1,500 per night — is offering 1,500 members the opportunity to purchase a lifetime membership to the exclusive members-only OYA Resorts via their Local, Global and Corporate NFTs.  Those with Lifetime memberships will enjoy bespoke experiences not offered to with a standard membership, and will not incur the annual standard membership dues of $1,999.  To join the exclusive Lifetime membership whitelist, please visit, OYA.io.

OYA is not the traditional volume driven first-class hospitality resort, but rather a platform focused on individually-curated, bespoke experience. Current and future resorts have a boutique setting with a maximum 60 guests limit, spread through a vast land between 100 - 250 acres to ensure absolute privacy to all members.  Although OYA locations offer all the high end luxuries of traditional resorts, including private chefs and exclusive spa services, the longevity retreats offer an experience a "traditional" resort does not.  OYA's cabins are designed and built to experience how nature and its elements work, an outdoor spa which celebrates ancient wisdom and tradition, holistic chefs preparing farm to table meals, and a team of experts who introduce members to the latest and greatest technologies available to achieve one's longevity goals. Visitors can also choose to be in full control of their daily routine -use the facility to explore one's inner potential, explore the gardens and AI-operated aquaponic containers harvesting the produce, cook their own meals and set their own schedule.

The Lifetime memberships range from $1K for the Local level membership to $5K for the Global membership.  Lifetime membership holders will have access to one (Local membership) or all (Global membership) OYA locations whenever they choose.  OYA locations, opening this year, include The Catskills in upstate New York, Virginia, and the Dominican Republic. Global lifetime membership gives members lifetime access to all three current locations and all future OYA locations.  In addition to the current three locations, OYA plans to open an additional resort on Zakynthos Island in Greece and a safari resort in Rwanda, both are scheduled to open by 2025. 

As part of OYA's onsite wellness services, guests can expect at each location to have access to the latest technologies in biohacking and health tracking to create individualized health plans. They will experience a one-of-a-kind Ancient Trail, a trail of global indigenous structures where they can partake in indigenous healing rituals and be transported to that part of the globe as they do so.  In addition, each location's spa services will be integrated into the beautiful natural outdoors settings inspired by these ancient traditions.

Due to the limited capacity of the resorts and exceptionally curated personal service, until further notice OYA is releasing only several thousand memberships worldwide.

Duetto, a Revenue Management Software (RMS) provider for the hospitality industry, has announced the results of its second annual Trends & Predictions Survey.

The Duetto Outlook & Trends 2023 Survey has shown that business and corporate are the two segments most revenue teams will focus on for the year ahead.

“We surveyed hoteliers and revenue professionals from around the world and talked with industry experts, to get their outlook on what 2023 may bring. Changes in guest behavior, staffing challenges, and new technological innovations are all shaping the hospitality industry – making it more agile, adaptable, and stronger,” said David Woolenberg, CEO, Duetto.

When asked how they planned to optimize business mix in 2023, the top five responses were:

• Group business - 59.5%
• Corporate business – 51.9%
• Channel management – 48.1%
• OTAs – 38%
• Tour operator, wholesale, FITs – 30.4%

Other respondents also cited growing revenue per guest, segmentation, and length of stay as important factors for revenue management in 2023.

While business travel is tipped to return in 2023, many are already stating that it probably won’t return to 2019 levels. This may explain why business travel also topped the list of biggest challenges for the hotel industry in 2023.

The top five challenges, as identified by those taking the survey, were:

• Business travel – 60.8%
• Staffing - 55.7%
• Increased costs - 53.2%
• Government restrictions - 45.6%
• Lead times - 43%
• Cancellations came in sixth place, with 36.7%.

The Duetto Outlook & Trends 2023 Survey also gauged market sentiment in terms of technology investment.

Of those surveyed, 82.3% were already using a revenue management system (RMS). Of those not using an RMS, 71.4% planned to invest in revenue management technology in 2023.

Looking back on tech investment in 2022, 72.2% said their hotel tech spend had either increased or stayed the same. Looking ahead, 60.8% expected their hotel tech spend to increase in the next three years.

The survey included input from revenue managers, property-level and corporate-level directors of revenue management, revenue consultants, revenue and distribution analysts, and property general managers.

Most respondents (51.9%) worked in leisure hotels, but there was also good representation from business hotels, casino resorts, and hostels.

Geographically, respondents came from North America (39.5%), Europe (21.1%), Latin America (21.1%), APAC (14.5), and the Middle East & Africa (3.9%).

Duetto conducted this survey among its software users and other hospitality industry professionals including revenue consultants and educators from across the globe from December 1, 2022, to January 16, 2023.

For more insight on industry trends & predictions for 2023 read Duetto’s latest eBook: Targeting Greater Profitability In 2023. Download your free copy today: https://www.duettocloud.com/special-reports/targeting-greater-profitability-2023-trends-predictions-to-boost-your-revenue-strategies

INSPIRE, a global event solutions company owned by Ashford Inc., is pleased to announce the appointment of Sayi Puligandla as Chief Operating Officer.

In this position, Puligandla will oversee human resources, hospitality operations, information technology, and other projects to support the entire organization.

Puligandla brings to INSPIRE an extensive background in the hospitality industry and valuable experience in data, analytics, and building efficient operational units for accelerated growth. He was an executive vice president and a founding member of Nor1 (acquired by Oracle in 2020), a known pioneer and industry leader in hospitality upsell technology, where he architected and developed the analytics and BI infrastructure that paved the way for Nor1’s upsell science.

Upon Oracle’s acquisition of Nor1 in 2020, Sayi continued managing all aspects of Nor1’s Global Gaming business as its Senior Director, as well as Business Development and Strategic Account Management for all Nor1’s Global Accounts which included several of the ten largest hotel chains.

“Sayi is incredibly talented and a proven leader. His unparalleled background and expertise will propel us toward our goals and ensure we achieve individualized, valuable solutions for our clients,” said Chuck Bauman, CEO of INSPIRE.