News Briefs

RoomRaccoon, a hotel management software for independent hotels, has partnered with Great Stay App, a guest engagement platform, to help hoteliers enhance guest communication, streamline operations, and unlock new revenue opportunities. 

This two-way integration allows RoomRaccoon users to seamlessly connect their Hotel Management System (HMS) with Great Stay App’s fully customizable digital concierge app, automating key touchpoints with push notifications. With this integration, hoteliers can benefit from:

• Streamlined Guest Communication: Automate pre-arrival messages, share booking details, and provide guests with instant access to FAQs and hotel services.
• Contactless Check-Ins: Reduce front desk workload by enabling guests to check in seamlessly from their mobile devices 24/7.
• Smart Upselling: Boost revenue by offering guests the ability to purchase room upgrades, dining options, spa treatments, and other extras directly through the app.
• Enhanced Guest Experience: Share interactive maps, local activity recommendations, and exclusive offers from partner businesses.

The integration works seamlessly with RoomRaccoon, ensuring that reservation details, check-ins, and guest purchases are always up to date across both platforms. Guests can easily view their booking details in one place, with real-time updates pulled directly from RoomRaccoon. This eliminates the need for manual updates, making tracking and invoicing effortless. 

"At RoomRaccoon, we believe that great hospitality is built on both efficiency and experience. Our integration with Great Stay App empowers hoteliers to engage their guests in new, meaningful ways while reducing operational complexity and creating more opportunities to drive revenue," says Tymen van Dyl, CEO and Founder of RoomRaccoon. 

David Claessen, the Founder of Great Stay App shares, “We’re excited to bring this integration to life. With over 150 mutual users benefiting from real-time data syncing, hoteliers can offer guests truly personalized guest experiences—all while saving time and boosting operational efficiency.”

To launch their partnership, the Great Stay App team will showcase their software at RoomRaccoon’s Check-In 2025 event in Breda on April 29. David will also take the main stage for the panel discussion, "Designing Memorable Guest Experiences: From Amenities to Ambience," where he will share insights on guest engagement and hotel technology.

VR design agency Customer XR launched this month with a mission to build custom virtual and augmented reality solutions to help  brands harness the power of Extended Reality (XR) and the greater Metaverse to connect with customers.

 Founded and headquartered in New York and with a team of Virtual and Augmented Reality application designers who are committed to helping major US brands connect with their customers using the power of Extended Reality. Additionally, Customer XR is an approved independent Software Vendor (ISV) for Meta and an approved development partner for Apple as a way of working as an ambassador between major brands and these two powerful VR ecosystems.

"...Many organizations are now looking to utilize the massive impact of Virtual and Augmented Reality applications via the Meta and Apple platforms, but do not know where to begin," reported Customer XR Co-Founder and President Kevin Sheehan. "...By having a team of developers in-house to build low-cost proof of concept applications and then the strategic partnerships with the most talented developers around the country, we can build any XR idea as an enterprise grade application."

Current projects include: 

• A VR design application for Kitchen Savers that allows users to see their current kitchen in augmented reality and then select from their portfolio of finishes and accessories.
• A proof of concept for a global luxury hotel chain that would allow potential guests to feel in full 360-degree 8K virtual reality the experience of being throughout their luxury resort from the lobby to the rooms out to all of their amenities.
• An innovative VR application for managers of the largest Asian American Quick Service Restaurant based exactly on their test kitchen at their CA headquarters, which will save the time and expense of bringing staff out for training and testing.

The New York-based firm was founded with Investment from Cloudlinx.

7shifts  released its Restaurant Labor and Cost Profitability Report for 2025. Based on the input of more than 500 restaurant professionals — including owner-operators, general and assistant managers — the findings identify key challenges currently shaping the industry and provides data and strategies restaurant operators need to overcome current industry challenges including balancing labor costs, combating inflation and driving profitability.

"When it comes to controlling costs, our data has confirmed that successful restaurants are choosing to invest in their people rather than just cutbacks," said Jordan Boesch, CEO at 7shifts. "These restaurants are building sustainable business models for the future. Savvy operators have realized that cross-training team members and leveraging technology reduces labor costs and enhances the overall guest experience — a win-win across the board."

The report explores strategies to mitigate the high cost of turnover, tactics operators are leveraging to protect their margins in the face of rising inflation, and how restaurants are using technology and cross-training to improve efficiency across both front- and back-of-house operations.

The report also uncovered the following key insights:

• Inflation: Food inflation is a top concern for 52% of operators with labor costs ranking a close second.
• Turnover Costs: The expense of replacing staff can be as much as $1,056 per FOH position and $1,491 per BOH position.
• Labor Cost Management: Instead of cutting staff, 68% of restaurants have embraced cross-training as the top labor cost management strategy.
• Technology: Operational tech adoption is growing, with 50% of restaurants using automated payroll and inventory tools to improve efficiency and operators are optimistic about technology's role in the future of the industry.

To access the full report, visit: www.7shifts.com.

In partnership with LG Electronics and Google, leading guest technology provider SONIFI is deploying LG smart hotel TVs embedded with Google Cast software to the hospitality industry. 

Following successful pilot implementations of the embedded casting technology in 2024, SONIFI is now installing the newest iteration of its commercial-grade casting solution, STAYCAST, to hotels across the U.S. 

STAYCAST utilizes the embedded Google Cast software to allow travelers to easily and securely stream their favorite movies, shows, music and more from their personal devices directly to the LG TV in their hotel room. 

Google Cast works with over 5,000 apps on both Android and iOS devices, giving the same experience and ease of use to guests regardless of OS.

“Building Google Cast into LG TVs means less in-room hardware for hotels to install and manage, without sacrificing the experience and entertainment guests are looking for most,” said Jacob Benner, Senior Director of Hospitality at LG Electronics USA. “As an early adoption partner, SONIFI plays a key role helping hotels deploy the LG TVs with embedded casting, and we’re looking forward to expanding our collaboration to even more properties this year.”

The solution can be enabled remotely without a room visit, offering hotels a simple process for this increasingly must-have amenity. 

“This embedded version of casting also carries over the reliability of SONIFI’s patented device isolation technology and security settings that benefit both hotels and guests alike,” said Kara Heermans, SONIFI’s Senior Vice President of User Experience and Product Management. 

Just like the 500,000 hotel rooms with STAYCAST today, guests pair their mobile device to the TV with a QR code to stream their favorite content without entering their credentials onto the TV, they can only cast to the TVs in their room, and their secure pairing is automatically disconnected at checkout. Plus, staff and guests have access to 24/7 support from SONIFI.

“We’ve been so pleased with the implementation and user response during the embedded casting pilot projects,” Heermans said. “LG and Google have been incredible partners, as always, and we’re confident that the expanded launch of the casting solution will bring many more happy customers and guests.” 

PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, is excited to announce its debut attendance at Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 (Miami, 7-10 April) – the world’s largest cruise ship exhibition – sigalling the company’s latest business expansion. 

Located inside the 500,000ft² Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida, Seatrade Cruise Global – celebrating its 40th anniversary – brings together the global cruise community, allowing industry leaders to learn about and discover the cutting-edge strategies and technologies designed to advance the cruise industry.

The global team from PPDS, showcasing on Philips booth 4405, will join over 600 other exhibitors and an anticipated 11,000 visitors from around the world to demonstrate a range of display solutions spanning every area for cruise ships and luxury / super yachts. Visitors to the booth are also set to be among the first to witness the new, cutting-edge features available in the latest evolution of PPDS’ market leading portfolio of Philips MediaSuite TVs, with a new line up designed specifically for the flourishing maritime market. 

Part of a continued global growth strategy, PPDS’ decision to expand its reach in the cruise market to cover all forms of hospitality – both on land and at sea – comes as the popularity and demand for cruise ship vacations have reached an all-time high, expected to have accounted for over 35 million people in 2024*. Forecasts reveal the industry is expected to be worth $15.1 billion by 2028, up from $7.67 billion in 2022**, representing significant opportunities for maritime business.         

Jeroen Verhaeghe, Global Business Development Director for Hospitality at PPDS – set to be present in Miami – commented: “The cruise industry is flourishing, and with new vessels being built, and increased competition for customers, there has never been a better time for us to make an official entry into this market. Supporting cruise providers in creating new, upgraded and fully tailored experiences for their guests. Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 is the perfect launchpad into this exciting market with our portfolio of Philips Professional Displays for hospitality.”

The suite spot for guest entertainment

As the world’s first dedicated hotel TV designed exclusively around guestroom entertainment and experiences, Philips MediaSuite continues to make giant waves in the hospitality industry, both on land – including for the likes of Accor, IHG, Marriott and Radisson – as well as on sea, with most recent installations with Marella Cruises, and on two Super Yacht hotels in Vietnam. 

First launched in 2019, Philips MediaSuite leads the market as the hotel TV of choice in Western Europe, chosen for its integrated Google Cast™, Netflix ready functionality, and Google Play store access. The Series now provides cruise providers and super yacht owners with a dedicated range of slimline TVs in sizes including 24” and 32” – coming in FHD resolution and fitting tighter spaces for crew and inner cabins – and 4K models including 43”, 50”, 55” and a 65” – ideal for suites and state rooms. A Philips Professional Soundbar can also be added for ameliorated audio experiences, especially suited for saloons and sky lounges on yachts. 

Secure and set up with the protection required to withstand the rigours of a life at sea, the range also brings long term savings, with lower power consumption compared to many marketplace competitors. 

Bringing passengers the ship’s choice of channels via IPTV services, including linear TV channels via satellite, as well as video on demand content, Philips MediaSuite also enables the ship’s purser to deliver personalised welcomes and information for guests via CMND. These can include details of the next port of call, and brings revenue opportunities, giving passengers the ability to arrange excursions, and to book on board services, such as spa and restaurant bookings from the comfort of their cabin. All customer data is cleared upon checkout, adding peace of mind to guests. 

Jeroen Verhaeghe, added: “In 2024, Philips MediaSuite achieved a major milestone in becoming the bestselling hotel TV in Western Europe, gaining market leadership in EMEA for the first time, a position I’m proud to say we have continued to retain. We see some incredible opportunities in bringing the benefits of Philips MediaSuite on board cruise ships and super yachts.”

All eyes on deck 

Professional TVs are just part of a much wider hospitality offering from PPDS, though, with its growing and evolving portfolio extending and supporting beyond guestrooms to deliver best-in-class visual communications for a variety of applications across all deck areas. 

As a provider of total solutions, PPDS’ extensive and diverse portfolio includes a range of advanced, sustainability-driven (including power-free) and remotely controlled and managed Philips digital signage, ePaper, interactive, and dvLED solutions. From wayfinding, general communications (such as marketing and safety information), digital menus in bars and restaurants, TVs in children’s entertainment areas, or giant LED walls for any staging or cinema venues, PPDS has a solution – a range of which will be on display at Seatrade Cruise Global 2025.

Scott Adams, Director for Hospitality in North America at PPDS, adds: “Philips MediaSuite, together with the full range of hospitality displays, continues to set new standards and deliver new experiences for guests, hoteliers, and operators alike, with unrestricted entertainment choice and extensive back end control and management. Built around the ever evolving needs of guests, including viewing habits, the Philips Professional Displays portfolio is an undisputed choice for the hospitality industry.”

The scope for sustainability 

Mirroring Seatrade’s commitment to promoting sustainability in the cruise industry, PPDS has been leading the AV industry in bringing more sustainability focused displays and solutions for businesses everywhere, launching a series of world’s first products. These include the Philips Tableaux zero-power ePaper display, as well as advancing the benefits of dvLED and LCD displays, including the Philips Signage 3000 Series EcoDesign, which has been developed to use less than half the energy than its direct competition, with no compromise on display quality.

This dedication to sustainability has seen PPDS and its Philips Professional Displays recognised with a plethora of awards in recent years, including a commendation awarded in the 2025 TUI Sustainability Impact Progress Award.

The company is also aligned with Seatrade Cruise Global in its support for Mercy Ships, the international charity operating the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ships, in which Philips Professional Displays are also used for patient care and diagnosis. 

Ron Cottaar, Director of Global Marketing and Head of Marketing NA, concluded: “At PPDS, we are always seeking to add value to our customers and partners and to support them in all their installation and project goals. Cruise ships and super yachts have been on our sonar for some time, and, today, I am delighted to announce that PPDS is officially on board, and we look forward to showcasing our solutions to visitors at Seatrade Cruise Global 2025.”

To learn more about Philips Professional Displays, please visit the website here, or contact your local PPDS sales manager.

*Number of People Vacationing on Cruise Ships in 2024: Cruise Line International – State of the Cruise Industry Report.

**Global Cruise Market Figures via Grand View Research, Inc