News Briefs

Sojern, a travel marketing platform, announced the acquisition of VenueLytics, an integrated guest experience platform serving independent hotels, resorts, chains and casinos. Sojern will incorporate VenueLytics' capabilities as an extension of the Sojern Travel Marketing Platform.

Sojern has long been a direct bookings driver for hotels—providing comprehensive digital advertising solutions that help travel marketers find, attract and convert new travelers, re-activate existing guests to build loyalty, and maximize net revenue per available room (RevPAR). This acquisition expands Sojern's Travel Marketing Platform to engage across the entire guest journey with VenueLytics' cutting-edge technology that includes an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered virtual concierge, real-time guest feedback and digital reputation management tools, and a guest marketing suite for email and text promotions. VenueLytics' solutions help marketing, operations, and front-desk teams better serve their guests with less resources required, drive incremental revenue, and maximize profit. With these additional features, Sojern can now help marketers find, attract, convert and engage travelers throughout their journey.

"This is an exciting step forward for our customers as we can empower hoteliers beyond advertising alone, expanding our offerings to be a true end-to-end marketing platform," said Mark Rabe, CEO of Sojern. "We are dedicated to providing the travel industry with innovative solutions that leverage data, AI and technology to drive results. VenueLytics' expertise in analyzing, unifying and activating data from various hotel management and marketing systems will allow Sojern to deepen our relationships in hospitality. This addition helps us to advance toward becoming the #1 travel marketing platform."

One of VenueLytics key customers is Grupo Posadas, the largest hotel company in Mexico with over 180 resorts and hotels. Posadas Director of Quality, Standards and Innovation, Leslie Gomez, commented, "By using VenueLytics AI Concierge throughout the guest journey, Posadas has increased Ancillary Revenue with more than 53K requests over the last 9 months. Our guests satisfaction improved more than 19 percentage points (pp) in NPS (Net Promoter Score) from the guests who had contact with our digital concierge experience."

By extending its platform with VenueLytics, Sojern can now support hotel marketers with an all-in-one platform that drives guests directly to a property, enables upsell mid-stay, remarketing post-stay, and builds long term loyalty. In addition to the multichannel offerings of Sojern, VenueLytics provides the ability to engage customers in an expanded multichannel network that includes SMS, Email, WiFi, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, ChatBot, Alexa, Google Home and other social media and third party apps. This allows Sojern to expand into generative AI with cutting edge tools to drive and optimize booking value for hotels.

VenueLytics Co-Founder and CEO Baskar Manivannan commented, "We have partnered with Sojern for more than a year, and joining forces will strengthen our customer base and reputation while enabling us to offer the hospitality and travel industry a wider and timely range of solutions. With AI, data analytics and personalized multichannel guest engagement at the backbone of what we do, we have a shared vision to empower hotels around the world to drive profitability, and truly elevate guest experience and satisfaction."

Last month, Sojern announced the latest version of its Sojern Travel Marketing Platform with enhanced AI powered audiences. With this acquisition, it further demonstrates the company's rigor and success at integrating new technology and scaling it globally. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Sojern has reported previously that it is profitable, has driven more than $10 billion in global travel bookings, and serves over 10,000 customers annually around the world leveraging its long-standing AI capabilities.

The acquisition will deepen Sojern's hotel expertise in North America where VenueLytics has been focused. VenueLytics will now be able to support the global hospitality industry as an extension of the Sojern Travel Marketing Platform. To learn more about how this acquisition can benefit your travel marketing campaigns, please visit Sojern's website.

Shiji, a global hospitality technology innovator, has partnered with IPORT, an award-winning manufacturer known for enhancing the usability of iPads and iPhones, to introduce an all-in-one software solution for hotel restaurants. This collaboration will provide hoteliers with a seamless combination of a tablet and payment device to maximize their F&B operations.

The integrated iOS and payment device solution simplifies guest service for hotel restaurant servers, providing them with an effortless tool to cater to their guests' needs. As a certified Apple partner, Shiji and IPORT guarantee exceptional performance and reliability. Hoteliers can choose from multiple device options, including iPad Pro, iPad Mini, and iPhone, ensuring flexibility and compatibility with their operations.

“IPORT products are built around modularity and flexibility that empower our hospitality customers to do more with the iOS platform. We are thrilled to partner with a leading iPad and iPhone cloud PMS and POS platform provider like Shiji,” said Chris Lawson, Head of Partnerships, IPORT. “We look forward to innovating with Shiji in disrupting legacy, monolithic providers who have limited the industry from harnessing the power of iOS and mobility. The future is bright, and the possibilities are endless with IPORT, iOS, and Shiji.”

"The partnership with IPORT is a significant milestone for Shiji in our commitment to provide innovative technology solutions for the hospitality industry," said Ryan King, Senior Vice President of Shiji in the Americas. "By combining our expertise with IPORT’s hardware solutions, we empower hoteliers to streamline restaurant operations and deliver exceptional guest experiences. This collaboration represents another step forward in our dedication to driving success in the Americas, and globally."

The tablet and payment device solution seamlessly integrates with multiple payment gateways, allowing hoteliers to choose the system that best suits their needs. By simplifying the payment process, it reduces operational complexities, minimizes errors, and saves valuable time and resources for hoteliers.

Steak n Shake will offer PopID Check In and PopPay on its self-ordering kiosks in select locations in the Orlando market, with plans to expand to more than 300 corporate locations. PopID Check In is an opt-in service that enables consumers to scan their face to automatically sign into their loyalty reward account and see their past orders, making the ordering process as convenient as possible. When a guest checks in with PopID, they also have the option to use PopPay to automatically complete their payment.

• 57% of respondents say enabling new payment options is a  top business driver impacting POS upgrade decisions, according to HT’s2 2023 POS Software Trends Report.

“Our partnership with PopID is a key part of our effort to provide guests with a fast and seamless ordering experience," said Keith Correia, Chief Information Officer. "When using PopID Check In, a guest does not need to use their phone or take out their wallet as part of the ordering process. They will automatically be checked in for loyalty rewards, and they can choose to make an automated payment with PopPay. A guest can even see their past orders and quickly reorder their favorite menu items. Ordering at Steak n Shake has never been easier or more convenient.”

In addition to enhancing the guest experience and improving order throughput, PopPay helps to reduce fraud and offers lower payment processing fees.

Knowland, a provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reports June meeting and event volume is up 30.3 percent over June 2022. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform designed to help hoteliers build and protect a hotel’s revenue base.

The top 25 markets in the U.S. are 90 percent recovered for year-to-date June 2023 performance compared to 2019. Austin, TX, and Nashville, TN, were the stars, with growth topping 74 percent and 42 percent, respectively. This reflects the return of seasonal events to these markets known for big music, art, and entertainment. Both venues offer amenities that groups need for work and play - including several new hotels on the horizon, growing nonstop flight options, and some of the most unique meeting spaces in the country. When the work is done, meeting attendees enjoy a balance of the environment, local flair restaurants, live music, and entertainment, which make these cities popular destinations with meeting planners.

• Year-over-year comparison – June 2023 event volume increased 30.3 percent over June 2022.  
• Top five markets (by event volume) – Chicago led the top 25 markets, hosting National Association meetings followed by Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology. The following four markets, Los Angeles/Long Beach, Washington D.C., San Diego, and Anaheim-Santa Ana rounded out the top five. Below is additional insight into the top drivers for these markets.
  • Chicago, IL: National Association, Pharma/Biotech, Wedding, HealthCare, and Technology.
  • Los Angeles/Long Beach, CA: Education, National Association, Training/Education, Entertainment/Media, and Charity/Non-Profit/Social.
  • Washington, DC-MD-VA:  National Association, Travel, Charity/Non-Profit/Social, Education, Federal Government Agency.
  • San Diego, CA: National Association, Wedding, Education, Training/Education, and Charity/Non-Profit/Social.
  • Anaheim-Santa Ana, CA: Wedding, Financial/Banking, Technology, Training/Education, and National Association.
• Top markets (by percentage growth) – The top overall U.S. markets by year-over-year growth in meetings and events were Michigan South; Delaware; Kansas; and Mobile, AL.

About the Data: This data is provided to help hoteliers still building momentum gain insight into the top locations selected by today’s meeting planners. This information about the leading industry drivers provides a clear picture of those groups that are returning to the meeting and event space. Insights presented are a result of the analysis of meetings and events data acquired through Knowland data collection and aggregation methods, including field reporting and automated methods of customer and non-customer data collection in primary, secondary, and tertiary markets, as well as its large historical database.

IDeaS, a SAS company, a provider of hospitality revenue management software and services, has announced that Starhotels will deploy IDeaS’ G3 Revenue Management System (RMS) to improve revenue generation and forecasting at 28 of its properties across Italy and the UK.  The rollout will allow Starhotels’ properties to compete equally with international brands backed by advanced technology and strong revenue management practices.

Starhotels has been historically a leader and always adopted an explorer role to ensure being ahead of the competition. Starhotels turned to senior executives from IDeaS to identify areas for improvement regarding revenue management, sales, and operations where IDeaS technology could help. This engagement and analysis built a strong relationship between both organizations and led to further commitments from Starhotels’ executive team to use the technology and identify areas for improvement using revenue management technology as a basis.

Using G3 RMS, Starhotels’ properties can make proactive pricing decisions based on actionable insights and real-time data. This agility and vision enable hotel operators and revenue managers to maximize a property’s revenue and profit potential by making strategic decisions with a complete understanding of their competitors’ capabilities, offerings, and positioning.

Alexandro Della Croce, group director of revenue and distribution said: "IDeaS is the right partner to further support Starhotels’ continuous growth in revenues, market-share and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) across the entire portfolio.”

Michael McCartan, area vice president - EMEA, IDeaS, said: “IDeaS is excited to work with the hotel and operation teams of Starhotels’ caliber to help them improve revenue management and operations across its hotels in Italy and the UK. The most exciting aspect of this latest partnership is the relationships we have built with Starhotels throughout the sales and education process. It was an incredible experience engaging with Starhotels’ senior leadership team along the way.”

INTELITY®, provider of hospitality’s leading guest experience and staff management platform, has announced today a new partnership with Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton, Alberta. The fun-seeking hotel has deployed INTELITY’s mobile offerings providing guests with mobile check-in, mobile check-out, and mobile key, while streamlining the day-to-day operations for staff through GEMS® — INTELITY’s suite of staff-facing tools.

Located in West Edmonton Mall, the most comprehensive retail and entertainment complex in North America, Fantasyland Hotel is an ideal location for travelers looking for a uniquely adventurous guest experience. With one-of-a-kind theme rooms ranging from Modern Igloo to Victoria Coach, and Luxury Western to Space Exploration, guests can enjoy in-room features like jacuzzis and bunk beds. The property also features accommodations for business travelers with luxury executive suite offerings, as well as an onsite restaurant and upscale bar.

“At Fantasyland Hotel, our goal is to create a fun guest experience for more than just the weekend,” said Jay Vashi, Director of Operations at Fantasyland Hotel. “We strive to make our guests feel at home, and today that means bringing the convenience of technology to the guest’s stay. Our attention to detail doesn’t stop with our themed rooms, but continues through to our digital guest journey, allowing customers to access their rooms and communicate with staff on their terms.”

Powered by the INTELITY platform, contactless service and digital amenities are available to Fantasyland Hotel guests throughout their stay. Guests can download the property’s app and enjoy the convenience of using their mobile devices to check-in and check-out, all while keeping their payment on file. By using the mobile app and INTELITY’s BLE Lock integration with ASSA ABLOY, guests can bypass the front desk and securely access their rooms from their mobile device while never worrying about losing their key again. Guests can also submit pre-arrival requests, access hotel information, view special promotions, discover local attractions, contact the valet, assess transportation options, see maps and directions, review property dining menus, and make service requests, through the branded mobile app. Additionally, INTELITY’s back-of-house workflow management system, Guest Experience Management System, or GEMS, provides staff with an in-depth overview of guests’ digital needs from a single location. GEMS automates guest requests and work orders, streamlines services, and delivers business insights to the management team.

“We are excited to welcome Fantasyland Hotel to the INTELITY family of properties,” said Robert Stevenson, CEO of INTELITY. “Fantasyland Hotel prides itself on offering a guest experience that customers will remember long after they’ve left the property. The INTELITY platform will help take that experience one step further.”