News Briefs

Wego, the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), inked a global partnership with IHG Hotel & Resorts, one of the world's leading hotel companies to provide its users with a wider array of hotel offerings across the globe.

Through this collaboration, Wego users will be able to search and book 15 of IHG's 18 brands - worldwide - Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, voco hotels, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. Travellers will get access to over 4,000 open hotels across global destinations and ultimately find the perfect hotel stay that matches their requirements anywhere in the world.

IHG's latest offering will be promoted across all Wego's channels, providing travellers with information on the latest properties and trendy destinations.

Commenting on this strategic partnership, Craig Hewett, Chief Hotels Officer and Co-Founder, Wego, said: "Partnering with one of the world's leading hotel companies, IHG Hotels & Resorts, reflects our commitment to provide our users with global hotel offerings and deals. Through this partnership, we will promote IHG Hotels & Resorts to our large user base in the MENA region and aim to convert more bookings to IHG's global network of hotels."

James Britchford, Vice President Commercial, India, Middle East and Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: "We are delighted to partner with Wego, the number one travel app in MENA for flight search and booking. Through this partnership, travellers will enjoy more convenience and access to 15 of our brands across our luxury and lifestyle, premium, essentials and suites portfolio in global destinations when booking their trip on Wego."

Wego compares a range of accommodation options available in the marketplace, to offer competitive rates from local and global travel agencies, hotel direct websites and other accommodation merchants.

With new partners on board, Wego strives to provide its customers with a comprehensive selection of hotel options, enabling users to search and book directly through its website and app.

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.

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Sonesta), the 8^th largest hotel company in the U.S., announced the appointment of Jeff Knowlton as Chief Information Officer.

“We welcome Jeff to Sonesta and look forward to leveraging his 25 years of experience leading IT teams and successfully implementing strategic initiatives within the hospitality industry,” said John Murray, President and CEO at Sonesta. “As an accomplished technology executive, Jeff has the comprehensive experience that we believe will fuel Sonesta’s growth and drive innovation in our business.”

Mr. Knowlton most recently served as Vice President of Information Technology at Pursuit Collection, a Denver-based hospitality and attractions company, where he built the IT department to support the company’s growth. Prior to Pursuit Collection, Mr. Knowlton was Vice President of Property Technology at Sage Hospitality, a hospitality management and investment company, where he played a vital role in developing and implementing the company’s IT strategy for both hotels and restaurants.  Earlier in his career, Mr. Knowlton held a series of progressively senior IT roles at Vail Resorts and Marcus Hotels & Resorts.

“I am excited to join Sonesta during this period of tremendous growth,” said Jeff Knowlton, newly appointed CIO at Sonesta. “I look forward to supporting Sonesta’s continued growth by leveraging technology to contribute to creating unforgettable experiences for our guests and great value for our owners.”

Last year, Pace was acquired by FLYR. Ever since, both teams have been hard at work integrating and growing these platforms. Pace's transition to the FLYR umbrella is a testament to this joint effort. 

"We are taking another important step in our journey as we become FLYR Hospitality,” said Jens Munch, CEO. “Since our founding, we have been on a mission to transform the hospitality industry with AI and machine learning. We are excited to take this to the next level under the broader FLYR brand."

Moving forward as FLYR Hospitality, the company will remain laser focused on delivering the best results for its customers and the best experience for its team. It will continue to accelerate its AI-first approach, as it delivers hospitality revenue optimization solution.

LivAway Suites™, the developer-centric, economy-extended stay hotel brand, has announced a partnership with software-as-a-service company, Virdee, to strengthen their technology-forward brand standards for guests.    

The collaboration with Virdee will implement a variety of user-friendly technologies in order to enhance and streamline the overall guest experience. These technologies include self-serve check-in, around-the-clock virtual reception, and pre-check-in options, as well as other web, mobile, and kiosk services. Through the digital guest engagement platform, customers will enjoy 24/7 touchless check-ins and digital room keys all from the palm of their hand. 

For developers, this partnership will provide a competitive advantage, operational efficiencies, and the ability to drive more revenue through cross-sale opportunities within the check-in process and add-ons available through the app.

"Contactless technology is a boon for our industry, and our partnership with Virdee provides a seamless digital guest service solution through mobile, kiosk and online - at the same time offering additional revenue streams and reducing operational costs at each LivAway Suites hotel," remarked Kevin Dailey, Chief Operating Officer of LivAway Suites. "Our partnership with Virdee doubles down on our commitment of being the most tech-forward brand in our segment 'because our guest deserves better™.'" 

"LivAway Suites' technology-centered, developer-focused approach makes them an ideal hospitality partner for Virdee", said Branigan Mulcahy, Co-Founder of Virdee.  "Leveraging the operational efficiencies that Virdee offers, gives LivAway Suites an innovative leg up on their competition in the extended stay segment."  

LivAway Suites, created "for developers, by developers™," currently has over 25 locations in various phases of development across the United States. Over the past few months, LivAway Suites has broken ground on locations in metro areas of Tennessee, Washington, and Utah, with many more markets to follow in the coming months.   

To learn more about LivAway Suites, visit www.livawaysuites.com