Innovation

🔒 Visual Matrix, in partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and AHLA Foundation, is enhancing hotelier education on human trafficking. The collaboration offers Marriott International's free training content and access to Visual Matrix's Learning Management System. From October 28, 2024, Visual Matrix will donate 1% of new MOP purchases to AHLA Foundation's No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund. Since 2007, over 100,000 human trafficking cases involving more than 197,000 victims have been identified. Visual Matrix also provides a Panic Button feature to improve worker safety.

💾 The H2C Direct Booking Acceleration Study 2024 exposes challenges in hotel direct booking systems, revealing how outdated tech and inflexible Internet Booking Engines (IBEs) hinder revenue. The report provides insights for hotels to reduce OTA reliance and improve direct bookings, offering actionable steps for a profitable, guest-centered booking experience. Download the study for expert advice on elevating your hotel's booking strategy.

🤖 UK air freshening company P-Wave launched a new Slant6 Midnight Coast urinal screen, with an NHS England men’s health message, aimed at high-end hospitality. Over 600,000 urinal screens are expected to be in place nationwide by year-end, promoting early cancer diagnosis. The Slant6 screen features high fragrance load, anti-splash technology, and is recyclable with EcoPure® for faster biodegradation. The NHS campaign focuses on cancer symptoms awareness, encouraging men to contact their GP if they notice blood in their urine.

🏠 HRC, UK's leading commercial kitchen solutions event, partners with the Foodservice Equipment Association (FEA) and ceda for its 2025 edition on 17-19 March at Excel London. Over 30 FEA members exhibited in 2024, with an even bigger show anticipated in 2025. The event will feature cutting-edge equipment, seminars, chef demos, and a 90th anniversary celebration, having started in 1935. HRC forms part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, alongside IFE Manufacturing, IFE, The Pub Show, and International Salon Culinaire.

🏨 57% of online hotel bookings are abandoned due to complex booking processes. Personalized guest experiences, seamless booking with mobile-friendly platforms like STAAH, and using guest data for tailored amenities can increase repeat visits. Modern travelers expect digital conveniences, such as mobile check-ins and room keys. Room décor upgrades and embracing sustainability, like Accor Hotels' Planet 21, are essential. Dynamic pricing strategies optimize revenue, while positive guest reviews, which 81% of travelers rely on according to TripAdvisor, boost credibility. Encouraging feedback with tools like STAAH’s ReviewMinder enhances trust and loyalty.

📈 AI has improved post-booking guest interactions in the short-term rental industry by automating responses and personalizing recommendations. However, AI struggles with pre-booking inquiries due to lack of detailed guest data, leading to generic responses and missed opportunities. Personalization is critical at this stage to encourage bookings and set expectations. Enriching AI with detailed property information and local insights can bridge the personalization gap. Updated guidebooks integrated with property management systems can enhance AI's effectiveness. The industry's challenge is to provide AI with accurate, detailed information to create genuine, tailored pre-booking experiences and reduce AI "hallucinations" for reliability.

🔔 To prevent hotel no-shows and cancellations, it's advised to send guests three well-timed reminders: booking confirmation, a pre-arrival reminder (3-7 days before check-in), and a day-of reminder. Automated messages can confirm arrivals, aiding in room assignment planning. Integration of a hotel CRM, like D-EDGE partnering with LoungeUp, optimizes the entire guest journey.

🔎 The 2024 Customer Engagement Technology Study suggests AI's transformative potential in travel and hospitality, enhancing guest services and operational efficiency. Hotel Communication Network (HCN) introduces AI-powered Navigator 2.0 tablets, named AiMe, at The Hospitality Show in San Antonio's Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Booth #1755. AiMe uses natural language processing for various guest requests. 30% of consumers would use AI for hotel-related queries, while 57% desire voice-controlled environments, 48% request services, and 47% would engage with service chatbots. Hoteliers prioritize technology for guest loyalty (80%), employee productivity (76%), and safety (68%). HCN's DineIN program reports a 20-30% revenue increase, while Guest Choice decreases labor costs by 5%, with a net gain above $10 per room per month. ????

🏨 Orascom Hotels Management (OHM), a leading hotelier in the MENA region, implemented Oracle's OPERA Cloud system across its properties, completing the initial installation in just 12 days. The upgrade eliminated over 30 redundant processes, optimized tasks to take 90% less time, decreased call resolution by 60%, and reduced external vendor distribution fees by 90%. OHM introduced 'Experience Ambassadors' to enhance guest service, with check-ins on mobile devices under a minute. Personalized guest experiences are now a focus, with real-time tracking of preferences and tailored parting gifts to drive loyalty.

📰 The 2024 Customer Engagement Technology Study indicates AI will transform the travel and hotel industries by personalizing guest experiences and streamlining operations. Hotel Communication Network (HCN) utilizes AI to offer guests voice command services in multiple languages through their Navigator 2.0 tablets, named AiMe. At The Hospitality Show in San Antonio, hotel operators can experience HCN's technology in Booth #1755. 30% of consumers would use AI to learn about hotels, 28% to select hotels, 27% to explore options, and 26% to plan budgets. HCN's AiMe can perform tasks like ordering food, making recommendations, and scheduling wake-up calls. According to the CET Study, 57% of guests want voice-controlled room environments, 48% to request services, and 47% to communicate via chatbot. Hotel operators aim to invest in technology for guest loyalty (80%), employee productivity (76%), and safety (68%). HCN's DineIN program increased revenues by 20-30%, and their Guest Choice program decreased labor costs by 5%.