Innovation

🎁 Hallmark's new Gift Card Greetings merge a physical greeting card with a digital gift card, featuring over 100 brands like Starbucks, Darden Restaurants, and DoorDash. Lauren Benson, Hallmark's Senior Director, touts convenience and customization; Jaime Yeager, VP at InComm Payments, emphasizes a personalized experience. Available for $4.99 at Hallmark.com, Hallmark Gold Crown Stores, and select retailers, the cards offer a range of designs for various occasions, simplifying the gifting process with a secure, personable touch.

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🏨 U.S. hotel industry reported positive growth in October 2024 compared to 2023, with occupancy at 70.1% (up 1.6%), ADR at $169.85 (up 2.5%), and RevPAR at $119.01 (up 4.2%). Tampa occupancy surged by 23.6% to 83.7% due to Hurricane Milton. Miami led in ADR and RevPAR increases, at $245.28 (up 29.9%) and $179.72 (up 35.5%), respectively, driven by Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and Adobe MAX 2024. Las Vegas and Denver saw RevPAR declines of 19.5% to $192.14 and 12.5% to $105.98, respectively.

🏠 At the Tourism Innovation Summit 2024, AI's use, challenges, and regulation were discussed. Dolores Ordóñez of Gaia-X emphasized data connectivity over centralization. Misa Labarile from the European Commission mentioned the AI Act and the D3 Hub project, aiming to create a European tourism data competence center. NECSTouR, represented by John Fitzgibbon, is involved in projects like Deploy Tour and D3 Hub. Olga Preveden highlighted AI's impact on national language communication and predictive analytics for regional planning. Raúl Álvarez of Radisson spoke about 'immersive journeys'. Inmaculada Martínez-Ruiz of ILUNION Hotels called for inclusive technology. Javier Álvarez of Vueling and Suzanna Chiu of Amadeus IT Group discussed AI and contactless technology improvements. Experts predict a fully digitized travel experience within five years, driven by AI and collaboration across the industry.

📍 In the digital-first world, a user-friendly website is critical for travel agencies' success. Mobile-first design is essential due to users often researching and booking trips on mobile devices. Google prioritizes mobile versions for indexing, influencing rankings. An outdated or slow website, or one with bad UX, can negatively impact visitor retention and Google SERP ranking. UK Google market share stands at 94%. A modern, updated CMS can boost efficiency and manage content effectively. Consider a website overhaul to improve conversion rates and compete effectively.

🚘 Uber for Business launched Delegate Booking in the UK, a platform allowing executive assistants to manage transport for executives using Uber Business Comfort, Exec, and Lux services. Assistants can book, monitor, and edit rides, as well as handle post-trip support like lost items and billing integration. Commenting on the tool, Jenna Brown, director of Uber for Business UK, highlighted its utility in managing ground transport and handling unforeseen circumstances. Executive assistant Catherine Boccellari noted the significant positive impact on her workflow.

🍣 Kura Sushi USA Inc, celebrating its 15th anniversary, implements a QR-scan plate system across nearly 70 locations in 19 states and Washington, D.C. for real-time consumption analytics. Since 2009, the chain has introduced several technologies, including a dual-layer conveyor system, Mr. Fresh food safety dome, Bikkura Pon prize system, and partnerships with major licensors. Innovations in recent years include drink delivery robots (2022), an AI-powered waitlist system (2023), Kura Sushi Rewards app (2023), and DoorDash delivery partnership (2024). A “Fly to Japan” sweepstakes runs Oct. 23-30, rewarding diners spending $65 with a chance to win a trip to Japan.

💿 Hospitality technology solutions enhance hotel operations, reduce costs, and improve guest services. Hotel Property Management Systems (PMS) automate daily tasks and are key for operational efficiency. Types of PMS include server-based, hybrid cloud, and web-native cloud. A Channel Manager updates room availability and rates across Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), preventing overbookings. OTAs are third-party sites for room booking, earning commissions per reservation. A Booking Engine facilitates direct reservations via a hotel's website. Integrated systems, like Hotelogix with various Channel Managers, ensure real-time updates and streamlined operations.

💻 Cloudbeds, in San Diego, California, is integrating a "smart hospitality engine" called Cloudbeds Intelligence, harnessing multimodal and causal AI to provide real-time insights and actionable recommendations for hotel operations. This platform aims to boost RevPAR by up to 15% and occupancy rates by 10%. Co-founder and CEO Adam Harris believes this will redefine hospitality decision-making, enabling dynamic room rates and targeted marketing campaigns. Head of Machine Learning Amit Popat states it will also enhance profitability through predictive marketing and personalized guest experiences.