Innovation

🏨 According to a Deloitte survey, 45% of hoteliers report fragmented technology in their tech stack hinders delivering exceptional guest experiences. Hotels must shift to an interconnected ecosystem, with a modern Property Management System (PMS) at the core, to enhance the guest journey. This approach allows for integrated booking, shifts focus to guest-centric metrics like Revenue Per Available Guest (RevPAG), and supports dynamic packaging, leading to increased satisfaction and revenue. Transitioning from manual to automated systems, overcoming the challenge of replacing established processes, and adopting a transformational mindset are essential for hotels to capitalize on technology, encouraging additional guest spending and loyalty.

🏠 Cloudbeds to launch Cloudbeds Intelligence, an AI and machine learning layer for hospitality management, at the Passport User Conference on October 23, 2024, in SAN DIEGO, California. Designed to enhance hotel revenue, efficiency, and guest experience by breaking down silos and enabling data-driven decisions. CEO Adam Harris to showcase its capabilities in optimizing property performance and profitability.

🛌 Aimbridge Hospitality partners with UKG to offer AI-powered flexible scheduling to its 45,000 hourly U.S. employees, improving work-life balance and earning the 2023 UKG Innovation Award. Using the UKG Pro mobile app, 30% of Aimbridge's workforce can trade shifts across 1,100 U.S. properties. Nearly half (47%) of global employees find flexible/self-scheduling highly desirable in 2024. Aimbridge also leverages UKG Talk for streamlined communications and plans to utilize AI-assistant UKG Bryte™ for guiding employees on PTO policies.

📈 TYSONS, Virginia—Cvent acquired event marketing technology company Splash, which is used by over 500 organizations, including more than 60 Fortune 1000 companies. Splash's platform supports marketers in creating branded, measurable events to drive business. This acquisition enables Cvent to offer tools that enhance engagement, streamline event registration, and integrate with existing MarTech stacks. Cvent and Splash aim to boost event marketing success for businesses globally.

🏦 Simon Champion to step down as CEO of Boxpark after a 7-year tenure, having been part of the team since before April 2022. Boxpark, known for using shipping containers for pop-up street food, has locations in London and Liverpool. COO Ben Mclaughlin to take over interim operations. Boxpark Camden to open in late September with 60 traders, two bars, and a rooftop terrace, subject to planning permission. Shoreditch outpost to close due to lease expiration, despite a campaign to save it.

🍽 Hotel Equities and 34th Floor Hospitality have partnered to revolutionize culinary experiences across HE's properties, particularly in new-builds in the Caribbean and Latin America. This partnership focuses on innovative dining concepts tailored to market demands and guest preferences, with immediate integrations at selected HE properties in North America and the expanding CALA region. The collaboration aims to enhance Hotel Equities' competitive edge by driving innovation in hospitality and food and beverage experiences.

🏨 Aimbridge Hospitality implements AI-powered UKG Pro suite for its 45,000 hourly U.S. employees to offer flexible, gig-like shift picking. Aimbridge, managing brands like Hilton and Marriott, competes for talent by gigifying its workforce, improving employee flexibility and satisfaction. The company received the 2023 UKG Innovation Award for its scheduling approach. 12,000 employees, or 30% of the hourly workforce, have traded shifts across 1,100 U.S. properties. The UKG suite also includes UKG Talk, a communications platform, and UKG Bryte™, an AI assistant.

🏕 Resort revenue management is complex due to diverse offerings and variable demand. G3 RMS assists in optimizing revenue by providing advanced demand forecasting, dynamic pricing strategies, and evaluating group business opportunities. For example, it can suggest optimized controls and automate pricing adjustments after cancellations. The technology also aids in guest data analysis for personalized pricing and experience strategies. Felix Llibre, Director of Sales at Loews Coral Gables, endorses the tool for early buy-in and alignment between departments.

☕ Peachtree Group, founded in 2007 and led by CEO Greg Friedman, launched a restaurant management division focusing on quick-service coffee shops. The first Starbucks opened at AdventHealth Orlando, part of a strategy to boost patient satisfaction. The division, managed by SVP Daniel Puglisi, oversees locations outside Peachtree's hotel portfolio and aims to grow to 100 stores in high-traffic areas. Initial developments began with a lease signed in August 2023 and construction in February 2024.

🏨 Hoteliers often can't perceive their hotel from a guest's viewpoint, making it hard to meet guests' expectations. This disconnect is analyzed through the "gap model" and can occur due to misunderstandings about expectations, inability to provide desired service, human error, or misleading marketing. GuestRevu's guest feedback surveys and online reputation management tools help bridge these gaps. Feedback helps hoteliers understand guest expectations, identify service shortcomings, and refine marketing messages to ensure guest experiences align with what is advertised.