The Tech Move

If you’re using keycards at your #hotel, and things are going pretty well, why would you consider making the switch to #digital keys? Hotels around the world are increasingly adopting digital room keys for three “key” reasons: 1. #guest convenience 2. Operational efficiency 3. #Sustainability HotelTechReport.com explains. https://lnkd.in/gt9dQrU9

Virtuoso Travel Week is one of the largest luxury travel agent conferences. It’s all about face time between vendors and buyers of luxury #travel but this year the role that #technology plays in the travel agency space took center stage. The Travel Tech Summit was held during Virtuoso Travel Week and featured high-level discussions of technology; an agency owner panel on #data and #AI; and the Startup Showcase, featuring 15 startups working in the travel technology space. One of the topics addressed was the seemingly ubiquitous technology of generative AI. https://lnkd.in/dpxQukug

Looking out for some hospitality themed reading this weekend? We have some suggestions! With budget season fast approaching, our first recommendation has tech investment in mind – specifically, those who may be planning to invest in a new property management system. If this sounds familiar to you, then Stayntouch’s 5 essential elements to look out for when choosing a hotel PMS is a worthwhile read: https://lnkd.in/evSuEBru Also on our list today is techtalk.travel founder André Baljeu’s in-depth look at the changing guest trends around Airbnb versus hotels. Noting a survey conducted by Hyatt Hotels Corporation in the US, an interesting shift in preferences has been spotted. What does this mean for the #hotelindustry? Via Shiji Group Insights: https://lnkd.in/een3Dfq8 #hospitalityindustry #hoteltech #hoteltechnology #hospitalitytechnology #hotels #hospitality

Calling all #hospitality innovators! Did you know that there’s only one week left to enter the 9th annual HTNG TechOvation Award? Next Friday, August 30th, is the deadline for submissions. If your company has a product or service new to the market in 2023 or coming in 2024, this is the perfect opportunity to show it off to the #hospitalityindustry! Following voting from a judging panel of senior IT leaders plus the public, ten semifinalists will advance to present their products live on October 29 at The Hospitality Show. Don’t miss your chance to be named the 2024 HTNG TechOvation Award Winner! More information here: https://lnkd.in/eXmf8QWu #hoteltechnology #hotelindustry #hoteltech #hospitalitytechnology American Hotel & Lodging Association #ahla #htng #techovation

Amid the dramatic evolution underway in the hospitality and travel industries, the transformative role that #artifcialintelligence plays leads to inevitable questions about how the roles of humans are impacted. To be more specific, will #AI chatbots replace human travel advisors? While AI tools can certainly bring value in streamlining bookings and handling routine queries, they’re still not yet a substitute for the personalised expertise and emotional intelligence that a human advisor brings. Taking a deeper dive into the topic, Open Jaw Network Ltd. looks at the necessities behind creating memorable travel experiences and what the future might hold in terms of a collaborative balance between technology and humans. #hotelindustry #hospitalityindustry #hoteltechnology #hospitalitytechnology #chatbots #travelindustry #traveltechnology https://lnkd.in/ejGFS9Aj

Why is the recruitment of tech talent such a challenging task in the #hospitality industry? It’s a question we’ve all pondered over, and one that EHL Hospitality Business School has sought answers to. Fierce competition from other industries, perceptions around hospitality as a tech-driven industry and the shortage of skilled IT workers are just some of the obstacles faced, and as our industry becomes increasingly reliant on digital solutions, finding #technology professionals who not only have the appropriate skills, but also understand the unique demands of the #hotelindustry is crucial. However, amid the concerns, there are also solutions; investing in talent development and actively championing hospitality as a tech-forward environment are key to creating compelling, exciting opportunities that attract the right tech talent to drive innovation and transform the guest experience. Via Hotel-Online: https://lnkd.in/epTuVjqP #hotelindustry #hospitalityindustry #hoteltechnology #hospitalitytechnology 

Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) today announced the launch of #INNCOM Direct, an easy-to-install energy management system that uses automation to help improve energy efficiency in mid-market #hotel properties. The INNCOM technology was previously only available to high-end hotel operators. Now, this combination of hardware, software and #cloud monitoring provides mid-market, also known as limited-service, hotels with quick setup and portfolio analytics that can be accessed from mobile devices or a dashboard and can be used either on a single property or across an entire portfolio. https://lnkd.in/dawWJNrx

Digital advancements are revolutionizing the #restaurant industry, with small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in a great position to capitalize. From state-of-the-art #POS systems to #AI-driven inventory prediction, small and medium sized businesses in the restaurant space have a menu of technological possibilities at their disposal. This article explores the categories of restaurant #technology and gives some useful tips for implementation. https://lnkd.in/dR2efTKz

It's always great to see m&a transactions in #hospitality #technology. This week it was announced that Blackstone Growth has acquired a majority stake in M3, a #hotel accounting software specialist. What is remarkable is that the ASIAN AMERICAN HOTEL OWNERS ASSOCIATION (#AAHOA), representing 20,000 hotel owners and 60% of hotels across the United States, invested in M3 alongside Blackstone. M3 was founded in 1998 and provides a back-office accounting software as well as labor management and business intelligence #tech to more than 8,000 properties in North America. https://lnkd.in/dDeWU369

On the lookout for some #hospitality themed reading this weekend? We have some suggestions! First on our list is one of Skift’s newest pieces of research, the “State of Travel Report 2024”. Published earlier this week, it covers over 350 insights on all things travel, from the impact of #AI to #sustainability and much, much more. The full report can be downloaded here: https://lnkd.in/etHW3Tap Also on our list today is the McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook, published last month by the McKinsey & Company Technology Council. Highlighting the adoption, development, and industry effects of advanced technologies, they identified 15 tech trends that the #hospitalityindustry should be aware of. https://lnkd.in/eKkxsecW #hoteltech #hoteltechnology #hospitalitytechnology #hotelindustry #hotels #hospitalitytechnology #techtrends