Mon.Jul 29, 2024

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Meta Says Its Newest AI Model Rivals ChatGPT. We Tested it for Trip Planning

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Meta AI was useful as a starting point for finding things to do in a new destination — an improvement from its first model but nothing new compared to competitors. Beyond that, a traditional search is far superior for trip planning.

Travel 331
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The New Face of Hospitality: Facial Recognition Set to Further Streamline the Guest Experience

Lodging

With the hospitality industry’s ongoing move to facilitate the guest journey through digitization and self-service, it’s natural that hoteliers should consider leveraging biometrics for check in/check out, including payment of the final bill. But the last few years have mainly seen elevated interest in this technology with relatively little adoption, according to Terry Schulenburg, VP, business development, CyberLink.

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India’s Move to Make Payments Easier for International Visitors – India Report

Skift Blog

Skift Take: International visitor spending in India in 2023 was 14% below pre-pandemic levels. UPI One World wallet eliminates the need for international travelers to carry currency, and could boost tourism spending in India.

Tourism 325
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3 Customization Features That Can Increase Revenue for Hotels

Lodging

When it comes to design and functionality, few industries highlight the balance between aesthetics and features as clearly as hospitality. For every element in a hotel—décor, service, theming, amenities, and more—hoteliers have keen eyes for detail. But are they overlooking a critical piece in their rooms? What about the TV—the biggest screen in the room?

Revenue 264
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Dont Let AI Pass You By: The New Era of Personalized Sales Coaching & Development

Speaker: Brendan Sweeney, VP of Sales & Devyn Blume, Sr. Account Executive

Are you curious about how artificial intelligence is reshaping sales coaching, learning, and development? Join Brendan Sweeney and Devyn Blume of Allego for an engaging new webinar exploring AI's transformative role in sales coaching and performance improvement! Brendan and Devyn will share actionable insights and strategies for integrating AI into coaching and development - ensuring personalized, effective, and scalable training!

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The Future of Casinos in UAE: Which Brands Have the Edge?

Skift Blog

Skift Take: While Vegas heavyweights like Wynn and MGM made headlines for entering the UAE, the reality of the country's gaming industry could be a lot more local, favoring companies already in the country.

Casinos 326
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The Early Arrival Program

Hospitality Net

With my workshops and speaking, I often do an exercise where I challenge each leader to find a minimum of $250 in next month’s forecast. That can be savings in the form of reduced payroll or expenses. It can also be a source of new revenue. The participants come up with some amazing ideas that really work. The great thing about these ideas is that we almost always get to repeat and compound.

More Trending

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Preferred Hotels & Resorts Welcomes 30 New Member Properties

Hospitality Net

Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, is pleased to announce the addition of 30 new member properties to its global portfolio between April 1 and June 30, 2024. Ranging from an adults-only all-inclusive resort to a preserved historic villa, each of these properties provide personalized, authentic guest experiences across exciting destinations including South Africa, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, and the Dominican Republic.

Resorts 246
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Unlocking the Power of AI Innovation in Airline Retailing

Skift Blog

Skift Take: As travelers seek more customizable options, airline retailing is modernizing to offer AI-powered ancillary offer management. This shift enhances the passenger experience and provides airlines with new revenue streams through targeted and personalized offerings.

Retail 314
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How healthcare technologies are impacting homecare services

Hospitality Net

Social interaction is at the core of human well-being and the heart of any hospitality business. Numerous empirical studies in the hospitality literature have reported the positive effect of social interactions on customer experience and satisfaction. As healthcare technologies become increasingly innovative, various types of connected devices have been developed in order to provide high-quality healthcare services.

Services 262
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Top Challenges for Chinese Travel – and the Latest Booking Trends

Skift Blog

Skift Take: While the Chinese are spending big once again, they are doing so with a keen eye on their wallets, seeking the best value for their money.

Travel 321
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How to Stay Competitive in the Evolving State of Martech

Marketing technology is essential for B2B marketers to stay competitive in a rapidly changing digital landscape — and with 53% of marketers experiencing legacy technology issues and limitations, they’re researching innovations to expand and refine their technology stacks. To help practitioners keep up with the rapidly evolving martech landscape, this special report will discuss: How practitioners are integrating technologies and systems to encourage information-sharing between departments and pr

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Signing of Wyndham Garden hotel in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Hospitality Net

The Adityaz Hotels Limited, a renowned hotel owner in Gwalior, is pleased to announce its partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to open a world-class Wyndham Garden Hotel at Airport Road in Gwalior. This franchise agreement signing highlights The Adityaz Hotels Limited’s dedication and commitment to enhancing the hospitality experience in the city.

Hotels 245
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AI Trip Planning, Olympic Branding and UAE Gaming

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Today's podcast looks at Meta's new AI tools, airlines and the Olympics, and gambling in the UAE.

Branding 295
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UNLV Alumnus Bolsters Hospitality Management Students with $1 Million Gift

Hospitality Net

The UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality announces a $1 million philanthropic gift from Marco Benvenuti to establish the Marco Benvenuti Excellence Endowment. The gift represents the culmination of years of support from the local entrepreneur and 2002 graduate.

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Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Reports Q2 2024 Results

Lodging

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust reported Q2 2024 results. Highlights include: Hotel Operating Trends Portfolio Updates & Capital Repositioning 2024 Outlook “Second quarter demand was in line with our expectations, with healthy business group, transient and leisure boosting the urban markets, and strong weekday and weekend demand positively affecting our resort portfolio.

Hotels 147
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Beyond the Basics: How to Develop and Retain a Top-Performing Sales Team

Speaker: Brendan Sweeney, VP of Sales at Allego

Maximizing sales rep performance is no easy task. 📈 Traditional sales training methods focus heavily on the first few weeks in the sales role. Companies dedicate time, resources, and budget to onboarding new hires, only for them to forget what was learned in those first few weeks, lose motivation, and struggle to come to grips with their role.

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The Endangered Species of Hospitality: Bed and Breakfast Properties

Hospitality Net

In Lansing, MI, the city council and planning board are revisiting ordinances for short-term rentals. This work often runs into questions about bed and breakfast accommodations and what defines a bed and breakfast. In small communities, ordinances are frequently outdated or inadequate for future growth or preservation. Lansing is not the only community facing this in the state; cities such as Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Park Township are also facing this.

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AHLA Releases Statement on Postponed Hearing for NYC Hotel Licensing Bill

Lodging

WASHINGTON—American Hotel & Lodging Association Interim President and CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement after the New York City Council postponed a planned July 30 hearing on a bill that would harm the city’s nearly 700 hotels and their roughly 265,000 employees. “Over the last ten days, NYC’s hotel industry and the tourism economy have rallied to speak with one voice and resoundingly make clear that the Hotel Licensing bill introduced in the City […] The post AHLA Relea

Tourism 147
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Berlin Market Pulse 2024 – A Bright Outlook

Hospitality Net

Berlin, Germany’s largest city with a population exceeding 3.7 million, is a vibrant hub of culture, innovation and diversity. Renowned for its top universities, dynamic sports events, world-class museums and captivating arts scene, Berlin offers a rich tapestry of experiences. With residents of 190 different nationalities, Berlin embraces inclusivity and creativity, making it a truly cosmopolitan destination.

Marketing 241
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InterContinental Bellevue at the Avenue Opens as Brand’s First in the Pacific Northwest

Lodging

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, announced that InterContinental Bellevue at the Avenue is open. This 208-room hotel, situated within the Avenue Bellevue complex developed by Fortress Development, marks the brand’s debut in the Pacific Northwest. General Manager Haje Roger Thurau, a 30-year international hospitality veteran, stated, “We welcome guests with extraordinary amenities and contemporary comforts, reflecting B

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ABM Evolution: How Top Marketers Are Using Account-Based Strategies

In times of economic uncertainty, account-based strategies are essential. According to several business analysts and practitioners, ABM is a necessity for creating more predictable revenue. Research shows that nearly three-quarters of marketers (74%) already have the resources needed to build successful ABM programs.

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Balancing Automation and Personalization in Service Industries

Hospitality Net

The service industry thrives on human connection. A friendly waiter remembering your regular order, a hairdresser who knows exactly how you like your haircut – these small touches create a sense of value and appreciation that keeps customers coming back. But in today’s fast-paced world, automation is king. Self-service kiosks, chatbots, and online booking systems are all the rage, promising efficiency and convenience.

Services 203
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Hotel Erwin Updates and Reorganizes High Rooftop Lounge

Lodging

LOS ANGELES, California—Situated along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, Hotel Erwin, a family-owned establishment for nearly 50 years, debuted the transformation of its High Rooftop Lounge. The rooftop space has undergone a décor refresh in partnership with designer Tara Bean; a reorganization of the rooftop atmosphere and service to create a more elevated lounge experience; and the debut of a new, reimaged food and beverage program by Consultant Christian Krasteff. “We are thrilled to welcome

Hotels 147
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BLLA Opens Submissions for the 2024 BLLA Awards

Hospitality Net

The Boutique Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) is thrilled to announce the opening of submissions for the 2024 BLLA Awards. Recognizing and celebrating the daring and brilliant efforts in the global boutique hospitality industry, the BLLA Awards have become the premier platform for honoring the world’s best hotels, creators, and partners in the boutique sector.

Closing 230
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How can your hotel ensure guests sleep well?

eHotelier

By focusing on sleep quality, hotels can greatly improve the guest experience and satisfied guests are more likely to return and recommend your hotel.

Hotels 119
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Diving into Diversity: Decoding the Foundations of Inclusion in Hospitality Talent Acquisition

Speaker: Lauren Fernandez - CEO & Founder, Full Course

Companies all over the world, including Marriot International and Hilton Worldwide, are aware of the value of including DEI in their talent acquisition strategy. However, despite these initiatives, there is still plenty that the hospitality sector can do to promote DEI. When comparing the hospitality industries in India, Iraq, the UK, and the US, you will see that there is a consistent underrepresentation of persons from different ethnic, gender, and disability origins across all levels of the i

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The building blocks of a first-party data strategy for hotel revenue

Hospitality Net

Imagine a beautifully crafted mosaic, where each tile—unique in shape, color, and texture—comes together to form a breathtaking masterpiece.

Revenue 241
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HB on the Scene: Leslie D. Hale in conversation at NABHOOD

Hotel Business

One of the highlights each year at NABHOOD’s International African American Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit & Trade Show at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay is the Thomas J. Baltimore Jr. Distinguished Speaker Series. At this year’s 28th annual edition of the event, Leslie D. Hale , president/CEO, RLJ Lodging Trust, took to the stage to have an intimate conversation about her career in hospitality with Dr.

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AHLA statement on decision to delay NYC Council hearing on hotel licensing bill

Hospitality Net

American Hotel & Lodging Association Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement after the New York City Council postponed a planned July 30 hearing on a bill that would gravely harm the city’s nearly 700 hotels and their roughly 265,000 employees.

Hotels 201
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Five Make or Break Moments in the Guest Experience

Webrezpro

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” When working to create an exceptional guest experience, hoteliers would do well to remember Maya Angelou’s wise words.

Services 104
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ABM Success Recipe: Mastering the Crawl, Walk, Run Approach

Shifting to an account-based marketing (ABM) strategy can be both exciting and challenging. Well-implemented ABM motions build engagement with high-value accounts and drive impactful campaigns that resonate with your audience. But where do you begin, and how do you progress from crawling to running? Watch now as Demand Gen experts delve into the essentials of each stage of the ABM process.

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HITEC Rewind: Michael Toedt of dailypoint on AI and Hospitality Strategy

Hospitality Net

At HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto interviewed Michael Toedt, CEO and Founder of dailypoint, to discuss the company’s evolution, the current state of AI in the hospitality industry, and the critical importance of having a central strategy for guest data.

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Why Hotels should Maintain their Brand Independence

Guest Centric

Reading Time: 5 minutes An independent hotel starts with a unique vision and concept. Unlike standardized chains, independent properties and collections have the opportunity to distinguish their brand in the market and deliver truly memorable experiences to guests at all stages of their journey. But, as the world of online travel and hospitality rapidly evolves, with everything from algorithm.

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Shiji Distribution Solutions empowers S Hotels & Resorts with WeChat booking engine, enhancing guest experience and reach

Hospitality Net

ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, July 29, 2024 – Shiji proudly announces the successful implementation of a WeChat booking engine for S Hotels & Resorts’ SAii hotel brand, marking a significant leap forward in guest convenience and accessibility. S Hotels & Resorts is a fast-growing luxury hotel group managing 38 hotels across several desirable global tourism destinations, from Fiji to the UK.

Resorts 183
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Silentnight – staying ahead of the curve

Hotel Designs

Hotel Designs Silentnight – staying ahead of the curve Silentnight – staying ahead of the curve As one of the UK’s leading sleep brands, Silentnight is constantly looking at new ways to expand its product portfolio… Whether through introducing new collections, ranges or materials, Silentnight prides itself on staying ahead of the curve when it comes to what it offers customers.

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A Buyer’s Guide to Future-Proofing Your Restaurant Tech Stack

The race to 100% digital is on. With the restaurant industry still in the early innings of its digital transformation, brands need an airtight strategy when it comes to building out their tech stack. Download the buyer’s guide to learn where to prioritize your efforts and get the most out of every investment.