Hotel Yearbook Articles

DO'S & DON'TS for Selecting and Implementing an Enterprise PMS

The hospitality industry finds itself at a critical point where innovation and efficiency must blend seamlessly to meet the evolving demands of guests and operational complexities. A robust PMS stands as the backbone of hotel operations, significantly influencing everything from booking management to guest satisfaction. For enterprise hotel chains, selecting the right PMS is paramount, as it can drive operational excellence and elevate the guest experience. But choosing the right PMS for hotel groups and chains is more challenging due to the complex needs of large-scale operations, which require a system capable of handling extensive integrations and diverse functionalities across multiple locations. Additionally, the high volume of data and transactions necessitates a stable and secure solution that can ensure seamless performance and compliance with industry standards. Here are the Do’s and Dont’s that we’ve observed in selecting the right Enterprise PMS.

By Wolfgang Emperger, SVP For Europe, Africa, And UK & Ireland, Shiji

DO’S & DON’TS of Hotel Data Security Awareness Training

INTRODUCTION

Hospitality is the third-most targeted industry by cyber criminals and, unfortunately, over 30% of hotels have experienced a breach.

By David Christiansen, Chief Information Officer, Venza

DO'S & DON'TS in Digital Payments

Hoteliers know they need to get every detail right to attract and keep their guests, who today are better informed, more tech-savvy and carry significant buying power and influence.

By Lennert de Jong, Chief Executive Officer, Another Star (formerly citizenM), Another Star

DO'S & DON'TS in Hospitality Procurement

The practice of sourcing and buying all the necessities required to run a hotel, restaurant or other venue, hospitality procurement includes everything from the sheets on the beds to the fresh food in the kitchen.

By Frank Dierberger, CEO, FutureLog, FutureLog AG

Evolving from CRM to CDP: What got us here won’t get us there

Karen Stephens highlights the limitations of traditional CRMs in the hospitality industry and advocates for transitioning to Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) to enhance guest experiences and drive direct revenue. She uses the example of Caroline Brettell, a frequent traveler whose fragmented data across multiple systems prevents effective targeting and personalization. Unlike CRMs, CDPs integrate data from various sources, providing a comprehensive view of guests. CDPs also excel in identity resolution, merging duplicate profiles, and utilizing advanced AI to ensure accurate guest data. Additionally, CDPs facilitate data activation across multiple channels, enabling personalized, multi-channel marketing campaigns. Stephens emphasizes that while CRMs were crucial for initial data management, the advanced capabilities of CDPs are essential for future growth and competitiveness in the evolving hospitality landscape.

By Karen Stephens, Chief Marketing Officer, Revinate, Inc.

DO'S & DON'TS to Maximize Data and Drive Revenue

At Lighthouse, we see AI as a game-changer in terms of transforming commercial strategies for the hospitality industry. The shift has been remarkable—from a time not so long ago, when critical data was scarce - to an era where the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming.

By Ivo Minjauw, Chief Product Officer, Lighthouse

Near-Term Machine Learning Use Cases for Hospitality

Using interfaces to access the multitudes of information housed within a hotel's property management system (PMS), technology vendors have on their hands a literal treasure trove of first-party training data for machine learning applications. Any primary data extraction must nevertheless be focused around specific use cases that must be tested and verified before deploying in a live environment. Thus far, we've seen lots of discussion around what's possible in the abstract for machine learning, but outside of perhaps chatbots and algorithmic rate optimization recommendations, many of the purported use cases are not practical for the here and now.

By Adam Mogelonsky, Partner, Hotel Mogel Consulting Limited

DO'S and DON'TS of Hotel Revenue Management Systems

Effective revenue management is essential for optimising profitability and maintaining a competitive edge in the hospitality industry. Central to this effort is using Revenue Management Systems (RMS) properly. When configured and utilised correctly, these systems can significantly enhance efficiency and a hotel's revenues. However, maximising the benefits of RMS requires adherence to best practices and avoiding common pitfalls.

By Basak Denizci Guillet and Ibrahim Mohammed

DO'S and DON'TS for Successful Process Automation in Hotels

Automation in the hospitality industry is rapidly transforming how hotels operate and deliver services. From streamlining mundane tasks to enhancing guest experiences, automation offers significant benefits. However, implementing automation requires careful consideration to avoid potential pitfalls. This article explores the essential do's and don'ts of process automation in hotels, providing actionable insights for hoteliers looking to leverage technology for operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. Whether you manage a small boutique hotel or a large chain, understanding these principles can help you successfully integrate automation into your operations.

By Linda Girrbach, Co-Founder & Head of Hospitality Consulting, RobosizeME

It’s Never Been Better for Investment in the Hotel Technology Industry

HFTP's CEO Frank Wolfe emphasizes the need for the hospitality industry to adapt its conventions to stay relevant, highlighting the HITEC Technology Investment Conference debuting this year. This addition is timely due to the pandemic accelerating the adoption of technology in hospitality, creating a favorable investment climate. Wolfe identifies four main challenges in hotel IT: industry fragmentation, on-premises systems, costly integrations, and siloed data, now more manageable with new technologies like cloud solutions, open APIs, and AI. The shift to cloud-native architectures and AI-enhanced software development promises cost reductions, improved service, and global scalability. Additionally, hotel technologies are expanding into residential and commercial real estate, presenting new opportunities for vendors. Wolfe sees this moment as the beginning of a new era in hotel technology, inviting deeper investment and collaboration at HITEC.

By Frank Wolfe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), HFTP

Revenue Managers in the Age of AI: Evolution, Revolution or Goodbye?

In the rapidly evolving landscape of hospitality revenue management, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged not just as a tool, but as a potential co-pilot. Where it started out as handling complex data analysis, forecasting, and giving recommendations for the decision-making process, it soon moved to automation and finally contextualization.

By Fabian Bartnick, Founder, Infinito

Survey Reveals Surge in Hotel Tech Investments Activity geared around Data-Driven Solutions

The words ‘cautious optimism’ have been a recurrent theme for many other sector outside of hospitality, but within the world of hotels there are especially true as we look ahead to ongoing travel growth amidst a series of red flags indicating an economic slowdown. Our industry appears to be in a state of contradictions that indicate a bullish future but a bumpy road along the way.

By Henri Roelings, Founder, Hospitality Net

A New Age of Hospitality-Tech: Investment Booms and Maturing Technologies

The hospitality industry presents a challenging landscape for technology development and adoption, primarily due to its complex structure and global reach. Despite these difficulties, there is a significant opportunity for transformative investments in innovative solutions that can drive efficiency, sustainability, and personalized guest experiences.

By Floor Bleeker, Board Member, Advisor, Investor and Consultant, IN2 Consulting

Welcome to the Everything-Data Decade!

Dear readers,

Welcome to the 2024 Technology Edition of The HOTEL Yearbook (HYB), heralding the dawn of the Everything-Data Decade in the hospitality industry. This era promises transformative technological advancements that will reshape how hoteliers operate today and in the future.

By Terence Ronson, Founder & Managing Director, Pertlink Limited

eIDAS 2.0: A new regulation that will change guest data privacy and security

The EU is implementing a standardized digital identity system with a secure European Digital Identity Wallet. This will revolutionize travel by eliminating cumbersome paperwork, boosting security, and streamlining check-in processes. Hotels need to prepare for mandatory adoption by 2026 and develop a strategy to integrate eIDAS 2.0 with existing systems.

By Pedro Torres, CEO and Co-Founder, Youverse

DO'S & DON'TS of an open API PMS

Across all industries, there’s a consistent move towards cloud-native solutions. Hospitality is no different, and hoteliers are adapting quickly to changing guest habits and expectations.

By Richard Valtr, Founder, Mews

DO'S & DON'TS for Selecting and Managing Online Reputation Solutions

Effectively managing hotel reviews is critical for maintaining reputation and enhancing guest satisfaction in the hospitality industry. Reviews have a significant impact on everything from guest perception to revenue, making it essential for hotels to manage them efficiently. The process involves addressing diverse needs across the industry, requiring systems capable of handling extensive data, integrating with various platforms, and providing actionable insights. Additionally, the growing emphasis on personalized guest experiences and prompt responses to feedback necessitates strategies that are solid and adaptable to industry changes. The following practices are a must, for hotels to significantly improve their guest review management and with that their overall guest satisfaction.

By Danica Smith, Director of Product Engagement & Strategy, Shiji ReviewPro, Shiji

HFTP Corporate Allied Sponsor Spotlight Feature: VENZA

Better visibility means better defense — through the HFTP Corporate Allied Sponsorship (CAS) program, get to know companies like VENZA, the leading provider of data protection and regulatory compliance solutions for the hospitality industry.

HFTP

HFTP Corporate Allied Sponsor Spotlight Feature: Worldvue

Use one single provider from inception to operation — through the HFTP Corporate Allied Sponsorship (CAS) program, get to know companies like WorldVue, a trusted provider of video, advanced connectivity and professional services to properties and enterprises across the world.

HFTP

HFTP Corporate Allied Sponsor Spotlight Feature: Virdee

Check out the latest in check-in automation — through the HFTP Corporate Allied Sponsorship (CAS) program, get to know companies like Virdee, a leader in guest experience technology. With mobile web, app and kiosk options, Virdee puts access and amenities at guests' fingertips. From initial reception to secure identity verification and room upgrades, the entire experience is contactless.

HFTP