Every Robot was Kung-Fu Fighting!
Commentary on how China's humanoid combat robots are advancing AI capabilities that could soon revolutionize hotel service operations.
By Mark Fancourt, Co-Founder & Principal Consultant, TRAVHOTECH
Opinion Articles
Should hoteliers become AI experts?
Australian hotels lag in AI readiness despite growing demand, but can succeed by partnering with tech experts rather than building in-house expertise.
By Tom Varsavsky, Chief Technology Officer, SiteMinder
How hoteliers can capitalise on the potential of AI
The article focuses on predictive analytics and machine learning applications for demand forecasting and competitor analysis, with Australian hotels reporting 15% booking increases for July-August.
By Mike Rogers, Chief Data Officer, SiteMinder
AI’s Ridiculous Response to a Ridiculous Question
The author reflects on AI applications while attending the CX Malaysia conference as a keynote speaker.
By Shep Hyken, Customer Service and Experience Expert, Keynote Speaker and Bestselling Author, Shepard Presentations, LLC.
Indian Hospitality Industry: Navigating Recovery and Embracing Transformation in 2023
In the dynamic landscape of India's travel and tourism industry, 2023 marks a year recovery. This is the key finding of the inaugural Indian Accommodation Barometer – a joint project between Booking.com and Statista.
By Yang Li, Head of Public Affairs, Asia Pacific, Booking.com
HVS Monday Musings: Collaborative Innovation
The term "collaborative innovation" is quite often associated with the fields of technology development or software development, where companies prioritize innovation to succeed and stay ahead of the competition, even encouraging collaboration with people and organizations outside the company. As Bill Joy, Cofounder of Sun Microsystems, once said, ‘No matter who you are, most of the smartest people work for someone else’. The point is that even marquee organizations organize open competitions from time to time to find solutions to their challenges.
By Ajay Mehtani, Senior Vice President Asset Management South Asia at HVS Anarock, HVS
Himmat Anand launches India’s first Ehotel in a Shipping Container!
About 18 years back I was visiting a very dear friend in Perth, Australia - Joyce P. Westrip. She is an acclaimed author, a Year 2000 Order of Australia Medal (OAM) awardee, a veritable Indophile and an unofficial ambassador for diverse arts and cultures, including being a patron and benefactor of several significant cultural bodies.
By L. Aruna Dhir, Author of Bestselling Memoir - "Hotel Adventures with the Stars" and Columnist, YouTube Show Host of "High Priestess of Hedonism", L. Aruna Dhir
HVS Monday Musings: Faster Technology Adoption Will Bring A Paradigm Shift In Hotel Operations In India
Pre-COVID, the hospitality sector had successfully adopted technology at the first point of customer contact with increasing number of bookings being done online. However, technology adoption during the other phases of the customer journey was still lagging as hotel rooms followed the standard practices using nearly defunct tech in rooms. The situation, however, changed drastically during the COVID era when tech features, such as keyless check-in and digital menus, that were once considered as luxuries suddenly became necessities for hotels to remain relevant.
By Dipti Mohan and Mandeep Lamba
Lost In Transition: How To Manage Change In Corporate Travel Programs
Throughout the world, organizations are undergoing seismic shifts in their travel programs as they respond to technological advances, developments in the supply chain and evolving traveler expectations.
By Siddharth Singh, Manager, Global Communications, CWT
Hotel Yearbook 2020 China Special Edition - 酒店旅遊創新年鑒 中國特輯
This Hotel Yearbook 2020 China Special Edition - 酒店旅遊創新年鑒 中國特輯 was produced for HFTP, coinciding with CHTA Connecting Travellers Conference - 未来旅行者大会 2019 which took place from May 28-30 in Shanghai Marriott Hotel Parkview. 100+ innovative companies, nearly 2000 attendees from China local and global well-known hotel management groups, capitalists (owners & ventures), airlines, OTAs, scenic spots and etc. are expected to be here. And more than 100 Chinese and Western C level cross-border top leadership will get together to share their most innovative thoughts.
By Frank Wolfe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), HFTP
Single Guest Profiles
At the recent, CHAT 2018 (China Hotel and Tourism Forum) in Shanghai, Kevin King, COO of Shiji, was invited to deliver a keynote speech on "Hotel Operation Technology". As one of the largest hospitality conferences in China, CHAT aims to explore new ideas for hospitality industry future development with trade professionals.
By Kevin King, Chief Executive Officer, Shiji
MORPHEUS the God of Dreams
Just a few short weeks ago, the latest jewel in the crown for Macau's City of Dreams (COD), threw open its doors with all the glamour and glitz one would expect from this Zaha Hadid - designed superstructure - named MORPHEUS.
By Terence Ronson, Founder & Managing Director, Pertlink Limited
Henn-na: productivity and functionality
In the summer of 2015 the owners of a Japanese theme park called Huis Ten Bosch opened the first ever robot hotel. The reason to build a high-tech hotel is simple, according to Kataro Takada, head of corporate planning at Huis Ten Bosch: "Japanese society is aging rapidly. All over the world, this is an issue, but the issue is more pressing in Japan. It has led to a worrying lack of workers in the hotel industry. If we don't come up with solutions, the future of the hotel industry is at risk." This is particularly true for Japan, considering the number of tourists has doubled from 2015 to 2016.
By Bobbie List, Correspondent Asia Pacific, Bobbie van der List
Why your hotel can’t afford to overlook these emerging economies
When we think about emerging economies China tends to be top of mind. But, while it represents a significant opportunity for hotels, there are other countries out there that have also been growing rapidly and should not be overlooked. As part of its recent Emerging Consumer Survey 2015, Credit Suisse highlighted the countries, as well as China, with a new segment of the population which now has the means and the desire to travel.
By David Chestler, President, PROVision Partners
Technology Trends Shaping The Sri Lankan Hospitality Industry
The tumultuous years of conflict are now behind the Sri Lankan tourism and hospitality industry. Since 2009, the $400 million tourism industry has picked up and will soon revisit its days of glory. With projected growth in the industry high, technology will be a key asset as hotels prepare to tackle increasing demand while enhancing operational efficiency. Until recently, only hotel chains and large hotels leveraged technology. As technology gets more affordable and the sector matures, hotels, from small and standalone to chain and boutique should leverage technology to book guests, personalize their stay and get insights into guest requirements for future visits.
Evaluating Hotel Management Software | ROI and TCO Perspective
The growth in the Indian economy and the hotel industry has resulted in a clutter of new Hotel Management software companies vying to increase their footprint in the Indian market. This has not only started a price and promise war amongst the new entrants, but has also been creating immense doubt and confusion in the minds of the IT Managers and decision makers in order to differentiate between many. Besides this, the assumption that the value of a Hotel Management Software is obvious and can be rarely defined either in abstract or practical terms fuels the confusion further.
Peninsula Shanghai – Day three (since opening) – the Room Tech facts
If there is one thing you won"t be short of when you check into a room at the newly opened Peninsula Shanghai, it"s a button to press. There is a myriad of them to choose from! In my standard room #723 (if such a thing exists at this luxurious establishment) there are no less that 29 panels containing various buttons, displays and sockets that you can press, read or plug things into.
By Terence Ronson, Founder & Managing Director, Pertlink Limited