HN Originals

BeCause: Transforming the sustainability data ecosystem in Travel

It is the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) global conference in Stockholm, Sweden, tune in as for a conversation between Jahanzeeb Ahmed, Chief Commercial Officer & Co-Founder of BeCause and Dr. Willy Legrand, Professor at the IU International University of Applied Sciences in Germany for HNtv INSIDERS. BeCause is a pioneering company empowering over 30,000 tourism businesses to seamlessly manage their sustainability data. By integrating certification bodies, influential marketplaces such as Booking.com and Google, and Hotel Chains such as Radisson Hotel Group, BeCause is setting new standards in data transparency, reliability, quality, and frequency.

Hotel Sustainability at the Forefront: Insights from the GSTC Global Conference

During the GSTC Global Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, HNtv INSIDERS caught up with Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), and Dr. Willy Legrand, Professor at the IU International University of Applied Sciences in Germany. The event aims to unite global and local tourism professionals engaged in advancing and advocating for sustainable travel and tourism.

Brave Hearts of Ukraine: A Beacon of Resilience and Welcome in the Face of Adversity

Earlier this month at ITB Berlin, I had the privilege to meet up with Irnya Sidletska, President of the Ukrainian Hotel & Resort Association. My meeting with Irnya was part of a significant event where several Ukrainian Tourism stakeholders showcased the "We Are Here" campaign, a poignant message of presence and perseverance amidst adversity. Developed with the support of Debbie Flynn, the global travel practice leader at Finn Partners, this campaign represents a collective effort to spotlight Ukraine's tourism potential against the backdrop of ongoing conflict.

Bridging the Tech Gap in the Hospitality Industry: A Comprehensive Analysis

In a recently contributed article on Hospitality Net, Michael Levie asked the question of why we see a slow pace of hotel groups upgrading to contemporary tech stacks. Innovative and open-architecture applications that the hospitality sector has long anticipated are now accessible, providing vast and flexible options ready to be deployed. From data analytics, digital transitions, and understanding revenue flows to business intelligence, everything is available at attractive SaaS pricing. Modern technology solutions available today have the potential to transform our industry into genuine tech and data-driven entities. Yet, the question remains: why haven't all made the shift instantly? What's holding us back?

Hotel Indigo debuts largest marketing campaign in brand history

Hotel Indigo, part of IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, is unearthing the hidden gems that only can be found in a neighborhood and inspiring the next generation of travelers to go out and explore. The brand's newest international marketing campaign, The World’s Neighborhood Hotel, is rooted in the brand’s long-held belief that when you see the world through the neighborhood, the neighborhood changes your world.

Innovative Hospitality Technology Solutions Empower Hotels for Enhanced Efficiency and Profitability

Leading companies in the hospitality technology industry showcased their cutting-edge solutions at HITEC Toronto, an event dedicated to exploring the latest innovations in the hospitality sector. These companies are committed to revolutionizing hotel services, enhancing guest experiences, and maximizing hotel profitability. In this article, we present a summary of their offerings and how they aim to empower the global hospitality industry.

HITEC Toronto Interview: John Seaton, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Cendyn

Flying into Toronto from the UK, John Seaton, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Cendyn, shares his insights about working with partners and tech providers to solve problems and help shape the future of the hospitality industry. In this live interview from HITEC, hosted by Alan Young, John tackles tough topics like the labor shortage challenges hotels are facing to the impact of AI on the industry.

Crave Interactive: Revolutionizing Hotel Service with Innovative Digital Solutions

Gareth Hughes, founder and CEO of Crave Interactive, introduces their company's digital solutions designed to enhance hotel service for guests. At HITEC, Crave will showcase their in-room tablets, mobile solutions, and two major innovations: Crave AI, an Artificial Intelligence-powered natural language assistant that provides personalized service with visual displays and the option to connect with a human staff member via video chat, and Instant Video, a feature allowing guests to have video chats with staff members from their rooms or mobile devices. These unique offerings cater to high-end hotels and vacation resorts while also benefiting hotels across different segments. 

Cendyn: Empowering Hotels with Innovative eCommerce Solutions for Profitability and Guest Loyalty

Emily Millman, senior director of eCommerce at Cendyn, introduces the company's mission to enhance hotel profitability and guest loyalty. Cendyn will showcase its comprehensive website design and technology services, highlighting the integration of their websites with the RT4 system at HITEC. Their award-winning websites not only reflect each hotel's distinctive brand personality but also incorporate the latest UX design trends.

INTELITY: Innovative Hospitality Technology Solutions

Benjamin Keller, Senior Vice President of Sales at INTELITY, highlights the range of technology solutions they offer to the global hospitality industry, including mobile check-in, keyless entry, in-room tablets, and back-end ticketing. At the upcoming high tech event, they will be showcasing their enhanced API and SDK for seamless integration with existing hotel apps, as well as the new features of their R5 platform and the P11 in-room tablets.

HNtv INSIDERS: UN Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day: The Transformational Power of Hospitality SMEs

It is widely acknowledged that Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in the tourism and hospitality sectors across the globe in terms of contribution to local and national economies, supporting livelihoods and key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day is an opportunity to celebrate entrepreneurs, leaders and changemakers – and this year with a special attention to women and youth entrepreneurs. MSMEs in the tourism and hospitality sectors is often where one can find the best practices and implementation of cutting edge innovations when it comes down to environmental and social sustainability as well as conservation, restoration and regeneration approaches.

Hotel Investor Apps: Hotel-Specific ERP Software for Enhanced Efficiency and Profitability

Chris Hall from Hotel Investor Apps introduces their hotel-specific enterprise resource planning (ERP) software aimed at helping hoteliers enhance their business and increase profitability. Their ERP includes dashboards, a modern accounting and financial suite, business intelligence, and a mobile application with full functionality. The software addresses common challenges faced by hotel companies such as data silos, disconnected tools, and manual entry processes.

Maestro PMS: Comprehensive and Customizable Hotel Management Solution

Warren Dehan, President of Maestro PMS, introduces their all-in-one suite of applications designed specifically for the hotel industry. Maestro PMS offers over 20 modules and integrates with more than 800 popular systems, providing comprehensive support for managing the guest journey and hotel operations. Their flagship product, the Maestro PMS suite, includes modules for PMS, sales and catering, club and spa management, owner management, and more.