Hospitality Upgrade, the leading provider of technology content and supplier information for the hospitality industry, today announced the official launch of its redesigned Web site, www.hospitalityupgrade.com.
As more hospitality companies implement some form of IT-based self-service, many are seeking to reduce costs, increase customer satisfaction, and possibly reach new customer segments. A new hospitality study from Cornell's Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) points out that when self-service functions correctly, it does enhance guest satisfaction and improves hotels' financial results. However, when a problem occurs with the self-service computer system, guests are far less willing to return, much less pay a premium rate.
According to the Google Blog, "We were excited by the number of people who chose to try it out {Social Search Experiment in October}, and today Social Search is available to everyone in beta on google.com." Social Search enables Google to deliver more relevant content on the front page created by people you know and trust. Google users will now see results directly from connections via Twitter, Facebook, RSS, Flickr & Picasa, and subscriptions using Google Reader.
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) announced today that Microsoft is the patron sponsor of GUESTROOM 20X, a futuristic guestroom featuring the hospitality industry's most innovative technologies. The exhibit debuts at the 2010 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), the world's largest hospitality technology exposition and conference. HITEC 2010, produced by HFTP, is June 21–24 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. USA.
VFM Leonardo, the leader in online visual content distribution for hotels, has launched a new episode on VTV Channel: Overcoming eBusiness Challenges with Edward Perry, Senior Director of E-Commerce at WORLDHOTELS. Five to six years ago, hoteliers saw e-commerce as business on the side. Now, it touches every aspect of marketing, sales and the hotel business as a whole.
VFM Leonardo today announced its upcoming webinar, Selling Hotel Rooms to the Video Generation taking place on March 23rd at 2:00pm Eastern/11:00am Pacific. On the Web, on phones, on iPods—video is everywhere. There's a common misconception that twenty- and thirty-somethings are doing all of the online video watching—but they’re not the only ones!
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts® is proud to announce the launch of a standalone Web site for Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa. Designed to appeal to the savvy traveler, this secondary Web site offers improved graphic functionality, a unique left-side navigation bar and increased Web 2.0 integration.
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) relies on the collective vision, knowledge and experience of its members to help make the association the best it can be for its members and the industry. HFTP is encouraging members to become more involved with HFTP by being a part of its leadership. The association is currently seeking out members for officer and director positions on the 2010-2011 HFTP Board of Directors. Completed applications are due to HFTP by March 17, 2010.
With over 700 million people actively engaging through social media, this is an opportunity hospitality professionals can not ignore. During his general session "I'm Going to Tweet You Up" at the 2010 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), trendsetter Michael Tchong will explore the latest social networking trends and discuss its importance in the hospitality technology industry. HITEC 2010, a service of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), is June 21-24 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. USA.
Please find attached Call For Papers for International Hospitality Information Technology Association (iHITA) Conference Call for Papers. iHITA is a global association of educators and practitioners whose mission is to advance the use of information technology in the hospitality industry through education and research.
VFM Leonardo, the leader in online visual content distribution for hotels, has launched a new episode on VTV Channel - Video: What Travel Shoppers Want with Tom O'Rourke, President/CEO of O’Rourke Hospitality Marketing. People connect with video. When researching hotels online, travel shoppers want to see two types of videos: professionally shot and guest produced. They want to be enticed but they also need validation.
For two decades Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) has honored innovative individuals behind technology-driven developments in the hospitality industry with the International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame.
Industry innovator Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announced an unprecedented Smart Check-In pilot program at its much-talked-about, tech-savvy Aloft® Hotels brand that allows travelers to skip the front desk at check-in and head directly to their rooms. Made possible through a partnership with VingCard Elsafe, the Smart Check-In caters to a new generation of guests on the go who are more interested in high-tech than high-touch service. Technology has been a vital component of the brand’s DNA from day one, when Aloft Hotels debuted in virtual reality on Second Life.
VFM Leonardo, the leader in online visual content distribution for hotels, has launched a new episode on VTV Channel: Untapped Online Opportunities with Felix Laboy, President and General Manager of Sabre Hospitality Solutions. In this episode, you will learn about the untapped online opportunities that can help you extract the most value out of your presence online. Some of the biggest untapped online eBusiness opportunities that hoteliers can take advantage of include:
Hospitality technology products and solutions are all in one location at the 2010 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®). The conference and exhibition provides easy access to vendors and experts for those looking for new technology and those needing to make the best of what they already have.
Sabre Hospitality SolutionsSM, the leading provider of products and services for the hospitality industry, has renewed its three-year corporate partnership with the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research. Sabre Hospitality Solutions combines the world's largest global distribution system, the industry's leading central reservation system (the SynXis CRS), and award-winning internet marketing services to help hotel suppliers increase revenues, identify savings, and improve customer service.
VFM Leonardo, the leader in online visual content distribution for hotels, has launched a new episode on VTV Channel: To Merchandise or Not. Felix Laboy, President and General Manager at Sabre Hospitality Solutions, discusses how hotels are doing a better job of merchandising online they have been in the past. However, there is still room for improvement.
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and the GUESTROOM 20X Task Force, a group of hospitality technology leaders and experts, are searching for the latest and near-future technologies for the newest version of GUESTROOM 20X. The 2010 version of GUESTROOM 20X, a special exhibit showcasing the most innovative technologies for the guestroom, debuts at the 2010 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) June 22-24 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. USA.
Attendee registration and the Housing Bureau for the 2010 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) is now available online at HITEC.org. HITEC 2010, a service of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), is the world's largest hospitality technology exposition and conference. The conference is June 21-24 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. USA.
PCI Compliance, Direct Website Bookings for Lower Costs, Total Guest Experience to Boost Loyalty, Yield Management to Maximize Revenue and Social Marketing are Essentials for Success